Job 33 31

Job 33:31 kjv

Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

Job 33:31 nkjv

"Give ear, Job, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will speak.

Job 33:31 niv

"Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

Job 33:31 esv

Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

Job 33:31 nlt

Mark this well, Job. Listen to me,
for I have more to say.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 31 Meaning

Job 33:31 presents Elihu's direct, emphatic address to Job, urging him to cease his discourse and listen attentively. It is a dual command: first, a demand for Job's absolute silence, implying a halt to his protests, laments, and arguments; and second, an invitation for Job to lend full attention to Elihu's forthcoming words. Elihu positions himself as the speaker now, asserting his right to communicate important truths, setting the stage for his subsequent comprehensive theological argument regarding God's dealings with humanity.

Job 33 31 Context

Job 33:31 is part of Elihu’s lengthy discourse to Job, found in chapters 32-37. Elihu, a younger observer, waited for Job and his three friends to finish their arguments before speaking. Chapter 32 explains Elihu’s motivation: he was angry at Job for justifying himself rather than God, and at Job’s friends for failing to adequately refute Job and condemn him. Elihu claims he is full of the "Spirit" and compelled to speak the truth he has perceived. In Chapter 33, Elihu directly addresses Job, setting himself up not as another comforter or accuser like the friends, but as a messenger (Job 33:23-24), a kind of intermediary on God’s behalf (Job 33:6), though still a human. He explains that God communicates with humans not only through affliction but also through dreams, visions, and messengers, all with the intent of drawing people away from sin and toward life. Verse 31 specifically acts as a powerful interjection, a demand for silence and attention before Elihu elaborates on God’s purposes in human suffering, implying that Job has spoken enough and now needs to receive instruction.

Job 33 31 Word analysis

• "Mark well," (הַקְשֵׁב - haQshev): This is an imperative verb from the Hebrew root קשׁב (qashav), meaning "to listen attentively," "to give heed," or "to pay close attention." It's not merely a passive hearing, but an active, focused inclination of the ear and mind. In biblical usage, this often implies listening for instruction, wisdom, or God's commandments (e.g., Deut 27:10, Prov 1:8), carrying the expectation of understanding and often, obedience. Elihu demands not just Job's physical ear but his internal receptiveness.
• "O Job," (אִיּוֹב - iyyōwḇ): A direct, personal address. Elihu singles Job out, reinforcing that this message is specifically for him. This direct address commands Job's singular focus.
• "hearken to me;" (אֵלַי - 'ēlay): The Hebrew word אֶל ('el) means "to" or "towards." Coupled with the suffix י (-ay) for "me," it translates to "to me." This phrase strongly reiterates the demand for directed listening. It emphasizes the source of the coming words—Elihu himself—and, by extension, the divine wisdom Elihu believes he embodies.
• "Hold thy peace," (הַחֲרֵשׁ - haḤăresh): An imperative verb derived from the root חרשׁ (ḥārash), meaning "to be silent," "to be still," or "to cease from speaking." It implies an intentional cessation of all verbal expression. This is a critical command, demanding that Job's constant stream of self-justification, protest, and lament come to an absolute halt. Such silence is a prerequisite for receiving wisdom and truth, as it quiets the soul to hear beyond one's own voice. It also implies that Job's previous arguments have been unhelpful or misguided.
• "and I will speak." (וַאֲדַבֵּרָה - wa'ăḏabbêrāh): The conjunction וְ (wa) ("and" or "so that") introduces the consequence of Job's silence. אֲדַבֵּרָה (ʾăḏabbērâ) is the cohortative form of the verb דבר (dabar), meaning "to speak" or "to utter." The cohortative conveys Elihu's firm intention, resolution, and desire to speak freely and extensively without interruption. It signifies a significant pronouncement to follow, establishing Elihu's authority and control over the discourse. He intends to speak, and Job's silence will allow him to do so without further contentious argument from Job.

Job 33 31 Bonus section

Elihu's demand for Job's silence can be seen as a necessary precursor for Job's eventual encounter with God Himself. Just as Job is required to be silent and attentive before Elihu's discourse, he will later be rendered truly silent and humble before the majesty of the Almighty in Job chapters 38-41. Elihu’s address here sets a vital precedent for Job’s ultimate repentance and deeper understanding. In demanding Job to "mark well" and "hearken," Elihu prefigures God's subsequent command to Job to "Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me" (Job 38:3, 40:7), which Job is ultimately unable to answer, leading to his self-condemnation and worship. The verse thus underscores a foundational truth in spiritual growth: true insight and transformation often begin with humble, receptive silence rather than assertive declarations or lamentations.

Job 33 31 Commentary

Job 33:31 is Elihu's clear and forceful demand for Job's undivided attention and silence. Having previously stated his own integrity and claim to speak divine wisdom, Elihu now positions himself as the sole speaker. This verse is pivotal; it signifies Elihu taking charge of the dialogue after Job and his friends have exhausted their arguments. Elihu's command highlights the principle that true reception of wisdom often necessitates a silencing of one's own voice and preconceived notions. For Job, who had much to say in his suffering, Elihu asserts that genuine insight comes not through continuous human argument but through humble and receptive listening, particularly to one who claims to speak on behalf of God. It underlines the importance of internal quietness for grasping profound truth, whether from a wise human intermediary or directly from God. This directive prepares Job (and the reader) for a new perspective, implying that what Job needs is not more talk, but a new understanding gleaned through humble attention.

• Example 1 (Silence for Reception): A student truly wishing to understand a complex lesson must stop asking preliminary questions and simply listen intently to the teacher's explanation.
• Example 2 (Authority in Instruction): A wise elder might tell a struggling young person, "Cease your complaining for a moment, and truly hear what I have to tell you."