Job 22:25

Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

Yea, the Almighty {H7706} shall be thy defence {H1220}, and thou shalt have plenty {H8443} of silver {H3701}.

and let Shaddai be your treasure and your sparkling silver;

then the Almighty will be your gold and the finest silver for you.

And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee.

Job 22:25 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite’s counsel to Job, urging him to repent and return to God. Eliphaz, operating under the traditional belief that suffering is a direct result of sin, promises Job restoration and abundant blessings if he humbles himself before the Almighty. This verse encapsulates Eliphaz's assurance that God will become Job's ultimate protector and source of material wealth, specifically "plenty of silver."

Context of Job 22:25

This verse comes from Eliphaz's third and final speech to Job, where he intensifies his accusations and appeals. Eliphaz maintains that Job’s immense suffering must stem from unconfessed wickedness. He paints a picture of a prosperous future for Job, provided he repents, makes restitution, and renews his relationship with God. His advice reflects a common ancient Near Eastern retribution theology, where righteousness leads to prosperity and wickedness to calamity. This perspective, however, is ultimately challenged by the overarching narrative of the Book of Job, which explores the complexities of suffering beyond simple cause-and-effect.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Protection and Vindication: Eliphaz asserts that if Job turns back to God, "the Almighty shall be thy defence." This speaks to God's powerful ability to act as a shield and fortress for those who trust in Him, offering protection from adversity and enemies. For more on God as a protector, see Psalm 18:2.
  • Prosperity as a Sign of God's Favor: The promise of "plenty of silver" highlights the belief, prevalent in Eliphaz's era, that material wealth was a tangible sign of God's blessing and approval. While the Bible elsewhere connects obedience with blessing (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:12), the Book of Job critically examines this simplistic formula, demonstrating that righteousness does not always guarantee earthly prosperity.
  • The Nature of the Almighty: The use of "the Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai) emphasizes God's omnipotence and all-sufficiency. This name for God often appears in contexts of divine power and provision, particularly in the patriarchal narratives, such as when God appeared to Abraham in Genesis 17:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "Almighty" is Shaddai (שַׁדַּי), a powerful name for God that suggests His absolute power, self-sufficiency, and the ability to fulfill all His purposes and promises. The term translated "defence" is betser (בֶּצֶר), which can mean "fortress," "stronghold," or "precious metal/ore." While KJV translates it as "defence," some scholars suggest a double meaning or even "pure gold," implying God Himself would be Job's most valuable treasure, followed by silver.

Practical Application

While Eliphaz's theology was ultimately incomplete and flawed concerning the cause of Job's suffering, this verse still conveys a profound truth about God's character: He indeed serves as a powerful defense for His people. Believers can find security and protection in Him, far surpassing any earthly stronghold. Furthermore, while material wealth can be a blessing, the Book of Job reminds us that true prosperity and divine favor are not solely measured by earthly possessions. Our ultimate "treasure" should be God Himself, and He promises to meet our needs and be our shield, regardless of our circumstances. The narrative encourages us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereign plan, even when we don't understand our suffering, as Job ultimately did in his encounter with God in Job 42:5.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 33:6

    And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, [and] strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD [is] his treasure.

  • Genesis 15:1

    ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.

  • Psalms 16:5

    The LORD [is] the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

  • Psalms 16:6

    The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places]; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

  • Psalms 18:2

    The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

  • Psalms 84:11

    For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
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