The Meaning of Job 22:17 Explained

Job 22:17

KJV: Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

YLT: Those saying to God, 'Turn aside from us,' And what doth the Mighty One to them?

Darby: Who said unto God, Depart from us! and what could the Almighty do to them?

ASV: Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Which said  unto God,  Depart  from us: and what can the Almighty  do  for them? 

What does Job 22:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 22:1-30 - "acquaint Thyself With God"
Eliphaz opens the third cycle of the discussion with a speech altogether too hard and cruel. He begins with an enumeration of Job's fancied misdeeds, Job 22:1-11. The fundamental position with Eliphaz was the absolute, even-handed justice of God. In contrast with the oriental magnate who is influenced by gifts, God at least was unimpeachable; and therefore, however Job might affirm the contrary, he must have deserved the chastisement which had befallen him.
Then follows his argument from the Deluge, Job 22:12-20. Evil men are always anxious to think that God does not notice them. This was, says Eliphaz, the policy of those who were destroyed by the Flood. They attempted to build society on atheistic lines, though he filled their houses with good things. The inference, of course, was that Job had been guilty of the same offense, Eliphaz concludes with a tender delineation of a holy life, Job 22:21-30. To be reconciled to God, to obey His Word, to put away iniquity and trust in earthly riches, are the conditions of blessedness. We shall gain more than we lose, Job 22:25. We shall inherit the confidence and joy of His presence, Job 22:26. Our prayers will be answered; we shall walk "in the light;" and our ministry to others will be full of helpfulness. Let us, then, acquaint ourselves with God and be at peace! [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 22

1  Eliphaz shows that man's goodness profits not God
5  He accuses Job of various sins
21  He exhorts him to repentance, with promises of mercy

What do the individual words in Job 22:17 mean?

They said to God Depart from us and what can do the Almighty to them
הָאֹמְרִ֣ים לָ֭אֵל ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וּמַה־ יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ

הָאֹמְרִ֣ים  They  said 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לָ֭אֵל  to  God 
Parse: Preposition, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
ס֣וּר  Depart 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: סוּר 
Sense: to turn aside, depart.
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ  from  us 
Parse: Preposition, first person common plural
Root: מִן 
Sense: from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than.
וּמַה־  and  what 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
יִּפְעַ֖ל  can  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּעַל  
Sense: to do, make.
שַׁדַּ֣י  the  Almighty 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שַׁדַּי  
Sense: almighty, most powerful.
לָֽמוֹ  to  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural