Job 33:1

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 33:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.
Job 33:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, etc.] In the preceding chapter, Elihu directed his discourse to the three friends of Job chiefly, here to Job himself, and that by name; which none of his friends in all their discourses ever used; and in an humble suppliant manner entreats his attention to what he was about to deliver, and that for reasons which his address to his friends could furnish him with; and hence begins his speech with “wherefore”, seeing he took not the part of his three friends, but blamed them; and because he had the Spirit of God in him, and was full of matter, and uneasy until he had vented it; and which he proposed to deliver in a plain and faithful manner, with…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ADDRESS TO JOB, AS (Job 32:1-22) TO THE FRIENDS. (Job 33:1-33) mouth--rather, "palate," whereby the taste discerns. Every man speaks with his mouth, but few, as Elihu, try their words with discrimination first, and only say what is really good (Job 6:30; Job 12:11). hath spoken--rather, "proceeds to speak."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore, Job, I pray thee - In the next chapter he addresses the three friends of Job. This is addressed particularly to him. My speeches - Hebrew, “my words” - מלה millâh. This is the usual word in the Aramaen languages to express a saying or discourse, though in Hebrew it is only a poetic form. The meaning is, not that he would address separate speeches, or distinct discourses, to Job, but that he called on him to attend to what he had to say. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“33:1 Listen: Elihu begged to be heard (33:1; 34:2, 16), which is what Job had also sought (13:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hear: Job 13:6, Job 34:2; Psa 49:1-3; Mar 4:9 Job 33:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“1 But nevertheless, O Job, hear my speeches, And hearken to all my words. 2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth, My tongue speaketh in my palate. 3 Sincere as my heart are my utterances, And knowledge that is pure my lips declare. The issue of the impartial discussion which Elihu designs to effect, is subject to this one condition, that Job listens to it, and observes not merely this or that, but the whole of its connected contents; and in this sense ואוּלם, which is used just as in Job 1:11; Job 11:5; Job 12:7; Job 13:4; Job 14:18; Job 17:10, in the signification verumtamen, stands at the head of this new turn in his speech. Elihu addresses Job, as none of the previous speakers have done, by…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification