King James Version

What Does Job 22:17 Mean?

Job 22:17 in the King James Version says “Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? for: or, to” — study this verse from Job chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? for: or, to”

Job 22:17 · KJV

Context

15

Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

16

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood: whose: Heb. a flood was poured upon their foundation

17

Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? for: or, to

18

Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

19

The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.

Read Job 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which said unto God, Depart from us (הָאֹמְרִים לָאֵל סוּר מִמֶּנּוּ)—Sur mimmennu (depart from us) represents willful rejection of God's authority. Eliphaz quotes the wicked man's defiant cry (compare Job 21:14, where Job quoted this same phrase—but as the wicked's words, not his own!).

What can the Almighty do for them? (וּמַה־יִּפְעַל שַׁדַּי לָמוֹ)—This rhetorical question expresses practical atheism: God is irrelevant to our prosperity. Shaddai (Almighty) emphasizes God's power, making the dismissal more blasphemous. Crucially, Eliphaz has taken Job's quotation of the wicked out of context. Job cited this in chapter 21 to challenge retribution theology (the wicked prosper!), explicitly distancing himself from their philosophy (21:16). Eliphaz either hasn't listened or deliberately misrepresents Job's words.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The demand 'Depart from us' appears in wisdom literature as the ultimate expression of rebellion against God. Ancient Near Eastern thought recognized the connection between acknowledging deity and receiving blessing. To dismiss God was to invite curse—yet Job observed that the wicked often prospered despite this (21:7-13).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Eliphaz's misuse of Job's own words illustrate the danger of hearing selectively what confirms our biases?
  2. What is the difference between Job's honest wrestling with why the wicked prosper versus the wicked's dismissal of God?
  3. When have you seen someone's words twisted to mean the opposite of their actual intent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
הָאֹמְרִ֣ים1 of 8

“Which said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֭אֵל2 of 8

“unto God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

ס֣וּר3 of 8

“Depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִמֶּ֑נּוּ4 of 8
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וּמַה5 of 8
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יִּפְעַ֖ל6 of 8

“do”

H6466

to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise

שַׁדַּ֣י7 of 8

“from us and what can the Almighty”

H7706

the almighty

לָֽמוֹ׃8 of 8
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 22:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 22:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 21:14-15Psalms 4:6Romans 1:28Job 21:10Malachi 3:14Isaiah 30:11

Test Your Knowledge

Job 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Job 22 with CommentaryAll Job ChaptersComplete Job QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes