Job 33:24

Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

Then he is gracious {H2603} unto him, and saith {H559}, Deliver {H6308} him from going down {H3381} to the pit {H7845}: I have found {H4672} a ransom {H3724}.

then [God] is gracious to him and says, 'Redeem him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.'

to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’

ThenGodis gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.

Job 33:24 is a profound statement spoken by Elihu, one of Job's younger friends, as he attempts to explain God's justice and mercy in the midst of human suffering. This verse offers a glimpse into the divine heart, revealing God's desire for redemption rather than destruction for those who turn to Him.

Context

In the book of Job, Elihu enters the discussion after Job and his three older friends have exhausted their arguments. Elihu presents a more nuanced view of God's interaction with humanity, suggesting that suffering is not always punitive but can be disciplinary and redemptive. He explains that God speaks to people in various ways, including through dreams and visions, and even through physical affliction, to turn them from pride and sin (Job 33:16-18). When a person is brought low by sickness or near death, and a divine messenger (an angel, or perhaps even a human intercessor) intercedes on their behalf, this verse describes God's merciful response.

Key Themes

  • Divine Grace and Mercy: The phrase "Then he is gracious unto him" highlights God's inherent nature of compassion. Even when humanity deserves judgment, God seeks to extend mercy and provide a way out of destruction. This reflects a core biblical truth about God's character and His willingness to forgive.
  • Deliverance from the Pit: "Deliver him from going down to the pit" refers to rescue from imminent death or the grave. The Hebrew word for "pit" (shachath) often denotes destruction, corruption, or the realm of the dead (Psalm 16:10). This signifies God's power to restore life and health, both physically and spiritually, demonstrating His sovereignty over life and death.
  • The Provision of a Ransom: The most significant part of the verse is "I have found a ransom." The Hebrew word for "ransom" (kopher) implies a covering, an atonement, or a price paid to secure release. In this context, it's God Himself who finds or provides the means of redemption. While Elihu doesn't explicitly name the "ransom," this statement deeply foreshadows the New Testament understanding of Christ's atoning work as the ultimate ransom for humanity's sins, securing deliverance from spiritual death (1 Timothy 2:6).

Linguistic Insights

The term "ransom" (Hebrew: kopher) is crucial. It is used elsewhere in the Old Testament for a bribe, a propitiation, or a payment that covers or atones. For instance, in Exodus, it's the price paid for a life (Exodus 21:30), or the atonement money for the tabernacle service (Exodus 30:12). Here, God declares that He has found this covering or means of atonement, emphasizing His initiative in salvation. This contrasts with human attempts to earn favor or pay for their own release, highlighting the divine origin of true redemption.

Practical Application

Job 33:24 offers immense hope for anyone facing severe trials or consequences of sin. It reminds us that even in our lowest points, when suffering seems overwhelming or death seems near, God's ultimate desire is to show grace and provide a way to deliverance. It teaches us that God actively seeks to redeem, not just to punish. For believers, this verse resonates deeply with the understanding that God has indeed "found a ransom" for our sins in Jesus Christ, offering eternal life and freedom from the pit of spiritual death. It encourages us to trust in God's redemptive plan and to turn to Him for mercy and restoration, knowing that His grace is sufficient.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 49:7

    None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

  • Psalms 49:8

    (For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

  • Matthew 20:28

    Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

  • Job 33:18

    He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

  • 1 Timothy 2:6

    Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

  • Micah 7:18

    Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

  • Micah 7:20

    Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

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