Job 22:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 22:7
7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
Chapter Context
Job 22 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, obedience, judgment. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-30: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 22:7
7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
Analysis
Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink (לֹא־מַיִם עָיֵף תַּשְׁקֶה, lo-mayim ayef tashqeh)—Eliphaz now invents specific sins to justify his theology. Providing water to the thirsty was fundamental covenant obligation (Isaiah 58:7, Matthew 25:35). The word ayef (עָיֵף) means weary, exhausted, or faint. Denying water violated basic hospitality and compassion laws that even predated Mosaic legislation.
Thou hast withholden bread from the hungry (וְלָרָעֵב תִּמְנַע־לָחֶם, velar'eb timna-lachem)—Ra'ev (רָעֵב) means hungry or famished. Mana (מָנַע) means withhold or keep back. Feeding the hungry appears throughout Scripture as covenant righteousness marker (Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Proverbs 22:9, Isaiah 58:7). Eliphaz's accusations are completely baseless—Job had actually fed the hungry and aided the needy (29:12-17, 31:16-22). When theology trumps facts, false witness results.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes emphasized obligations to the vulnerable—widows, orphans, the poor, and travelers. Hammurabi's Code, Hittite laws, and Mosaic legislation all mandated providing for the needy. Job's actual record (chapters 29, 31) shows exemplary fulfillment of these obligations. Eliphaz's false accusations demonstrate how rigid theological systems can lead to bearing false witness when reality doesn't cooperate with theory.
Reflection
- When have you been tempted to assume someone's suffering must result from hidden sin, even without evidence?
- What does Eliphaz's false accusation teach about the danger of defending our theology at the expense of truth?
- How does Job's actual record (chapters 29-31) challenge us to examine our own treatment of the poor and vulnerable?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Job 31:17, Isaiah 58:7, Ezekiel 18:7, 18:16, Matthew 25:42