Job 6:22

KJV

¶ Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

KJV (with Strong's)

Did I say {H559}, Bring {H3051} unto me? or, Give a reward {H7809} for me of your substance {H3581}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Did I say to you, 'Give me something,'or, 'From your wealth, offer a bribe on my behalf,'

Berean Standard Bible

Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;

American Standard Version

Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:22 captures Job's impassioned denial of any self-serving or manipulative intent behind his profound lament. He vehemently refutes the unspoken accusation that his cries for understanding and relief are veiled requests for financial assistance or a bribe from his friends. Amidst his overwhelming suffering and the misinterpretations of Eliphaz, Job asserts his unblemished integrity, emphasizing that his distress is a genuine outpouring of pain and a desperate plea for empathy and vindication, not a calculated attempt to gain material possessions or charity. This verse powerfully underscores the vast chasm between Job's authentic agony and his friends' judgmental suspicions, highlighting his steadfast character even under immense pressure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's initial, raw response to Eliphaz, spanning [Job 6](/job/6 "Job 6 - Job's Lament and Defense") and [Job 7](/job/7 "Job 7 - Job's Despair and Plea"). Eliphaz, adhering to the conventional retribution theology, had implied that Job's unprecedented suffering must be a direct consequence of hidden sin, as articulated in [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") and [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz's Continued Discourse"). Job's subsequent speeches are a passionate defense of his innocence, a visceral expression of his overwhelming grief, and a lament against the perceived injustice of his situation, compounded by the lack of genuine comfort from his companions. [Job 6:22](/job/6-22 "Job 6:22 - Job's Denial of Ulterior Motives") specifically addresses the potential misinterpretation of his lament as a plea for material gain, clarifying that his anguish is not a transactional request but a genuine outpouring of a broken spirit seeking solace and vindication.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, societal norms placed a high value on hospitality, mutual support, and kinship solidarity, especially in times of distress. Friends and family were expected to offer comfort and practical assistance. However, the concept of a "reward" or "bribe" (Hebrew: *shochad*) was also well-established, often associated with influencing legal judgments, securing favorable treatment, or manipulating situations for personal gain. Job's friends, having traveled to "comfort" him, would have been expected to offer support, but their theological framework led them to suspect Job's motives rather than simply empathize. Job's emphatic denial in this verse is a powerful assertion of his moral standing within a culture that highly valued integrity and vehemently despised deceitful or opportunistic behavior, particularly from someone in a vulnerable position. He is not merely denying a request for money; he is refuting an accusation of manipulative and dishonest conduct.

* **Key Themes:** [Job 6:22](/job/6-22 "Job 6:22 - Job's Integrity and the Nature of Comfort") significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job"). Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Job's Integrity**, a central tenet challenged by Satan in [Job 1:9-11](/job/1-9-11 "Satan's Challenge to Job's Integrity"). Job's steadfast refusal to seek material gain, even in his dire circumstances, underscores his blameless character and his commitment to God for God's sake, not for the blessings He bestows. Secondly, it highlights the pervasive theme of **Misunderstanding and False Accusation** that plagues the entire dialogue between Job and his friends. They repeatedly misinterpret his words and suffering, projecting their own rigid theological assumptions onto his experience, leading to accusations of hidden sin or, as here, ulterior motives. Finally, the verse implicitly speaks to the **Nature of True Comfort**. By denying a request for "substance," Job subtly points out that what he truly needs is not material aid, but genuine empathy, understanding, and a listening ear, which his friends tragically fail to provide, opting instead for judgment and suspicion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Say (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root is used with broad latitude, encompassing speaking, declaring, commanding, or expressing. In [Job 6:22](/job/6-22 "Job 6:22 - Job's Denial of Ulterior Motives"), Job's rhetorical question, "Did I say...?", uses *ʼâmar* to emphatically deny any utterance or expression of a request for material aid. It underscores his assertion that such a thought or demand never even crossed his lips, highlighting the purity of his motives and the authenticity of his lament.
* **Reward (Hebrew, _shâchad'_):** This term refers to a donation or, more commonly, a bribe given to influence a decision, secure a favor, or gain an advantage. By denying he sought a "reward," Job is not merely stating he didn't ask for money; he is vehemently rejecting any insinuation that his lament is a calculated ploy to manipulate his friends into providing financial assistance, or to buy their sympathy or silence. It underscores his assertion that his suffering and cries are authentic expressions of pain, not transactional attempts at gain.
* **Substance (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** While often meaning "strength," "vigor," or "power," in this context, *kôach* refers to one's material resources, wealth, or possessions. Job's denial that he asked for their "substance" directly refutes the idea that his distress is a pretense for soliciting charity or demanding a portion of their wealth. It emphasizes that his needs are spiritual and emotional, born of genuine pain, not avarice for their material possessions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Did I say, Bring unto me?":** This is the first of two rhetorical questions that form the core of Job's denial. It serves as a strong, emphatic refutation. Job is asserting unequivocally that he never requested any material goods, financial assistance, or charity from his friends. His suffering, though profound, is not a veiled solicitation for aid, nor is his lament a demand for their resources. This clause establishes his pure motives regarding direct material requests.
* **"or, Give a reward for me of your substance?":** This second rhetorical question continues and intensifies the denial, specifically addressing the more insidious accusation of seeking a "bribe" or a manipulative payment. Job is not only denying a request for general aid but also refuting any suggestion that his pleas are an attempt to extract a payment in exchange for his silence, their sympathy, or some other perceived benefit. He is asserting that his cries are born purely out of overwhelming pain and a desperate desire for understanding and vindication, not out of a need for their material possessions or a desire to exploit their friendship.

