King James Version
What Does Job 22:18 Mean?
“Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.”
Job 22:18 · KJV
Context
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.
20
Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth. substance: or, estate the remnant: or, their excellency
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryYet he filled their houses with good things (וְהוּא מִלֵּא בָתֵּיהֶם טוֹב)—Mille (filled) indicates abundance; tov (good things) means material prosperity. Eliphaz acknowledges God's generosity even to the wicked—a fact that contradicts strict retribution theology but which he doesn't explore.
But the counsel of the wicked is far from me (וַעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים רָחֲקָה מִמֶּנִּי)—This is Job's own statement from 21:16! Eliphaz quotes Job's explicit distancing from the wicked's philosophy and somehow uses it to accuse Job of holding that philosophy. The logical incoherence reveals Eliphaz's desperation. He must convict Job to preserve his theological system, even if it requires ignoring Job's plain words. This is the tragedy of the comforters: their theology has blinded them to both Job's actual character and his actual arguments.
But the counsel of the wicked is far from me (וַעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים רָחֲקָה מִמֶּנִּי)—This is Job's own statement from 21:16! Eliphaz quotes Job's explicit distancing from the wicked's philosophy and somehow uses it to accuse Job of holding that philosophy. The logical incoherence reveals Eliphaz's desperation. He must convict Job to preserve his theological system, even if it requires ignoring Job's plain words. This is the tragedy of the comforters: their theology has blinded them to both Job's actual character and his actual arguments.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The tension between God's blessing of the wicked and justice theology troubled ancient sages (Psalm 73, Ecclesiastes, Habakkuk). Rather than modifying the retribution principle, Eliphaz doubles down, creating a caricature of Job's position to maintain his worldview.
Reflection Questions
- How does Eliphaz's quotation of Job's own words against him reveal the danger of confirmation bias in theological disputes?
- What happens to truth and compassion when preserving our theological system becomes more important than understanding suffering people?
- How does the prosperity of the wicked challenge simplistic equations between righteousness and blessing?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 8 wordsוְה֤וּא1 of 8
H1931he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִלֵּ֣א2 of 8
“Yet he filled”
H4390to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם3 of 8
“their houses”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
ט֑וֹב4 of 8
“with good”
H2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
רָ֣חֲקָה7 of 8
“is far”
H7368to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
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 22:18 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 22:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge