Job 33:20

So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

So that his life {H2416} abhorreth {H2092} bread {H3899}, and his soul {H5315} dainty {H8378} meat {H3978}.

so that he detests bread as well as richer food.

so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.

So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food.

Commentary

Job 33:20 offers a vivid, stark description of a person suffering from severe illness, detailing the profound physical impact of their distress. This verse is part of Elihu's discourse, where he presents a unique perspective on suffering, distinct from Job's friends.

Context

In the book of Job, Elihu emerges as a younger, self-proclaimed wiser voice who seeks to explain the purpose of suffering to Job and his three friends. Unlike Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who largely attributed Job's afflictions directly to his sin, Elihu argues that God uses suffering not only as punishment but also as a form of divine discipline and instruction to draw people closer to Himself, prevent them from sin, and reveal His righteousness. Verses Job 33:19-22 graphically describe a person afflicted by God, writhing in pain, their bones aching, and their body wasting away. Job 33:20 specifically highlights the loss of appetite as a severe symptom of this condition, indicating a critical state of health where even the most basic human desires are extinguished.

Key Themes

  • Physical Manifestations of Suffering: The verse powerfully illustrates how intense physical or spiritual distress can manifest in the body, leading to a complete aversion to food. This profound loss of appetite signifies a deep state of debilitation and despair.
  • Divine Discipline and Correction: Within Elihu's theological framework, this extreme physical breakdown is part of God's process to humble an individual, bring them to repentance, and ultimately save them from a path leading to destruction. It's a corrective measure designed for the person's ultimate good, aiming for spiritual restoration rather than mere punishment. Elihu posits that God's discipline is not arbitrary but purposeful, intended to teach and transform, as also seen in Hebrews 12:6.
  • Loss of Earthly Desire: The phrase "his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat" emphasizes a complete detachment from basic sustenance ("bread") and even luxurious, desirable foods ("dainty meat"). This signifies that when one is brought to the brink, earthly comforts and pleasures lose all appeal, and the focus shifts entirely to survival or perhaps a deeper spiritual yearning.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases used in this verse are quite evocative:

  • "Abhorreth bread": The word "abhorreth" (from the Hebrew qaฬ‚ts) means to loathe, detest, or be disgusted by. It conveys a strong, visceral aversion, not merely a lack of desire. This highlights the severity of the illness, where even the most fundamental and necessary food becomes repulsive. This imagery is paralleled in Psalm 107:18, which speaks of those afflicted whose "soul abhorreth all manner of meat."
  • "Dainty meat": This refers to choice, delicious, or desirable food. The contrast between common "bread" and "dainty meat" underscores the totality of the aversion โ€“ no food, however plain or appealing, can tempt the sick person.

Practical Application

Job 33:20 reminds us of the fragility of human life and the profound impact that suffering and illness can have on our physical and mental well-being. It encourages empathy for those who are so distressed that they lose even basic desires. From Elihu's perspective, this verse also offers a challenging thought: sometimes, the most extreme forms of suffering are part of a divine process designed to humble us, redirect our focus from earthly comforts, and bring us closer to God for spiritual healing and restoration. It prompts us to consider that God's hand, even in pain, can be purposeful, aiming for our ultimate good and spiritual growth, leading to a potential for restoration as seen in Job 42:10.

Reflection

This verse paints a powerful picture of human weakness and the overwhelming nature of severe affliction. It forces us to confront the reality that physical comfort and pleasure are fleeting. Within Elihu's argument, it serves as a crucial point in understanding suffering not just as punishment, but as a severe, yet potentially redemptive, experience under the sovereign hand of God, designed to lead to a deeper understanding and relationship with the Divine.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 107:17 (3 votes)

    ยถ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

  • Psalms 107:18 (3 votes)

    Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

  • Jeremiah 3:19 (2 votes)

    But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

  • Amos 5:11 (2 votes)

    Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

  • Genesis 3:6 (2 votes)

    ยถ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

  • Job 3:24 (2 votes)

    For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.