Job 22:7 (KJV)

What does Job 22:7 mean?

Job 22:7 accuses someone of failing to give water to the weary and withholding bread from the hungry, highlighting a lack of basic kindness and hospitality. The verse points to neglecting the needs of vulnerable people, which was considered a serious moral failing in the ancient world.

In this passage, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, listing supposed sins that Job has committed as part of his argument that Job’s suffering must be deserved. Eliphaz claims that Job has not shown compassion to those in need, using examples that would have been clear signs of injustice or hard-heartedness in their culture.

The Hebrew behind Job 22:7

• "water" (מַיִם, mayim): This word refers to ordinary water, a basic necessity, emphasizing the seriousness of refusing it to someone exhausted.
• "weary" (עָיֵף, ayef): This term means someone who is tired or faint, often from travel or hardship, underlining the vulnerability of the person in need.
• "withholden" (מָנַע, mana): This verb means to hold back or refuse, stressing an active choice to deny help rather than just forgetting or overlooking.
• "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem): Bread was a staple food, so withholding it from the hungry (רָעֵב, raev) means denying someone the most basic sustenance.

Why Job 22:7 matters

• The verse clarifies that Eliphaz is accusing Job of specific social and moral failures, not just vague wrongdoing, which shapes the tone of the entire speech.
• Understanding these accusations helps explain why Job is so adamant in defending his innocence throughout the book.
• The focus on basic acts of mercy shows what was expected of a righteous person in ancient Israelite society, making the charge especially serious.