Job 22:2
New International Version
“Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person benefit him?

New Living Translation
“Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?

English Standard Version
“Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

Berean Standard Bible
“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?

King James Bible
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

New King James Version
“Can a man be profitable to God, Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

New American Standard Bible
“Can a strong man be of use to God, Or a wise one be useful to himself?

NASB 1995
“Can a vigorous man be of use to God, Or a wise man be useful to himself?

NASB 1977
“Can a vigorous man be of use to God, Or a wise man be useful to himself?

Legacy Standard Bible
“Can a mighty man be of use to God, Or an insightful man be useful to himself?

Amplified Bible
“Can a vigorous man be of use to God, Or a wise man be useful to himself?

Christian Standard Bible
Can a man be of any use to God? Can even a wise man be of use to him?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Can a man be of any use to God? Can even a wise man be of use to Him?

American Standard Version
Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.

Contemporary English Version
What use are we humans to God, even the wisest of us?

English Revised Version
Can a man be profitable unto God? surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Can a human be of any use to God when even a wise person is only useful to himself?

International Standard Version
"Can a human being be useful to God, since he, who is wise, is sufficient to himself?

Majority Standard Bible
“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?

NET Bible
"Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable?

New Heart English Bible
"Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?

World English Bible
“Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Is a man profitable to God, "" Because a wise man is profitable to himself?

Young's Literal Translation
To God is a man profitable, Because a wise man to himself is profitable?

Smith's Literal Translation
Shall a man profit to God as he understanding shall profit for himself?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Can man be compared with God, even though he were of perfect knowledge?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Can man be compared with God, even if he were perfect in knowledge?

New American Bible
Can a man be profitable to God? Can a wise man be profitable to him?

New Revised Standard Version
“Can a mortal be of use to God? Can even the wisest be of service to him?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O man, can you converse with God; are you equal with him in wisdom?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Do you, a man, speak with God , that you are equal with him in wisdom?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Can a man be profitable unto God? Or can he that is wise be profitable unto Him?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Is it not the Lord that teaches understanding and knowledge?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Eliphaz Exhorts Job
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 2“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him? 3Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?…

Cross References
Romans 11:35-36
“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” / For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

Psalm 16:2
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”

Luke 17:10
So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Acts 17:25
Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

Romans 11:34
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

Isaiah 40:13-14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

Proverbs 9:12
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

1 Chronicles 29:14
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.

Psalm 50:9-12
I have no need for a bull from your stall or goats from your pens, / for every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills. / I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. ...

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Romans 3:7
However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?

Job 35:6-8
If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? If you multiply your transgressions, what do you do to Him? / If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand? / Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only a son of man.

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.


Treasury of Scripture

Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?

a man

Job 35:6-8
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? …

Psalm 16:2
O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

Luke 17:10
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

as he that, etc.

Job 21:15
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Deuteronomy 10:13
To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding…

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Benefit Possible Profit Profitable Surely Use Useful Vigorous Wisdom Wise
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














Can a man be of use to God?
This phrase challenges the reader to consider the nature of humanity's relationship with the divine. The Hebrew word for "use" here is "sakan," which implies being profitable or beneficial. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often seen as needing human service, but the God of Israel is self-sufficient. This rhetorical question posed by Eliphaz suggests that God does not require human assistance to fulfill His purposes. From a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the doctrine of God's omnipotence and self-sufficiency. Humans are called to serve God not because He needs us, but because it is our privilege and purpose to glorify Him.

Can even a wise man benefit Him?
The term "wise man" in Hebrew is "chakam," which denotes someone with skill, experience, and shrewdness. Wisdom in the biblical sense is highly valued, often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). However, Eliphaz's question implies that even the most knowledgeable and discerning human cannot add to God's essence or improve His state. This reflects the biblical teaching that God's wisdom is far above human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). In a conservative Christian view, this serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on God's wisdom rather than our own. It also points to the grace of God, who chooses to involve humans in His divine plan not out of necessity, but out of love and relationship.

(2) As he that is wise.--It is probably an independent statement: "Surely he that is wise is profitable, &c."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Can a man
גָּ֑בֶר (gā·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

be of use
יִסְכָּן־ (yis·kān-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5532: To be familiar with, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary

to God?
הַלְאֵ֥ל (hal·’êl)
Article, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

Can even
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a wise man
מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃ (maś·kîl)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

benefit
יִסְכֹּ֖ן (yis·kōn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5532: To be familiar with, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary

Him?
עָלֵ֣ימוֹ (‘ā·lê·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Job 22:2 Can a man be profitable to God? (Jb)
Job 22:1
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