Job 32:22

22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

Job 32:22 in Other Translations

KJV
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
ESV
22 For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.
NLT
22 For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.
MSG
22 I was never any good at bootlicking; my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!
CSB
22 For I do not know how to give [such] titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

Job 32:22 Meaning and Commentary

Job 32:22

For I know not to give flattering titles
He had not been brought up in such a manner, nor taught to use them; he had not been inured to them, nor did he know or approve of them; nor could he in conscience give them;

[in so doing], my Maker would soon take me away;
it being such a piece of wickedness, so abominable to him, and so highly resented by him, that I might justly expect he would, as he could, strike me dead at once; just as Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for lying, ( Acts 5:5 Acts 5:10 ) : or he knew that it would be but a short time at most, and he should be taken out of the world by death, when he must appear before his Maker, his Judge, to whom he must give an account of his words, as well as actions; the awe of this being continually on his mind would not admit him to flatter any man. Some render it, "will burn me" F3, as in ( 2 Samuel 5:21 ) ; so Aben Ezra and Ben Gersom, that is, in hell fire; see ( Psalms 12:2 Psalms 12:3 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (ynavy) "comburet me", Pagninus.

Job 32:22 In-Context

20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.
21 I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Job 4:17; S Job 9:9
  • 2. Psalms 12:2-4
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