CINXE.COM

<!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 33:12 Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/33-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/18_Job_33_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 33:12 - Elihu Rebukes Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man." /><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/33-12.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/33-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/33-11.htm" title="Job 33:11">◄</a> Job 33:12 <a href="/job/33-13.htm" title="Job 33:13">►</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 />&#8220But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than any mortal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/33.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/33.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/33.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/33.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, <i>in</i> this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/33.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Look, <i>in</i> this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/33.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, let me respond to you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/33.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/33.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/33.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, let me answer you; you are not right in this, For God is greater than mortal man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/33.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right <i>or</i> just; For God is greater <i>and</i> far superior to man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/33.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I tell you that you are wrong in this matter, since God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/33.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I tell you that you are wrong in this matter, since God is greater than man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/33.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/33.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But, Job, you're wrong--God is greater than any human. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/33.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; for God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/33.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You aren't right about this! I've got an answer for you: God is greater than any mortal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/33.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But I tell you, Job, you are wrong. God is greater than any human being. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/33.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You aren't right about this; My response is that God is greater than human beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/33.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/33.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now in this, you are not right--I answer you, for God is greater than a human being. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/33.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Look, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/33.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/33.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/33.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, you have not been righteous [in] this, "" I answer you, that God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/33.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, in this thou hast not been righteous, I answer thee, that greater is God than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/33.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, this thou wert not just: I will answer thee, for God will be great above man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/33.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now this is the thing in which thou art not justified : I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/33.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, it is for this reason that you have not been justified. For I tell you that God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/33.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In this you are not just, let me tell you; for God is greater than mortals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/33.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“But in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/33.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, in this you cannot justify yourself; I will answer you, that God is greater than man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/33.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In this you cannot be justified; I shall give you an answer: ‘God is greater than man’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/33.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, I answer thee: In this thou art not right, That God is too great for man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/33.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For how sayest thou, I am righteous, yet he has not hearkened to me? for he that is above mortals is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/33-12.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=5041" 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">11</span>He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’ <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hen- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Behold,</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.">you are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6663.htm" title="6663: ṣā·ḏaq·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To be just or righteous. A primitive root; to be right.">right</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">in this matter.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ’e·‘ĕ·ne·kā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2mse) -- To answer, respond.">I will answer you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/433.htm" title="433: ’ĕ·lō·w·ha (N-ms) -- God, god. Probably prolonged From 'el; a deity or the Deity.">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: yir·beh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">is greater</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: mê·’ĕ·nō·wōš (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">than man.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?…<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/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="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-34</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “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="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a></span><br />You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<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="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</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?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2</a></span><br />Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.<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="/psalms/92-5.htm">Psalm 92:5</a></span><br />How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4</a></span><br />Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a></span><br />There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-6.htm">Psalm 139:6</a></span><br />Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.<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”?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man.</p><p class="hdg">thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-22.htm">Job 1:22</a></b></br> In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-10.htm">Job 34:10-12,17-19,23</a></b></br> Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, <i>that he should do</i> wickedness; and <i>from</i> the Almighty, <i>that he should commit</i> iniquity… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-2.htm">Job 35:2</a></b></br> Thinkest thou this to be right, <i>that</i> thou saidst, My righteousness <i>is</i> more than God's?</p><p class="hdg">I will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/32-17.htm">Job 32:17</a></b></br> <i>I said</i>, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-4.htm">Job 35:4</a></b></br> I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4</a></b></br> <i>He is</i> wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened <i>himself</i> against him, and hath prospered?