Job 33 33

Job 33:33 kjv

If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

Job 33:33 nkjv

If not, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."

Job 33:33 niv

But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

Job 33:33 esv

If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

Job 33:33 nlt

But if not, then listen to me.
Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!"

Job 33 verses

Job 33 33 Meaning

Job 33:33 presents Elihu's direct challenge and offer to Job. If Job cannot articulate a satisfactory response or prove his innocence against Elihu's preceding arguments, he should then assume a posture of humility and attentive listening. Elihu promises that he will, in turn, teach Job a true and comprehensive understanding of wisdom, particularly concerning God's ways and the purpose of suffering, which he believes has eluded both Job and his three older friends. It is an invitation to receive profound insight if Job is willing to cease his contentious arguments and become a receptive pupil.

Job 33 33 Context

Job 33:33 concludes Elihu’s third major speech to Job (chapters 33). Elihu, a younger observer, steps forward after Job and his three friends have exhausted their arguments, feeling that they had not truly resolved Job's dilemma or properly represented God. Throughout his speech, Elihu claims divine inspiration (Job 32:8) and attempts to offer a fresh perspective on suffering—not merely as punishment for sin (the friends' view) nor as arbitrary divine injustice (Job’s increasingly desperate complaint), but as a means of divine communication, correction, and purification (Job 33:14-30).

Leading up to verse 33, Elihu has repeatedly called on Job to respond or refute his points if he can (Job 33:31-32). He insists he is speaking purely for God and truth. This final verse in the chapter is a decisive challenge: if Job cannot find fault with Elihu’s argument or offer a better explanation, then Elihu commands his full attention and silence. He promises to fill Job’s mind with wisdom. This cultural context often saw disputes resolved by intellectual argument and authoritative pronouncements. Elihu, polemically, challenges the older, conventional wisdom of Job's friends, claiming his youthful vigor is infused with divine understanding beyond mere age, while subtly correcting Job's perception of God as absent or hostile.

Job 33 33 Word analysis

• If not (אִם־ לֹ֭א - 'im lo): A conditional particle combination, literally "if no" or "if not." It signals that Elihu is presenting an alternative course of action contingent on Job's prior response (or lack thereof). It suggests a perceived failure on Job's part to adequately answer Elihu's previous calls (Job 33:31-32), or to counter the theological insights Elihu has just shared. This phrase serves as a pivot point, shifting the expectation from a verbal exchange to a one-sided instruction.

• listen to me (הַקְשֵׁ֥ב לִ֑י - haqshev li): Derived from the Hebrew verb קָשַׁב (qashav), meaning "to prick up the ears," "to pay close attention," or "to heed." It is a strong imperative, demanding more than casual hearing; it calls for attentive, receptive, and perhaps even obedient listening. Elihu seeks not just Job’s auditory engagement but his intellectual and spiritual openness to instruction, highlighting a need for spiritual sensitivity in understanding divine matters.

• be silent (וְד֣וֹם - ve-dom): From the Hebrew root דּוּם (dum), meaning "to be silent," "to be still," "to wait," or "to cease." This is another forceful imperative. In the context of the contentious dialogue in Job, "be silent" implies cessation of complaint, argument, or self-justification. It is a demand for humility and the acknowledgement that one's own words have not provided understanding. Spiritual receptivity often requires a cessation of self-centered speech and a quiet heart.

• and I will teach you (וַאֲלַמֶּ֖דְךָ - va'alammedka): From the Hebrew verb לָמַד (lamad), "to learn," but here in the causative (Piel or Hiphil) stem, meaning "I will cause you to learn" or "I will instruct you." Elihu presents himself as a mentor or instructor capable of imparting profound truths. This highlights Elihu's self-assured role and the specific action he intends to take if Job adopts the prescribed posture.

• wisdom (חָכְמָֽה - chokhmah): The quintessential Hebrew term for wisdom. In the biblical sense, chokhmah is far more than intellectual knowledge. It encompasses practical skill, moral insight, ethical living, and fundamentally, the understanding and fear of the Lord. Elihu claims to offer insight into God's character and actions, particularly concerning suffering, which would restore Job’s distorted view of divine justice and teach him how to navigate his circumstances with discernment.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "If not, listen to me; be silent": This phrase functions as a conditional imperative. It directly challenges Job: if his arguments have been exhausted, or if he cannot offer a better explanation for his suffering, then the onus is on him to humbly listen. This highlights Elihu's pedagogical approach, establishing the necessary conditions—a cessation of contention and an open ear—for the reception of deeper truth. It sets the stage for a posture of teachability.
  • "and I will teach you wisdom": This promise asserts Elihu's perceived authority and the nature of his intended instruction. He believes he possesses the chokhmah that Job, and even his friends, lack, which can explain God's complex dealings with humanity. This phrase elevates the discourse from mere debate to a quest for profound spiritual understanding.

Job 33 33 Bonus section

• Elihu's emphasis on Job being silent before receiving wisdom mirrors the larger biblical theme of man's necessary silence and awe before the revelation of God's sovereign wisdom, especially evident when God speaks in Job chapters 38-41.
• The tension in this verse between Elihu’s youthful confidence and his sincere desire to convey divine wisdom highlights the biblical emphasis that wisdom can come from unexpected sources, provided it aligns with God's truth.
• Elihu's proposition of suffering as disciplinary and instructional, rather than solely punitive, introduces a significant theological development in the Book of Job that foreshadows a richer understanding of divine providence than held by the earlier friends.
• The entire book, including this verse, serves as a testament to the pursuit of chokhmah, revealing that true wisdom is ultimately God's and requires a proper relationship with Him, marked by humility and faith, more than mere intellectual prowess or human experience.

Job 33 33 Commentary

Job 33:33 is a climactic statement within Elihu’s first major discourse. It underscores a fundamental principle of acquiring wisdom: genuine understanding often requires a humble and receptive posture, especially when one's own explanations have proven inadequate. Elihu positions himself not as another accuser, but as a divinely-appointed instructor, whose message of corrective suffering can lead Job to true chokhmah – not merely intellectual knowledge, but a deep, life-altering insight into God's ways. His challenge to silence implicitly critiques Job’s prolonged lament and arguments against God's perceived injustice, suggesting that further contention would only hinder spiritual progress. While Elihu’s human perspective is still limited and he misapplies some of his truths to Job's unique situation, the call for silent receptivity before divine teaching remains a profound principle. For wisdom to take root, the ground of the heart must be prepared by humility and an ear inclined towards divine instruction. This verse, though spoken by a human with flaws, foreshadows the ultimate silence and receptivity Job would adopt when God Himself spoke.