Job 33:29-33

Elihu’s Appeal to Job

33:29 “Indeed, God does all these things,

twice, three times, in his dealings with a person,

33:30 to turn back his life from the place of corruption,

that he may be enlightened with the light of life.

33:31 Pay attention, Job – listen to me;

be silent, and I will speak.

33:32 If you have any words, reply to me;

speak, for I want to justify you.

33:33 If not, you listen to me;

be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”


sn Elihu will repeat these instructions for Job to listen, over and over in painful repetition. See note on the heading to 32:1.

tn The phrase “in his dealings” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarification.

tn Heb “if there are words.”

tn The infinitive construct serves as the complement or object of “I desire.” It could be rendered “to justify you” or “your justification, “namely, “that you be justified.”