The Meaning of Job 22:20 Explained

Job 22:20

KJV: Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.

YLT: 'Surely our substance hath not been cut off, And their excellency hath fire consumed.'

Darby: Is not he who rose against us destroyed, and doth not the fire consume his residue?

ASV: Saying , Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Whereas  our substance  is not cut down,  but the remnant  of them the fire  consumeth. 

What does Job 22:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 22:1-30 - "acquaint Thyself With God"
Eliphaz opens the third cycle of the discussion with a speech altogether too hard and cruel. He begins with an enumeration of Job's fancied misdeeds, Job 22:1-11. The fundamental position with Eliphaz was the absolute, even-handed justice of God. In contrast with the oriental magnate who is influenced by gifts, God at least was unimpeachable; and therefore, however Job might affirm the contrary, he must have deserved the chastisement which had befallen him.
Then follows his argument from the Deluge, Job 22:12-20. Evil men are always anxious to think that God does not notice them. This was, says Eliphaz, the policy of those who were destroyed by the Flood. They attempted to build society on atheistic lines, though he filled their houses with good things. The inference, of course, was that Job had been guilty of the same offense, Eliphaz concludes with a tender delineation of a holy life, Job 22:21-30. To be reconciled to God, to obey His Word, to put away iniquity and trust in earthly riches, are the conditions of blessedness. We shall gain more than we lose, Job 22:25. We shall inherit the confidence and joy of His presence, Job 22:26. Our prayers will be answered; we shall walk "in the light;" and our ministry to others will be full of helpfulness. Let us, then, acquaint ourselves with God and be at peace! [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 22

1  Eliphaz shows that man's goodness profits not God
5  He accuses Job of various sins
21  He exhorts him to repentance, with promises of mercy

What do the individual words in Job 22:20 mean?

Surely not are cut down our adversaries and their remnant consumes the fire
אִם־ לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ

אִם־  Surely 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
נִכְחַ֣ד  are  cut  down 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: כָּחַד  
Sense: to hide, conceal, cut off, cut down, make desolate, kick.
קִימָ֑נוּ  our  adversaries 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: קִים  
Sense: adversary.
וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם  and  their  remnant 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: יֶתֶר 
Sense: .
אָ֣כְלָה  consumes 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
אֵֽשׁ  the  fire 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: אֵשׁ  
Sense: fire.