Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 33:6
Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
6. according to thy wish in God’s stead ] Rather, as already Cover-dale, behold, before God I am even as thou; that is, in relation to God in the same position as Job, a man like himself. The words in God’s stead suggest the false conception that Elihu was in some extraordinary way the representative of God.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Behold, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead – Margin, as in Hebrew mouth. The mouth is that by which we express our desires, and the word here is equivalent to wish. Some have, however, rendered this differently. Umbreit translates it, ich bin, wie du, von Gott – I am, as thou art, from God. So Noyes, I, like thee, am a creature of God. Wemyss, I am thine equal in the sight of God. Coverdale, Behold, before God am I even as thou, for I am fashioned and made even of the same mould. The Vulgate renders it, Behold God made me as he made thee; and of the same clay am I formed. So the Septuagint, From clay am I formed as well as thou, and we are formed from the same. This interpretation seems to be demanded also by the parallelism, where he says that he was made of the same clay with Job; that is, that he was a man like him. Still, it seems to me, that the fair and obvious meaning of the Hebrew is that which is expressed in our common version. The Hebrew is, hen’any kepiyka la’el – lo, I am, according to thy mouth (word, or wish) for God; that is, I am in his place; I speak in his name; I am so commissioned by him that you may regard yourself as in fact speaking to him when you address his ambassador. This will also accord with what is said in Job 33:7, and with what Job had so earnestly desired, that he might be allowed to bring his cause directly before God; see the notes at Job 13:3.
I also am formed out of the clay – Margin, cut. The figure is taken from the act of the potter, who cuts off a portion of clay which he moulds into a vessel, and there is manifest allusion here to the statement in Genesis, that God made man of the dust of the ground. The meaning in this connection is, Though I am in the place of God, and speak in his name, yet I am also a man, made of the same frail material as yourself. In me, therefore, there is nothing to overawe or confound you as there would be if God spake himself.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Job 33:6-7
Behold, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead.
The philosophy of mediation
The words mediation and intercession present fundamentally the same idea–a coming between, to bridge over a gulf, or to avert a stroke. Some being to stand between him and God, and to be the interpreter of Gods dealing with him, and of his thought about God, was what Jobs heart yearned after. The one question which man demands to have answered, as the condition of his peace, is this–Is there any being, having prevailing power with God, who can be touched as a brother with the feeling of our infirmities, and who can bear the feeling of our infirmities with him in all his transactions with God on our behalf? Intercession rests on the fact that there is a complete humanity in God. There is already the human within the orb of the Divine nature. The thought of the creature acting upon God except through a Mediator who is God, destroys that which is most essential in the idea of God. We talk of the love of God in Christ as though it were born when Christ took on Himself the burden of our sins and cares. He but drew forth and revealed, so that every eye could see it, that which had been there from all eternity. Here is the true deep ground of all intercession. We have not to create anything, we have not to change anything, we have but to draw forth what is already waiting to be drawn forth from the Divine heart. Then what need is there of the Mediator? There was a Divine necessity that God should be self-revealed as the Mediator, that this God-like form of God should take shape and appear in our world. Creation is the Divine thought clothing itself in visible form; and it comes forth into form because to give Himself forth is the most God-like act of God. But there were depths in the Divine nature, secret things of the Divine counsels, which no material creation was full enough or rich enough to draw forth into expression. In the Mediator we see the infinite riches of grace and mercy, compassion and tenderness, which had else remained pent-up within Gods heart. What must be the form of the Mediator to fulfil the conditions, and to satisfy, not the longings of the human heart only, but the necessities of the human life?
1. According to our wish in Gods stead. God only can stand in the stead of God. There is that absolute difference between God and every creature, that the only being who can make known God is God Himself.
2. I also, says Elihu, laying down the conditions of a Mediators nature and work, am formed out of the clay. Is there one who knows both,–the things of God and the things of a man, by interior knowledge, in whom the two experiences meet? Yes, is the answer of revelation. There is one God: there can be but one God-man. The Word made flesh. Receiving Him as our Mediator who is able to stand in the stead of God, and yet wears the form of clay by our side, we see–
1. That He is our peace.
2. He is here to explain and to justify our discipline.
3. He is here to fulfil our largest and loftiest hope.
He is made like unto us on earth, that we may be made like unto Him in heaven, that we may behold His glory, and, beholding, share. (J. Baldwin Brown, B. A.)
Gods dealings with man
Turn attention first on those operations of the Holy Ghost through which, as we believe, God acts on man, urging him to righteousness, and warning him against iniquity. There is much of mystery around these operations; we recognise them by their effects. These operations are not only hidden from others, they are hidden from the very party himself, within whose breast they are making themselves felt. The operations of the Spirit are not to be altogether separated from the actings of ones own mind. If it can be shown that in acting on us through the operations of His Spirit, God makes use of a created instrumentality, there would be little difficulty in proving, from this very circumstance, that He deals with us in tenderness and compassion There have been many who have supposed that Elihu is none other than the Redeemer Himself; but without supposing this, it cannot be denied that the language of our text would be wondrously appropriate on the lips of the Mediator, and, indeed, that in the largest significance it cannot be justly used by any other. It is of great importance to assign its just worth to each part of the scheme of redemption, in order not to dwell upon anyone to the comparative forgetfulness of any other. That the Mediator died for us is not the whole of the Gospel: that He ever lives for us is to the full as important an announcement. Elihu certainly assumes the character of a messenger sent from God, and under this character there is much that is emphatic and interesting in his words. (Henry Melvill, B. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 6. I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.] Mr. Good, and before him none other that I have seen, has most probably hit the true meaning: –
“Behold, I am thy fellow.
