King James Version

What Does Job 22:8 Mean?

Job 22:8 in the King James Version says “But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it. mighty: Heb. man of arm honourable: Heb...” — study this verse from Job chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it. mighty: Heb. man of arm honourable: Heb. eminent, or, accepted for countenance”

Job 22:8 · KJV

Context

6

For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing. the naked: Heb. the clothes of the naked

7

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

8

But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it. mighty: Heb. man of arm honourable: Heb. eminent, or, accepted for countenance

9

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

10

Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;

Read Job 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth (וְאִישׁ זְרוֹעַ לוֹ הָאָרֶץ, ve'ish zero'a lo ha'arets)—Ish zero'a (אִישׁ זְרוֹעַ) literally means 'man of arm'—a powerful, influential person. Eliphaz accuses Job of favoring the powerful while oppressing the weak. The mighty 'had the earth'—possessed land, wealth, and influence through Job's partiality.

The honourable man dwelt in it (וּנְשׂוּא פָנִים יֵשֶׁב בָּהּ, unsu phanim yesheb bah)—Nesu phanim (נְשׂוּא פָנִים) means literally 'lifted of face,' referring to someone shown favoritism or honored. Eliphaz charges Job with the sin of respect of persons—partiality forbidden in Scripture (Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:19, James 2:1-9). This accusation directly contradicts Job's testimony that he championed the fatherless and broke the jaws of the wicked (29:12-17). Eliphaz's slander reveals how far theological certainty will go when protecting its system.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern law prohibited partiality in legal judgments. The Code of Hammurabi, though hierarchical, mandated justice even for lower classes. Mosaic law explicitly forbade favoring rich or poor (Exodus 23:3, Leviticus 19:15). Eliphaz's accusation suggests Job corrupted justice by favoring powerful landowners. The irony: Eliphaz himself shows partiality by presuming the wealthy sufferer must be guilty while giving the accuser benefit of the doubt.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we guard against partiality—either favoring the powerful or romanticizing the poor?
  2. What does Eliphaz's false accusation teach about how theological systems can blind us to actual evidence?
  3. In what ways might we show 'respect of persons' in our churches, workplaces, or communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְאִ֣ישׁ1 of 8

“man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

זְ֭רוֹעַ2 of 8

“But as for the mighty”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

ל֣וֹ3 of 8
H0
הָאָ֑רֶץ4 of 8

“he had the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּנְשׂ֥וּא5 of 8

“and the honourable man”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פָ֝נִ֗ים6 of 8
H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יֵ֣שֶׁב7 of 8

“dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּֽהּ׃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 22:8 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 22:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:15Job 29:7-171 Kings 21:11-15Job 31:34Job 13:8Psalms 12:8

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