Job 33:16
Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Original Language Analysis
אָ֣ז
H227
יִ֭גְלֶה
Then he openeth
H1540
יִ֭גְלֶה
Then he openeth
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
2 of 6
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
אֹ֣זֶן
the ears
H241
אֹ֣זֶן
the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
3 of 6
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
אֲנָשִׁ֑ים
of men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֑ים
of men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
Cross References
Job 36:10He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.Job 36:15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.Psalms 40:6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.Isaiah 50:5The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.Isaiah 6:10Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.Acts 16:14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.Luke 24:45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,Isaiah 48:8Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.Nehemiah 9:38And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.Romans 15:28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions emphasized divine communication through dreams, omens, and signs. Elihu's appeal to dreams as revelation would resonate with cultural expectations. Biblical theology affirms God speaks through various means (Hebrews 1:1) but prioritizes direct verbal revelation, culminating in Christ as the Word made flesh. Elihu's categories are accurate but incomplete.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the doctrine of illumination shape our approach to Bible study and theological learning?
- What is the relationship between divine initiative in revelation and human responsibility to seek understanding?
- How has God's self-revelation progressed from Elihu's categories (dreams, suffering) to Christ as the ultimate Word?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Elihu describes how God communicates: "Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction." The verb galah (גָּלָה, "openeth") means to uncover or reveal. The verb chatam (חָתַם, "sealeth") means to seal or authenticate—God confirms His instruction with authority. The metaphor of opening ears appears throughout Scripture (Isaiah 50:5, Psalm 40:6). From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the doctrine of illumination—God must open our understanding to receive divine truth. Natural human faculties cannot grasp spiritual realities without supernatural enablement (1 Corinthians 2:14). Elihu correctly identifies that God takes initiative in revelation and provides authentication. Yet he oversimplifies how God speaks—focusing on dreams and suffering as primary means while Job has been crying out for direct encounter. This anticipates Job 38-41 where God indeed opens Job's ears through direct theophany.