Job 22 9

Job 22:9 kjv

Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

Job 22:9 nkjv

You have sent widows away empty, And the strength of the fatherless was crushed.

Job 22:9 niv

And you sent widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless.

Job 22:9 esv

You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless were crushed.

Job 22:9 nlt

You must have sent widows away empty-handed
and crushed the hopes of orphans.

Job 22 verses

Job 22 9 Meaning

Eliphaz, accusing Job, states that Job has unjustly deprived the most vulnerable in society. Specifically, Job is charged with sending widows away empty-handed, denying them aid and provision, and crushing the strength or ability to function of the fatherless. This accusation implies Job misused his position of power and wealth to oppress rather than protect, acting contrary to the very righteousness he claimed.

Job 22 9 Context

Job chapter 22 marks the third and final speech of Eliphaz to Job. At this point in the narrative, Job has endured immense suffering, losing his children, wealth, and health, yet maintains his innocence and does not curse God. Eliphaz, still adhering to the rigid framework of retribution theology—that suffering is a direct result of sin—concludes that Job's calamities must stem from severe and specific transgressions. Instead of acknowledging Job's righteous character, Eliphaz resorts to direct, unsubstantiated accusations of grave social injustice. Verse 9 is part of Eliphaz's list of specific sins (Job 22:5-9) he attributes to Job, portraying him as a heartless oppressor who has used his authority to exploit the most defenseless in society—widows and orphans. This accusation is deeply ironic, as Job has repeatedly asserted his compassionate and just treatment of the poor and vulnerable (Job 29:12-17, 31:16-23), a fact God himself later affirms.

Job 22 9 Word analysis

• You have sent (אַתָּה שִׁלַּחְתָּ - 'attah shillaḥta): The pronoun 'attah "you" emphasizes a direct, personal accusation by Eliphaz towards Job. The verb shalach means "to send, stretch out, or cast off." In this context, combined with "empty," it conveys the action of dismissively sending someone away without provision, aid, or a fair hearing.
• widows (אַלְמָנוֹת - 'almanot): The plural form of 'almanah. In ancient Israel and the broader Near East, widows were among the most vulnerable members of society. They typically lost their husband's protection, economic support, and often legal standing upon his death, making them dependent on family or communal charity. Oppressing them was a grave violation of God's law and a severe social sin.
• away empty (רֵיקָם - reqam): An adverb meaning "empty-handed," "without anything," or "to no purpose." It highlights the cruel deprivation of the act. The widows were not just sent away, but sent away devoid of what they sought—justice, help, or means of sustenance—implying an intentional denial of rightful aid.
• And the strength (וּזְרֹעוֹת - u-z'ro'ot): "And arms." The Hebrew word zeroa' refers literally to the "arm," but often carries a metaphorical meaning of "strength," "power," "means of support," "aid," or "ability to act." Here, it refers to the very capacity for the fatherless to fend for themselves or receive help.
• of the fatherless (יְתוֹמִים - yetomim): The plural form of yatom, meaning "orphan" or specifically "fatherless." Along with widows, the fatherless were critically vulnerable and dependent individuals in ancient society, lacking natural protectors and providers. They, too, were under God's special protection.
• was crushed (תְּדַכֶּא - tedakkeh): This verb is derived from daka', meaning "to crush, oppress, afflict, or break in pieces." The form suggests a direct and impactful action. It implies not merely a lack of support but active oppression that dismembers, weakens, or breaks the very foundation of their well-being and ability to function independently or seek justice. This strong verb underscores the severity of the alleged harm.

Words-group analysis:

• "You have sent widows away empty": This phrase directly accuses Job of being hard-hearted and unjust towards those in the direst need. It portrays him as someone who, instead of extending compassion or justice, actively dismisses the pleas of vulnerable widows, leaving them in greater despair and poverty.
• "And the strength of the fatherless was crushed": This parallel accusation describes a similar act of profound injustice against orphans. "Crushing their strength" implies not only a refusal of help but an active demolition of their ability to thrive, access justice, or sustain themselves. It speaks of power wielded not just negligently but destructively against the innocent and helpless. These two accusations collectively depict Job as systematically oppressing the very groups God commanded his people to protect.

Job 22 9 Bonus section

The severe accusations of Eliphaz in Job 22:9 resonate with a common ancient Near Eastern literary motif where the righteousness of rulers and prominent individuals was often judged by their treatment of society's marginalized (widows, orphans, sojourners, and the poor). Mesopotamian and Egyptian wisdom texts often include advice to rulers on how to care for these groups. Eliphaz's use of such accusations, even if false, demonstrates an understanding that failure in this area constituted a grievous offense against both human and divine order. This illustrates the widespread recognition of such social ethics as fundamental to a just society, underpinning God's specific commands in Israel's law. Furthermore, this verse underscores the inherent danger of a rigid application of the retribution principle: it can lead to judgmentalism, misdiagnosis of suffering, and false accusations against the innocent.

Job 22 9 Commentary

Job 22:9 encapsulates Eliphaz's final and most direct assault on Job's character. By accusing Job of exploiting widows and orphans, Eliphaz strikes at the heart of biblical righteousness, which consistently champions the protection of the vulnerable. Eliphaz assumes Job's immense suffering must be proportional to his secret sins, leading him to invent these egregious moral failures. The accusations of "sending widows away empty" and "crushing the strength of the fatherless" vividly describe actions of a powerful individual abusing his position, depriving the weak of basic rights, provisions, and means of survival. While these charges against Job are entirely false within the book's narrative, they highlight a core tenet of divine law and wisdom: true godliness is demonstrated in how one treats the most defenseless. This verse, though a false accusation, powerfully reveals the biblical imperative to care for the vulnerable and stands as a timeless warning against any form of social injustice and oppression by those in positions of power.