Job 33:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"But in this, you are wrong; I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.

Berean Standard Bible:

Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

American Standard Version:

Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Behold, in this thou art not just{H6663}: I will answer{H6030} thee, that God{H433} is greater{H7235} than man{H582}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Job 36:5

  • ¶ Behold, God [is] mighty, and despiseth not [any: he is] mighty in strength [and] wisdom.

Ezekiel 18:25

  • Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

Ecclesiastes 7:20

  • For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Job 34:23

  • For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God.

Jeremiah 18:6

  • O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay [is] in the potter's hand, so [are] ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Job 1:22

  • In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 26:14

  • Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

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Commentary for Job 33:12

Job 33:12 is a part of the speech of Elihu, one of the friends who comes to dialogue with Job during his suffering. The Book of Job grapples with the question of why the righteous suffer and is set in a historical context that reflects the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where such theological and philosophical questions were explored through story and poetry.

In this particular verse, Elihu is responding to Job's protests of innocence and his challenge to God to justify why He allows Job to suffer undeservedly. Elihu, who represents a younger perspective compared to Job's other friends, accuses Job of being unjust in his own claim of righteousness. Elihu is about to launch into his argument that God is far greater than human beings and that His ways are beyond human understanding. The theme of this verse emphasizes the vast difference between God's wisdom and human wisdom, suggesting that what may seem unjust from a human perspective is not necessarily so from God's perspective.

Elihu's statement in Job 33:12 serves as a prelude to his assertion that God communicates with people through various means, including suffering, to bring them to repentance and a deeper understanding of His greatness and sovereignty. The verse underscores the idea that humans must approach the question of suffering with humility, acknowledging that God's purposes are ultimately just and beyond human ability to fully comprehend or contest.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6663
    There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָדַק
    Transliteration: tsâdaq
    Pronunciation: tsaw-dak'
    Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense); cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness).
  2. Strong's Number: H6030
    There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָנָה
    Transliteration: ʻânâh
    Pronunciation: aw-naw'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
  3. Strong's Number: H433
    There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלוֹהַּ
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôwahh
    Pronunciation: el-o'-ah
    Description: rarely (shortened) אֱלֹהַּ; probably prolonged (emphatic) from אֵל; a deity or the Deity; God, god. See אֱלֹהִים.
  4. Strong's Number: H7235
    There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָבָה
    Transliteration: râbâh
    Pronunciation: raw-baw'
    Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
  5. Strong's Number: H582
    There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
    Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
    Pronunciation: en-oshe'
    Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.