I too was formed by God out of the clay.”
The word kephicha, which we translate according to thy wish, and which, if Hebrew, would mean like to thy mouth; he considers as pure Arabic, with a Hebrew postfix, [Arabic] kefoo, signifying fellow, equal, like. Taken in this way, the passage is very plain, only lael, by or through God, must be added to the last clause of the verse instead of the first, as Mr. Good has properly done.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will plead with thee in Gods name and stead, and on his behalf, which thou hast oft wished that God would do upon equal terms, and laying aside his terrible majesty, &c. Or, I am as thou art with or towards God, i.e. Gods creature like thyself, as the next words explain it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. (See on Job33:4; Job 31:35; Job 13:3;Job 13:20; Job 13:21).
formedThough acting asGod’s representative, I am but a creature, like thyself. Arabic,“pressed together,” as a mass of clay by the potter, informing a vessel [UMBREIT].Hebrew, “cut off,” as the portion taken from theclay to form it [MAURER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God’s stead,…. So some persons are, as civil magistrates, the ministers of the word, the prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New; see 2Co 5:20; and so in some sense was Elihu; he undertakes to be an advocate for God, to vindicate his justice in his dealings with the children of men, and clear him from the charge of severity towards them, and hard usage of them, and particularly Job; and whom he besought, as in God’s stead, to be reconciled to his providential dealings with him; to bear his afflictions patiently, and wait the issue of them: or “I am as thou art”; so the Targum and Ben Gersom interpret it; one that belongs to God, a creature of God’s, a sinful frail mortal creature, as Job was, and accountable to God; one that belonged to him both as the God of nature and providence, and of grace; and such an one Job seemed to have wished for, to dispute the point in question with; see Job 9:32;
I also am formed out of the clay; or “cut out” e of it; alluding to the potter, who, out of a mass or lump of clay before him, cuts a piece out of it to make a vessel of God is the potter, men are as clay in his hands, their bodies are bodies of clay, houses of clay, which have their foundation in the dust; reference may be had to the original formation of man, Ge 2:7, and may denote not so, much the pollution of his nature, clay being defiling, but the frailty of man, a vessel made of clay being brittle, and easily broken; see Job 4:19
Isa 64:8.
e “excisus”, Montanus, Munster, Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. In God’s stead The first clause may be more correctly rendered, Behold, I, like thee, am of God; that is, his creature.
I also am formed “Nipped” from the clay an allusion to the potter, who nips off a piece of clay for the vessel he is about to make. Compare Job 10:9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Job 33:6. I also am formed out of the clay Houbigant renders this passage, I, I say, who am formed out of the same clay: Job 33:7. Therefore my terror shall not, &c. These, and the 4th verse, seem to contain Elihu’s apology for assuming the character of a mediator between Job and his friends, of presuming to represent the Deity, and of reasoning with Job in that character.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(6) Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay. (7) Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Here again Elihu subjoins another motive for Job’s attention. Job had desired a mediator; and in Elihu he had such an one as could call forth no fear, being of the same human form as himself. But Reader, ought we not to lose sight of Job, and all his personal afflictions, that we may the better and more fully discover the outlines of that precious JESUS, whose gracious office is here so beautifully drawn. Can we behold Elihu coming forth to arbitrate the cause of Job and his friends; and shall we forget Him who came forth to make up the deadly breach of sin, when our whole nature was reduced, and sunk down to infinitely greater misery than Job was, with all his sores, and all his sorrows, both of mind and body? Can we read what Elihu saith of the SPIRIT of GOD, and the breath of the Almighty, and not call to mind how the Lord JEHOVAH anointed the LORD JESUS to preach the gospel to the poor, and gave him the SPIRIT without measure? Can we behold Elihu telling Job, that he was come a day’s man according to his wish, and so come, that his terror, being his equal, could not make him afraid; and are we not irresistibly led in thought and mind immediately to call to our remembrance, the ever blessed, ever gracious JESUS, who at the call of GOD his FATHER, came forth, and stood up our glorious Mediator, in our nature, united to the GODHEAD, that in him we might again return to the LORD, from whom, by sin and rebellion, we had parted; and never should have seen his face-never could have approached him, had not the Son of GOD opened a way by his blood, who also ever liveth to keep it open, for our approaching to GOD here by grace, and hereafter in glory? Oh! who can read this passage concerning Elihu, and view him in the endearing character here represented, and not feel his whole soul going forth in the rapturous contemplation of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as our all-prevailing Mediator! Hail thou holy, blessed, precious JESUS! Thou art indeed that One, that only One, to mediate between an offended GOD and wretched sinners; and thou hast made our peace in the blood of thy cross.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Job 33:6 Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Ver. 6. Behold, I am according to thy wish ] Heb. According to thy mouth. If the saints do but open their mouths wide God will fill them; he will give them not only the desires of their hearts, but the request of their lips, Psa 21:2 , fulfil all their counsel, Psa 20:4 , in that very way, by that very means, they wished it: he fitteth his mercy ad cardinem desiderii; and lets it be to his even as they will. Was it not so with Job here?
