Job 22:2

Hitzig divides the chapter into three double strophes. First double strophe THE BILL OF ACCUSATIONS, Job 22:2-11.

a. A syllogistic proof that Job’s sufferings are the merited punishment of his sins, Job 22:2-5.

2. As כי , but, or nay but. Zockler finds in this series of questions a perfect syllogism, of which Job 22:2-3 form the major premiss; Job 22:4 the minor premiss; Job 22:5 the conclusion, to wit, that Job must be a great sinner. The fallacy lies in the minor premiss. All trust in works of merit is rooted in the idea that man can profit God.

Wise… profitable unto himself The second clause implies a negative answer to the question of profitableness, and should be rendered, the wise man profiteth himself. He is the gainer, not God. Scott cites a like sentiment from Sophocles: “What good man is not a friend to himself.” See sermon, in loc., by Dr. South, on “The Impossibility of Man’s Meriting of God.”