Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

JOB 22:16KJV
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Job 22:16 (KJV)

What does Job 22:16 mean?

Job 22:16 refers to people from the past who were destroyed suddenly and unexpectedly, with their very foundation swept away by a flood. The verse points to a group whose lives ended before their time, using the image of a flood to show complete and overwhelming judgment.

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, warning him by reminding him of those who came before and met a disastrous end. Eliphaz suggests that these people were wiped out suddenly, likely alluding to the story of the flood in Genesis, as an example of divine punishment for wickedness. The verse is meant to caution Job about the fate of those who ignore God.

The Hebrew behind Job 22:16

  • "down" (קָדַם, qadám): This word is often used for something happening before its expected time. Here, it highlights that these people were "cut down out of time," meaning their lives ended earlier than naturally expected.
  • "foundation" (יָסוּד, yasúd): This word refers to the base or support of something, like the foundation of a building. The verse says their foundation was "overflown," stressing that not just their lives, but the very base of their existence, was swept away.
  • "overflown" (נָגַר, nagár): This word carries the sense of being poured out or swept away by water. It emphasizes the unstoppable and overwhelming nature of the flood that destroyed them.
  • "flood" (נָהָר, nahár): This word usually means a river, but here it points to a destructive flood, likely recalling the flood in Noah’s time as a symbol of total ruin.

Why Job 22:16 matters

  • Job 22:16 helps clarify that Eliphaz is not just making a general statement about death, but is specifically warning Job by recalling a dramatic example of judgment from history.
  • The verse connects Job’s situation to the broader biblical theme of God’s judgment against wickedness, especially through the imagery of the flood.
  • Understanding the original words deepens the sense of suddenness and total destruction, showing that Eliphaz is emphasizing how complete and unexpected the downfall of these people was.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H7059 · used in 2 verses

  • Job 16:8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

“foundation” Hebrew H3247 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
  • Leviticus 5:9 And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

“overflown” Hebrew H3332 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Leviticus 14:26 And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

“flood” Hebrew H5104 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
  • Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.