Job 33:30
To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Original Language Analysis
לְהָשִׁ֣יב
To bring back
H7725
לְהָשִׁ֣יב
To bring back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 7
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נַ֭פְשׁוֹ
his soul
H5315
נַ֭פְשׁוֹ
his soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִנִּי
H4480
מִנִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
שָׁ֑חַת
from the pit
H7845
שָׁ֑חַת
from the pit
Strong's:
H7845
Word #:
4 of 7
a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction
לֵ֝א֗וֹר
to be enlightened
H215
לֵ֝א֗וֹר
to be enlightened
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
5 of 7
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
Cross References
Psalms 56:13For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?Isaiah 38:17Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.Job 33:28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.Isaiah 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Job 33:24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Historical Context
Light/darkness dualism was prominent in ancient Near Eastern thought, but biblical usage is unique. Light isn't merely natural vs. supernatural but represents God's presence, life, truth (Psalm 27:1, 119:105). The Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls) developed elaborate light/darkness theology. NT writers, especially John (John 1:4-9, 1 John 1:5-7), build on OT foundations, presenting Christ as ultimate Light conquering darkness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does conversion involve being brought from the pit to the light?
- What does it mean practically to live "enlightened with the light of the living"?
- How does God's work of restoration demonstrate sovereign grace?
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Analysis & Commentary
To bring back his soul from the pit (לְהָשִׁיב נַפְשׁוֹ מִנִּי־שָׁחַת, lehashiv naphsho minni-shachat)—The verb shuv (שׁוּב, in Hiphil "to bring back, restore") is key conversion/repentance language throughout Scripture. The causative stem indicates God actively restores. This echoes Psalm 23:3: "He restoreth my soul." The phrase to be enlightened with the light of the living (לֵאוֹר בְּאוֹר הַחַיִּים, le'or be'or hachayyim) uses double light imagery. The "light of the living" contrasts with death's darkness (Psalm 56:13, Job 33:28). To be enlightened is to experience restoration to full life and divine favor.
This restoration language anticipates NT conversion theology: being "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). John 8:12 declares Christ "the light of the world"—those following Him "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Elihu's vision of God restoring souls from the pit finds ultimate fulfillment in regeneration (Titus 3:5) and final resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).