Job 22:22

Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

Job 22:22 (KJV)

Context

This verse comes from the Book of Job, where Job’s friends try to explain his suffering. Here Eliphaz, one of the friends, speaks during his final speech to Job. He has accused Job of hidden sins and now urges him to return to God. In the surrounding verses, Eliphaz tells Job to “acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace” and promises that if Job returns to the Almighty, he will be built up and his iniquity removed. Yet the book later shows that the friends’ understanding was not fully correct, and God Himself corrects them. Still, the advice in this verse carries lasting truth.

Meaning

The word “law” here translates the Hebrew term torah, which means “instruction” or “teaching,” not only the Law of Moses. Eliphaz calls Job to receive God’s instruction directly from His mouth, meaning with humility and openness. The phrase “lay up his words in thine heart” pictures storing God’s words deep within, so they shape thoughts, attitudes, and actions. This is more than hearing; it is treasuring and internalizing divine truth.

Biblical connections

This call to treasure God’s words echoes Psalm 119:11, where the writer hides God’s word in his heart to avoid sin. It also connects with James 1:21, which urges believers to receive the word with meekness. Both passages agree that God’s instruction must be received humbly and kept within, not merely heard.

Application

For readers today, this verse invites a posture of teachability. Receiving God’s instruction means approaching Scripture with reverence and a willingness to obey. Laying up His words in the heart involves regular reading, meditation, and memorization, so that His truth guides daily decisions. It also means letting God’s word correct us, even when it is uncomfortable.

Reflection

Although Eliphaz misjudged Job’s situation, his counsel here points to a vital practice: making God’s Word the foundation of the inner life. When suffering or confusion arises, the first response is not to rely on our own understanding but to receive and treasure what God has spoken.