Is not your wickedness great?This phrase is part of Eliphaz's third speech to Job, where he accuses Job of significant wrongdoing. In the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz represents the traditional belief that suffering is a direct result of personal sin. This reflects the retributive justice view common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where prosperity was seen as a sign of divine favor, and suffering as a sign of divine punishment. Eliphaz's question implies that Job's suffering must be due to great wickedness, although the prologue of Job (
Job 1:1) describes Job as "blameless and upright." This accusation contrasts with the biblical theme of undeserved suffering, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures like Joseph and Jesus, who suffered despite their righteousness.
Are not your iniquities endless?
Eliphaz intensifies his accusation by suggesting that Job's sins are innumerable. This reflects the belief that persistent suffering must be due to persistent sin. The term "iniquities" in the Hebrew context often refers to moral perversity or guilt. Eliphaz's assertion is a rhetorical question meant to provoke Job into self-examination and repentance. However, it also highlights the limitations of human understanding of divine justice, a central theme in the Book of Job. Theologically, this phrase can be connected to the New Testament teaching on sin and grace, where human sinfulness is vast, but God's grace through Christ is greater (Romans 5:20). Eliphaz's perspective lacks the understanding of grace and redemption that is fully revealed in the New Testament.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and faithfulness.
2.
Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz accuses Job of great wickedness, suggesting that his suffering is a result of his sins.
3.
TemanA region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, indicating his background and possibly his reputation for wisdom.
4.
The AccusationEliphaz accuses Job of having great wickedness and endless iniquities, suggesting that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his sins.
5.
The DialogueThis verse is part of a larger dialogue between Job and his friends, where they debate the reasons for Job's suffering and the nature of God's justice.
Teaching Points
Understanding Misplaced AccusationsEliphaz's accusation reminds us that human judgment can be flawed. We must be cautious in attributing suffering to personal sin without understanding God's broader purposes.
The Nature of SinWhile Eliphaz's approach is misguided, his statement reflects a biblical truth: humanity's sinfulness is great. Recognizing our sin is the first step toward repentance and seeking God's grace.
The Role of Friends in SufferingEliphaz's role highlights the importance of offering compassionate support rather than judgment to those who are suffering. We should strive to be empathetic and understanding friends.
God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe Book of Job challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when we do not understand our circumstances. Our faith should rest in God's character, not in our ability to comprehend His ways.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Job 22:5?
2. How does Job 22:5 challenge us to examine our own sinfulness?
3. What does Job 22:5 reveal about God's view of human sin?
4. How can Job 22:5 guide us in seeking God's forgiveness?
5. Connect Job 22:5 with Romans 3:23 on the universality of sin.
6. How should Job 22:5 influence our daily repentance and humility before God?
7. How does Job 22:5 address the concept of human sinfulness and divine justice?
8. What historical context influences the interpretation of Job 22:5?
9. How does Job 22:5 fit into the overall message of the Book of Job?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 22?
11. Does Job’s assertion of moral completeness in Job 31:5–8 conflict with the broader biblical theme of universal human fallibility?
12. In Job 22:5, Eliphaz accuses Job of great wickedness, yet Job 1:1 calls him blameless; how do we resolve this apparent contradiction?
13. What lessons does Job's life teach us?
14. In Job 10:7, Job insists he is innocent—does this conflict with the broader biblical teaching that all have sinned? What Does Job 22:5 Mean
Is not your wickedness great?Eliphaz opens his accusation by assuming Job’s pain must be proof of deep moral failure. Scripture itself records the scene so we can weigh his words against God’s assessment of Job.
• Earlier, the Lord had declared, “There is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright” (Job 1:8). Eliphaz, therefore, is contradicting God’s own testimony.
• At the end of the book God says to Eliphaz, “You have not spoken the truth about Me as My servant Job has” (Job 42:7), confirming that the charge of “great wickedness” was unfounded.
• The assumption that suffering always points to sin is challenged elsewhere: Jesus corrects His disciples, saying a man’s blindness was “not that this man sinned or his parents” (John 9:3).
• Yet Eliphaz’s words also remind us that real wickedness does exist and that it is very great in God’s sight (Romans 3:23). His error lies in aiming the charge at the wrong target and in ignoring the possibility of righteous suffering (Psalm 34:19).
Are not your iniquities endless?Eliphaz doubles down, suggesting Job’s sins are so many they are without limit.
• He proceeds to list imagined offenses (Job 22:6-9), but Job later answers, “Let God weigh me in honest scales” (Job 31:6). The narrative shows Job’s conscience is clear, even while he acknowledges humanity’s universal need for mercy (Job 9:2-3).
• False accusation itself is a serious iniquity. Revelation 12:10 calls Satan “the accuser of our brothers,” and Proverbs 17:15 warns that condemning the righteous is abominable to the Lord.
• The idea of “endless” iniquity points forward to humanity’s true predicament: apart from God’s intervention our sins pile up beyond counting (Psalm 40:12). Only the Lord can remove them “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).
• Job’s eventual intercession for his friends (Job 42:8-10) foreshadows Christ, who prays for those who wrong Him (Luke 23:34) and provides the only answer to boundless guilt (1 John 1:7).
summaryJob 22:5 records Eliphaz’s sweeping indictment, but the broader testimony of Scripture shows the charge is misplaced. The verse exposes the danger of assuming that every affliction is the result of great, endless sin, while at the same time underscoring the reality that sin is indeed grievous and must be dealt with. God vindicates Job, rebukes the accuser, and ultimately points us to the Redeemer who alone can cleanse all iniquity and uphold true justice.
(5)
Is not thy wickedness great?--This was mere conjecture and surmise, arising simply from a false assumption: namely, that a just God can only punish the wicked, and that therefore those must be wicked whom He punishes.
Verse 5. -
Is not thy wickedness great? Judging from the greatness of Job's punishment, Eliphaz concludes, logically from his premisses, that his wickedness must be commensurate. He must have been guilty of almost every form of ill-doing.
And thine iniquities infinite? literally,
and is there not no end to thine iniquities? These general conclusions seem to Eliphaz to justify him in proceeding to the enumeration of details.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Is notהֲלֹ֣א (hă·lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, noyour wickednessרָעָֽתְךָ֣ (rā·‘ā·ṯə·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evilgreat?רַבָּ֑ה (rab·bāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, greatAre not your iniquitiesלַעֲוֺנֹתֶֽיךָ׃ (la·‘ă·wō·nō·ṯe·ḵā)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquityendless?וְאֵֽין־ (wə·’ên-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle
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OT Poetry: Job 22:5 Isn't your wickedness great? Neither is there (Jb) 
