Job 33:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 33:19-28

God has spoken once to sinners by their own consciences, to keep them from the paths of the destroyer, but they perceive it not; they are not aware that the checks their own hearts give them in a sinful way are from God, but they are imputed to melancholy or the preciseness of their education; and therefore God speaks twice; he speaks a second time, and tries another way to convince and reclaim sinners, and that is by providences, afflictive and merciful (in which he speaks twice), and by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 33:20

So that his life abhorreth bread ,.... Through the force of pain he loses his appetite for food, and even a nausea of it takes place; he loathes it as the most abominable and filthy thing that can be thought of; even bread, so necessary to the support of human life, so strengthening to the heart of man, and what he every day stands in need of, and should pray for, and in health is never weary of; it may be put for all common and useful food: and his soul dainty meat ; the most rich and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 33:20

His life abhorreth bread - These expressions strongly and naturally point out that general nausea, or loathing which sick persons feel in almost every species of disorder. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 33:1-33

In this chapter Elihu, turning away from the "comforters," proceeds to address Job himself, offering to reason out the matter in dispute with him, in God's stead. After a brief exordium (verses 1-7), he takes exception which (he says) are unjust. He next brings forward his theory of God-inflicted sufferings being, in the main, chastisements proceeding from a loving purpose, intended to purify, to strengthen, to purge out faults, to "save from the pit," to improve, and to enlighten... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 33:8-33

Elihu's first discourse: the guilt of man in the sight of God. I. JOB 'S CONFIDENCE IN HAS INNOCENTS CENSURED . ( Job 33:8-11 .) Elihu gathers up in brief some of those sayings of Job which had shocked his ear and scandalized his spiritual conscience. Job had asserted his own purity, and had accused God of enmity against his person (compare Job's words, Job 9:21 ; Job 10:7 ; Job 16:17 ; Job 23:10 ; Job 27:5 , Job 27:6 ; Job 10:13 , seq.; Job 19:11 ; Job 30:21 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 33:14-33

Elihu's first address to Job: 2. The philosophy of Divine instruction. I. THE METHODS OF DIVINE INSTRUCTION . 1 . Through the medium of dreams. The dreams, or visions, referred to were supernatural revelations in early times imparted to men, when the spirit, probably wrapt in meditation on Divine things, was cast into a deep sleep, such as fell on Adam at the creation of Eve ( Genesis 2:21 ). That nocturnal dreams usually find their psychological basis in the mental... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 33:19-22

Chastisement. Elihu now approaches his own special and new contribution to the great controversy. God addresses man in various ways. First he speaks with the still, small inner voice of conscience. But when the repetition of this voice is unheeded he proceeds by another method, and calls attention through the rousing voice of chastisement. I. SUFFERING IS CHASTISEMENT . As he elaborates his thought we see what Elihu is making clear. Suffering is not the vindictive punishment of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 33:20

Be that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat . Eating and drinking are detestable to the man who is stretched on a bed of sickness (comp. Psalms 107:18 , "Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death"). The chains that bind to earth fall off, and the soul is left open to loftier influences. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 33:20

So that his life abhorreth bread - It is a common effect of sickness to take away the appetite. Elihu here regards it as a part of the wholesome discipline of the sufferer. He has no relish for the comforts of life.And his soul dainty meat - Margin, “meat of desire.” The Hebrew is, “food of desire.” The word rendered “meat” (מאכל ma'ăkâl) does not denote animal food only, but any kind of food. So the Old English word meat was used. The idea is, that the sick man loathes the most delicate... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 33:18-22

Job 33:18-22. He keepeth back his soul from the pit By these gracious admonitions, whereby God leads men to humiliation of soul before him, and to repentance, he preserves their lives from death and the grave, and their souls from eternal destruction. From perishing by the sword By some dreadful judgment which was ready to fall upon them. He is chastened also with pain With some painful and dangerous disease, which is the second way whereby God instructs men and excites them to... read more

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