Read Job chapter 33 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 33 is part of “Elihu's Speeches” (32–37) in the outline of Job.
Job 33 summary
Pompous prefaces, like the teeming mountain, often introduce poor performances; but Elihu's discourse here does not disappoint the expectations which his preface had raised. It is substantial, and lively, and very much to the purpose. He had, in the foregoing chapter, said what he had to say to Job's three friends; and now he comes up close to Job himself and directs his speech to him. I. He bespeaks Job's favourable acceptance of what he should say, and desires he would take him for that person whom he had so often wished for, that would plead with him, and receive his plea on God's behalf (Job 33:1-7). II. He does, in God's name, bring an action against him, for words which he had spoken, in the heat of disputation, reflecting upon God as dealing hardly with him (Job 33:8-11). III. He endeavours to convince him of his fault and folly herein, by showing him, 1. God's sovereign dominion over man (Job 33:12, Job 33:13). 2. The care God takes of man, and the various ways and means he uses to do his soul good, which we have reason to think he designs when he lays bodily afflictions upon him (Job 33:14). (1.) Job had sometimes complained of unquiet dreams, Job 7:14. "Why," says Elihu, "God sometimes speaks conviction and instruction to men by such dreams," (Job 33:15-18). (2.) Job had especially complained of his sicknesses and pains; and, as to these, he shows largely that they were so far from being tokens of God's wrath, as Job took them, or evidences of Job's hypocrisy, as his friends took them, that they were really wise and gracious methods, which divine grace took for the increase of his acquaintance with God, to work patience, experience, and hope (Job 33:19-30). And, lastly, he concludes with a request to Job, either to answer him or give him leave to go on (Job 33:31-33).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 “However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.
8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’
12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?
14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,
16 then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 “He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
20 so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
23 “If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,
24 then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.
26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
27 He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’
29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”