Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 BibleCan 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 BibleO 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 1917Can 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 Job1Then 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… Jump to Previous Benefit Possible Profit Profitable Surely Use Useful Vigorous Wisdom WiseJump to Next Benefit Possible Profit Profitable Surely Use Useful Vigorous Wisdom WiseJob 22 1. Eliphaz shows that man's goodness profits not God5. 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 rhetorical question posed by Eliphaz suggests the transcendence and self-sufficiency of God. In the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz is challenging Job's understanding of his relationship with God. Theologically, this reflects the belief that God is omnipotent and does not require human assistance to fulfill His purposes. Psalm 50:12 supports this idea, where God declares His independence from human needs. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of gods as beings who were often thought to require human service, contrasting with the biblical portrayal of Yahweh. Can even a wise man benefit Him? Persons / Places / Events 1. Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, offering his perspective on Job's suffering and the nature of man's relationship with God. 2. Job The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his patience and faithfulness amidst severe trials and suffering. Job's account is set in the land of Uz. 3. God The Almighty Creator, whose sovereignty and wisdom are central themes in the Book of Job. The question posed by Eliphaz challenges the notion of human utility to God. 4. Teman A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting his reputation for wisdom. 5. The Dialogue The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which explores themes of suffering, justice, and divine wisdom. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and Self-SufficiencyGod is complete and perfect in Himself. He does not need anything from us to be fulfilled or complete. Our relationship with Him is not based on what we can offer but on His grace and love. Human Limitations and Dependence on God While humans cannot benefit God in a transactional sense, we are called to live in obedience and worship, which is for our benefit and His glory. Recognizing our limitations should lead us to humility and reliance on God. Wisdom and Its True Source True wisdom acknowledges God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him. Human wisdom, like that of Eliphaz, can be flawed if it does not align with God's truth. Purpose of Good Works Our good works are not to benefit God but to reflect His character and bring glory to Him. They are an expression of our faith and gratitude for His grace.(2) As he that is wise.--It is probably an independent statement: "Surely he that is wise is profitable, &c." Hebrew “Can a manגָּ֑בֶר (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 Links Job 22:2 NIVJob 22:2 NLT Job 22:2 ESV Job 22:2 NASB Job 22:2 KJV Job 22:2 BibleApps.com Job 22:2 Biblia Paralela Job 22:2 Chinese Bible Job 22:2 French Bible Job 22:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 22:2 Can a man be profitable to God? 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