Job 33:27
He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
Original Language Analysis
יָשֹׁ֤ר׀
He looketh
H7789
יָשֹׁ֤ר׀
He looketh
Strong's:
H7789
Word #:
1 of 10
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲנָשִׁ֗ים
upon men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֗ים
upon men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
חָ֭טָאתִי
I have sinned
H2398
חָ֭טָאתִי
I have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Romans 6:21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.2 Samuel 12:13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.Psalms 14:2The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Historical Context
Confession and repentance were central to Israelite covenant relationship with God. The temple sacrificial system required confession accompanying offerings (Leviticus 5:5). Elihu's description reflects this covenantal theology. However, his implication that Job needs to make such confession misreads Job's situation—Job's suffering isn't punishment requiring repentance but testing requiring patience.
Questions for Reflection
- What are the essential components of genuine biblical repentance?
- How does recognizing sin's unprofitability motivate turning from it?
- What is the difference between repentance that God requires and the false repentance Job's friends demand?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Elihu describes the repentant sinner's confession: "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not." The verb chata (חָטָא, "sinned") means to miss the mark. The verb avah (עָוָה, "perverted") means to bend or distort. The final phrase "it profited me not" (lo-shavah li, לֹא־שָׁוָה לִי) acknowledges sin's ultimate futility. Elihu outlines the components of genuine repentance:
From a Reformed perspective, this maps onto the doctrine of repentance requiring both confession and forsaking sin (Proverbs 28:13). The phrase "it profited me not" echoes Jesus' question: "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). True repentance recognizes sin's false promises and empty returns.