Job 33 14

Job 33:14 kjv

For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

Job 33:14 nkjv

For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.

Job 33:14 niv

For God does speak?now one way, now another? though no one perceives it.

Job 33:14 esv

For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

Job 33:14 nlt

For God speaks again and again,
though people do not recognize it.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 14 Meaning

Job 33:14 declares that God continuously speaks to humanity, sometimes in various ways, though people may not perceive or understand His communication. Elihu asserts that God actively communicates His truth and purposes, emphasizing the persistent and multi-faceted nature of divine revelation even when humans fail to grasp it.

Job 33 14 Context

Job 33:14 is part of Elihu's first speech, delivered after Job's three friends have exhausted their arguments and Job remains steadfast in maintaining his innocence. Elihu, a younger observer, steps in to offer what he believes is a superior understanding of God's ways and purposes concerning human suffering. Unlike the other friends who focus on sin as direct punishment, Elihu introduces the concept of suffering as a disciplinary tool or a means by which God speaks to people, especially when they are unhearing through conventional means. This verse specifically introduces his premise that God consistently attempts to communicate with humanity, but the fault lies with humanity's inability or unwillingness to perceive God's messages. It sets the stage for Elihu's detailed explanation of how God "speaks" through various experiences, including dreams, visions, and even physical affliction, to turn people from pride and destruction.

Job 33 14 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - kî): A particle introducing an explanation, confirmation, or emphasizing a preceding statement. Here, it signifies "surely," "indeed," or "because," underscoring the truth of what follows. It gives Elihu's statement authoritative weight.
• God (אֵל - ’Ēl or אֱלוֹהַּ - ’Ĕlōah - depending on specific manuscripts/texts of Job; common is ’Ĕlōah): This name for God, often translated as "God" or "God Most High," emphasizes His singular, majestic, and powerful nature. In Job, Eloah frequently highlights God's sovereignty and transcendent power in the face of human suffering and incomprehension.
• speaks (יְדַבֵּר - yĕḏabber): A form of the verb "to speak," implying continuous, habitual, or deliberate communication. It's not a singular utterance but a consistent, active engagement in speaking, suggesting that God is always conveying messages. This highlights God's initiative in reaching out to humanity.
• indeed (אַחַת - ’aḥaṯ): Lit. "one" or "once." Here, in combination with "twice," it acts as an idiom meaning "emphatically" or "repeatedly," emphasizing the certainty and consistency of God's communication. It doesn't mean only once, but at least once, suggesting multiple opportunities or a strong confirmation.
• or (וּבִשְׁתַּיִם - ûvištayim): Lit. "and by two," or "twice." Paired with "once," it reinforces the notion of frequent or multiple attempts by God to communicate. The combination of "once, indeed, or twice" signifies that God's attempts to speak are not occasional or fleeting, but consistent, numerous, and multi-faceted.
• man (לֹא יְשׁוּרֶנָּה - lō' yĕšûrennah - lo is "not," yeshurenna "observes/discerns/perceives him/it"): The original Hebrew reads "and man does not discern/perceive it/him." The word for "man" is implicitly the subject of the verb "does not perceive." It refers to humanity in general.
• does not perceive it/him (לֹא יְשׁוּרֶנָּה - lō' yĕšûrennah): The negative particle lō' "not" coupled with yĕšûrennah, which comes from shur meaning "to behold," "look," "perceive," or "discern." This phrase highlights the human failing—not that God doesn't speak, but that humanity fails to understand, recognize, or discern the message, despite God's continuous efforts. This points to spiritual dullness or lack of attention rather than divine silence.

Job 33 14 Bonus section

The structure "once... or twice" is an idiom in Hebrew literature signifying "repeatedly," "certainly," or "with emphasis." It's found elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Ps 62:11), reinforcing the absolute certainty and reiterative nature of God's actions or words. Elihu uses it to stress that God is not passively detached but intensely engaged in communication with humanity. This counters any implied accusation that God is absent or uncaring in Job's plight. Instead, Elihu suggests, God is actively trying to reach Job, but Job's perspective has been clouded. This verse also serves as a strong polemic against the idea of a distant or mute deity; rather, the God of Israel is consistently present and articulate, always seeking to reveal Himself.

Job 33 14 Commentary

Job 33:14 introduces Elihu's fundamental premise that God is consistently and diversely communicating with humanity, but humans often fail to recognize or heed His messages. It's not that God is silent, but that mankind is deaf or unperceptive. The phrase "once, indeed, or twice" emphasizes the consistent, often redundant, nature of divine revelation. God doesn't give up after one attempt; He employs multiple ways—including those Elihu will subsequently describe (dreams, visions, pain, messengers)—to get through. The issue lies with the recipient: people "do not perceive it." This implies a spiritual blindness or stubbornness, a failure to discern God's active presence and purpose in their lives and circumstances. Elihu suggests that even in suffering, God is speaking a redemptive word, often intended to turn people away from pride and toward repentance, thereby averting greater destruction. This verse forms the bedrock for Elihu's argument that Job's suffering is not necessarily punishment for hidden sin but could be God's loving discipline, a means by which the Divine speaks when other methods have failed to penetrate.