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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 33:13 Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/33-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/18_Job_33_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 33:13 - Elihu Rebukes Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/33-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/33-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/33.htm">Chapter 33</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/33-12.htm" title="Job 33:12">◄</a> Job 33:13 <a href="/job/33-14.htm" title="Job 33:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/33.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/33.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Why do you complain to him that he responds to no one&#8217s words?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/33.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/33.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s words’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/33.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/33.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/33.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/33.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why do you complain to Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/33.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/33.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Why do you complain against Him, That He does not give an account of all His doings?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/33.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Why do you contend against Him? For He does not give an answer for all His doings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/33.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Why do you complain against Him? That He does not answer [you with] all His doings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/33.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you take him to court for not answering anything a person asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/33.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you take Him to court for not answering anything a person asks? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/33.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/33.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So why do you challenge God to answer you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/33.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/33.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why do you quarrel with him since he doesn't answer any questions?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/33.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why do you accuse God of never answering our complaints? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/33.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why are you arguing with him? He doesn't have to give explanations for what he does to you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/33.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/33.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person's words? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/33.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/33.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/33.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/33.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why have you striven against Him, "" When [for] all His matters He does not answer?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/33.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wherefore against Him hast thou striven, When for all His matters He answereth not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/33.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore didst thou contend against him? for he will not answer all his words.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/33.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Dost thou strive against him, because he hath not answered thee to all words? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/33.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do you contend against him because he has not responded to all of your words?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/33.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why, then, do you make complaint against him that he gives no reply to their words? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/33.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of my words’?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/33.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why do you strive with him, seeing that he does not give an account of any of his matters?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/33.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why have you sued with him, and in all his statements he has not answered?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/33.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why hast thou striven against Him? Seeing that He will not answer any of his words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/33.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But thou sayest, Why has he not heard every word of my cause?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/33-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=5049" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/33.htm">Elihu Rebukes Job</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: rî·ḇō·w·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">do you complain</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ya·‘ă·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">He answers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇā·rāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a man asks?</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20</a></span><br />But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></span><br />“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4</a></span><br />For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a></span><br />You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-34.htm">Romans 11:34</a></span><br />“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-16.htm">1 Corinthians 2:16</a></span><br />“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Isaiah 40:13-14</a></span><br />Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a></span><br />Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-6.htm">Psalm 135:6</a></span><br />The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a></span><br />Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-37.htm">Lamentations 3:37-38</a></span><br />Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? / Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Matthew 20:15</a></span><br />Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters.</p><p class="hdg">strive</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-14.htm">Job 9:14</a></b></br> How much less shall I answer him, <i>and</i> choose out my words <i>to reason</i> with him?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-25.htm">Job 15:25,26</a></b></br> For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></b></br> Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! <i>Let</i> the potsherd <i>strive</i> with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?</p><p class="hdg">giveth not account.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2</a></b></br> Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct <i>him</i>? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-29.htm">Deuteronomy 29:29</a></b></br> The secret <i>things belong</i> unto the LORD our God: but those <i>things which are</i> revealed <i>belong</i> unto us and to our children for ever, that <i>we</i> may do all the words of this law.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-11.htm">Psalm 62:11</a></b></br> God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power <i>belongeth</i> unto God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/31-37.htm">Account</a> <a href="/job/32-16.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/job/33-5.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/31-38.htm">Complain</a> <a href="/job/23-6.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/job/31-33.htm">Doings</a> <a href="/job/33-5.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/job/33-4.