Job 9:22
Job 9:22 in Multiple Translations
It is all the same, and so I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
It is all the same to me; so I say, He puts an end to the sinner and to him who has done no wrong together.
That's why I say, ‘It makes no difference to God. He destroys both the innocent and the wicked.’
This is one point: therefore I said, Hee destroyeth the perfite and the wicked.
It is the same thing, therefore I said, 'The perfect and the wicked He is consuming.'
“It is all the same. Therefore I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked.
This is one thing , therefore I said it , he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
One thing there is that I have spoken, both the innocent and the wicked he consumeth.
But it doesn’t matter, because God will get rid of all of us, both those who are innocent and those who are wicked.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 9:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 9:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַחַ֗ת
הִ֥יא
עַל
כֵּ֥ן
אָמַ֑רְתִּי
תָּ֥ם
וְ֝/רָשָׁ֗ע
ה֣וּא
מְכַלֶּֽה
אַחַ֗ת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
הִ֥יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
כֵּ֥ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
אָמַ֑רְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
תָּ֥ם
tâm
H8535
complete
Adj
וְ֝/רָשָׁ֗ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Conj | Adj
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
מְכַלֶּֽה
kâlâh
H3615
to end
V-Piel
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 9:22
אַחַ֗ת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
הִ֥יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) 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 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כֵּ֥ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
אָמַ֑רְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
תָּ֥ם
tâm
H8535
"complete"
Adj
This word means being complete or perfect, and is used to describe someone who is morally pure and gentle. In the Bible, it describes people like Job, who was called 'blameless and upright'. It is often translated as 'perfect' or 'upright'.
Definition: 1) perfect, complete 1a) complete, perfect 1a1) one who lacks nothing in physical strength, beauty, etc 1b) sound, wholesome 1b1) an ordinary, quiet sort of person 1c) complete, morally innocent, having integrity 1c1) one who is morally and ethically pure
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright. See also: Genesis 25:27; Job 9:21; Psalms 37:37.
וְ֝/רָשָׁ֗ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Conj | Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
מְכַלֶּֽה
kâlâh
H3615
"to end"
V-Piel
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
Study Notes — Job 9:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 9:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 9:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 9:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 9:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 9:22
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 9:22
- Cambridge Bible on Job 9:22
- Barnes' Notes on Job 9:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 9:22
- Sermons on Job 9:22
Context — Job: How Can I Contend with God?
20Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty.
21Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.
22It is all the same, and so I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23When the scourge brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent. 24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 9:1–3 | So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in God’s hands. Man does not know what lies ahead, whether love or hate. It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow. This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead. |
| 2 | Luke 13:2–4 | To this He replied, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? |
| 3 | Job 10:8 | Your hands shaped me and altogether formed me. Would You now turn and destroy me? |
| 4 | Ezekiel 21:3–4 | and tell her that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am against you, and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north. |
Job 9:22 Summary
This verse means that Job feels like God is treating everyone the same, whether they are good or bad, and that He is in control of everything that happens. Job is not saying that God is being unfair, but rather that he does not understand God's ways, as also seen in Isaiah 40:28 and Romans 8:28. This verse can help us trust God, even when things do not make sense, and remember that His ways are higher than ours, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can find peace and comfort, even in difficult times, as promised in Psalm 23:4 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Job say God destroys both the blameless and the wicked in Job 9:22?
Job is expressing his feelings of confusion and frustration, feeling that God's ways are not always fair or just, as also seen in Ecclesiastes 7:15 and Psalm 73:12-14.
Is Job accusing God of being unjust or unrighteous in this verse?
No, Job is not accusing God of being unjust, but rather expressing his own limited understanding and feelings of despair, similar to the emotions expressed in Psalm 13:1-2 and Lamentations 3:1-20.
How can we reconcile the idea of a loving God with the concept of destruction mentioned in Job 9:22?
The Bible teaches that God's love and justice are not always understandable to humans, and that His ways are higher than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-34.
What can we learn from Job's statement about God's sovereignty in Job 9:22?
