Job 33:3

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 33:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
Job 33:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“My words [shall be of] the uprightness of my heart, etc.] Not that the uprightness of his heart, or his own personal integrity, should be the subject of his discourse; but what he should say would be in or out of the uprightness of his heart, with all sincerity and faithfulness; what would be the real sentiments of his mind, and not proceed from a double or insincere heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly; what knowledge he had of God, and of the perfections of his nature, and of his works in nature and grace, and of his dealings in a providential way with the sons of men; and what knowledge he had of Christ, his person, office, and grace somewhat of which speaks in this chapter;…”
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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
“I will speak according to my inward conviction. clearly--rather, "purely"; sincerely, not distorting the truth through passion, as the friends did.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart - I will speak in sincerity. I will utter nothing that shall be hollow and hypocritical. What I speak shall be the real suggestion of my heart - what I feel and know to be true. Perhaps Elihu was the more anxious to make this point entirely clear, because the three friends of Job might be supposed to have laid themselves open to the suspicion that they were influenced by passion or prejudice; that they had maintained their opinions from mere obstinacy and not from conviction; and that they had been sometimes disposed to cavil. Elihu claims that all that he was about to say would be entirely sincere. Shall utter knowledge clearly - Shall state…”
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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
“My words - I will not speak passionately or partially, but from a sincere desire to do thee good. Clearly - What I speak will be plain, not hard to be understood. Job 33:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the: Job 27:4; Pro 8:7, Pro 8:8; Th1 2:3, Th1 2:4 my lips: Job 15:2, Job 36:3, Job 36:4, Job 38:2; Psa 37:30, Psa 37:31; Pro 15:2, Pro 15:7, Pro 20:15 Job 33:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification