Job 22 24

Job 22:24 kjv

Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

Job 22:24 nkjv

Then you will lay your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.

Job 22:24 niv

and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,

Job 22:24 esv

if you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed,

Job 22:24 nlt

If you give up your lust for money
and throw your precious gold into the river,

Job 22 verses

Job 22 24 Meaning

Job 22:24, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, proposes a conditional promise to Job. It suggests that if Job repents and turns to God, his material wealth will become so abundant or so inconsequential in comparison to divine blessings that he will effectively disregard it. The precious metals of "gold" and "gold of Ophir" will be treated as common dust or ordinary pebbles found in dry riverbeds, signifying either an overwhelming overflow of prosperity or, more profoundly, a spiritual reorientation where earthly treasures are devalued when one's relationship with God is restored.

Job 22 24 Context

Job 22 is Eliphaz the Temanite's final speech to Job, representing the culmination of the friends' retributive theology. Eliphaz argues forcefully that God does not arbitrarily punish the innocent. Therefore, Job's suffering must be due to hidden sin. He moves from general accusations in earlier speeches to very specific (though false) charges (Job 22:5-9), accusing Job of oppressing the poor and needy.

In verses 21-30, Eliphaz then presents a plea for Job to repent, assuring him that if he humbles himself and turns to God, his fortunes will be miraculously restored, including material prosperity and influence. Verse 24 is part of this specific promise, portraying a lavish abundance or profound change in perspective on wealth, contingent upon Job's repentance. Eliphaz, typical of ancient Near Eastern thought on justice, believed that piety was directly rewarded with prosperity and wickedness punished by misfortune, a viewpoint Job and ultimately God's revelation at the end of the book challenge.

Job 22 24 Word Analysis

• Then (כִּי, kî): This particle often functions as a causal "for" or "because," but here it acts as a strong assertive or conditional "surely," "indeed," or "when/then." It signals the inevitable consequence or outcome if the preceding conditions (repentance, reconciliation with God in Job 22:21-23) are met. It suggests certainty in Eliphaz's mind.
• you will lay (תָּשִׁית, tāshīt): From the Hebrew root שׁוּת (shût), meaning "to set," "to place," "to put." The Hiphil imperfect form indicates an active, future action by Job. This word implies a deliberate act of discarding or treating something with little value. It is Job's direct action towards the gold, suggesting it is either cast away due to its abundance or willingly dismissed as less significant.
• your gold (בֶּצֶר, betzer): This specific Hebrew term can refer to "gold ore" or "precious metal" in general. It also carries connotations of a "stronghold" or "fortification," perhaps hinting at wealth as a form of security. Here, it denotes valuable, tangible treasure belonging to Job.
• in the dust (עָפָר, ʿāfār): "Dust," "earth," "soil," or "dry ground." This word often symbolizes humility, commonness, and insignificance. The contrast between gold and dust highlights a devaluation – something precious becoming worthless or so common as to be disregarded. It implies that Job would cast it off or have such an abundance that it blends into the ground.
• and the gold of Ophir (וּכְתֶם אוֹפִיר, ūḵəṯem ʾôfîr):
  • gold (כֶּתֶם, ketem): A highly poetic and elevated term for "pure gold" or "refined gold," specifically referring to gold of the finest quality, known for its lustrous shine. It emphasizes extreme purity and value, found often in wisdom literature.
  • Ophir (אוֹפִיר, ʾÔphîr): A legendary, but often referenced, source of the purest, most highly prized gold in the ancient world (1 Ki 9:28; 10:11; Ps 45:9). Its exact geographical location remains debated, but culturally, it represented the pinnacle of wealth and luxury. Its inclusion amplifies the extraordinary value of the gold Eliphaz is referring to.
• among the stones (צוּר, tsûr): "Rock," "stone," or "boulder." Here, it contextually refers to common pebbles or stones, especially those found in dry riverbeds.
• of the torrent-bed (נְחָלִים, nəḥālîm): Plural of נַחַל (naḥal), meaning "wadi," "brook," or "torrent-bed." These are seasonal streams, often dry, whose beds are filled with common stones, gravel, and sediment. This image reinforces the idea of something precious being relegated to a place of utter commonness and neglect, devoid of value.

Words-group Analysis:

• "your gold in the dust": This phrase dramatically juxtaposes extreme value (gold) with extreme commonness/worthlessness (dust). It conveys the idea that Job will regard his once-cherished wealth as mere refuse. This can either mean an overwhelming abundance of gold, making it as common as dust, or a spiritual shift where he disdains material possessions.
• "and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed": This further intensifies the imagery. By specifying "gold of Ophir," Eliphaz emphasizes the highest possible quality of gold, which he then places "among the stones of the torrent-bed" – ordinary, valueless pebbles. This suggests that even the most exquisite wealth will be cast aside, reinforcing the theme of utter devaluation or superabundance.

Job 22 24 Bonus section

• The phrasing "lay your gold in the dust" (literally, "you will set gold to the dust") might also suggest returning it to the earth, or letting it revert to its origin, emphasizing its temporal and non-ultimate nature compared to spiritual blessings.
• Eliphaz's view mirrors a prosperity theology common in some parts of modern Christianity, emphasizing material gain as a direct sign of God's favor, which contrasts sharply with Job's reality and the deeper biblical message that God's ways are higher than human understanding, and suffering is not always a punishment for sin.
• The use of "Ophir" suggests not just ordinary wealth, but wealth of kings and great nations. To treat such rare gold as pebbles highlights an extreme shift in perception or an unimaginable level of abundance that beggars belief.

Job 22 24 Commentary

Eliphaz's promise in Job 22:24 reflects a deeply ingrained ancient Near Eastern concept of "retribution theology," where righteousness brings material blessing and sin brings suffering. While flawed in its application to Job's unique situation, the verse contains a profound spiritual truth that transcends Eliphaz's limited understanding. It speaks to a transformative shift in one's perception of wealth.

This transformation can be interpreted in two ways, both rooted in the idea of a restored relationship with God:

1. Overwhelming Abundance: One interpretation is that God will bless Job with such immense prosperity that even the most valuable gold (like that from Ophir) will become as common and abundant as dust or ordinary river stones. In this scenario, gold isn't discarded due to contempt, but simply because it has lost its rarity and exclusivity.
2. Spiritual Devaluation: A more profound understanding, particularly consistent with broader biblical wisdom and New Testament teachings, is that Job's spiritual renewal will lead him to intrinsically devalue material possessions in favor of divine blessings and the relationship with God. When God becomes paramount, worldly riches lose their luster and ultimate significance. He would 'lay them aside' not in disgust, but as relatively unimportant when compared to the 'unsearchable riches of Christ' (Eph 3:8) or wisdom (Prov 8:11).

Eliphaz's focus remains on the material benefits of piety. However, the imagery inadvertently points to a higher reality: a perspective where God's presence and kingdom are so supremely valuable that worldly wealth is relativized, becoming a matter of secondary importance. Ultimately, Job's story illustrates that true devotion transcends material conditions, and genuine faith is not contingent upon external prosperity.