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 Wherefore, Iob, I pray thee, heare my talke and hearken vnto all my wordes.
2 Beholde now, I haue opened my mouth: my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words are in the vprightnesse of mine heart, and my lippes shall speake pure knowledge.
4 The Spirite of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almightie hath giuen me life.
5 If thou canst giue me answere, prepare thy selfe and stand before me.
6 Beholde, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead: I am also formed of the clay.
7 Beholde, my terrour shall not feare thee, neither shall mine hand be heauie vpon thee.
8 Doubtles thou hast spoken in mine eares, and I haue heard the voyce of thy wordes.
9 I am cleane, without sinne: I am innocent, and there is none iniquitie in me.
10 Lo, he hath found occasions against me, and counted me for his enemie.
11 He hath put my feete in the stockes, and looketh narrowly vnto all my paths.
12 Behold, in this hast thou not done right: I will answere thee, that God is greater then man.
13 Why doest thou striue against him? for he doeth not giue account of all his matters.
14 For God speaketh once or twise, and one seeth it not.
15 In dreames and visions of the night, when sleepe falleth vpon men, and they sleepe vpon their beds,
16 Then he openeth the eares of men, euen by their corrections, which he had sealed,
17 That he might cause man to turne away from his enterprise, and that he might hide the pride of man,
18 And keepe backe his soule from the pit, and that his life should not passe by the sword.
19 He is also striken with sorow vpon his bed, and the griefe of his bones is sore,
20 So that his life causeth him to abhorre bread, and his soule daintie meate.
21 His flesh faileth that it can not be seene, and his bones which were not seene, clatter.
22 So his soule draweth to the graue, and his life to the buriers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, or an interpreter, one of a thousand to declare vnto man his righteousnesse,
24 Then will he haue mercie vpon him, and will say, Deliuer him, that he go not downe into the pit: for I haue receiued a reconciliation.
25 Then shall his flesh be as fresh as a childes, and shall returne as in the dayes of his youth.
26 He shall pray vnto God, and he will be fauourable vnto him, and he shall see his face with ioy: for he will render vnto man his righteousnes.
27 He looketh vpon men, and if one say, I haue sinned, and peruerted righteousnesse, and it did not profite me,
28 He will deliuer his soule from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things will God worke twise or thrise with a man,
30 That he may turne backe his soule from the pit, to be illuminate in the light of the liuing.
31 Marke well, O Iob, and heare me: keepe silence, and I will speake.
32 If there be matter, answere me, and speak: for I desire to iustifie thee.
33 If thou hast not, heare me: holde thy tongue, and I will teach thee wisedome.