Job 33:3

Analysis & Commentary

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart (יֹשֶׁר־לִבִּי אֲמָרַי, yosher-libbi amarai)—Elihu claims moral integrity for his speech. יֹשֶׁר (yosher, 'uprightness') derives from יָשָׁר (yashar, 'straight, right'), describing both moral rectitude and theological accuracy. Unlike the three friends whose arguments became increasingly bitter, Elihu's words flow from a heart aligned with divine truth. לֵב (lev, 'heart') in Hebrew encompasses mind, will, and emotions—the entire inner person.

My lips shall utter knowledge clearly (דַּעַת שְׂפָתַי בָּרוּר מִלֵּלוּ, da'at sefatai barur millelu)—דַּעַת (da'at, 'knowledge') means intimate understanding, not mere information (the same word in 'knowledge of God,' Hosea 6:6). בָּרוּר (barur, 'clearly') suggests purity and refinement, like metal purified from dross. מִלֵּל (millel, 'utter') means to speak distinctly. Elihu promises transparent, pure theology—no hidden agendas or distorted truth. This claim implicitly criticizes the friends' mixture of truth and error, while establishing Elihu's credibility before addressing Job's complaints.

Historical Context

The emphasis on 'knowledge' and 'uprightness' reflects wisdom literature's values (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). Job's friends claimed to speak truth but mixed it with false assumptions about retributive justice—that suffering always indicates sin. Elihu will introduce a more nuanced theology: God uses suffering for discipline and sanctification (33:14-30), not merely punishment. His claim to speak clearly anticipates the pedagogical clarity needed to correct Job's misunderstanding of divine justice.

Questions for Reflection

• How can we ensure our theology comes from Scripture rather than cultural assumptions or personal bias?
• What does it mean to speak 'clearly' about God—avoiding both oversimplification and needless obscurity?
• How do we balance confidence in biblical truth with humility about our own understanding?