Job 33:26
He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Original Language Analysis
יֶעְתַּ֤ר
He shall pray
H6279
יֶעְתַּ֤ר
He shall pray
Strong's:
H6279
Word #:
1 of 10
to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)
וַיִּרְצֵ֗הוּ
and he will be favourable
H7521
וַיִּרְצֵ֗הוּ
and he will be favourable
Strong's:
H7521
Word #:
4 of 10
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
וַיַּ֣רְא
unto him and he shall see
H7200
וַיַּ֣רְא
unto him and he shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
פָּ֭נָיו
his face
H6440
פָּ֭נָיו
his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה
with joy
H8643
בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה
with joy
Strong's:
H8643
Word #:
7 of 10
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
וַיָּ֥שֶׁב
for he will render
H7725
וַיָּ֥שֶׁב
for he will render
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 10
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Psalms 30:5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.Acts 2:28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.Acts 9:11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,Isaiah 30:19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.Hebrews 11:26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.Jude 1:24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,Psalms 67:1God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Proverbs 24:12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, seeing God's face represented covenant favor and access to worship. The temple cultus centered on seeking God's face (Psalm 24:6, 27:8). To be turned away from God's presence meant judgment (Deuteronomy 31:17). Elihu describes full covenant restoration where barriers erected by sin and suffering are removed through divine ransom and righteousness. This anticipates New Covenant access through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does restored prayer access after suffering demonstrate that the trial's purpose was reconciliation, not rejection?
- What does it mean to 'see God's face with joy,' and how does Christ make this possible (2 Corinthians 3:18)?
- How does God 'rendering righteousness' to humanity point to the doctrine of justification by faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him (ya'tar 'el-'ĕlôah wayirṣēhû, יַעְתַּר אֶל־אֱלוֹהַּ וַיִּרְצֵהוּ)—The verb 'ātar means to pray, entreat, or make supplication. God's response is rāṣāh (to be pleased with, accept favorably, show grace). This depicts restored relationship after suffering's discipline. Prayer, silenced by suffering's intensity, resumes with confidence of divine acceptance. The name 'Ĕlôah (singular form of Elohim) emphasizes God's power and majesty, yet He graciously receives human entreaty.
And he shall see his face with joy (wěyar' pānāyw biṯrû'āh, וְיַרְא פָּנָיו בִּתְרוּעָה)—To see God's face (pānîm) means experiencing His favorable presence, not literal vision (Exodus 33:20). The phrase echoes priestly benediction: 'The LORD make his face shine upon thee' (Numbers 6:25). Těrû'āh is a shout of joy, triumph, or loud acclaim—the worship cry of Israel. Restored relationship produces jubilant worship.
For he will render unto man his righteousness (wayyāšeḇ lě'ĕnôš ṣidqāṯô, וַיָּשֶׁב לֶאֱנוֹשׁ צִדְקָתוֹ)—God 'returns' (šûḇ) righteousness (ṣědāqāh) to humanity. This could mean restoring the person's righteous standing or crediting righteousness to them. Either reading anticipates Pauline justification: God credits righteousness to those who believe (Romans 4:5-6). Elihu's theology foreshadows the gospel—ransom paid (v.24), righteousness restored (v.26), relationship renewed.