Job 33

Elihu exhorteth Job to attention, 1. Etc. Using reasons for that purpose, 3. Reprehendeth Job. That he had stood too much upon his own righteousness, 8. Sheweth that God bringeth men to understanding and conversion, by dreams and vision, 14. By diseases, 19. By the speech of his Ministers, 23. Exhorteth Job to hearkened or also to answer unto him, 31.

1. And verily, O Job, hearken but to my speeches, and take all my words to ears.

2. Behold now, I have opened my mouth: [to open the mouth, is oftentimes, to speak with great earnestness or seriousness of weighty matters, or to begin a solemn and important speech or discourse, as here, and Judges 11:35. Psal.78.2. Prov.24.7. and 31.8,9,26.] my tongue speaketh under my palate. [or with my palate, or, roof (of the mouth) i.e. with my mouth. The palate doth help the speech, above 29.10. and therefore also is the speech ascribed to the same. See above 31.30. Prov.8.7.]

3. My speechs shall utter the uprightness of my heart [i.e. the genuine, native, true and unfained thoughts of my heart: Compare above 6.25. and the annotate.] and the knowledge of my lips [i.e. the knowledge or instruction which my lips shall and must bring forth, which are likewise called lips of knowledge, Proverbs 14:7.] which is pure [i.e. unfeigned, undisguised, and proceeding from an upright heart.]

4. The spirit of God hath made me; [Elihu giveth to understand, that he was a man, and creature of God like others; consequently that Job might fairly and freely commune with him, as with one of his equals, and should not need to excuse himself with the dreadful Majesty of God, before which he had declared that he was not able to stand. See above 9.32. and 13.21. and 16.21.] and the breath of the almighty hath quickened me. [he reflecteth it seems, to the creation of the first man, Gen.2.7.]

5. If thou canst, answer me: dispose, direct (thy words) as ch.32.14.] place thee [or settle thee.]

6. Behold, I am Gods, like thy self: [i.e. I do belong to God, being created, and hitherto sustained by him in this life. Oth. I am for God, according to thy mouth, viz. For to maintain his cause, according to thine own desire.] I am likewise cut off out of the clay. [viz. In our first fore-father Adam; so that for matter and descent, I am of thy own kind, and equal with thee, wherefore thou needst not be afraid. See Genesis 2:7.]

7. Behold my terror [viz. Whereby I might terrify thee] shall not trouble thee: and my hand shall not be heavy upon thee. [see above 13.21. and the annotation.]

8. Sure, thou hast said before mine ears, and I have heard the voice of the words:

9. I am pure without transgression, I am clean, and have no misdeed; [These are speechs, which Elihu had observed out of Jobs discourses, judging them to be reprovable. The same, or to like purpose, are to be seen above 19.7. and 16.17. and 23.10. and 27.5. Nevertheless Job had confessed his sins at sundry times, as may be seen, above chap.9.2. and 14.4. but where he spake of his innocency, he thereby onely understood the righteousness of his cause against his friends, and not the righteousness of his person before God.]

10. Behold he, [viz. God. Job indeed had not used the self-same words here alledged, but others of like sense and purpose; above 14.16,17.] findeth causes against me [i.e. matter, to lay unto my charge, or he findeth fault with me, to punish me. Oth. Breakings off, i.e. means and ways to separate himself from me, or me from him, and to break off all friendship and entercourse between us: or, frustrate and annihilate all my purpose and endeavours. Compare Numbers 14:34.] he holdeth me for his enemy. [See above 13.24. and the annotation, item Compare above 16.9. and 19.12.]

11. He layeth my feet into the stocks, [See above 13,27. And the annotation] he observeth all my paths. [Comp. Above 14.16. and 31.4. with the annotation.]

12. Behold, herein [viz. In these assertions of thine, which I have now related] thou art not righteous, I answer thee; for God is more then a man. [Hence Elihu concludeth, that Job ought to have carried and demeaned himself with more humility and awfulness towards God: consequently having transgressed in his carriage, he was unrighteous in that particular, though otherwise he acknowledged him pious. Now God is more than man, in regard, not onely of his Being, and power, but likewise of his wisdom, righteousness, &c.]

13. Why hast thou contended against him? For he answereth not all his deeds. [The sense is, that God giveth us no account of all his actions, as not bound to it. Or thus, because he hath not spoken all his words. Oth. For he answereth none of his deeds, or works, i.e. the standeth not bound, is not obliged, to answer for hem.]

14. But God speaketh once or twice; [A certain number for an uncertain. So below v.20.on v.8. The meaning is, that though God be not bound to give us a account of his doings, yet he doth often, of his own free goodness, viz. When it pleaseth him; which nevertheless is seldom taken notice of. Compare Gen.6.3. Num.14.42. 1 Kings 21:28. 2 Kings 17:13. Dan.4.5.22.28. Matth.27.19.] yet men heed [Heb. See] it not.

15. In the dream, (by) the vision of the night, when a deep sleep falleth on men, in the slumbering on the Couch; [see Gen.20.3. and 28.2. and the annot.]

16. Then he revealeth it before the ear of men; [i.e. he openeth and enlighteneth the Understanding, and converteth the will of man, through his inward speaking and string up. See of the like expressions Ruth 4.on verse 4.] and he sealeth up their chastisement; [i.e. he stampeth the assurance of his judgements upon their hearts, that is to say, he doth inwardly testifying unto them, that he will assuredly execute his purpose of punishing them for their wickedness. See the like phrase Deut.32.34.]

