Job 22 29

Job 22:29 kjv

When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

Job 22:29 nkjv

When they cast you down, and you say, 'Exaltation will come!' Then He will save the humble person.

Job 22:29 niv

When people are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast.

Job 22:29 esv

For when they are humbled you say, 'It is because of pride'; but he saves the lowly.

Job 22:29 nlt

If people are in trouble and you say, 'Help them,'
God will save them.

Job 22 verses

Job 22 29 Meaning

Job 22:29 conveys a pivotal principle concerning divine justice and mercy, as articulated by Eliphaz. It posits that when individuals are brought low—often referring to the arrogant or unrighteous whose downfall is observed—one will then recognize and declare that a "lifting up" or exaltation is available. Crucially, the verse concludes by affirming that God specifically delivers and saves the person who possesses a humble and contrite spirit. Though part of Eliphaz's misguided counsel to Job, this statement highlights a universal truth regarding God's opposition to pride and His favor toward humility.

Job 22 29 Context

Job 22:29 is found within the third and final speech of Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends. This chapter marks Eliphaz's most direct and severe accusation against Job, abandoning indirect implications for outright charges of great wickedness (vv. 5-9), cruelty (vv. 6-7), and neglecting the poor (v. 9). Eliphaz fundamentally operates under the strict "retribution principle," believing that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. He attempts to convince Job to confess and repent, outlining a path to restoration and prosperity should Job turn back to God (vv. 21-30). Verse 29 specifically forms part of this promised restoration, where Eliphaz projects that if Job humbles himself before God, he will not only be delivered but will also observe the downfall of the wicked and discern God's hand in exalting the humble. For the original audience, this message reinforced a prevailing theological understanding of God's justice, even if misapplied to Job's unique situation.

Job 22 29 Word analysis

• When they are cast down (כִּי־יַשְׁפִּילוּ - kî-yašpîlû):

  • Kî (כִּי): A common conjunction meaning 'when,' 'if,' or 'because.' Here, it introduces a circumstantial clause, pointing to a future observation.
  • Yašpîlû (יַשְׁפִּילוּ): Hiphil conjugation of šāp̄al (שָׁפַל), meaning "to be low, humble." The Hiphil denotes causing to be low, bringing low, or humbling. It refers to those (plural, third person) who are humbled, brought low by adversity, judgment, or divine action. Eliphaz suggests Job will witness this phenomenon among the wicked or proud.

• you will say (וְתֹ֖אמֶר - wəṯō’mer):

  • Wə (וְ): The conjunction 'and,' here indicating a subsequent action or consequence.
  • Tō’mer (תֹאמֶר): Second person masculine singular imperfect of ’āmar (אָמַר), meaning "to say, speak, declare." This is a direct address to Job, signifying his future response or proclamation.

• ‘There is a lifting up’ (גֵּאָוָ֑ה - gē’āwâ):

  • Gē’āwâ (גֵּאָוָה): This is a noun that can mean 'pride' (in a negative sense, arrogance) or 'majesty,' 'exaltation,' 'dignity,' 'lofty eminence.' Its ambiguity in this context has led to varied translations. However, given the contrasting nature with "cast down" and the promise to "save the humble person," it is best understood as a declaration of, or an experience of, elevation, restoration, or dignity. It is a pronouncement of hope and positive reversal of circumstances. It represents the ultimate exaltation by God.

• and he will save (וְיוֹשִׁ֑יעַ - wəyôšîaʿ):

  • Wə (וְ): 'And', linking this action to the previous statement.
  • Yôšîaʿ (יוֹשִׁיעַ): Hiphil imperfect of yāšaʿ (יָשַׁע), meaning "to save, deliver, bring victory." The subject is God. This signifies divine intervention and deliverance from distress or peril.

• the humble person (וְשַׁח עֵינַ֥יִם - wəšaḥ ʿênayim):

  • Wəšaḥ ʿênayim (וְשַׁח עֵינַיִם): Literally, "and (one who is) low of eyes." Šaḥ (שַׁח) means "to stoop, bow down, be humbled." ʿÊnayim (עֵינַיִם) means "eyes." This is an idiomatic expression denoting a person of low status, contrite spirit, meekness, or humility. It characterizes someone who acknowledges their lowliness, often out of contrition or distress, and submits to God. It stands in direct contrast to pride and represents the disposition favored by God for salvation.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "When they are cast down, you will say...": This initial phrase sets up a scenario of divine judgment or adversity befalling others. It implies Job, if he truly repents, will gain a new spiritual perspective, enabling him to properly interpret these events and respond in a way that aligns with God's view. It suggests a transformation in Job's perception, allowing him to understand the cause of others' lowliness.
  • "...‘There is a lifting up’; and he will save the humble person.": This pairing is the core of the verse. It shows God's consistent two-fold action: He brings down the proud or those brought low by their ways ("they are cast down"), and in turn, He lifts up those who demonstrate humility and contrition. The "lifting up" declared by Job refers to the hopeful outcome for the righteous and humble, confirming God's redemptive power towards the contrite spirit. This phrase essentially asserts a principle of divine reversal—judgment for the proud, salvation for the humble.

Job 22 29 Bonus section

• The particular wording of gē’āwâ (lifting up/pride) makes Job 22:29 one of the most debated and challenging verses in the book. Its dual potential meaning means translators often choose between Job's declaration of an "elevation" or a statement of "pride" regarding those brought low. The surrounding context, especially the second half of the verse ("he will save the humble person"), strongly sways towards gē’āwâ signifying a positive "lifting up" or "exaltation," ensuring theological coherence within Eliphaz's proposed path to Job's restoration.
• The phrase "humble person" literally translated as "one of low eyes" reflects a common cultural idiom where a downcast or lowered gaze signifies humility, submission, and recognition of one's subordinate position, often to a higher authority or God. This visual cue contrasts sharply with the "haughty eyes" or "lofty gaze" often associated with pride in the Old Testament.
• This verse, although spoken by a character whose understanding of Job's situation was limited, ironically echoes themes that Job himself would later acknowledge about God's power and justice (e.g., Job 40:11-12) and foreshadows truths consistently taught by New Testament figures like Jesus and Peter, demonstrating God's consistent nature across testaments.

Job 22 29 Commentary

Job 22:29 encapsulates a fundamental biblical truth often expressed throughout Scripture: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Eliphaz, still firmly believing Job's suffering is due to hidden sin, presents a conditional promise of restoration. He tells Job that upon his repentance (as advised in previous verses), Job will gain spiritual clarity, witnessing the humbling of the arrogant and discerning that in such moments of despair or judgment, there exists the opportunity for "a lifting up" – a restoration or exaltation from God. The critical counterpart to this observation is God's unwavering commitment to save "the humble person," emphasizing that divine deliverance is specifically extended to those who demonstrate a contrite spirit, in stark contrast to the proud whose downfall may be observed. While Eliphaz misapplies this truth to Job, who was righteous, the principle itself remains robust and reflects God's character: He delights in restoring the brokenhearted and exalting those who genuinely humble themselves before Him. This verse offers hope and clarity about God's redemptive actions toward those who choose humility over arrogance, regardless of the circumstances that brought them low.