Job 22:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 22:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Job 22:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet he filled their houses with good [things], etc.] With temporal good things, with this world’s good, with plenty of providential goodness; earthly enjoyments are good things in themselves, and in their effects, when rightly used, and these wicked men have their share of; this is their portion, they have their good things in this life, and a large abundance of them oftentimes; their hearts are filled with food, and should be with gladness and thankfulness; their bellies are filled with hidden treasures; their barns with corn and wheat, and such like fruits of the earth; their shops with all manner of goods; their dwelling houses with gold and silver, with rich furniture, and all precious…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Yet" you say (see on Job 21:16) that it is "He who filled their houses with good"--"their good is not in their hand," but comes from God. but the counsel . . . is--rather, "may the counsel be," &c. Eliphaz sarcastically quotes in continuation Job's words (Job 21:16). Yet, after uttering this godless sentiment, thou dost hypocritically add, "May the counsel," &c.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yet he filled their houses with good things - This is undoubtedly a biting sarcasm. Job had maintained that such people were prosperous. “Yes,” says Eliphaz, “their houses were well filled! They were signally blessed and prospered!” But the counsel of the wicked is far from me - This is the very language of Job, Job 21:16. It is used here sarcastically. “Far from me,” you say, “be the counsel of the wicked. Thus you defend them, and attempt to show that they are the favorites of heaven! You attempt to prove that God must and will bless them! Far from me, say I, be the counsel of the wicked! With them I have no part, no lot. I will not defend them ... I will not be their advocate!” The object…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet - Yet it is true, that for a time God did prosper them, but at last, cut them off in a tremendous manner, But - He repeals Job's words, Job 21:16, not without reflection: thou didst say so, but against thy own principle, that God carries himself indifferently towards good and bad; but I who have observed God's terrible judgments upon wicked men, have much more reason to abhor their counsels. Job 22:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:18 I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking: Eliphaz threw Job’s words back at him (21:16b).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he filled: Job 12:6; Sa1 2:7; Psa 17:14; Jer 12:2; Act 14:17, Act 15:16 the counsel: Job 21:16; Psa 1:1 Job 22:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification