Job 22:26

KJV

For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.

KJV (with Strong's)

For then shalt thou have thy delight {H6026} in the Almighty {H7706}, and shalt lift up {H5375} thy face {H6440} unto God {H433}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then Shaddai will be your delight, you will lift up your face to God;

Berean Standard Bible

Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.

American Standard Version

For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 22:26, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, presents a conditional promise of profound spiritual delight and unhindered confidence before God, contingent upon Job's repentance and reconciliation. While Eliphaz's understanding of Job's suffering was ultimately flawed, this verse articulates a timeless spiritual truth: a right relationship with the Almighty is the wellspring of deep joy and the ability to approach the divine presence without shame or fear, fostering an intimate and unburdened communion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Eliphaz's third and final speech to Job, found in [Job 22](/job/22 "Job 22 - Eliphaz's Third Speech"). Throughout his discourse, Eliphaz consistently adheres to the traditional retributive theology prevalent among Job's friends, asserting that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of unconfessed sin. In [Job 22:21-25](/job/22-21 "Job 22:21-25 - Eliphaz's Call to Repentance"), Eliphaz urges Job to "acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace," promising that if Job returns to the Almighty, puts away iniquity, and values God's wisdom above earthly treasures, then prosperity and divine favor will follow. [Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence") then describes the spiritual delight and confidence that would result from such reconciliation, presenting it as the pinnacle of restored relationship and an unburdened conscience, a vision of blessedness that Eliphaz believes Job has forfeited.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in the patriarchal period, though its exact dating is debated. The cultural backdrop is one where a clear link was often assumed between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. This "Deuteronomic theology" (as seen in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) was a dominant worldview, positing that God directly rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked in this life. Eliphaz, like his friends, operates firmly within this framework, struggling to comprehend suffering that does not stem from sin. The idiom "lift up thy face" would have been readily understood as a sign of honor, acceptance, and freedom from shame in a culture where public demeanor and social standing were paramount. Conversely, hanging one's head or hiding one's face signified guilt, humiliation, or despair.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence") contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **retributive justice**, albeit from a flawed perspective. Eliphaz's argument is that suffering is punitive, and repentance leads to restoration and divine favor, including spiritual delight and confidence. This verse also touches upon the theme of **true piety versus external prosperity**, suggesting that genuine delight in God is the ultimate reward, superior to mere material blessings. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **intimacy and communion with God**, portraying a relationship characterized by unhindered access and profound joy, a concept echoed in [Psalm 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence") and [Psalm 73:25-26](/psalms/73-25 "Psalm 73:25-26 - God as My Portion"). While Eliphaz misapplies the principle to Job's unique situation, the verse's description of the spiritual benefits of a right relationship with God remains a profound theological truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delight (Hebrew, _‘ānag_):** This verb (עָנַג) conveys the idea of finding exquisite pleasure, joy, or satisfaction. It implies a deep, inner contentment and a sense of being tenderly or delicately pleased. In this context, it speaks to a profound, almost luxurious, enjoyment of God Himself, not merely His blessings or deliverance from troubles. It suggests a relationship where God is the ultimate source of inner happiness and fulfillment.
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _Shaddai_):** The divine name (שַׁדַּי) used here emphasizes God's omnipotence, sufficiency, and overwhelming power. It portrays God as the one who is more than enough, capable of providing all needs and overcoming all obstacles. To delight in "the Almighty" is to find joy in His sovereign power, His unfailing provision, and His absolute control over all circumstances, fostering a sense of security and trust.
* **lift up thy face (Hebrew, _nāśā’ pānîm_):** This is a powerful Hebrew idiom (נָשָׂא פָּנִים) literally meaning "to lift the face." It signifies a state of honor, confidence, and acceptance, free from shame, guilt, or fear. When one can "lift up their face" to God, it implies an unburdened conscience, the ability to approach Him boldly and openly, and a sense of being in His favor. The opposite would be to hang one's head in despair or hide one's face in shame.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty":** This clause presents the first promised outcome of Job's supposed repentance and reconciliation with God. The "then" establishes a conditional relationship: *if* Job returns to God (as per [Job 22:21-25](/job/22-21 "Job 22:21-25 - Eliphaz's Call to Repentance")), *then* he will experience profound joy and satisfaction sourced directly from God, the all-sufficient and powerful One. This delight is not merely circumstantial happiness but a deep, spiritual contentment rooted in the very nature and person of God.
* **"and shalt lift up thy face unto God":** This second clause describes the resulting confidence and freedom in Job's relationship with God. It signifies the removal of shame, guilt, and fear that might have previously caused him to hide or despair. With an unburdened conscience and a restored relationship, Job would be able to approach God directly, openly, and with assurance, implying unhindered communion and acceptance in the divine presence.

