Job 22 7

Job 22:7 kjv

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

Job 22:7 nkjv

You have not given the weary water to drink, And you have withheld bread from the hungry.

Job 22:7 niv

You gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from the hungry,

Job 22:7 esv

You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

Job 22:7 nlt

You must have refused water for the thirsty
and food for the hungry.

Job 22 verses

Job 22 7 Meaning

Job 22:7 conveys Eliphaz's baseless accusation against Job, asserting that Job failed to provide fundamental sustenance and compassion to those in dire need. He claims Job did not offer water to the exhausted or bread to the famished. This accusation is presented as evidence for Eliphaz's belief that Job's suffering is a direct result of hidden, unconfessed wickedness.

Job 22 7 Context

Job 22:7 is part of Eliphaz's third and final speech to Job. Having previously argued generally that all suffering comes from sin, Eliphaz here begins to accuse Job directly and concretely of specific grave offenses, despite having no factual basis for these claims. Eliphaz asserts that Job's profound suffering is irrefutable proof of his wickedness, therefore fabricating sins for Job to confess. This particular accusation relates to neglecting basic human needs and demonstrates the friends' rigid adherence to a strict retribution theology, where prosperity equals righteousness and suffering equals sin. In the ancient Near East, hospitality and care for the vulnerable were highly esteemed virtues and divinely commanded acts of righteousness. Eliphaz's charge directly challenges Job's reputation and piety.

Job 22 7 Word analysis

• Thou hast not given: (לֹא־נָתַתָּה - lo'-naṯattāh) This is a strong, direct accusation of omission. Eliphaz charges Job with a specific failure to act charitably.
• water: (מַיִם - mayim) A most basic necessity for life, especially in arid regions. Symbolizes essential provision and refreshment.
• to the weary to drink: (לָעָיֵף מַיִם / לִצְמֵא - lā‘āyēf mayim / liṣmē’) The KJV phrase "to the weary to drink" captures the intent, but the Hebrew for "to drink" (liṣmē') literally means "to the thirsty one." This highlights the specific distress of the recipient and the specific need unaddressed. "Weary" (עָיֵף - ‘ayef) denotes extreme fatigue and faintness, often due to thirst or hunger.
• and thou hast withholden: (תִּמְנַע - timnaʿ) From the root מָנַע (manaʿ), meaning to hold back, to restrain, to refuse. This implies an active, deliberate act of denial, not merely an oversight. It's a stronger accusation than just "not given."
• bread: (לֶחֶם - leḥem) The staple food, essential for sustenance. Represents basic provisions for survival.
• from the hungry: (מֵרָעֵב - mērā‘ēv) "Hungry" (רָעֵב - raʿēv) denotes one who is famished, in desperate need of food. Again, emphasizes the profound need of the recipient.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry": This structure employs parallelism, a common poetic device in Hebrew literature. It juxtaposes two identical accusations of severe neglect of basic humanitarian duties, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged offense. The pairing of "water to the weary" and "bread from the hungry" underscores a complete disregard for the most vulnerable and their fundamental needs. Eliphaz frames these omissions not as accidental lapses, but as willful acts of callousness, thereby attempting to paint Job as utterly unrighteous and undeserving of divine favor. This contrasts starkly with Job's own later testimony of his extensive care for the poor and needy (Job 29-31).

Job 22 7 Bonus section

The irony of Eliphaz's accusation is profound when contrasted with Job's actual character. Job later provides extensive testimony in chapters 29-31, detailing how he was a diligent helper of the poor, the blind, the lame, and the orphan. He explicitly states, "If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten thereof..." (Job 31:17). Thus, Eliphaz's charges are not merely unfounded but directly contradictory to Job's well-established record of righteousness and compassion. This underscores a key message of the Book of Job: human assessment of spiritual standing based solely on outward circumstances (like suffering or prosperity) is often deeply flawed and does not align with God's perfect justice and knowledge.

Job 22 7 Commentary

Job 22:7 reveals the tragic misapplication of truth by Eliphaz. While it is undeniably a righteous act to provide for the weary and hungry (a core tenet of God's law), Eliphaz wrongly attributes the lack of such charity to Job. This verse is central to understanding the flawed theology of Job's friends, who believed that intense suffering must correspond to equally severe sin. Therefore, when Job refused to confess, Eliphaz resorted to fabricating sins for him. This accusation, though presented as a concrete charge, is baseless and serves to highlight the spiritual pride and judgmentalism of Job's accusers. It's a prime example of human limitations in discerning divine providence and of misinterpreting the signs of God's working.