In a dream, in a vision of the night (בַּחֲלוֹם חֶזְיוֹן לַיְלָה, ba-chalom chezyon laylah)—Elihu begins explaining how God does communicate, refuting Job's claim that God remains silent (33:14). חֲלוֹם (chalom, 'dream') and חֶזְיוֹן (chezyon, 'vision') are paralleled, suggesting nocturnal divine revelation. Throughout Scripture, God spoke through dreams to believers and unbelievers alike—Jacob (Genesis 28:12), Joseph (Genesis 37:5-10), Pharaoh's officials (Genesis 40), Pharaoh (Genesis 41), Solomon (1 Kings 3:5), Daniel (Daniel 7:1), and Joseph husband of Mary (Matthew 1:20).
When deep sleep falleth upon men (בִּנְפֹל תַּרְדֵּמָה עַל־אֲנָשִׁים, binpol tardemah al-anashim)—תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardemah, 'deep sleep') describes supernatural sleep God induces. The same word appears when God put Adam to sleep (Genesis 2:21), when Abram received the covenant (Genesis 15:12), and when Saul's guards slept while David took Saul's spear (1 Samuel 26:12). This isn't ordinary slumber but divinely imposed unconsciousness that enables revelation.
In slumberings upon the bed (בִּתְנוּמוֹת עֲלֵי מִשְׁכָּב, bitnumot alei mishkav)—תְּנוּמָה (tenumah, 'slumbering') suggests lighter sleep or drowsiness. מִשְׁכָּב (mishkav, 'bed') indicates the normal place of rest. The verse describes the full spectrum of sleep states when God may speak—from deep supernatural sleep to ordinary nightly rest. Elihu's point: God actively communicates, but humans often miss it. This prepares verses 16-18 where God opens ears and seals instruction to turn people from sin.
Historical Context
Ancient cultures, including Israel, recognized dreams as potential divine communication (Numbers 12:6, Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Joel 2:28). However, Scripture distinguishes between true divine dreams and false ones from human imagination or demonic sources. Job had complained God remained distant and uncommunicative (23:8-9). Elihu corrects this: God speaks constantly through dreams, visions, suffering, and conscience—humans simply fail to perceive or heed His voice. This anticipates God's speech from the whirlwind, demonstrating He was never truly silent.
Questions for Reflection
How does God speak to believers today—through Scripture, circumstances, conscience, Christian counsel?
Why might we fail to recognize God's communication in our lives?
How do we test whether impressions or 'leadings' come from God or our own desires?
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Analysis & Commentary
In a dream, in a vision of the night (בַּחֲלוֹם חֶזְיוֹן לַיְלָה, ba-chalom chezyon laylah)—Elihu begins explaining how God does communicate, refuting Job's claim that God remains silent (33:14). חֲלוֹם (chalom, 'dream') and חֶזְיוֹן (chezyon, 'vision') are paralleled, suggesting nocturnal divine revelation. Throughout Scripture, God spoke through dreams to believers and unbelievers alike—Jacob (Genesis 28:12), Joseph (Genesis 37:5-10), Pharaoh's officials (Genesis 40), Pharaoh (Genesis 41), Solomon (1 Kings 3:5), Daniel (Daniel 7:1), and Joseph husband of Mary (Matthew 1:20).
When deep sleep falleth upon men (בִּנְפֹל תַּרְדֵּמָה עַל־אֲנָשִׁים, binpol tardemah al-anashim)—תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardemah, 'deep sleep') describes supernatural sleep God induces. The same word appears when God put Adam to sleep (Genesis 2:21), when Abram received the covenant (Genesis 15:12), and when Saul's guards slept while David took Saul's spear (1 Samuel 26:12). This isn't ordinary slumber but divinely imposed unconsciousness that enables revelation.
In slumberings upon the bed (בִּתְנוּמוֹת עֲלֵי מִשְׁכָּב, bitnumot alei mishkav)—תְּנוּמָה (tenumah, 'slumbering') suggests lighter sleep or drowsiness. מִשְׁכָּב (mishkav, 'bed') indicates the normal place of rest. The verse describes the full spectrum of sleep states when God may speak—from deep supernatural sleep to ordinary nightly rest. Elihu's point: God actively communicates, but humans often miss it. This prepares verses 16-18 where God opens ears and seals instruction to turn people from sin.