Job 33:28

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 33:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.
Job 33:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, etc.] Into the pit of the grave; and then the soul is put for the man or for the body; or into the pit of hell or perdition: and his life shall see the light; or he shall live and enjoy outward prosperity here, and the light of eternal happiness hereafter; and so the Targum interprets it of superior light, or the light above, even the inheritance of the saints in light. These words have a double reading; the “Keri”, or marginal reading, is what we follow; but the “Cetib”, or textual reading, is, “he hath delivered my soul from going into the pit, and my life sees the light”; and which seems to be the better reading; and so the words are a…”
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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
“(See on Job 33:24); rather, as Hebrew text (English Version reads as the Margin, Hebrew, Keri, "his soul, his life"), "He hath delivered my soul . . . my life." Continuation of the penitent's testimony to the people. light-- (Job 33:30; Job 3:16, Job 3:20; Psa 56:13; Ecc 11:7).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He will deliver his soul - Margin, “He hath delivered my soul.” There are various readings here in the text, which give rise to this diversity of interpretation. The present reading in the text is נפשׁי nepheshay - “my soul”; and according to this, it is to be regarded as the language of the sufferer celebrating the mercy of God, and is language which is connected with the confession in the previous verse, “I have sinned; I found it no advantage; and he hath rescued me from death.” Many manuscripts, however, read נפשׁו nepheshô - “his soul”; and according to this, the language would be that of Elihu, saying, that in those circumstances God would deliver him when he made suitable confession…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Life - His life which was endangered, shall be restored and continued. Yea, farther, God shall Deliver his soul from going into the pit of hell: and his life shall see the light, all good, in the vision and fruition of God. Job 33:29”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“will deliver: etc. or, hath delivered my soul, etc. and my life, Job 33:18, Job 33:24, Job 17:16; Psa 55:23, Psa 69:15; Isa 38:17, Isa 38:18; Rev 20:1-3 see: Job 33:20, Job 33:22, Job 3:9, Job 3:16, Job 3:20; Psa 49:19; Isa 9:2; Joh 11:9 Job 33:29”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification