The Meaning of Job 22:28 Explained

Job 22:28

KJV: Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

YLT: And thou decreest a saying, And it is established to thee, And on thy ways hath light shone.

Darby: And thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; and light shall shine upon thy ways.

ASV: Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou shalt also decree  a thing,  and it shall be established  unto thee: and the light  shall shine  upon thy ways. 

What does Job 22:28 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 22:28 mean?

And You will utter speech and it will be established for you so on your ways will shine light
וְֽתִגְזַר־ א֭וֹמֶר וְיָ֣קָם לָ֑ךְ וְעַל־ דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ נָ֣גַֽהּ אֽוֹר

וְֽתִגְזַר־  And  You  will  utter 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: גָּזַר 
Sense: to cut, divide, cut down, cut off, cut in two, snatch, decree.
א֭וֹמֶר  speech 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֹמֶר  
Sense: utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command.
וְיָ֣קָם  and  it  will  be  established 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
לָ֑ךְ  for  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person feminine singular
וְעַל־  so  on 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ  your  ways 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
נָ֣גַֽהּ  will  shine 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָגַהּ  
Sense: to shine.
אֽוֹר  light 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: אֹור  
Sense: light.