17. That he may turn man away (from his) work: [the particle from is to be inserted here out of the following member of this verse, by work is meant the evil sinful work men are about, or intend to commit. See Gen.20.3. and 31.24.] and hide [Heb. Cover i.e. take away. Compare the phrase with that above 3.10.] the pride from man: [i.e. the haughtiness and presumption of the heart of man, which maketh him stout and daring, to venter upon the practice of evil.]

18. That he may keep off his soul from destruction; and his life, that it pass not through the sword. [The Hebrew word doth signify a weapon, which is used by casting or throwing. Understand hereby all manner of danger and mischief, that may befall either soul or body, temporally or eternally. Compare below 36.12.]

19. Also he is punished with pain upon his couch: [The sense is, that God was wont in former times to warn then not only by dreams and visions, but likewise, as he both yet to this day, by diseases and sicknesses, to the end that they might take heed how they lived and feared God.] and the strong multitude of his bones: [i.e. all is bones, which are many in number, and strong for substance; understand, that they are punished, out of the sequel. Oth. And the contention of his bones of is bones is violent. i.e. the pain of his bones, whereby God doth contend and wrestle with him as it were.]

20. So that his life abhorreth the bread it self: [Oth. So that his life maketh him to abhor the bread.] and his soul the desirable food: [Hebr. The food of desire, i.e. that which is desired, or longed for, by those which are in health. Thus vessels, or furniture of desire, 2 Chronicles 32.37. the land of desire, Psalms 106:24. Vineyards of desire, Amos 5. Verse 11.]

21. That his flesh fadeth away out of the face; [i.e. So that it is seen no more, by reason of his leanness and meargerness] and his bones (which) were not seen [because of the former fatness of his body] but out: [by reason of the foresaid leanness. Others, are broken, or bruised.]

22. And his soul draweth neer to destruction; [meaning his life, as is declared in the sequel. See Gen.19.on v.17.] and his life to the things which put to death. [i.e. which do bereave a man of his life.]

23. If there be then an Embassador with him, [i.e. a Prophet, or Teacher sent from God to instruct men, that are in trouble or distress, both of his will, and of their duty. Others understand by this ambassador, an holy angel.] an interpreter, one of a thousand: [viz. Many to declare unto man his right duty. [i.e. what he ought to do, and what to leave undone, to please God.]

24. Then shall he [viz. God] gracious unto him, [forgiving him his sins, and restoring him to his health, namely, when the same sick man shall have received the admonition of that teacher, with a believing and obedient heart.] and say, [viz. Unto the said Embassador or Messenger] save him, [i.e. declare and make known salvation unto him, John 20:23. 2 Cor.5.19,20.] that he descend not into destruction, I have found propitiation [viz. That of the Messiah.]

25. His flesh shall be flesher then it was in youth: [Understand this of the new health after his recovery, and the strength and vigour of his body, being a token as it were of the renewing of the spirit.] he shall return again to the days of his youth.

26. He shall pray earnestly to God; who shall take pleasure in him; and behold his face with shouting; [The sense is; that God, who before was highly offended with man for his sins, shall now, after his convertion, look tenderly, and with much welpleasing upon him. It may also be understood, that man shall see Gods countenance with joy and comfort, that is to say, tast and feel his graciousness and Fatherly, compassion; the meaning is one and the same.] for he shall render unto men his righteousness. [viz. By his spirit, assuring him of his justification and Renovation, which were much obscured and impaired by his sins.]

27. He [viz. That sick man, now through Gods goodness thus recovered.] shall look upon men, and say; I have sinned and perverted the right, [i.e. he shall come among and associate himself with such, who may be edified by the confession of his sins, and the publishing of the grace and favour of God exhibited unto him. Others understand this of God; because some do read in the next verse, which coheres with this, instead of my soul, my life; his soul, his life: and translate the words in this verse thus. He (viz. God) looketh upon men, and (if any) say, I have sinned, etc. Then shall he save his soul that he go not into destruction, and his life shall see the light] which hath not profited me: [as having been punished for it with a heavy sickness. The Hebrew word is taken in this sense, Esther 3:8. & 5.13.]

28. (But God) hath saved my soul, that it passed not into destruction; [i.e. into the grave, or, that I died not.] so that my life beholdeth the light. [i.e. enjoyeth a happy and prosperous condition; light is as much here, as prosperity. See above 18.on v.15. and to see, as much as to enjoy. See above 7.on v.7.]

29. Behold all this God worketh twice (or) thrice with a man. [i.e. oft times; a certain number for an uncertain.]

30. That he may turn away his soul from destruction, and he be enlightened with the light of the living. [i.e. that he may not onely preserved alive, but also live so prosperously, that all men take notice of respect and honour him.]

31. Attend, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy people and I shall speak.

32. If there be speechs [i.e. if thou have any thing to say in thy defence, or to oppose my saving.] answer me; speak, for I have a wind to justify thee, [i.e. to intercede for, or speak in thy behalf, defend thee, as far as is possible for me to do, so that thou mayest be sure, I do not undertake this work out of any contentiousness.]

33. No text on verse.