Job 22:8
New International Version
though you were a powerful man, owning land— an honored man, living on it.

New Living Translation
You probably think the land belongs to the powerful and only the privileged have a right to it!

English Standard Version
The man with power possessed the land, and the favored man lived in it.

Berean Standard Bible
while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it.

King James Bible
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.

New King James Version
But the mighty man possessed the land, And the honorable man dwelt in it.

New American Standard Bible
“But the earth belongs to the powerful man, And the one who is honorable dwells on it.

NASB 1995
“But the earth belongs to the mighty man, And the honorable man dwells in it.

NASB 1977
“But the earth belongs to the mighty man, And the honorable man dwells in it.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the earth belongs to the mighty man, And the highly respected man inhabits it.

Amplified Bible
“But the land is possessed by the man with power, And the favored and honorable man dwells in it.

Christian Standard Bible
while the land belonged to a powerful man and an influential man lived on it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
while the land belonged to a powerful man and an influential man lived on it.

American Standard Version
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it.

Contemporary English Version
although you were rich, respected, and powerful.

English Revised Version
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man, he dwelt in it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A strong person owns the land. A privileged person lives in it.

Good News Translation
You used your power and your position to take over the whole land.

International Standard Version
The land belongs to the powerful, and the privileged thrive in it.

Majority Standard Bible
while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it.

NET Bible
Although you were a powerful man, owning land, an honored man living on it,

New Heart English Bible
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth. The honorable man, he lived in it.

Webster's Bible Translation
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelt in it.

World English Bible
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth. The honorable man, he lived in it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As for the man of arm—he has the earth, "" And the accepted of face—he dwells in it.

Young's Literal Translation
As to the man of arm -- he hath the earth, And the accepted of face -- he dwelleth in it.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the man of arm, to him the earth; and the lifted up of face dwelt in it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the strength of thy arm thou didst possess the land, and being the most mighty thou holdest it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
By the strength of your arm, you took possession of the land, and you retain it by being the strongest.

New American Bible
As if the land belonged to the powerful, and only the privileged could dwell in it!

New Revised Standard Version
The powerful possess the land, and the favored live in it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There is a man who sows a field for himself, and the mighty man seizes it from him by force.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
There is a man who sows the land for himself , and a lord will take it from him by force
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And as a mighty man, who hath the earth, And as a man of rank, who dwelleth in it,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou hast accepted the persons of some; and thou hast established those that were already settled on the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Eliphaz Exhorts Job
7You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished, 8while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it. 9You sent widows away empty-handed, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.…

Cross References
James 2:6
But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

Psalm 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Proverbs 3:33-35
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. / He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble. / The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.

Isaiah 57:13
When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”

Psalm 73:12
Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.

Luke 6:24
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Jeremiah 5:27-28
Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Ezekiel 34:2-4
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Micah 2:1-2
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.

Habakkuk 2:9
Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster!

Psalm 49:6-7
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.

Proverbs 28:6
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

Isaiah 3:14-15
The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. / Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Amos 4:1
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”


Treasury of Scripture

But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelled in it.

But as

Job 29:7-17
When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! …

Job 31:34
Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

1 Kings 21:11-15
And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them…

mighty man.

Job 13:8
Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?

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Accepted Arm Belongs Dwelleth Dwells Dwelt Earth Favored High Honorable Honored Honourable Honoured Mighty Possessed Power Powerful Rank
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Accepted Arm Belongs Dwelleth Dwells Dwelt Earth Favored High Honorable Honored Honourable Honoured Mighty Possessed Power Powerful Rank
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














But it was a man who owned the land
This phrase highlights the societal structure and values of ancient times, where land ownership was a significant indicator of wealth and status. In the Hebrew context, land was not just a possession but a divine inheritance, often tied to one's identity and legacy. The Hebrew word for "land" is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which can also mean earth or territory, emphasizing the broad dominion and responsibility that comes with ownership. In the biblical narrative, land ownership was often seen as a blessing from God, a sign of His favor and provision.

who was respected
Respect in ancient cultures was often linked to one's social standing and material wealth. The Hebrew root for "respected" is "כָּבוֹד" (kavod), which also means glory or honor. This suggests that the man’s respect was not merely due to his wealth but also his perceived honor and dignity. In a conservative Christian perspective, true respect and honor are seen as stemming from one's character and alignment with God's will, rather than mere material possessions.

and a man of influence
Influence in this context refers to the power and authority that come with wealth and land ownership. The Hebrew word for "influence" can be related to "שַׂר" (sar), meaning prince or leader, indicating a person of significant authority and decision-making power. In biblical times, such individuals often played crucial roles in community leadership and governance. From a Christian viewpoint, influence is a responsibility to be used for the greater good and in service to God’s purposes.

who lived on it
Living on the land signifies a deep connection and stewardship over the property. The Hebrew concept of dwelling, "יָשַׁב" (yashab), implies not just residing but establishing a home and community. This phrase underscores the idea of rootedness and responsibility, as the landowner is not an absentee landlord but one who actively engages with and cares for the land and its people. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for abiding in Christ and being faithful stewards of the blessings and responsibilities God has entrusted to us.

(8) But as for the mighty man.--By the "mighty and the honourable" man is probably meant Job. Some understand the words from Job 22:5-10 inclusive, as the words spoken by God on entering into judgment with Job (Job 22:4); but this hardly seems probable.

Verse 8. - But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; literally, as for the man of arm; i.e. the man strong of arm. Job's retainers are probably meant, whom Eliphaz supposes to have been allowed by Job to oppress the poor, and have their own way in the world. This charge was doubtless as baseless as the others (comp. Job 29:16, 17). And the honourable man dwelt in it; of the accepted man - "the favoured man," i.e. those of whom Job approved and whom he favoured.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
while the land
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

belonged to a mighty
זְ֭רוֹעַ (zə·rō·w·a‘)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2220: The arm, the foreleg, force

man,
וְאִ֣ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and a man
וּנְשׂ֥וּא (ū·nə·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

of honor
פָ֝נִ֗ים (p̄ā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

lived
יֵ֣שֶׁב (yê·šeḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

on it.
בָּֽהּ׃ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Job 22:8 But as for the mighty man he (Jb)
Job 22:7
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