Job 22:30

Authorized King James Version

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He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.

Original Language Analysis

וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט He shall deliver H4422
וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט He shall deliver
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 1 of 6
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
אִֽי the island H336
אִֽי the island
Strong's: H336
Word #: 2 of 6
not
נָקִ֑י of the innocent H5355
נָקִ֑י of the innocent
Strong's: H5355
Word #: 3 of 6
innocent
וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט He shall deliver H4422
וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט He shall deliver
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 4 of 6
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
בְּבֹ֣ר by the pureness H1252
בְּבֹ֣ר by the pureness
Strong's: H1252
Word #: 5 of 6
purify
כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃ of thine hands H3709
כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃ of thine hands
Strong's: H3709
Word #: 6 of 6
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

Analysis & Commentary

Eliphaz concludes: 'He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.' This final conditional assumes repentance will restore Job. The irony is that Job needs no repentance - he is already innocent. False diagnosis leads to false cure.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern wisdom emphasized repentance as pathway to restoration. Eliphaz's counsel contains truth but misapplies it to someone who isn't guilty as charged.

Questions for Reflection