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

JOB 22:9KJV
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Job 22:9 (KJV)

What does Job 22:9 mean?

Job 22:9 accuses Job of mistreating vulnerable people, saying he sent widows away with nothing and harmed or failed to help orphans. The verse claims Job acted unjustly toward those who most needed compassion and protection.

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, listing supposed sins to explain Job’s suffering. Eliphaz charges Job with serious wrongdoing—turning away widows (the most vulnerable women in society) and breaking the "arms" of the fatherless (meaning, taking away the support or strength of orphans). These accusations are part of Eliphaz’s argument that Job’s troubles are punishment for hidden sins.

The Hebrew behind Job 22:9

  • "Sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word often means to send away or dismiss. Here, it suggests not just ignoring, but actively turning away widows who came for help.
  • "Widows" (אַלְמָנָה, almanah): In ancient Israel, widows had little protection or support. Mentioning them highlights the seriousness of the accusation.
  • "Empty" (רֵיקָם, reyqam): This word means "with nothing" or "empty-handed." It emphasizes that the widows received no help at all.
  • "Arms" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa): Literally "arm," but often used for strength or means of support. Breaking the arms of the fatherless means taking away their ability to help themselves.
  • "Fatherless" (יָתוֹם, yathom): Refers to orphans, another group especially vulnerable in that society.
  • "Broken" (דָּכָא, daka): Means to crush or break. It paints a picture of causing harm or removing someone’s ability to stand up for themselves.

Why Job 22:9 matters

  • This verse shows the seriousness of the accusations Job’s friends make, even though the book later shows Job was innocent of these charges.
  • The verse highlights the ancient expectation that caring for widows and orphans was a basic moral duty, and failing in this was seen as a grave offense.
  • Understanding this accusation helps clarify the tension in the book: Job’s friends believe suffering must be caused by sin, but the story challenges that assumption.

Where else these words appear

“empty” Hebrew H7387 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
  • Psalms 7:4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;(yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

“broken” Hebrew H1792 · used in 18 verses

  • Job 4:19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
  • Psalms 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
  • Isaiah 19:10 And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish.

“fatherless” Hebrew H3490 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 22:22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
  • Job 6:27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
  • Proverbs 23:10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

“widows” Hebrew H490 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
  • 2 Samuel 14:5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
  • Isaiah 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.