The Meaning of Job 22:3 Explained

Job 22:3

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

YLT: Is it a delight to the Mighty One That thou art righteous? is it gain, That thou makest perfect thy ways?

Darby: Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if thou art righteous? And is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect?

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Job 22:3 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 22:3 mean?

[is it] any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous Or [is it] gain [to Him] that you make blameless your ways
הַחֵ֣פֶץ לְ֭שַׁדַּי כִּ֣י ؟ תִצְדָּ֑ק וְאִם־ בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־ תַתֵּ֥ם ؟ דְּרָכֶֽיךָ

הַחֵ֣פֶץ  [is  it]  any  pleasure 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֵפֶץ  
Sense: delight, pleasure.
לְ֭שַׁדַּי  to  the  Almighty 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שַׁדַּי  
Sense: almighty, most powerful.
כִּ֣י  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
؟ תִצְדָּ֑ק  you  are  righteous 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: צָדַק  
Sense: to be just, be righteous.
וְאִם־  Or  [is  it] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
בֶּ֝֗צַע  gain  [to  Him] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֶּצַע  
Sense: profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence.
כִּֽי־  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
תַתֵּ֥ם  you  make  blameless 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: תָּמַם  
Sense: to be complete, be finished, be at an end.
؟ דְּרָכֶֽיךָ  your  ways 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.