Job 22:2

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

הַלְאֵ֥ל יִסְכָּן־גָּ֑בֶר כִּֽי־יִסְכֹּ֖ן עָלֵ֣ימוֹ מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃

Transliteration

ha-lə-ʾēl yiskan-gāber kî-yiskōn ʿālēymô maśkîl

Grammar Details

• *ha-lə-ʾēl*: interrogative + preposition + noun, masculine singular - to God?
• *yiskan*: Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - he profits/benefits
• *gāber*: noun, masculine singular - man/mighty man
• *kî-yiskōn*: conjunction + Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - for/when he profits/benefits
• *ʿālēymô*: preposition + 3rd masculine singular suffix (poetic form) - upon himself
• *maśkîl*: Hiphil participle, masculine singular - one acting wisely/prudently

Word Meanings

• *yiskan*: to profit/benefit/be useful to
• *gāber*: man/strong one/hero
• *yiskōn*: to profit/benefit/be useful to
• *maśkîl*: one who is wise/prudent/acting wisely

Referenced Verses

• Luke 17:10 : 10 Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
• Gal 6:7-8 : 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.
• Deut 10:13 : 13 to keep the commandments of Jehovah, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
• Job 21:15 : 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
• Job 35:6-8 : 6 If thou hast sinned, what effectest thou against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? 7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thy hand? 8 Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou art; And thy righteousness [may profit] a son of man.
• Ps 16:2 : 2 [ O my soul], thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee.
• Prov 3:13-18 : 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.
• Prov 4:7-9 : 7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [Therefore] get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee.
• Prov 9:12 : 12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.
• Eccl 7:11-12 : 11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
• Matt 5:29 : 29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.