Job 22:29

When [men] are cast down, then thou shalt say, [There is] lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

When men are cast down {H8213}, then thou shalt say {H559}, There is lifting up {H1466}; and he shall save {H3467} the humble {H7807} person {H5869}.

when someone is brought down, you will say, 'It was pride, because [God] saves the humble.'

When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then He will save the lowly.

When they casttheedown, thou shalt say, There is lifting up; And the humble person he will save.

Job 22:29 is a powerful declaration of hope and the divine principle of humility, found within Eliphaz's third speech to Job. While Eliphaz's overall theological framework in the book of Job is eventually corrected by God, this particular verse contains a profound truth about God's character and His relationship with those who are in a state of lowliness.

Context

This verse comes towards the end of Eliphaz the Temanite's final and most accusatory speech to Job. Throughout the book, Job's friends operate under the assumption that suffering is a direct result of sin. In chapter 22, Eliphaz directly charges Job with various unrighteous acts (e.g., Job 22:5-9) and urges him to repent and return to God. He promises that if Job does so, he will experience restoration and prosperity (Job 22:21-30). Verse 29 is part of this promise of a reversal of fortune, emphasizing that from a state of being "cast down," one can declare "lifting up" through divine intervention, especially for the humble.

Key Themes

  • Hope Amidst Adversity: The verse offers a beacon of hope in times of despair. When individuals are "cast down" by life's circumstances, the promise is that they can declare and experience "lifting up."
  • Divine Restoration: It speaks to God's ability and willingness to reverse fortunes and elevate those who are brought low. This "lifting up" is not self-generated but comes from a divine source.
  • The Value of Humility: A crucial condition for receiving this divine elevation is humility. The verse explicitly states that "he shall save the humble person," highlighting a core biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cast down" comes from the Hebrew word shaphal (שָׁפַל), meaning to be low, abased, or humble. It describes a state of being brought low, either by circumstances or by one's own spirit. The concept of "lifting up" implies exaltation or elevation. The "humble person" is literally one who is "low of eyes" (שְׁפַל־עֵינָיִם, shephal-einayim), conveying a sense of modesty and a lack of arrogance, contrasting sharply with the proud or haughty.

Practical Application

Job 22:29 provides powerful encouragement for believers facing difficult times. It teaches us several vital lessons:

  1. Declare Hope: Even when circumstances are dire, we are called to declare faith in God's ability to bring about a "lifting up." This is an act of faith, speaking truth into a challenging situation.
  2. Embrace Humility: The promise of divine salvation and elevation is specifically for the humble. In times of trial, rather than becoming proud or resentful, cultivating a humble spirit allows God to work in our lives. As Jesus taught, "whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:11).
  3. Trust God's Deliverance: The verse assures us that God Himself will "save the humble person." This points to God's faithfulness to those who acknowledge their dependence on Him and remain lowly in spirit, even in adversity. The Lord is "nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

Ultimately, this verse reminds us that true elevation comes not from self-exaltation but from a humble reliance on God, who is faithful to lift up those who are cast down.

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.

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • Job 5:19

    He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

  • Job 5:27

    Lo this, we have searched it, so it [is]; hear it, and know thou [it] for thy good.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

  • Luke 1:52

    He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.

  • Matthew 23:12

    And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

  • Proverbs 29:23

    ¶ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back