Job 33 Commentary

“I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.”

In me. Job had not said so in express terms, though he had said something to the same purpose. But he had sufficiently explained himself, and Eliu could not be ignorant that he only meant that his present sufferings were not proportioned to his guilt. (Calmet)

“Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,”

Complaints. Something similar had indeed come from Job’s lips; (chap. xiv. 17., and xxx. 21.) not that he pretended that God sought to find him guilty without cause; but he meant that He treated him as an enemy, for some secret purpose. (Calmet)

“He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.”

Stocks. Chap. xiii.14., and xiv. 16. Eliu interprets the words in the worst sense, though Job had only expostulated with God on the treatment which he received, testifying a great love and confidence in him. He acknowledges some want of knowledge, chap. xlii. 3. (Calmet)

“Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.”

Man: so that he is not obliged to explain his reasons. (Menochius)

“Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. he giveth: Heb. he answereth not”

Because. Septuagint, “Thou hast said, Why has not He heard every word of my pleading or judgment.” Aquila and Theodotion, “for all his words are unanswerable.” Protestants, “He giveth not account of any of his matters.” (Haydock)

“For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.”

Time. One decision ought to suffice; and God had declared Job innocent, chap. i. 8., &c. (Worthington) — His decrees are immutable; and yet thou wouldst have him to explain his conduct, as if he could be under a mistake, and correct it. He manifests his will, and it is our business to be attentive. We cannot expect that he should speak twice, though he does so frequently in his great mercy. Hebrew, “God speaketh once, and he regardeth not a second time.” (Calmet) — Septuagint, “But the second time, (15) a dream,” &c. (Haydock) — Eliu specifies three methods by which God declares his will; (ver. 26) 1. By vision; 2. by afflictions; 3. by the voice of angels, or of preachers, ver. 19, 23.

“In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;”

Beds. It seems prophetic dreams were not then uncommon.

“Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, he: Heb. he revealeth, or, uncovereth”

Instructeth. Hebrew, “sealing,” that they may not mistake such a favour for a common dream. (Calmet)

“That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. purpose: Heb. work”

Him. Septuagint, “his body from the fall [of iniquity.]” (Grabe) (Haydock)

“He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:”

Also. This is the second method of instruction. Eliu pretends that Job had thus been visited by God, and had not understood his meaning.

“His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out .”

Bare. The skin will scarcely cover them. He will appear ghastly, like a skeleton. (Calmet) — Hebrew, “his bones….shall stick out.” (Protestants) (Haydock)

“Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.”

Destroyers; the worms in the grave, (Haydock) or to sickness, (Menochius) “which bring on death.” Pagnin mortiferis.

“If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:”

Angel, by secret inspirations, (St. Thomas Aquinas; Tirinus, &c.) or a man sent by God, to announce the truths of salvation. (Mariana) — Man’s, or “to man.” (Calmet) — Hebrew, “a messenger with him, an interpreter, one….to declare to man his uprightness.” Protestants, (Haydock) “If there be any merit in him, the angel comforter, chosen from a thousand accusers, is ready to declare to the son of man his rectitude.” Septuagint, “If there be a thousand destroying angels, not one of them shall hurt him; if the consider in his heart to be converted unto the Lord. Though he (the angel) lay before man his reproof, and shew his folly, He (God) will take hold of him, that he may not die. He will renew his flesh as the plaster of a wall, and fill his bones with marrow: (25) he will make his flesh soft, like that of an infant, and will place him in manhood among men.” (Haydock) — But this is different from the Hebrew. (Calmet) — The intercession of angels is very powerful. They are represented as suggesting motives, which prevail on God to shew mercy, ver. 24. (Haydock)

“His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: a child's: Heb. childhood”

Consumed. Hebrew, “fresher than a child’s,” (Haydock) as was the case of Naaman, 4 Kings v. 14.

“He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.”

And he. It is ambiguous whether this refer to God or to man. (Calmet) — But both shall see each other with joy. The penitent will be restored to as much favour as if he had never sinned. (Haydock)

“Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, oftentimes: Heb. twice and thrice”

Times, or often. God instructs man by visions, sickness, and the intercession and inspirations of angels, ver. 14. (Calmet)

“To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.”

Living, both soul and body, delivering them from adversity. (Calmet)

“If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.”

Just, and to be so indeed. (Menochius) — How much would his vanity be mortified, when Job answered him only with silence! (Haydock) though he urged him to reply so often. (Worthington)