Job 22:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Eliphaz recalls how the wicked told God to leave them, scorning what He could do.
What Does Job 22:17 Mean?
Eliphaz quotes the defiant cry of the ancient wicked: they told God to depart and sneered that He could do nothing for them. It is the voice of those who want no part of their Maker and trust only in themselves.
This is the heart of all rebellion, the wish to be rid of God and the proud assumption that we need nothing from Him. Strikingly, these are nearly the same words Job's friends accuse him of, yet Job never renounced God. The verse exposes the folly of self-sufficiency. The truth is that the Almighty can do everything for those who seek Him, and the door He honors is the one that says not depart from us but draw near.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 22:17
What does Job 22:17 mean?
Eliphaz recalls how the wicked told God to leave them, scorning what He could do.