16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

Other Translations of Job 33:16

New International Version

16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,

English Standard Version

16 then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,

The Message

16 God opens their ears and impresses them with warnings

New King James Version

16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.

New Living Translation

16 He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 33:16

Commentary on Job 33:14-18

(Read Job 33:14-18)

God speaks to us by conscience, by providences, and by ministers; of all these Elihu discourses. There was not then, that we know of, any Divine revelation in writing, though now it is our principal guide. When God designs men's good, by the convictions and dictates of their own consciences, he opens the heart, as Lydia's, and opens the ears, so that conviction finds or forces its way in. The end and design of these admonitions are to keep men from sin, particularly the sin of pride. While sinners are pursuing evil purposes, and indulging their pride, their souls are hastening to destruction. That which turns men from sin, saves them from hell. What a mercy it is to be under the restraints of an awakened conscience!

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, [1] and hide pride from man.

Other Translations of Job 33:17

New International Version

17 to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride,

English Standard Version

17 that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;

The Message

17 To turn them back from something bad they're planning, from some reckless choice,

New King James Version

17 In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man,

New Living Translation

17 He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 33:17

Commentary on Job 33:14-18

(Read Job 33:14-18)

God speaks to us by conscience, by providences, and by ministers; of all these Elihu discourses. There was not then, that we know of, any Divine revelation in writing, though now it is our principal guide. When God designs men's good, by the convictions and dictates of their own consciences, he opens the heart, as Lydia's, and opens the ears, so that conviction finds or forces its way in. The end and design of these admonitions are to keep men from sin, particularly the sin of pride. While sinners are pursuing evil purposes, and indulging their pride, their souls are hastening to destruction. That which turns men from sin, saves them from hell. What a mercy it is to be under the restraints of an awakened conscience!

23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. [2] 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: [3] he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 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. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

Other Translations of Job 33:23-27

New International Version

23 Yet if there is an angel at their side, a messenger, one out of a thousand, sent to tell them how to be upright, 24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God, 'Spare them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for them- 25 let their flesh be renewed like a child's; let them be restored as in the days of their youth'- 26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God's face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being. 27 And they will go to others and say, 'I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved.

English Standard Version

23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, 24 and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; 25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; 26 then manHebrew he prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. 27 He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.

The Message

23 "But even then an angel could come, a champion - there are thousands of them! - to take up your cause, 24 A messenger who would mercifully intervene, canceling the death sentence with the words: 'I've come up with the ransom!' 25 Before you know it, you're healed, the very picture of health! 26 "Or, you may fall on your knees and pray - to God's delight! You'll see God's smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God. 27 You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet, testifying, 'I messed up my life - and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it.

New King James Version

23 "If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness, 24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom'; 25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, He shall return to the days of his youth. 26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness. 27 Then he looks at men and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted what was right, And it did not profit me.'

New Living Translation

23 "But if an angel from heaven appears- a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright- 24 he will be gracious and say, 'Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.' 25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child's, firm and youthful again. 26 When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. 27 He will declare to his friends, 'I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 33:23-27

Commentary on Job 33:19-28

(Read Job 33:19-28)

Job complained of his diseases, and judged by them that God was angry with him; his friends did so too: but Elihu shows that God often afflicts the body for good to the soul. This thought will be of great use for our getting good from sickness, in and by which God speaks to men. Pain is the fruit of sin; yet, by the grace of God, the pain of the body is often made a means of good to the soul. When afflictions have done their work, they shall be removed. A ransom or propitiation is found. Jesus Christ is the Messenger and the Ransom, so Elihu calls him, as Job had called him his Redeemer, for he is both the Purchaser and the Price, the Priest and the sacrifice. So high was the value of souls, that nothing less would redeem them; and so great the hurt done by sin, that nothing less would atone for it, than the blood of the Son of God, who gave his life a ransom for many. A blessed change follows. Recovery from sickness is a mercy indeed, when it proceeds from the remission of sin. All that truly repent of their sins, shall find mercy with God. The works of darkness are unfruitful works; all the gains of sin will come far short of the damage. We must, with a broken and contrite heart, confess our sins to God, 1 John 1:9. We must confess the fact of sin; and not try to justify or excuse ourselves. We must confess the fault of sin; I have perverted that which was right. We must confess the folly of sin; So foolish have I been and ignorant. Is there not good reason why we should make such a confession?