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.
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)
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.