Job 33 19

Job 33:19 kjv

He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

Job 33:19 nkjv

"Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones,

Job 33:19 niv

"Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in their bones,

Job 33:19 esv

"Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones,

Job 33:19 nlt

"Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds,
with ceaseless aching in their bones.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 19 Meaning

Job 33:19 describes another method by which God communicates with humanity: through severe and prolonged physical suffering. Elihu explains that a person can be disciplined or corrected through intense pain that confines them to their bed, experiencing an unceasing struggle deep within their being. This suffering, originating from God, serves as a divine warning and a means of turning individuals from a path of self-destruction and pride towards repentance and restoration.

Job 33 19 Context

Job 33:19 is part of Elihu’s discourse (Job 32-37). Elihu, a younger man, has observed the conversation between Job and his three friends and believes he has a clearer understanding of God’s ways. He asserts his wisdom, stating that God speaks to humanity in multiple ways to prevent them from falling into the pit of destruction. Previously, he mentioned dreams and visions (vv. 14-18) as a means of divine communication and warning. In verse 19, he introduces profound physical suffering as another such divine tool. This context is crucial because Elihu's argument refutes both Job’s self-justification and his friends' rigid doctrine that suffering is only a direct punishment for specific sins. Elihu posits that God uses suffering not primarily for retribution, but as a compassionate discipline intended to correct, instruct, and bring a person closer to Him, thereby averting a worse fate. He subtly introduces the concept of suffering as a remedial, redemptive, and communicative act of God.

Job 33 19 Word analysis

• He is also chastened: The Hebrew word is יָסַר (yasar), meaning to discipline, instruct, admonish, correct, or punish. This term does not inherently mean punitive punishment in the sense of ultimate damnation, but rather correction as a parent disciplines a child. It signifies God's loving hand guiding His children away from harm. This divine chastening demonstrates care rather than rejection.
• with pain: The Hebrew word is מַכְאֹב (makh'ov), meaning pain, sorrow, grief, or hurt. It denotes severe physical and emotional distress. It indicates the tangible, difficult reality of the affliction the individual experiences.
• on his bed: The Hebrew word is מִשְׁכָּב (mishkav), meaning a bed, couch, or resting place. This phrase paints a picture of extreme weakness, illness, or immobility. Being confined to a bed suggests a total inability to carry out normal life activities, signifying helplessness and sustained affliction. It implies that the suffering is so pervasive it dictates one's very existence.
• and with continual strife: "Continual" is תָּמִיד (tamid), meaning continually, always, perpetually. It emphasizes the unceasing and unrelenting nature of the affliction. "Strife" is רִיב (riv), meaning contention, quarrel, dispute, or legal case. This suggests an ongoing inner battle or a deep-seated spiritual conflict within the individual. It could also imply God’s “contention” or legal case against the person, manifested through the suffering. This "strife" goes beyond mere physical discomfort, touching the very soul.
• in his bones: The Hebrew word is עֶצֶם (etsem), meaning bone, body, or substance. Bones in Hebrew thought often refer to the deepest part of one's being, the core, or the very essence of a person. Suffering in the bones means the affliction has permeated the innermost part, becoming agonizing and fundamental, with no superficial escape.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "He is also chastened with pain on his bed": This phrase emphasizes that God's disciplinary hand (chastened) leads to profound physical agony (pain), so severe that it renders the individual helpless and bedridden. The purpose of this experience is corrective, not merely punitive, designed to draw attention to deeper spiritual issues.
• "and with continual strife in his bones": This highlights the persistent, unrelenting nature of the suffering. "Strife" refers not just to physical ache, but to an internal struggle or a divine controversy deeply embedded within the core of one's being. It's an internal battle for the soul, instigated by God's persistent discipline, reaching the very essence of the individual to effect a transformation.

Job 33 19 Bonus section

Elihu's perspective in Job 33 is significant because it provides a bridge between the flawed theological assumptions of Job's friends and Job's own innocent, though self-righteous, lament. He presents a view of God as actively involved in a redemptive process, even through severe affliction. The suffering described is so acute that it strips away self-reliance and forces an absolute dependence on God. It can also be seen as God "wrestling" with a person, as He did with Jacob (Gen 32:24-32), ultimately leading to a spiritual breakthrough and new identity. This "continual strife" can represent God's relentless pursuit of an individual's soul, not to harm, but to heal and preserve. The imagery foreshadows the concept of refining by fire, where impurities are purged not for destruction but for purity.

Job 33 19 Commentary

Job 33:19 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of divine discipline. Elihu’s words explain that God, in His mercy, uses intense physical suffering as a powerful, non-verbal form of communication to turn a person away from self-destructive pride and toward life. This suffering, manifested as agonizing pain and deep-seated, persistent internal "strife," is not mere punishment for past sin but a corrective measure. Confinement to a bed signifies helplessness and an inability to escape the divine message. The affliction piercing the "bones" means it affects the very core of one's being, leaving no part untouched by the Lord's hand. Through such extreme physical means, God ensures His message reaches even those who might ignore earlier, softer warnings (like dreams). The ultimate goal is redemption—to humble the individual, bring them to repentance, and rescue their soul from the 'pit' of destruction, revealing God's profound grace even in His sternness. This understanding broadens the purpose of suffering beyond mere retribution, positioning it as a tool for sanctification and restoration.