The Bible — World English Bible
Job 33
In brief
In Job 33, the young Elihu speaks directly to Job. He reproaches him for claiming that he was pure and that God treated him as an enemy. For Elihu, God is greater than man and speaks in many ways, through dreams, through suffering and through a mediator. When the ransom is found, the person is delivered from the pit, prays, finds joy again and bears witness. Christians read this speech with caution, because God will not fully approve of it at the end of the book.
The chapter in 5 parts
- v. 1-7Elihu invites Job to listen and presents himself as his equal
- v. 8-13He repeats Job's words: I am pure, God treats me as an enemy
- v. 14-22God speaks in many ways: dreams, warnings, pain
- v. 23-28The mediator, the ransom and the return to joy
- v. 29-33God acts twice, three times, to bring the soul back from the pit
1“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
7Behold, 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.
10Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
11He 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.
13Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?
14For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;
16Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
20so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
21His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
22Yes, 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;
24then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
25His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.
26He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
27He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.
28He 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,
30to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Key verses
For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
God speaks in one way, then in another, and people do not notice. The verse reminds us that the problem often lies in our listening, not in God's silence.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
Elihu mentions dreams and visions of the night as ways God warns and instructs. These verses describe one way God can speak, without making it the only one.
then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
God has compassion and says: Deliver him, I have found a ransom. Christians see in it an anticipation of the work of Christ, while remembering that these are Elihu's words, not God's.
“Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
God acts twice, three times, with a person, to bring his soul back from the pit and to light him with the light of life. The central idea is the perseverance of God, who seeks to save.
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Frequently asked questions about Job 33
What does Job 33:14 mean?
The verse affirms that God speaks, in one way and then in another, and that people do not notice. The usual meaning is that God communicates in many ways, but human beings do not always pay attention. It invites us to cultivate attentive listening to the Word, to the conscience and to circumstances.
Who is Elihu in the book of Job?
Elihu is a younger man who speaks after Job's three friends. He reproaches Job for justifying himself and recalls the greatness of God. His speech contains truths about how God warns and delivers, but it is judged with caution, because it does not by itself explain Job's suffering.
What does the ransom in Job 33:24 mean?
God has compassion on the person threatened by the pit and says he has found a ransom to deliver him. The text does not say what it consists of. Many Christians see in it an announcement of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, while recalling that the first meaning is the deliverance God grants to the one who calls on him.
Articles quoting Job 33
World English Bible translation — public domain.