Job 22:6 (KJV)

What does Job 22:6 mean?

Job 22:6 accuses Job of taking something as security from his brother for no good reason and of leaving poor people without even their basic clothing. The verse describes an act of harshness or injustice, suggesting Job has mistreated the vulnerable by demanding a pledge and stripping the needy of what little they have.

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, making a strong accusation as part of his argument that Job’s suffering must be deserved because of hidden wrongdoing. Eliphaz claims Job has exploited others, specifically by taking a "pledge" (something valuable held as security for a debt) from his own "brother" (a fellow person or relative) without cause, and by leaving those already "naked" even more exposed by taking their "clothing." The verse is part of a speech where Eliphaz lists supposed sins to explain Job’s misfortunes.

The Hebrew behind Job 22:6

• חָבַל (chaval, “pledge”): This word refers to taking something as security for a debt. In ancient Israel, taking a pledge was regulated to protect the poor, so Eliphaz’s accusation is serious—he claims Job broke both social and moral expectations.
• חִנָּם (chinnam, “for nought”): This means “for nothing” or “without cause.” Eliphaz is not just saying Job took a pledge, but that he did so without any just reason, making the act even more unjust.
• פָּשַׁט (pashat, “stripped”): This verb means to remove clothing, often forcefully. Eliphaz accuses Job of literally or figuratively leaving the poor exposed and vulnerable.
• עָרוֹם (arom, “naked”) and בֶּגֶד (beged, “clothing”): These words highlight the severity of the accusation—Job is said to have taken the only protection the poor had, emphasizing their helplessness.

Why Job 22:6 matters

• This verse shows the intensity of Eliphaz’s accusations, revealing how Job’s friends believe suffering must be punishment for specific sins, even inventing charges when none are obvious.
• Understanding the words for “pledge” and “for nought” clarifies that the accusation is not just about a business transaction, but about taking advantage of the defenseless, which was strongly condemned in Israelite law.
• The verse connects to the wider argument in Job, where Job’s friends repeatedly insist on a cause-and-effect link between sin and suffering, a key theme in the book’s exploration of justice and innocence.