Job 33 3

Job 33:3 kjv

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

Job 33:3 nkjv

My words come from my upright heart; My lips utter pure knowledge.

Job 33:3 niv

My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know.

Job 33:3 esv

My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.

Job 33:3 nlt

I speak with all sincerity;
I speak the truth.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 3 Meaning

Elihu declares his intention to speak with utmost integrity and sincerity, emphasizing that his words will originate from a morally upright heart. Furthermore, he asserts that his lips will utter knowledge that is clear, refined, and pure, untainted by error or human imperfection, thereby presenting a discourse founded on both inner righteousness and unadulterated truth.

Job 33 3 Context

Job 33:3 opens Elihu's first major speech in the book of Job, following the protracted debates between Job and his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). Elihu, a younger man, has remained silent until chapter 32, asserting that wisdom is not exclusive to age and claiming a burden of words that must be released. He views himself as speaking with divine inspiration, having been filled with the "spirit of God" and constrained to express what he believes to be the unadulterated truth. This verse functions as Elihu's introductory declaration of intent, seeking to establish his credibility and distinctiveness as a speaker. He implicitly criticizes the previous arguments as lacking integrity or pure understanding, whether from Job's bitter accusations or his friends' rigid, unhelpful theology. Culturally, speech and rhetorical skill were highly valued in ancient debates, and claiming integrity of heart and pure knowledge was a potent way to command authority and audience attention.

Job 33 3 Word analysis

• My words: Elihu takes direct personal responsibility and ownership of the forthcoming discourse, asserting its unique origin from himself, differentiating it from the prior, arguably flawed, dialogues.

• shall be: This strong verbal expression denotes certainty, assurance, and an unwavering commitment to the nature of his speech, indicating a confident declaration rather than a mere hope or intention.

• of the uprightness: Hebrew: yosher (יוֹשֶׁר). This term denotes straightness, rectitude, integrity, sincerity, and moral correctness. It implies an unswerving adherence to what is right and true, free from distortion, deception, or ulterior motives.

• of my heart: Hebrew: lev (לֵב). In biblical thought, the "heart" is the complete inner person, encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and conscience; it is the seat of all understanding and moral decisions. Thus, "uprightness of heart" signifies integrity originating from the very core of one's being, representing true conviction and pure motives.

• and my lips: The physical instruments through which Elihu's inner conviction and knowledge will be outwardly expressed. This emphasizes the consistency between his internal state and his verbal communication.

• shall utter: Hebrew: yamlelu (יְמַלֵּֽלוּ). Meaning to speak, declare, express, or articulate. It conveys the deliberate and clear articulation of his thoughts and understanding.

• pure knowledge: Hebrew: da'at barur (דַּעַת בָּרוּר).

  • Da'at (דַּעַת): Knowledge, understanding, discernment, often implying not just intellectual accumulation but also a deep, experiential, or relational knowing.
  • Barur (בָּרוּר): Clean, clear, pure, refined, selected, proven. This term is used for sifting or purifying (e.g., grain from chaff, gold from dross). Thus, "pure knowledge" refers to understanding that is unadulterated by error, falsehood, personal bias, or misinterpretation, implying a clarity that has been rigorously tested and affirmed.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart": This foundational claim establishes Elihu's moral credibility. He promises that his speech will not merely be eloquent or persuasive but will be a sincere, authentic reflection of his inner character and righteous convictions, stemming from a place of integrity.
  • "and my lips shall utter pure knowledge": This parallel clause articulates the intellectual and epistemological quality of Elihu's impending message. He assures that the content of his speech will be truthful, clear, and unblemished by human fallacy, promising to deliver knowledge that has been refined and stands in sharp contrast to the confused or flawed understandings presented previously. The parallelism between heart/lips and uprightness/pure knowledge emphasizes the crucial link between internal sincerity and the external manifestation of uncorrupted truth.

Job 33 3 Bonus section

• Elihu's assertion of "uprightness of heart" echoes the biblical emphasis that true wisdom and effective communication stem from a deep, internal moral consistency, rather than mere intellectual acumen or rhetorical skill. This concept transcends mere intellect, pointing to spiritual integrity.
• The phrase "pure knowledge" (d'at barur) implicitly suggests knowledge that is discerned through divine revelation or careful discernment guided by the Spirit of God, setting it apart from common human understanding, tradition, or superficial observations. This claim hints at the prophetic aspect of Elihu's role.
• Elihu's bold, self-assured opening contrasts sharply with the humility expected in the presence of elders, but it is precisely his conviction that God is speaking through him that grants him this authority (as expressed later in Job 32:8, 18-20). He is presented as acting out of divine compulsion rather than personal ambition.

Job 33 3 Commentary

Job 33:3 serves as Elihu's profound inaugural statement, differentiating his impending discourse from the circular arguments preceding him. He lays claim to two critical qualities: the moral uprightness of his intentions and the unadulterated clarity of his message. This declaration positions Elihu not as another flawed human debater, but as one whose speech flows from a deeply integrated being, where heart and words are aligned in truth. He seeks to offer refined, unadulterated knowledge—likely implying a God-given wisdom—to cut through the spiritual confusion that has engulfed Job and his companions. This statement is essential for understanding Elihu's unique role as he endeavors to shed new light on God's mysterious ways and human suffering. For instance, just as a purified spring yields clear water, Elihu insists his words, stemming from a pure heart, will deliver crystal-clear truth.