In God’s stead] Heb. For God, to act and plead for him, and to show how thou hast dealt with him. So ministers are said to be in Christ’s stead, 2Co 5:20 . A great mercy, that he will treat with us by men like ourselves.
I also am formed out of the clay
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
thy wish. Compare Job 13:3, Job 13:18-24; Job 16:21; Job 23:3-9; Job 30:20; Job 31:35.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
This is part of the speech of young Elihu, who had listened with much patience, but also with great indignation, to the harsh speeches of Jobs three friends and to Jobs self-righteous answers.
Job 33:6-7. Behold, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Job had wished that he could argue his case with the Lord himself. If God would only withdraw the terror of his presence from him, he would like to come even to his seat, and plead with him. Oh! said he, that there were one who would stand between me and God, that I might plead with him! Here am I, answered Elihu, I am the man you want. God has sent me, now come, and plead with me. There is no terror in me to make thee afraid; neither have I any heavy hand to crush you.
Job 33:8-10. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy.
Elihu puts the case very plainly. There, Job, you have said that you are perfectly innocent, and yet you are made to suffer. You have brought a charge against God, that he seeks occasion against you, and treats you, who have always been his faithful friend, as though you were his enemy. You said,
Job 33:11-12. He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Here is the core of the whole matter. Whenever you and I begin to impugn the justice of God, we ought to remember who we are, and what he is. There is no comparison between us and the great God over all, blessed for ever; and for us to begin to charge him with injustice, or unkindness, is a desperately wicked action, of that we may be quite sure at the very outset.
Job 33:13. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
It is not for us to summon God to appear before us, as if he were our servant, and we were his master, or to arraign him before our judgment seat, and to sit there as if the Holy One of Israel were a felon, who must answer for his crimes. It is high treason, and blasphemy against the Most High, for us to think of sitting in judgment upon him. This was Pauls way of putting the matter when someone raised a question about the divine decree. Paul did not answer the objector, except by saying, Nay; but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Let the moth contend with the flame, let the wax fight with the fire, let the stubble strive with the whirlwind, but as for us who are less than nothing let us have no disputes with God. The fact is, Gods dealings with us have an object, he treats us sometimes with stern severity for our good. We cannot always see the end from the beginning; but God has an end, and a gracious end, too, in all his dealings with his people.
Job 33:14-22. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: so that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Yet in all this, God is dealing with man in love and mercy. Man is a strange creature; he will not go in the right way by being drawn, so full often he must be driven. There is a whip for a horse, and a bridle for an ass, a rod for a fools back, and we are such fools that we must often feel that rod, and sometimes to a very painful extent, till our soul draweth near unto the grave, and our life to the destroyers.
Job 33:23-24. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand to show unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
Oh, what precious words! There is One with God, One of a thousand, the Chief among ten thousand, the Messenger of the covenant, the Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. When he comes in, and makes man to see Gods wondrous mingling of justice and mercy, then God turns in infinite grace upon the starving, dying sinner, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
Job 33:25-28. His flesh shall be fresher than a childs: he shall return to the days of his youth: 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. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
Some Thursday nights ago, there strayed into this place one who had long hated God, and who had openly expressed his hatred of him. He was much prayed for by friends, but he was desperate in his wickedness. He little dreamed, when he left his home, that he would come into this place; but so he did, and here in this house God met with him, and renewed his heart, and made him to rejoice in the God he once despised. Here was a fulfillment of this text, and I pray that it may be fulfilled again tonight.
Job 33:29-33. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Fuente: Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible
I am: Job 9:32-35, Job 13:3, Job 20:22, Job 23:3, Job 23:4, Job 31:35
wish: Heb. mouth
in: Gen 30:2, Exo 4:16, 2Co 5:20
I also: Job 4:19, Job 10:9, Job 13:12, Gen 2:7, Gen 3:19, 2Co 5:1
formed: Heb. cut
Reciprocal: Job 11:5 – General Job 36:2 – I have yet to speak
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Job 33:6-7. Behold, I am, &c., in Gods stead I will plead with thee in Gods name and stead, and on his behalf, which thou hast often wished that some one would do. I also am formed out of the clay I am Gods creature, like thyself. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid
Look upon me: the contest is not unequal, as thou didst complain when thou thoughtest upon God, Job 9:34; Job 13:23. Thou seest no dreadful majesty in me to affright thee, nor any power to oppress thee.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:6 Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in {b} God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
(b) Because Job had wished to dispute his cause with God, Job 16:21 so that he might do it without fear, Elihu says, he will reason in God’s stead, whom he does not need to fear.