#### Literary Devices
[Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence") employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is the **Conditional Statement**, introduced by "For then," which establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between Job's repentance and the promised blessings. This structure is typical of wisdom literature that often presents moral or spiritual principles in a cause-and-effect framework. The phrase "lift up thy face unto God" is a powerful **Idiom**, a common expression in Hebrew that carries a meaning beyond the literal words, signifying confidence, honor, and freedom from shame. This idiom creates a vivid image of unhindered access and acceptance. There is also an element of **Irony** in Eliphaz's application of this truth; while the principle of delight and confidence in God is valid, his premise that Job's suffering is due to sin is profoundly mistaken, making the conditional promise tragically misdirected in Job's specific case.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Although spoken from a flawed theological premise regarding Job's suffering, [Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence") encapsulates a profound and enduring truth about the nature of a right relationship with God. It asserts that genuine delight and unhindered confidence are the natural spiritual fruits of drawing near to the Almighty. This delight is not found in external circumstances or material blessings, but in God Himself—His character, His presence, and His sufficiency. The ability to "lift up thy face unto God" speaks to a state of spiritual freedom, where guilt and shame are absent, allowing for open and intimate communion. This verse points to the ultimate human longing for deep satisfaction and secure belonging, both of which are found when one's heart is truly aligned with the divine.

* [Psalm 37:4](/psalms/37-4 "Psalm 37:4 - Delight in the Lord")
* [Psalm 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy")
* [1 John 3:21](/1_john/3-21 "1 John 3:21 - Confidence Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence") challenges believers to examine the source of their deepest joy and confidence. Do we find our ultimate delight in the Almighty, or in the fleeting pleasures and securities of this world? True spiritual delight is a profound contentment that transcends circumstances, rooted in the unchanging character and presence of God. When our hearts are truly fixed on Him, we experience a freedom from anxiety and a deep satisfaction that worldly pursuits cannot offer. Furthermore, the ability to "lift up thy face unto God" speaks to the state of our conscience and our relationship with Him. Are we burdened by unconfessed sin, shame, or fear, causing us to shrink from His presence? Or do we approach Him with boldness and assurance, knowing that through Christ, we have been reconciled and accepted? This verse calls us to cultivate a relationship with God marked by unreserved joy and confident communion, trusting in His sufficiency and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it truly mean to "have thy delight in the Almighty" in your daily life?**
* **In what ways might you be holding back or "hiding your face" from God due to shame, guilt, or fear?**
* **How does the concept of God as "the Almighty" (Shaddai) impact your ability to find delight and confidence in Him, especially during difficult times?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of delight in God and a more confident approach to His presence?**

### FAQ
**Was Eliphaz's counsel to Job in Job 22:26 accurate or flawed?**

Answer: Eliphaz's counsel in [Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence") presents a profound spiritual truth, but his application of it to Job was flawed. The principle that delight and confidence come from a right relationship with God is accurate and timeless. However, Eliphaz's premise that Job's suffering was *because* of unconfessed sin, and that repentance would *automatically* restore material prosperity and spiritual favor, was incorrect for Job's specific situation. The book of Job ultimately reveals that suffering is not always a direct result of sin, and God's ways are more complex than the simplistic retributive theology Eliphaz and his friends espoused. God Himself later rebukes the friends for not speaking what was right concerning Him ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Job 22:26](/job/22-26 "Job 22:26 - The Promise of Delight and Confidence"), though spoken by Eliphaz and misapplied to Job, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "delight in the Almighty" that Eliphaz speaks of, and the ability to "lift up thy face unto God," are made fully accessible to humanity only through Christ. Our natural state, marred by sin, prevents us from truly delighting in a holy God and causes us to hide our faces in shame ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, Jesus, the perfect Son, perfectly delighted in the Father and always had His face lifted in unhindered communion ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ bore our shame and guilt on the cross, reconciling us to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Now, by faith in Him, we are clothed in His righteousness, enabling us to approach God not with fear, but with boldness and confidence, truly lifting our faces to Him as beloved children ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"); [Ephesians 3:12](/ephesians/3-12 "Ephesians 3:12 - Boldness and Access Through Faith")). Our delight in the Almighty is no longer contingent on our flawed performance, but on Christ's perfect work, guaranteeing us eternal joy and unhindered access to the very presence of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Isaiah 58:14

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

Job 27:10

Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?

Job 11:15

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Psalms 86:4

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Song Of Solomon 2:3

¶ As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste.