Job 33:10
Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
Original Language Analysis
עָלַ֣י
H5921
עָלַ֣י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִמְצָ֑א
Behold he findeth
H4672
יִמְצָ֑א
Behold he findeth
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
יַחְשְׁבֵ֖נִי
against me he counteth
H2803
יַחְשְׁבֵ֖נִי
against me he counteth
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions often portrayed capricious gods who acted arbitrarily or hostilely toward humans. Job's complaint echoed pagan theology more than covenant faith. Israel's God disciplines His children (Deuteronomy 8:5, Proverbs 3:11-12), but Job's suffering had temporarily obscured this truth. Elihu's correction anticipates Hebrews 12:5-11, which quotes Proverbs to explain that God's discipline proves sonship, not enmity.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you interpret trials—as divine hostility or fatherly discipline?
- What distorted views of God emerge when we focus on circumstances rather than His revealed character?
- How does understanding God as loving Father rather than hostile judge change your response to suffering?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, he findeth occasions against me (הֵן תְּנוּאוֹת יִמְצָא־עָלָי, hen tenu'ot yimtza-alai)—Elihu quotes Job's complaint that God seeks pretexts to condemn him. תְּנוּאוֹת (tenu'ot, 'occasions') derives from אָנָה (anah, 'to meet, encounter'), suggesting contrived opportunities or manufactured charges. יִמְצָא (yimtza, 'findeth') implies active searching—Job had accused God of scrutinizing him to discover faults (7:17-20, 10:13-17). This reflects Job's distorted perception: believing God hostile rather than pedagogical.
He counteth me for his enemy (יַחְשְׁבֵנִי לְאוֹיֵב לוֹ, yachsheveni le-oyev lo)—חָשַׁב (chashav, 'counteth/reckoneth') means to think, consider, or account. אוֹיֵב (oyev, 'enemy') describes active hostility, not mere opposition. Job had made this accusation explicitly (13:24, 19:11)—seeing God as adversary rather than sovereign Father. Elihu will refute this thoroughly: God disciplines those He loves (33:14-30), using suffering to prevent sin (33:17-18) and restore relationship (33:26-28). Job's error lay in interpreting divine discipline as divine enmity—a mistake believers still make when trials come.