Job 33:22

“Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, etc.] Not the soul, strictly and properly speaking, for that does not, nor is it laid in the grave at death, but returns to God that gave it; rather the body, for which it is sometimes put, and of which what is here said is true, (see <191610>Psalm 16:10); or the person of the sick man, whose disease being so threatening, all hope is gone, and he is given up by his physicians and friends, and seemingly is at the grave’s mouth, and that is ready for him, and he on the brink of that; which were the apprehensions Job had of himself, (<181701>Job 17:1); (see <198803>Psalm 88:3 107:17); and his life to the destroyers; the destroying angels, as Aben Ezra,…”

“destroyers--angels of death commissioned by God to end man's life (Sa2 24:16; Psa 78:49). The death pains personified may, however, be meant; so "gnawers" (see on Job 30:17).”

“Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave - That is, he himself does, for the word soul is often used to denote self. And his life to the destroyers - - לממתים lammitiym. literally, “to those causing death.” The interpretation commonly given of this is, “the angels of death” who were supposed to come to close human life; compare 2 Samuel 24:16-17. But it probably refers to diseases and pangs as having power to terminate life, and being the cause of the close of life. The meaning is, that the afflicted man comes very near to those acute sufferings which terminate life, and which by personification are here represented as the authors of death. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The destroyers - The pangs of death, here called the destroyers, are just ready to seize him. Job 33:23”

“33:22 angels of death wait for them: Cp. Exod 12:23; 2 Sam 24:16; 1 Cor 10:10.”

“his soul: Job 7:7, Job 17:1, Job 17:13-16; Sa1 2:6; Psa 30:3, Psa 88:3-5; Isa 38:10 his life: Job 15:21; Exo 12:23; Sa2 24:16; Psa 17:4; Act 12:23; Co1 10:10; Rev 9:11 Job 33:23”