You gave no water to the weary
This phrase highlights a failure to provide basic hospitality and compassion, which was a significant cultural expectation in the ancient Near East. Water, a vital resource in the arid regions of the Middle East, symbolizes life and sustenance. In biblical times, offering water to travelers or those in need was a common act of kindness and righteousness. The lack of such an act is seen as a moral failing. This accusation against Job by Eliphaz suggests a breach of social and religious duty, reflecting the broader biblical theme of caring for the needy, as seen in passages like Isaiah 58:10 and Matthew 25:35, where providing for the thirsty is equated with righteousness.

and withheld food from the famished
Withholding food from the hungry is another serious accusation, as feeding the hungry is a fundamental act of charity and justice in biblical teaching. In the context of the Book of Job, this charge is part of Eliphaz's argument that Job's suffering is due to his alleged sins. The cultural expectation was to share one's resources with those in need, as seen in the laws of gleaning in Leviticus 19:9-10, which allowed the poor to gather leftover crops. This phrase also echoes the broader biblical narrative of God's provision and the call for His people to emulate His generosity, as seen in Proverbs 22:9 and James 2:15-16. The failure to provide for the hungry is not only a social injustice but also a spiritual failing, as it neglects the command to love one's neighbor.

1. Job
A wealthy and righteous man from the land of Uz, who undergoes severe trials and suffering.

2. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him but ends up accusing him of wrongdoing.

3. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men, from which Eliphaz hails.

4. The Accusation
Eliphaz accuses Job of failing to provide for the needy, suggesting that Job's suffering is a result of his sins.

5. The Dialogue
Part of the larger discourse between Job and his friends, where they debate the reasons for Job's suffering.The Importance of Compassion
As Christians, we are called to show compassion and provide for those in need, reflecting God's love and mercy.

Avoiding False Accusations
We must be cautious not to judge others hastily or assume their suffering is due to personal sin, as Eliphaz did with Job.

Understanding Suffering
Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. It can be a test of faith or a means for God to demonstrate His power and grace.

Generosity as a Reflection of Faith
Our willingness to help the needy is a testament to our faith and obedience to God's commands.

The Role of Friends in Times of Trouble
True friends offer support and encouragement, not condemnation, during difficult times.Top 10 Lessons from Job 22

What defines spiritual dryness?

Does Job 38:22's reference to 'storehouses of snow' suggest a misunderstanding of meteorology?

If Moses and Aaron turned all water to blood (Exodus 7:20-21), how did the magicians replicate this (Exodus 7:22) if no water was left?

Revelation 7:1 mentions 'four corners of the earth'; how is this reconciled with a spherical planet?Verse 7. - Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink. To give water to the thirsty was regarded in the East as one of the most elementary duties of man to man. The self-justification of the dead in the Egyptian Hades contained the following passage: "I gave my bread to the hungry, and drink to him that was athirst; I clothed the naked with garments; I sheltered the wanderer" ('Ritual of the Dead,' ch. CXXV. § 38). The same claim appears continually on Egyptian tombs. "All men respected me," we read on one; "I gave water to the thirsty; I set the wanderer in his path; I took away the oppressor, and put a stop to violence" ('Non-Biblical Systems of Religion,' p. 46). In the proverbs assigned to Solomon, "which the men of Hezekiah copied out" (Proverbs 25:1), the duty was declared to be one owed even to enemies (see Proverbs 25:21, "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink"). Isaiah notices it as praiseworthy in the Temanites (Eliphaz's people), that they "brought water to him that was thirsty and prevented with their bread him that fled" (Isaiah 21:14). Jael is praised for going further than this: He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish" (Judges 5:25). And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. Later on Job absolutely denies this, as well as many of the other charges. "If I have withheld," he says, "the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof," then let mine arm fall from my shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone" (Job 31:16-22).

Parallel Commentaries ...


You gave
תַּשְׁקֶ֑ה (taš·qeh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

water
מַ֭יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

to the weary
עָיֵ֣ף (‘ā·yêp̄)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5889: Faint, weary

and withheld
תִּֽמְנַֽע־ (tim·na‘-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4513: To debar, from benefit, injury

food
לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

from the famished,
וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗ב (ū·mê·rā·‘êḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7456: To be hungry


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OT Poetry: Job 22:7 You haven't given water to the weary (Jb)