FocusClaims about God's justice and instruction
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
interpretation Job 33:12
KJVBehold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Read it in context
Elihu Rebukes Job
Start reading at Job 33:1 (Job 33:1 to Job 33:33).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
A new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
- 33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
- 33:2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
- 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
- 33:4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
- 33:5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
- 33:6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
- 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
- 33:8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
- 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
- 33:10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
- 33:11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
- 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
- 33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
- 33:14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
- 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
- 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
- 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
- 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
- 33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
- 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
- 33:21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
- 33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
- 33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
- 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
- 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
- 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
- 33:27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
- 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
- 33:29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
- 33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
- 33:31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
- 33:32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
- 33:33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Who
- Who wrote the book? The author is unknown. Moses is one ancient traditional proposal, but neither that proposal nor another named author can be established with confidence. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). book background
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Job 32:1–37:24): Elihu addresses Job and the listening wise men after the three friends cease answering. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers within Israel's wisdom tradition, wrestling with innocent suffering, justice, and the limits of human judgment. No named individual or first community is identified. Biblical references: Job 28:28; Job 42:7. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Elihu Rebukes Job. Read Job 33:1 through Job 33:33 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? A new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book supplies no royal date or exact historical year for Job's experiences. Proposed patriarchal-era settings are historical inferences, not a date explicitly stated by the narrative. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Job is introduced as a man in the land of Uz. The poetic speeches range through imagined and remembered scenes that should not all be treated as the speakers' physical locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Elihu Rebukes Job (Job 33:1 to Job 33:33). Start reading at Job 33:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? James refers to Job's endurance and the Lord's compassion. Connections between Job's suffering and Christ may be considered as comparisons; Job's speeches should not all be treated as direct predictions of Jesus. See Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Do not assume that a sufferer's losses prove a hidden sin. Listen carefully, distinguish the speakers, and read their claims alongside the LORD's concluding rebuke of the friends. interpretation
Cited: Job 33:1, Job 33:33, Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; among the oldest books of Scripture
Not known
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) suggested Moses, but ancient opinion varied widely.
What is debatedThe author is unknown and the date is uncertain. The setting appears patriarchal, but the book could have been written far later.
Related passages
- thou Job 1:22 Job 34:10-12,17-19,23 Job 35:2 Job 36:22-23 Ezek 18:25 Rom 9:19-21
- I will Job 32:17 Job 35:4
- God Job 9:4 Job 26:14 Job 36:5 Job 40:2,8-9 Jer 18:6
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Job 33
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Job
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated.
Job's losses and the friends' arrival
Job 1:1–2:13FocusSuffering and the opening test
Connection to the wholeThe narrative establishes Job's losses and integrity before the speeches begin, giving readers information the disputing friends do not possess.
interpretation The lament and first exchange
Job 3:1–14:22FocusSuffering questioned and explained
Connection to the wholeJob's lament leads into the first cycle of speeches, in which the friends' explanations are challenged by Job's experience.
interpretation The second exchange
Job 15:1–21:34FocusAccusation and protest intensify
Connection to the wholeThe argument sharpens as the friends connect suffering with wickedness and Job challenges their account of the wicked's fortunes.
interpretation The final exchange and Job's defense
Job 22:1–31:40FocusWisdom and the demand for an answer
Connection to the wholeThe later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer.
interpretation FocusClaims about God's justice and instruction
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
interpretation The LORD answers
Job 38:1–41:34FocusCreation and the limits of human knowledge
Connection to the wholeThe LORD questions Job concerning the created order, confronting the limits of his knowledge and his attempt to contend with God.
interpretation Job's response and the conclusion
Job 42:1–17FocusRepentance, rebuke, and restoration
Connection to the wholeJob responds, the friends are rebuked, and the narrative closes with intercession and restoration without turning every speech into endorsed doctrine.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.