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Job 33:6

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Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

Behold, I am according to thy wish {H6310} in God's {H410} stead: I also am formed {H7169} out of the clay {H2563}.

Look, before God I'm the same as you; I too am fashioned from clay.

I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.

Commentary

Job 33:6 is spoken by Elihu, a younger man who enters the dialogue between Job and his three friends. Having listened patiently, Elihu now asserts his right to speak, positioning himself as a mediator and spokesperson for God, yet immediately grounding his authority in his shared humanity with Job.

Context of Job 33:6

Elihu's speech begins in Job chapter 32. He criticizes both Job for justifying himself more than God, and Job's friends for failing to provide a satisfactory answer. In this verse, Elihu directly addresses Job, establishing a basis for their conversation. He seeks to reassure Job that he is not God, whom Job often expressed a desire to contend with, but a fellow human being who can speak without overwhelming him.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Shared Humanity and Frailty: Elihu emphasizes, "I also am formed out of the clay." This powerful imagery highlights the common origin of all humanity, underscoring that despite his weighty message, Elihu is just as mortal and vulnerable as Job. This echoes the creation account where God formed man from the dust of the ground.
  • Speaking "In God's Stead": Elihu claims to speak with divine insight, acting as a representative or ambassador for God's perspective. However, he immediately qualifies this by acknowledging his own human limitations. He is not claiming to be God, but to speak on behalf of God, offering a different viewpoint than the friends.
  • Approachability and Dialogue: By stressing their shared nature, Elihu aims to make himself approachable. Job had previously wished for a mediator he could reason with, someone who was not God (see Job 9:32-33). Elihu presents himself as that human, accessible voice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "formed out of the clay" (or "dust" in other contexts) is a foundational biblical metaphor for human creation. It signifies our humble origins, dependence on God, and inherent mortality. It contrasts sharply with the divine, emphasizing the vast difference between Creator and created, even when one speaks on the Creator's behalf.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the importance of humility, especially when speaking on matters of faith or spiritual truth. Even when we believe we are speaking God's truth, we must remember our own human limitations and frailty. It also encourages us to engage in dialogue with compassion and understanding, recognizing the shared humanity of those we speak with. Just as Elihu sought to create an environment where Job could hear him, we should strive to communicate in ways that are both truthful and empathetic, acknowledging the common ground we share with others.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Job 4:19 (5 votes)

    How much less [in] them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed before the moth?

  • Job 10:9 (2 votes)

    Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

  • Exodus 4:16 (2 votes)

    And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 (2 votes)

    Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  • Genesis 2:7 (2 votes)

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Job 31:35 (2 votes)

    Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire [is, that] the Almighty would answer me, and [that] mine adversary had written a book.

  • Job 13:12 (2 votes)

    Your remembrances [are] like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.