#### Literary Devices
Job 6:22 is a powerful example of **Rhetorical Question**. Job uses two direct questions, "Did I say, Bring unto me?" and "or, Give a reward for me of your substance?", not to elicit information, but to make an emphatic statement of denial. These questions serve to underscore his innocence and the absurdity of any suggestion that he is seeking material gain. This device also highlights the profound **Irony** of the situation: Job, in his profound anguish, is not only misunderstood but also suspected of ulterior motives by the very people who came to comfort him. His denial functions as a poignant **Plea** for his friends to recognize the authenticity of his suffering and a sharp **Rebuke** of their judgmental and unhelpful suspicions, challenging their shallow understanding of his plight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 6:22 offers a profound statement on the nature of suffering, integrity, and true compassion. It challenges the simplistic retribution theology prevalent in Job's time and among his friends, asserting that not all suffering is a direct result of sin, nor are all cries for help motivated by greed. Job's steadfastness in denying any manipulative intent, even when stripped of everything, prefigures the New Testament emphasis on integrity of heart and the selfless nature of love. The verse implicitly critiques superficial comfort and calls for a deeper, more empathetic engagement with those in distress, reminding us that true solace often lies in presence and understanding, not merely material solutions. It underscores that genuine spiritual and emotional needs cannot be met with transactional offerings.

* [Psalm 35:19](/psalms/35-19 "Psalm 35:19 - Prayer Against False Accusation")
* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Weep with Those Who Weep")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 6:22 serves as a powerful and timeless lesson for how we approach and interact with those who are experiencing profound grief or suffering. It compels us to critically examine our own assumptions and biases, particularly the temptation to attribute suffering to hidden sin or to suspect ulterior motives in someone's cries for help. Instead of rushing to offer unsolicited advice, judgment, or even material solutions that haven't been requested, this verse calls us to cultivate genuine empathy, to offer a compassionate presence, and to simply listen. Understanding that a person's lament is often a desperate plea for understanding, validation, or simply to be heard, rather than a demand for resources, is crucial for providing meaningful comfort. It challenges us to move beyond superficial responses and to truly "weep with those who weep," extending grace and avoiding the judgmental spirit that so tragically characterized Job's friends. Our role is often to bear witness to pain, not to fix it or to question its authenticity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when someone I know is suffering deeply? Do I tend to offer advice, solutions, or simply presence and a listening ear?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to misinterpreting the motives of those in distress, similar to Job's friends, perhaps by assuming they are seeking something material when their need is emotional or spiritual?**
* **How can I cultivate a more empathetic and less judgmental approach when encountering others' pain, remembering that true comfort often isn't about solving problems but about sharing burdens and validating feelings?**

### FAQ
**Was Job actually asking for money or gifts from his friends, and then denying it?**

Answer: No, [Job 6:22](/job/6-22 "Job 6:22 - Job's Denial of Ulterior Motives") is Job's emphatic denial that he ever asked for financial assistance or a "reward" (which could imply a bribe or manipulative payment) from his friends. His rhetorical questions, "Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?", are a strong refutation of any such insinuation. His friends, particularly Eliphaz, had been implying that Job's suffering was due to some hidden sin, and perhaps suspected that Job's laments were a manipulative attempt to gain their sympathy and material support. Job vehemently denies this, asserting that his cries are born purely out of overwhelming pain and a desperate desire for understanding and vindication, not out of a need for their material possessions or charity. This denial underscores his integrity and the purity of his motives, a central theme throughout the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 6:22, with Job's steadfast denial of seeking material gain amidst his profound suffering, profoundly foreshadows the integrity and selflessness of Christ. Job, though innocent, was accused and misunderstood, his pain dismissed as a consequence of sin or a manipulative ploy. Similarly, Jesus, the [sinless Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), endured immense suffering and false accusations, not for His own gain, but for the redemption of humanity. He did not come to be served or to acquire "substance," but to [serve and to give His life as a ransom for many](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"). Unlike Job's friends who suspected ulterior motives, Jesus consistently demonstrated a heart of pure compassion, identifying with the suffering and never seeking personal profit from His ministry, famously stating that [the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head"). Job's integrity in the face of accusation points to the ultimate integrity of Christ, who, though tempted in every way, remained without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). His suffering was not a transactional request but a selfless act of divine love, fulfilling God's redemptive plan and offering true comfort and salvation that far transcends any material "substance" or earthly reward.

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

Job 42:11

Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Acts 20:33

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

1 Samuel 12:3

Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.