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/esther/9-32.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/job/23-6.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm">Striven</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-11.htm">Will</a> <a href="/job/33-8.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/40-4.htm">Account</a> <a href="/job/34-36.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/job/34-11.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/55-17.htm">Complain</a> <a href="/job/40-2.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/psalms/9-11.htm">Doings</a> <a href="/job/40-2.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/job/33-14.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/psalms/35-1.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-24.htm">Striven</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-12.htm">Will</a> <a href="/job/33-32.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Job 33</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/33-1.htm">Elihu offers himself instead of God to reason with Job</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/33-8.htm">He excuses God from giving man an account of his ways, by his greatness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/33-14.htm">God calls man to repentance by visions, by afflictions, and by his ministry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/33-31.htm">He incites Job to attention</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/33.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/33.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Why do you complain to Him</b><br>This phrase addresses the human tendency to question or challenge God's actions or perceived inaction. In the context of the Book of Job, Job has been lamenting his suffering and questioning God's justice. This reflects a broader biblical theme where humans often struggle to understand God's ways (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). The cultural context of the Ancient Near East often involved questioning deities, but the Hebrew tradition emphasized trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty.<p><b>that He answers nothing</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the perceived silence of God in response to human questioning. Throughout the Bible, there are instances where God seems silent, such as in the Psalms (<a href="/psalms/22-2.htm">Psalm 22:2</a>) and during the intertestamental period. This silence can be a test of faith or a call to deeper trust. Theologically, it suggests that God's ways and timing are beyond human understanding, and His silence does not equate to absence or indifference.<p><b>a man asks?</b><br>The phrase underscores the human perspective in seeking answers from God. It reflects the limited understanding of humanity compared to divine wisdom. In the broader biblical narrative, God often answers in unexpected ways or through His actions rather than direct responses (Job 38-41). This can be seen as a type of Christ, where Jesus, the ultimate answer to human suffering and sin, came in a manner that was unexpected by many (<a href="/john/1-10.htm">John 1:10-11</a>). The historical context of Job, set in a patriarchal society, emphasizes the humility required in approaching God with questions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elihu.htm">Elihu</a></b><br>A young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a different perspective on Job's suffering. He is the speaker in this verse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A righteous man who undergoes severe trials and questions God's justice and silence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, whom Job and his friends are discussing, particularly His response (or perceived lack thereof) to human suffering.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_friends_of_job.htm">The Friends of Job</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who have been debating with Job about the reasons for his suffering.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>The ongoing conversation between Job, his friends, and Elihu, which addresses themes of suffering, divine justice, and human understanding.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_silence.htm">Understanding God's Silence</a></b><br>God's silence does not equate to His absence. He may be working in ways we cannot see or understand.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_patience_in_faith.htm">The Role of Patience in Faith</a></b><br>Patience is crucial when waiting for God's response. Trusting in His timing is a demonstration of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Recognizing our limited understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom should lead us to approach Him with humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_wisdom.htm">Seeking God's Wisdom</a></b><br>Actively seek God's wisdom through prayer and scripture, trusting that He will provide insight in His time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_community_in_suffering.htm">The Value of Community in Suffering</a></b><br>Engage with a community of believers for support and perspective during times of questioning and suffering.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_33.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 33</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_elihu_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Elihu in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_appear_silent_or_absent.htm">Why does God appear silent or absent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_reason_with_god_if_exodus_33_20.htm">In Job 13:3, how can Job claim he wants to reason directly with God if Exodus 33:20 states no one can see God and live?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_bildad_blame_job's_kids'_deaths.htm">How can Bildad confidently claim (Job 8:2-4) that Job's children must have sinned to deserve death, when other passages suggest righteous people can suffer unjustly?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/33.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Why dost thou strive against him?</span>--Job had not striven against God, he had only expressed his longing to come into judgment with Him (<a href="/job/23-3.htm" title="Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!">Job 23:3</a>, &c.). Job was striving with and against the darkness that was round about His throne, not with the justice of God, which he entirely trusted. Some render the last clause of the verse, "For none can answer any of His words," but the Authorised Version seems preferable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/33.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why dost thou strive against him?</span> Why dost thou insist on taking the attitude of one who contends with God, who would fain enter into a controversy with him, and force him to plead in his own defence? It is not alone his omnipotence that makes such conduct folly, but his remoteness, his inaccessibility. He cannot be forced to make answer; it is not his wont to do so; he giveth not account of any of his matters. It is presumptuous to suppose that God will condescend to reveal himself from heaven and make answer to thy overbold challenges. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/33-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֭דּוּעַ</span> <span class="translit">(mad·dū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> </span><span class="str2">Why? for what reason?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you contend</span><br /><span class="heb">רִיב֑וֹתָ</span> <span class="translit">(rî·ḇō·w·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with Him</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He answers</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲנֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man asks?</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּ֝בָרָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇā·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/33-13.htm">OT Poetry: Job 33:13 Why do you strive against him because (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/33-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 33:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 33:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/33-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 33:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 33:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>