Job 27:22
For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
Original Language Analysis
וְיַשְׁלֵ֣ךְ
For God shall cast
H7993
וְיַשְׁלֵ֣ךְ
For God shall cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
1 of 7
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
עָ֭לָיו
H5921
עָ֭לָיו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְמֹ֑ל
upon him and not spare
H2550
יַחְמֹ֑ל
upon him and not spare
Strong's:
H2550
Word #:
4 of 7
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
מִ֝יָּד֗וֹ
out of his hand
H3027
מִ֝יָּד֗וֹ
out of his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
Job's friends argued suffering proves wickedness (retribution theology). Job counters that the wicked often prosper temporarily (Job 21), but ultimate judgment is certain. This aligns with Psalms 37 and 73—the righteous must wait for God's justice. Ancient wisdom literature across cultures struggled with delayed justice; Job affirms divine judgment while rejecting simplistic retribution theology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty of divine judgment provide comfort to those suffering injustice?
- What is the difference between God's temporal judgments and final judgment?
- How should believers balance present grace with future wrath when considering God's character?
Analysis & Commentary
For God shall cast upon him, and not spare (וְיַשְׁלֵךְ עָלָיו וְלֹא יַחְמֹל, ve-yashlekh alav velo yachmol)—The verb shalak (שָׁלַךְ) means "to hurl, throw violently," used of God casting down enemies (Exodus 15:1). The phrase "not spare" uses chamal (חָמַל), meaning to pity or have compassion. Job describes divine wrath as relentless missiles against the wicked. The phrase he would fain flee out of his hand (בָּרוֹחַ יִבְרַח מִיָּדוֹ) uses barach (בָּרַח, "flee") doubled for intensity. The wicked desperately tries escaping God's hand (yad, power), but futilely.
This echoes Amos 5:19: "As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him." There is no escape from divine judgment. Hebrews 10:31 warns, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Job's theodicy argues the wicked cannot ultimately prosper—God's justice, though delayed, is certain. This anticipates Romans 2:5, storing up wrath against the day of wrath.