Job 22:2-3

22:2 “Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit?

Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? ¹ 

22:3 Is it of any special benefit ²  to the Almighty

that you should be righteous,

or is it any gain to him

that you make your ways blameless? ³ 

Job 22:21

22:21 “Reconcile yourself ⁴  with God, ⁵ 

and be at peace ⁶  with him;

in this way your prosperity will be good.

[22:2]  ¹ tn Some do not take this to be parallel to the first colon, taking this line as a statement, but the parallel expressions here suggest the question is repeated.

[22:3]  ² tn The word חֵפֶץ (khefets) in this passage has the nuance of “special benefit; favor.” It does not just express the desire for something or the interest in it, but the profit one derives from it.

[22:3]  ³ tn The verb תַתֵּם (tattem) is the Hiphil imperfect of תָּמַם (tamam, “be complete, finished”), following the Aramaic form of the geminate verb with a doubling of the first letter.

[22:21]  ⁴ tn The verb סָכַן (sakhan) meant “to be useful; to be profitable” in v. 2. Now, in the Hiphil it means “to be accustomed to” or “to have experience with.” Joined by the preposition “with” it means “to be reconciled with him.” W. B. Bishai cites Arabic and Ugaritic words to support a meaning “acquiesce” (“Notes on hskn in Job 22:21,” JNES 20 [1961]: 258-59).

[22:21]  ⁵ tn Heb “him”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[22:21]  ⁶ tn The two imperatives in this verse imply a relationship of succession and not consequence.