Job 33 20

Job 33:20 kjv

So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

Job 33:20 nkjv

So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food.

Job 33:20 niv

so that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal.

Job 33:20 esv

so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food.

Job 33:20 nlt

They lose their appetite
for even the most delicious food.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 20 Meaning

Job 33:20 describes the extreme physical deterioration and spiritual distress experienced by a severely afflicted person, to the point where they completely lose their appetite for both basic sustenance and desirable foods. Elihu uses this vivid imagery to convey the depth of suffering and physical debilitation, presenting it as a severe symptom preceding either divine instruction or the brink of death.

Job 33 20 Context

Job 33:20 is spoken by Elihu, who has presented himself as a younger, impartial arbiter in the debate between Job and his three friends. Chapters 32-37 comprise Elihu's extended monologue, where he attempts to clarify God's purposes in suffering, departing from the friends' rigid retribution theology and Job's complaints of injustice. In this particular section (Job 33:14-30), Elihu explains that God communicates with humanity in various ways, including through dreams, visions, and even through physical affliction (vv. 14-19). Verse 20 specifically describes the extreme state of one under such divine discipline, highlighting the severity of their physical distress as a symptom, rather than merely a punishment. This state of severe illness brings the person to the brink of death (v. 22), prompting a critical turning point where, if a divine messenger (v. 23) intercedes, there's hope for repentance, redemption, and restoration (vv. 23-28). The verse sets the stage for God's grace and restoration.

Job 33 20 Word analysis

• So that: (וְנָאֲמוּ vənaʼamu) Functions as a consequential conjunction, linking the preceding description of pain and continuous strife (v. 19) to its severe physiological effect.
• his life: (חַיָּת֑וֹ ḥayyātô) This is ḥayyāh, referring to the vitality, life, or living being. It encompasses the entirety of the person's vital functions and their living essence. It points to the core existence of the individual, not merely a superficial discomfort.
• abhors: (תִּקָּט tiqqāṭ) From the root QṬṬ, meaning "to loathe," "to detest," "to be nauseated by," "to feel disgust for." It indicates a strong, involuntary repulsion, often associated with a sense of disgust or illness, not merely a disinclination.
• bread: (לָ֑חֶם lāḥem) Refers to general food or specifically bread, the most fundamental and essential staple in ancient Near Eastern diets. Its rejection signifies an aversion to the very means of basic survival, indicating extreme physical breakdown.
• and his soul: (וְנַפְשֹׁוֹ wənafšô) The word nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) is a rich Hebrew term often translated as "soul," "self," "life," "person," "appetite." Here, its parallel usage with "his life" (ḥayyātô) emphasizes the profound depth of the aversion—it's not just the physical body, but the inner self, the entire being, that utterly rejects nourishment. It points to a psycho-somatic dimension of the suffering.
• dainty food: (מַאֲכַל־תַּאֲוָֽה maʼăḵal taʼăwāh) Literally, "food of desire" or "desirable food." This refers to luxurious, tasty, or special delicacies. The addition of this phrase highlights the extremity of the person's condition: not only do they reject basic survival food ("bread"), but even highly appealing and tempting dishes evoke utter revulsion. This paints a picture of complete loss of normal human function and pleasure.
• "his life abhors bread" / "and his soul dainty food" (words-group analysis): This construction uses classical Hebrew parallelism, where the second line reinforces and intensifies the meaning of the first. "His soul" deepens the meaning of "his life," conveying that the revulsion is from the deepest part of the being. "Dainty food" heightens the revulsion to "bread," showing that even the most alluring sustenance holds no appeal. The parallelism underscores the profound and total physical and spiritual debilitation. This isn't just a loss of appetite; it's a visceral, all-encompassing detestation of food, pointing to a life near collapse and a being drained of all desire and strength.

Job 33 20 Bonus section

The profound physical aversion described in Job 33:20 often reflects deep-seated psychological or spiritual torment. When the nephesh (soul/self) itself detests sustenance, it points to a suffering so encompassing that it affects the very will to live and engage with life's basic requirements. This aligns with clinical observations where severe depression, anxiety, or traumatic experiences can manifest as anorexia or an inability to ingest food. Elihu, through this imagery, emphasizes that divine dealings penetrate beyond the superficial to the core of a person's being. The rejection of "bread," the staff of life, underscores the dire nature of the ailment and the individual's spiritual unpreparedness for eternal realities unless God intervenes. This also indirectly highlights the spiritual significance of sustenance and how a right relationship with God impacts every aspect of existence, including physical well-being.

Job 33 20 Commentary

Job 33:20 is a powerful depiction of a person on the brink, afflicted by severe pain (from verse 19), to the point of utter physiological and psychological breakdown. Elihu asserts that this profound aversion to food—even the most appealing "dainty food"—is not mere inconvenience, but a symptom of a profound internal distress and physical decay. It signifies the ultimate decline of vital life forces, rendering life itself almost intolerable. This severe physical condition is presented by Elihu as a part of God's sovereign hand in discipline. Rather than solely being a punishment for past sin, it is framed as a crucible, a severe, painful mechanism God sometimes uses to redirect, teach, humble, and purify individuals (vv. 16-17). The purpose of bringing one to such a state is to make them aware of their utter dependency on God, potentially leading to repentance and divine rescue, which Elihu explains later in the chapter as a path to restoration and joy. This verse, therefore, highlights both the devastating impact of severe suffering and its potential pedagogical role in God's broader redemptive plan.