Bible Strands
Job 22:2
“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Eliphaz the Temanite addresses Job in a rhetorical exchange following his opening reply in Job 22:1. He questions whether human righteousness or wisdom can produce any gain for the Almighty.
The words — The Hebrew verb יִסְכֹּן (yis.kon) literally means “will he be of use” or “profit,” repeated to frame the query. The prepositional phrase עָלֵי/מוֹ ('a.Lei./mov) translates to “on him,” specifying the intended direction of any supposed benefit.
The thread — The same rhetorical structure appears in Job 35:6, which asks what transgression accomplishes against God, and in Luke 17:10, where believers acknowledge they have only done their duty. It also echoes the warning in Galatians 6:7 that human sowing yields corresponding reaping.
Why it lands — The text states that no human action adds utility to God, then asks the reader to confront a transactional view of faith. It demands acknowledgment that divine nature operates independently of human merit or service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
Cross-references
- 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.’”
- Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- Job 35:6 If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? If you multiply your transgressions, what do you do to Him?
- Psalms 16:2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”
- Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
- Job 21:15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
- Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain 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.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
- Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.