Job 33:19

¶ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]:

He is chastened {H3198} also with pain {H4341} upon his bed {H4904}, and the multitude {H7230}{H7379} of his bones {H6106} with strong {H386} pain:

"He is also warned by pain when in bed, when all his bones are hurting;

A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,

He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones;

Commentary

Context

Job 33:19 is part of Elihu's discourse to Job and his three friends (chapters 32-37). Elihu, a younger man, steps in after the other three friends have exhausted their arguments and Job has defended himself. Elihu positions himself as one who will speak without partiality and with true understanding, claiming divine inspiration. In this chapter, he explains how God communicates with humanity, not only through dreams and visions but also through affliction. This verse specifically describes the severe physical pain that can accompany such divine chastening, presenting it as a means by which God gets a person's attention and potentially brings them to repentance or a deeper understanding of His ways, rather than solely as punishment for specific sin. This contrasts with the friends' rigid view that suffering always equals punishment for sin.

Key Themes

  • Divine Chastening and Discipline: The verse highlights the concept that God can use suffering, even severe physical pain, as a form of discipline or instruction. This is not necessarily punitive but often corrective, intended to draw an individual closer to God or to reveal a deeper truth.
  • The Reality of Intense Suffering: "Pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]" vividly portrays widespread, debilitating physical agony, emphasizing the profound impact of affliction on the human body and spirit.
  • God's Communication Through Affliction: Elihu argues that God speaks to people in various ways, and sometimes, affliction serves as a loud, undeniable message when other, quieter forms of communication (like dreams) are ignored. This suffering aims to prevent greater harm or to lead to spiritual growth.
  • The Redemptive Purpose of Pain: While painful, this chastening is presented as having a potential redemptive purpose—leading to introspection, repentance, and a renewed relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "chastened" is yissar (יִסַּר), which means to instruct, discipline, correct, or admonish. It carries the connotation of training or educating, much like a parent disciplines a child. This is distinct from mere punishment and suggests a purposeful, often loving, intent behind the affliction. The phrase "multitude of his bones" emphasizes the pervasive and deep-seated nature of the pain, suggesting that it affects the entire body and being, not just a superficial ailment. The KJV adds "[pain]" in brackets, indicating it is implied in the Hebrew text, reinforcing the severity of the suffering.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 33:19 offers a crucial perspective on suffering. It reminds us that not all pain is a direct consequence of sin, nor is it always meaningless. Sometimes, God permits or sends affliction as a form of discipline, a way to refine our character, teach us patience, or draw us into a deeper reliance on Him. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" (Hebrews 12:6). When faced with hardship or illness, this verse encourages us to:

  • Seek God's Purpose: Instead of focusing solely on the pain, ask what God might be trying to communicate or teach through the experience.
  • Embrace Humility: Recognize that God's ways are higher than ours, and His discipline, though difficult, is ultimately for our good.
  • Find Hope in Redemption: Understand that even severe suffering can be a pathway to spiritual growth, closer fellowship with God, and a deeper appreciation for His grace and healing.

The intense suffering described here resonates with Job's own experience throughout the book, reminding us of the profound human vulnerability to affliction and God's sovereign hand in all circumstances, even in our deepest pain.

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Cross-References

  • Job 30:17 (7 votes)

    My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.

  • Psalms 119:71 (3 votes)

    ¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

  • Job 5:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

  • Job 5:18 (3 votes)

    For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:32 (3 votes)

    But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

  • Revelation 3:19 (2 votes)

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

  • Isaiah 27:9 (2 votes)

    By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this [is] all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.