We can learn that God is in control of all things, and that His sovereignty is not limited by human understanding or morality, as seen in Job 42:2-3 and Proverbs 16:9.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I feel like God is not being fair or just in my life, and what can I learn from Job's example?
- In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty, even when I do not understand His ways, and how can I apply this trust to my daily life?
- How can I balance my feelings of frustration and despair with the truth of God's love and justice, and what scriptures can I turn to for comfort?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender to God's sovereignty, and how can I do that in a practical way?
Gill's Exposition on Job 9:22
This [is] one [thing],.... Or "one thing [there] is" (x) in the world, as Jarchi adds; or "one measure", as the Targum, to good and bad men; one event alike to the righteous, and to the wicked,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 9:22
This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 9:22
In the other things which you have spoken of God’ s greatness, justice, &c., I do not contend with you, but this one thing I do and must affirm against you. Therefore I said it; I did not utter it rashly, but upon deep consideration. God sends afflictions promiscuously upon good and bad men. Compare , &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 9:22
Job 9:22 This [is] one [thing], therefore I said [it], He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.Ver. 22. This is one thing, therefore I say it] And will stand to it, though I stand alone; this being the one thing wherein I differ in opinion from you; and because it is the hinge upon which the whole dispute between us is turned, therefore I will abide by it, and be Doctor resolutus, resolute in the maintenance of it, viz. He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked] A harsh doctrine, yet a good one, saith an interpreter. Grace is no shield against the greatest affliction. See Ecclesiastes 9:1-3 Malachi 3:14 Ezekiel 21:3 Hebrews 11:36-38 shows that none out of hell have ever suffered more than God’ s dearest children; and Hebrews 12:6, He not only chasteneth, but scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. God will not cast away a righteous man, said Bildad, Job 8:20; that is, totally destroy him in temporals, but restore him again. No such matter, saith Job, for it may, and many times doth happen, that a godly man may, as to this life present, perish, as well as a wicked man; he may be totally and finally bereft of outward comforts, the righteous perisheth, Isaiah 57:1; only with this difference, as hath been before noted, God’ s judgments on the wicked are penal and typical of eternal torment; whereas upon the godly they are no more than medicinal or probational, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 9:22
Verse 22. This is one thing] My own observation shows, that in the course of providence the righteous and the wicked have an equal lot; for when any sudden calamity comes, the innocent and the guilty fall alike. There may be a few exceptions, but they are very extraordinary, and very rare.
Cambridge Bible on Job 9:22
22. This verse reads, It is all one, therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked, that is, indiscriminately. Here there is not only the former statement of ch. 7. that the destiny of man at the hands of God is hard and crushing, but in addition an express denial of the position of Bildad that God’s dealing with men was discriminating. An emphasis falls on He. It is not quite easy to decide what is meant by it is all one. The close connexion with Job 9:21 makes it most natural to understand: it is all one whether I live or die; so that the Job 9:21-24 are all one outburst, in which the Almighty is described as a crushing force that bears down on all good and bad without distinction.
Barnes' Notes on Job 9:22
This is one thing, therefore I said it - This may mean, “it is all the same thing. It makes no difference whether a man be righteous or wicked. God treats them substantially alike; he has one and the same rule on the subject.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 9:22
22. This is one thing — It is all one, “a matter of indifference whether I live or die.” — Dillmann.
Sermons on Job 9:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Distress of Job - Part 2 by W.F. Anderson | The video is a sermon on the book of Job in the Bible. It begins by describing the structure of the book, with a prologue and three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends. |
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How Could God Allow This? by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Ecclesiastes and how the writer argues from a perspective that is ultimately wrong. The writer develops his ideas and themes as i |
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Studies in Song of Solomon 03 His Mouth Most Sweet by Svend Christensen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and authority of God's voice. He refers to Psalm 148:5, which states that God's voice commanded the creation of all things. The pr |
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Hearts Set on Pilgrimage by Elisabeth Elliot | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of facing trials and challenges while doing missionary work in a remote area. He mentions reading from 1 Peter, where it ta |