Job 33 5

Job 33:5 kjv

If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

Job 33:5 nkjv

If you can answer me, Set your words in order before me; Take your stand.

Job 33:5 niv

Answer me then, if you can; stand up and argue your case before me.

Job 33:5 esv

Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.

Job 33:5 nlt

Answer me, if you can;
make your case and take your stand.

Job 33 verses

Job 33 5 Meaning

Job 33:5 is a direct challenge from Elihu to Job, inviting him to respond and present his case articulately and thoughtfully. It demands Job to gather his thoughts, organize his arguments with precision, and take a firm, confident stance, as one would in a formal legal dispute or courtroom setting. Elihu, speaking as one inspired by God's Spirit, implies that Job has failed to do so adequately thus far and now offers a fresh opportunity for him to vindicate himself.

Job 33 5 Context

Job chapter 33 marks the beginning of Elihu’s discourse, serving as a pivotal moment in the book. After Job and his three friends have exhausted their arguments, Elihu, a younger observer, steps forward, asserting that he will speak from divine inspiration, guided by the Spirit of God (Job 33:4). He claims to be an impartial mediator, representing God yet sharing a common humanity with Job (Job 33:6). He acknowledges Job's previous claims of righteousness and innocence, and the verse 33:5 is Elihu's formal invitation for Job to make a clear, well-ordered, and final defense against the new perspective Elihu is about to offer concerning God's justice, suffering, and redemption. This invitation parallels God's later challenge to Job (Job 38:3; 40:7), foreshadowing the ultimate divine confrontation and reinforcing the expectation of a prepared, logical response in a high-stakes, almost judicial, setting.

Job 33 5 Word analysis

• If you can, (הֵן֙ אִם־תּוּכַ֖ל - hēn ʾim-tûḵal)

  • הֵן (hēn): "Indeed," "Behold," often used to introduce a strong declaration or a conditional challenge, as here.
  • אִם (ʾim): "If," a standard conditional particle.
  • תּוּכַל (tûḵal): From the root יָכֹל (yakhol), meaning "to be able," "to be capable." The combination expresses a pointed challenge, questioning Job’s actual capacity or willingness to respond, hinting at a higher, divine standard for such an argument.

• answer me; (הֲשִׁיבֵ֑נִי - hašîḇênî)

  • From the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn," "to return." In the Hiphil stem, it means "to cause to return," thus "to reply," "to answer," "to respond." The suffix "-ני" (ni) means "me." Elihu demands a direct and conclusive reply, a turning back of Job’s arguments. This is a call for a responsible counter-argument.

• set your words in order (עֲרֹ֥ךְ דְּבָרִ֗ים - ʿarōḵ dᵊḇārîm)

  • עֲרֹךְ (ʿarōḵ): From the root עָרַךְ (ʿarakh), "to arrange," "to set in order," "to array." This verb has connotations of preparing a battle line, laying out an offering, or arranging a legal case for presentation. It signifies a careful, systematic, and intentional arrangement, not just speaking spontaneously.
  • דְּבָרִים (dᵵḇārîm): The plural of דָּבָר (davar), meaning "words," "matters," "affairs," "things." In this context, it clearly refers to Job's arguments or the content of his defense.
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the need for a well-structured and logical presentation of one's case. It speaks to intellectual rigor and careful deliberation rather than mere rhetoric or emotional outcry. It suggests Elihu is seeking a reasoned defense, like preparing a legal brief.

• before me; (לְנֶגְדִּ֥י - lᵊneḡdî)

  • לְנֶגְדִּ֥י (lᵊneḡdî): A compound phrase meaning "opposite me," "in front of me," "in my presence," or "to my face." The preposition "le-" indicates direction "to," and "neged" signifies "opposite."
  • Significance: This indicates a direct, face-to-face confrontation, signifying an open and unavoidable challenge. Elihu is placing himself in a position to receive and assess Job's response immediately and directly, creating a legal-like setting.

• take your stand. (הִתְיַצֵּֽבָה׃ - hityaṣṣêḇāh)

  • From the root יָצַב (yatsav), "to take a stand," "to present oneself," "to position oneself firmly." The Hithpael stem denotes reflexive action or mutual action, emphasizing Job placing himself. The final "ה" (heh) is a paragogic heh, often added for emphasis, making the command more urgent or forceful.
  • Significance: This is a powerful legal or military metaphor. It's a call to appear in court, to hold one's ground in battle, or to be firmly established in position. It demands Job to assert his presence and readiness to defend himself in the ongoing theological and moral debate. It’s an invitation to physical and intellectual assertion, signifying resolve.

Job 33 5 Bonus section

The demanding nature of Job 33:5 by Elihu serves a vital purpose within the broader narrative of the Book of Job. It bridges the repetitive arguments of Job's friends and God's ultimate revelation. Elihu, claiming to speak from a divinely imparted understanding, establishes a moral and intellectual precedent: approaching sacred matters requires careful thought and ordered expression, not just passionate lament or accusation. This call to "set your words in order" is particularly significant because it reflects God's own manner of ordering creation and truth. A disorderly defense against a sovereign, orderly God is unlikely to yield understanding or vindication. Elihu's challenge, though human, sets the stage for the ultimate divine cross-examination, reinforcing that God expects a genuine, thoughtful interaction with His justice and ways.

Job 33 5 Commentary

Elihu's challenge in Job 33:5 is more than a mere request for a reply; it is an authoritative summons. Rooted deeply in the ancient Near Eastern tradition of formal dispute, the verse underscores Elihu's belief that Job, despite his eloquence, has yet to offer a coherent or just defense of himself before God. The phrase "set your words in order" (aroch devarim) evokes the imagery of arranging troops for battle or preparing a meticulously detailed legal argument, highlighting the intellectual and spiritual discipline Elihu expects. He desires not simply words, but words arrayed with precision, clarity, and substantiation. This formal address, coupled with "take your stand" (hityatsëvah), demands Job's full, resolute presence, signaling a pivotal moment where evasion is no longer possible. Elihu presents himself as a spokesperson for God's wisdom, compelling Job to face truth, echoing the eventual appearance and challenge from God Himself later in the book. The verse therefore is a profound call for accountability, clear communication, and courageous truth-seeking in the face of divine mysteries.