Job 33:14

ยถ For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.

For God {H410} speaketh {H1696} once {H259}, yea twice {H8147}, yet man perceiveth {H7789} it not.

God speaks once, even twice, and still the hearer misses the point.

For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.

For God speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.

Commentary

Job 33:14, a pivotal verse within Elihu's discourse, highlights a profound truth about divine-human interaction: God consistently communicates, yet humanity frequently fails to grasp or acknowledge His messages. Elihu, a younger contemporary of Job, introduces a new perspective into the suffering patriarch's debate with his three friends, asserting that God is not silent or indifferent but actively seeks to instruct and guide individuals.

Context

This verse serves as the foundation for Elihu's argument that God communicates with humanity in various ways, often for their benefit and instruction. Unlike Job's friends, who primarily focused on sin as the cause of suffering, Elihu posits that God's communication, even through suffering, can be a form of discipline or a warning intended to lead to repentance and preservation. This sets the stage for Elihu's subsequent explanation of how God speaks through dreams, visions (Job 33:15), and even affliction (Job 33:19-22).

Key Themes

  • Divine Communication: The verse emphasizes God's active role in revealing Himself and His will. He is not a distant deity but one who initiates contact and seeks to engage with humanity.
  • God's Persistence: The phrase "speaketh once, yea twice" (Hebrew: achath shatayim, meaning "repeatedly" or "in various ways") underscores God's persistent attempts to reach people. It implies a multitude of methods and repeated efforts, not just a single or double instance, much like the manifold ways God spoke through prophets in ancient times.
  • Human Insensitivity: The latter part, "yet man perceiveth it not," points to humanity's common failure to discern, understand, or heed God's messages. This can stem from spiritual dullness, distraction, pride, or simple inattention. The phrase 'perceiveth it not' underscores a human tendency towards spiritual dullness or a hardened heart that fails to understand divine truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "speaketh" (ื™ึฐื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ, yedabber) suggests a continuous or customary action, reinforcing the idea of God's ongoing communication. The phrase "perceiveth it not" (ืœึนื ื™ึธืฉึดื‚ื™ื ืœึตื‘, lo yashim lev) literally translates to "does not set his heart/mind to it," indicating a lack of attention, comprehension, or willingness to respond. It's not just a matter of intellectual inability, but often a spiritual or volitional neglect of divine revelation.

Practical Application

Job 33:14 challenges us to be attentive and discerning listeners to God's voice in our lives. God communicates through various means: His written Word (the Bible), prayer, circumstances, the counsel of others, and even through the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit. This verse reminds us that if we are not hearing God, the problem might not be with His speaking, but with our listening. It encourages introspection: Are we truly seeking to understand God's messages, or are we allowing distractions and spiritual complacency to hinder our perception? Being open and receptive to God's multifaceted forms of communication is crucial for spiritual growth and navigating life's challenges.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 1:24 (14 votes)

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

  • 2 Chronicles 33:10 (10 votes)

    And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

  • Psalms 62:11 (9 votes)

    God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God.

  • Job 33:29 (7 votes)

    ยถ Lo, all these [things] worketh God oftentimes with man,

  • Luke 24:25 (7 votes)

    Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

  • John 3:19 (6 votes)

    And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

  • Matthew 13:14 (5 votes)

    And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: