Job 33 1

Job 33:1 kjv

Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Job 33:1 nkjv

"But please, Job, hear my speech, And listen to all my words.

Job 33:1 niv

"But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say.

Job 33:1 esv

"But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.

Job 33:1 nlt

"Listen to my words, Job;
pay attention to what I have to say.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 1 Meaning

Job 33:1 opens Elihu's discourse, marking a significant shift in the dialogue. He directly addresses Job, demanding Job's full attention and a careful hearing of his words. This address contrasts with the previous speakers, positioning Elihu as one with a unique and urgent message, intended to correct and enlighten Job's understanding. It is a prelude to Elihu's revelation of God's ways concerning human suffering and discipline.

Job 33 1 Context

Job 33:1 introduces Elihu, the fourth and youngest interlocutor in the book of Job, as he begins his initial speech. His intervention follows the exhaustive and circular debates between Job and his three older friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Elihu has listened intently, becoming indignant at both the friends' inability to answer Job adequately and Job's self-righteousness. This verse marks his entrance into the verbal exchange, breaking the impasse. He sets himself apart from the others, suggesting he has a fresh perspective given by the Spirit of God, untainted by the worn-out arguments of his elders. Job, having previously lamented his isolation and expressed a longing for someone to truly hear his plea (Job 31:35), is now presented with someone who claims to do exactly that, but on Elihu's own terms of instruction.

Job 33 1 Word analysis

• But now: The Hebrew וְאַךְ (ve'akh) indicates a strong emphatic contrast or turning point. It signals a departure from the preceding conversation, setting Elihu's speech apart. This transition prepares Job for a new perspective, one Elihu believes is divinely informed. It carries a sense of urgency and authoritative initiation.

• hear my words:

  • hear: The Hebrew שְׁמַע (sh'ma) is not merely about physical hearing but implies attentiveness, understanding, and even obedience. It's a call to heed, internalize, and respond to the message. This echoes the Shema Israel (Deut 6:4), emphasizing comprehensive reception.
  • my words: The Hebrew מִלַּי (millai) refers to spoken utterances, the substance of his discourse. Elihu stresses that these are his words, yet later he implies they are divinely inspired, serving as a medium for God's truth.

• O Job, : A direct, personal address to Job. This indicates Elihu's specific focus on Job's statements and attitudes, unlike the friends who often spoke in more general theological terms. It establishes a confrontational, yet potentially constructive, dynamic.

• And give ear: The Hebrew הַאֲזִין (ha'azin) is a more intense and formal plea for attention than 'hear.' It suggests inclining the ear, listening intently, and carefully discerning what is being said. It calls for concentrated focus, leaving no room for distraction or dismissiveness.

• to all my sayings:

  • all: Emphasizes that Job should listen comprehensively, not picking and choosing, indicating the weight and holistic nature of Elihu's impending discourse.
  • my sayings: The Hebrew אֲמָרָי (amarai) also refers to pronouncements or statements, reinforcing the earlier "my words." Elihu's insistence on listening to "all my sayings" implies that his message is coherent and interconnected, demanding a complete hearing for proper understanding.

• "But now, hear my words": This phrase signals Elihu's immediate and purposeful entry. He believes the time for silent observation is over, and it's his turn to speak with authority, aiming to correct previous misconceptions.

• "hear my words, O Job, And give ear to all my sayings": This constitutes a powerful, rhetorical parallelism, characteristic of Hebrew poetry. The repetition of the demand to listen, using two distinct but reinforcing verbs ("hear" and "give ear") and objects ("my words" and "all my sayings"), emphasizes the absolute necessity of Job's attention and careful reception. It's a double exhortation, indicating the profound significance Elihu attaches to what he is about to reveal. This repetition amplifies Elihu’s earnestness and the weight of his ensuing speech.

Job 33 1 Bonus section

Elihu's bold directness is particularly notable given his younger age relative to the other three friends, a point he himself addresses (Job 32:6). In a culture that valued seniority, his willingness to instruct an elder like Job signals his profound conviction in the divine source of his impending revelation. This opening verse is not merely a formality; it is Elihu claiming the authority to speak in God's stead, a stark contrast to Job's earlier lament in Job 31:35, where he yearned for an impartial listener, and possibly foreshadowing Elihu's self-perception as such.

Job 33 1 Commentary

Job 33:1 serves as Elihu's decisive and self-assured entrance into the theological stalemate. His direct, dual call for Job's undivided attention, employing "hear my words" and "give ear to all my sayings," underscores the critical nature he attributes to his upcoming discourse. Unlike the initial tentative approaches or general philosophical observations of Job's other friends, Elihu boldly asserts his intention to address Job directly and comprehensively. He presents himself not just as another participant, but as someone who possesses a unique understanding or divine insight, given his self-proclaimed Spirit-filled wisdom mentioned later (Job 32:8). This verse sets the stage for Elihu's role as a theological bridge between the friends' limited views and God's final declaration, presenting God's disciplinary intent in suffering as a pathway to repentance and preservation, a theme largely missed by Job and his earlier companions.