Job 33:15

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

In a dream {H2472}, in a vision {H2384} of the night {H3915}, when deep {H8639} sleep falleth {H5307} upon men {H582}, in slumberings {H8572} upon the bed {H4904};

"In a dream, in a vision at night, when slumber falls upon people, as they sleep in their beds,

In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,

In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed;

Commentary

Context

Job 33:15 is part of Elihu's discourse, a younger man who steps forward to offer his perspective on Job's suffering and God's justice after Job's three friends have failed to convince him. Elihu argues that God communicates with humanity in various ways, even when humans are unaware or unwilling to listen. This particular verse describes one such method of divine communication: through dreams and night visions. It follows Elihu's assertion in Job 33:14 that "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not," setting the stage for his explanation of how God indeed speaks to individuals, often for their correction or instruction.

Key Themes

  • Divine Communication: The verse highlights God's active involvement in human lives, demonstrating His desire to communicate with people. This communication is not always overt but can occur in subtle, deeply personal ways.
  • Revelation Through Dreams and Visions: It emphasizes the ancient and biblical understanding that God used dreams and night visions as legitimate channels for conveying messages, warnings, and guidance. This method often bypassed the conscious mind, reaching individuals when they were most receptive.
  • God's Sovereign Purpose: Elihu explains that God's purpose in communicating through these means, as detailed in subsequent verses (Job 33:16-18), is often to turn people from harmful paths, to keep them from pride, and ultimately to preserve their lives from destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "deep sleep" is tardemah (ืชึทึผืจึฐื“ึตึผืžึธื”), which denotes a profound, often divinely induced, slumber. This is the same word used in the account of God putting Adam into a deep sleep to create Eve, and also when Abraham fell into a deep sleep before receiving a significant covenant vision. This suggests that the sleep described in Job 33:15 is not merely ordinary sleep, but a state specifically prepared by God for spiritual reception. The phrase "vision of the night" (ื—ึถื–ึฐื•ึนืŸ ืœึทื™ึฐืœึธื” - chezvon laylah) further distinguishes these encounters from common dreams, implying a clear, divinely originated message.

Significance and Application

This verse offers profound insight into God's multifaceted ways of interacting with humanity. While direct prophetic dreams may not be as common today as in biblical times, the principle remains: God desires to communicate with us. For a modern audience, this verse encourages:

  • Attentiveness to God's Voice: It reminds us that God speaks in various ways, not always through dramatic signs, but sometimes through quiet promptings, wisdom from Scripture, or counsel from others. Just as God spoke in diverse manners in the past, He continues to speak today.
  • Reflection and Humility: The purpose of such divine communication, according to Elihu, is often corrective and protective. It encourages us to consider how God might be trying to guide us away from pride or destructive behaviors, even when we are not consciously seeking His input.
  • Trust in God's Care: Even when we feel unheard or misunderstood, as Job did, this verse assures us that God is actively engaged in our lives, seeking our good and providing guidance, even in the depths of our unconsciousness.

Job 33:15 underscores the profound and often mysterious ways in which the Creator interacts with His creation, always with a purpose of guiding and preserving.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 12:6 (19 votes)

    And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

  • Job 4:13 (15 votes)

    In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

  • Genesis 31:24 (11 votes)

    And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

  • Daniel 4:5 (11 votes)

    I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

  • Genesis 20:3 (11 votes)

    ยถ But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.

  • Jeremiah 23:28 (8 votes)

    The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

  • Daniel 8:18 (8 votes)

    Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.