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/26-14.htm">Job 26:14</a></b></br> Lo, these <i>are</i> parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/36-5.htm">Job 36:5</a></b></br> Behold, God <i>is</i> mighty, and despiseth not <i>any: he is</i> mighty in strength <i>and</i> wisdom.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/32-9.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/28-18.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/job/32-9.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/32-12.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/35-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/36-26.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/job/33-23.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/33-27.htm">Wrong</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>Behold, you are not right in this matter.</b><br>This phrase is spoken by Elihu, a younger friend of Job, who enters the dialogue after Job's three friends have failed to provide satisfactory answers to Job's suffering. Elihu's assertion that Job is not right suggests a challenge to Job's understanding of his situation and his complaints against God. This reflects the broader theme of human limitation in understanding divine purposes, a recurring theme in the Book of Job. Elihu's boldness in addressing Job indicates his confidence in his perspective, which he believes is divinely inspired. This phrase also sets the stage for God's later response, emphasizing that human wisdom is often flawed when compared to divine wisdom.<p><b>I will answer you,</b><br>Elihu positions himself as a mediator who seeks to clarify the situation for Job. His willingness to answer Job indicates his belief that he has insight into Job's predicament. This reflects the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, where dialogue and debate were common methods for exploring theological and philosophical questions. Elihu's role as a younger voice also suggests a shift from traditional wisdom, as he offers a fresh perspective that contrasts with the older friends' views.<p><b>for God is greater than man.</b><br>This statement underscores a central theological theme of the Book of Job: the transcendence and sovereignty of God. It serves as a reminder of the vast gulf between human and divine understanding. This echoes other biblical passages, such as <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are described as higher than those of humans. The assertion of God's greatness also prefigures the divine speeches later in the book, where God emphasizes His creation and governance of the world. This phrase invites readers to trust in God's greater wisdom and purposes, even when they are beyond human comprehension.<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 not one of the three friends who initially came to comfort Job.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A righteous man who undergoes severe trials and suffering, questioning God's justice and seeking answers for his plight.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator, whose wisdom and understanding surpass human comprehension. Elihu emphasizes God's greatness in his discourse.<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 attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often attributing it to sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which Elihu interrupts to offer his insights.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_supremacy.htm">God's Supremacy</a></b><br>Recognize that God's wisdom and understanding are far beyond human comprehension. We must approach Him with humility and reverence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitation.htm">Human Limitation</a></b><br>Acknowledge our limited perspective and understanding, especially in times of suffering or confusion. Trust in God's greater plan and purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_correction.htm">The Role of Correction</a></b><br>Be open to correction and new perspectives, as Elihu offers to Job. Sometimes, God uses others to speak truth into our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_trials.htm">Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Maintain faith in God's character and sovereignty, even when His ways are not clear to us. Trust that He is working for our good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Listen carefully to different viewpoints and discern truth through prayer and Scripture, as Elihu encourages Job to do.<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/why_trust_elihu's_insight_in_job_33.htm">In the context of Job 33 as a whole, why should readers trust Elihu's self-proclaimed divine insight when there is no independent confirmation of his authority?</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_let_satan_test_job.htm">Job 1:12 - How can a benevolent God allow Satan to inflict suffering on a blameless man as part of a wager?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_god's_speech_today.htm">In Job 33:14, if God truly speaks in multiple ways, why is there no verifiable evidence of such divine communication today?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">Behold, in this thou art not just.</span>--But had not Job said the same thing? (<a href="/job/9-2.htm" title="I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?">Job 9:2</a>, &c., <a href="/job/9-14.htm" title="How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?">Job 9:14</a>, &c.); and is it possible to conceive that any one could think otherwise, more especially as Elihu used the word which specially means man in his frailty?<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/33.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, in this thou art not just</span>. It would certainly not have been a just charge to make against God, that he counted Job as an enemy; and, so far as Job's statements go, it must be admitted that he had laid himself open to Elihu's rebuke. But it is no logical "answer" <span class="accented">to</span> Job's charge to say, in reply to it, <span class="cmt_word">I will answer thee, that God is greater than man</span>. Might does not constitute right, and it is a poor way of justifying God to urge that he is all-powerful, and may do what he likes. So Cambyses was justified in his worst acts by the royal judges (Herod., 3:31); and so in an absolute monarchy it is always possible to justify the extremest acts of tyranny. Certainly God cannot act unjustly; but this is not because his doing a thing makes it right, but because his justice, is a law to his will, and he never wills to do anything that he has not previously seen to be just (see Cudworth's 'Immutable Morality,' which deserves the careful study, not alone of moralists, but also of theologians). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/33-12.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">Behold,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶן־</span> <span class="translit">(hen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</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">right</span><br /><span class="heb">צָדַ֣קְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·ḏaq·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6663.htm">Strong's 6663: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be just or righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in this matter.</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹ֣את</span> <span class="translit">(zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will answer you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶעֱנֶ֑ךָּ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·‘ĕ·ne·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second 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">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</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">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·w·ha)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_433.htm">Strong's 433: </a> </span><span class="str2">God -- a deity, the Deity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is greater</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְבֶּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(yir·beh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than man.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֱנֽוֹשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ĕ·nō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/33-12.htm">OT Poetry: Job 33:12 Behold I will answer you (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/33-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 33:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 33:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/33-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 33:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 33:13" /></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>