Job 33:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;

Complete Jewish Bible:

He declares before everyone, 'I sinned; I perverted what was right, and it gained me nothing.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

American Standard Version:

He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He looketh^{H7789} upon men^{H582}, and if any say^{H559}, I have sinned^{H2398}, and perverted^{H5753} that which was right^{H3477}, and it profited^{H7737} me not;

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Commentary for Job 33:27

Job 33:27 is part of the speech of Elihu, one of the friends who comes to dialogue with Job during his intense suffering and questioning of God's justice. Elihu is the fourth person to speak in the book, after Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. He presents himself as an arbiter and is unique in that he does not accuse Job of wrongdoing but instead criticizes the three friends for their inability to answer Job and also rebukes Job for justifying himself rather than God.

In verse 27, Elihu is explaining the workings of God's justice and mercy. The verse reflects the theme of repentance and divine oversight. It suggests that when a person realizes their sin, acknowledges their wrongdoing, and admits to perverting what is right, God is attentive to their confession. Even if the sinful actions did not seem to bring any immediate profit or benefit, the act of repentance is significant and not overlooked by the divine. This verse underscores the idea that God is aware of human actions and words, and that sincere repentance is a crucial step in the relationship between God and humanity.

The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with estimates of its composition ranging from the time of the Patriarchs (around 2000-1800 BCE) to the post-exilic period (after 539 BCE). The narrative is set in the land of Uz, which is traditionally associated with the region of Edom, southeast of Israel. The book addresses the timeless question of why the righteous suffer, a theme that transcends the specific historical period of its writing.

In summary, Job 33:27 emphasizes God's attentiveness to human repentance, suggesting that even when sin appears to have no profit, the acknowledgment of sin is a vital step in the eyes of God. This verse is part of Elihu's broader argument that God's ways are beyond human understanding and that suffering can be a means of purification and ultimately lead to a deeper relationship with the divine.

*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: H7789
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּר
   Transliteration: shûwr
   Pronunciation: shoor
   Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of going round for inspection); to spy out, i.e. (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for; behold, lay wait, look, observe, perceive, regard, see.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2398
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָטָא
   Transliteration: châṭâʼ
   Pronunciation: khaw-taw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn; bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5753
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָוָה
   Transliteration: ʻâvâh
   Pronunciation: aw-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to crook, literally or figuratively; do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity, pervert, (do) perverse(-ly), trouble, [idiom] turn, do wickedly, do wrong.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3477
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשָׁר
   Transliteration: yâshâr
   Pronunciation: yaw-shawr'
   Description: from יָשַׁר; straight (literally or figuratively); convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), [phrase] pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).
   
7. Strong's Number: H7737
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁוָה
   Transliteration: shâvâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.); avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, (be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a-) like, make plain, profit, reckon.