For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
For then shalt thou have thy delight {H6026} in the Almighty {H7706}, and shalt lift up {H5375} thy face {H6440} unto God {H433}.
then Shaddai will be your delight, you will lift up your face to God;
Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God.
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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.
In Job 22:26, Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's friends, presents a vision of blessed restoration contingent upon Job's repentance. While Eliphaz's understanding of Job's suffering was ultimately flawed, this verse beautifully articulates the profound spiritual benefits of a right relationship with God: finding deep joy and confidence in His presence.
Context
This verse is part of Eliphaz's third and final speech to Job, where he continues to argue that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin. In Job 22:21-25, Eliphaz urges Job to "acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace," promising that if Job returns to the Almighty and puts away iniquity, prosperity and favor will follow. Verse 26 then describes the spiritual delight and confidence that would result from such reconciliation, suggesting a return to divine favor and an unburdened conscience.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "delight" is `anag` (עָנַג), which conveys the idea of being soft, delicate, or taking exquisite pleasure. It suggests a deep, inner joy and satisfaction derived from one's relationship with God. "Lift up thy face" translates the Hebrew idiom `nasa panim`, which literally means "to lift the face" and implies a state of honor, confidence, and freedom from shame or condemnation. The opposite would be to hang one's head in despair or guilt.
Practical Application
For believers today, Job 22:26 serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual rewards of seeking God. When we prioritize our relationship with the Almighty, we can experience a joy that transcends circumstances and a confidence that allows us to approach Him without fear. It encourages introspection: do we truly find our delight in God, and can we lift our faces to Him with assurance, knowing that through Christ, we can boldly approach the throne of grace? This verse points to the deep peace and assurance that come from a heart aligned with God, regardless of outward circumstances, as Job himself ultimately experienced in his restoration.