Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

JOB 22:3KJV
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Job 22:3 (KJV)

What does Job 22:3 mean?

Job 22:3 asks whether God, the Almighty, takes any pleasure or receives any benefit if a person is righteous or makes their ways perfect. The verse suggests that God is not dependent on human goodness for His own happiness or gain.

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, challenging Job’s belief that his own righteousness should guarantee him a good life. Eliphaz’s question points out that God’s greatness and self-sufficiency mean that human actions do not add anything to God’s well-being. The verse is part of a larger argument where Eliphaz accuses Job of misunderstanding the nature of God’s justice.

The Hebrew behind Job 22:3

  • "pleasure" (חֵפֶץ, ḥēphets): This word often means delight or enjoyment. Eliphaz is asking if God finds delight simply because a person is righteous.
  • "Almighty" (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai): This title for God emphasizes His all-powerful, self-sufficient nature, underscoring that God does not need anything from humans.
  • "righteous" (צָדַק, tsadaq): This means to be just or in the right. Eliphaz questions whether human righteousness affects God.
  • "gain" (בֶּצַע, betsa): This word means profit or advantage. The verse asks if God profits from human perfection, highlighting God’s independence.
  • "ways" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): This refers to a person’s conduct or manner of life, focusing on how someone lives day to day.
  • "perfect" (תָּמַם, tamam): This means to be complete or blameless. Eliphaz is asking if God benefits when someone’s life is without fault.

Why Job 22:3 matters

  • Job 22:3 helps clear up the idea that God needs human goodness or that our righteousness somehow increases His happiness or status.
  • The verse highlights a key theme in Job: God’s justice and relationship with people are not transactional, and human suffering or blessing is not always a direct result of personal righteousness.
  • By understanding Eliphaz’s argument, readers see the tension between human expectations of reward for good behavior and the Bible’s portrayal of God’s sovereignty and independence.

Where else these words appear

“gain” Hebrew H1215 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 37:26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
  • Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
  • Jeremiah 22:17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

“pleasure” Hebrew H2656 · used in 38 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Psalms 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

“righteous” Hebrew H6663 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 38:26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
  • Job 13:18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
  • Psalms 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

“Almighty” Hebrew H7706 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
  • Job 8:5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
  • Job 29:5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;