Job 33:19-22 | JFB | STEP | 19. When man does not heed warnings of the night, he is chastened, &c. The new thought suggested by Elihu is that affliction is disciplinary ( ); for the good of the godly. multitude-- so the Margin, Hebrew (Keri). Better with the text (Chetib), "And with the perpetual (strong) contest of his bones"; the never-resting fever in his bones ( ) [Umbreit].

‏ Job 33:19-22

19. When man does not heed warnings of the night, he is chastened, &c. The new thought suggested by Elihu is that affliction is disciplinary (Job 36:10); for the good of the godly.

multitude--so the Margin, Hebrew (Keri). Better with the text (Chetib), "And with the perpetual (strong) contest of his bones"; the never-resting fever in his bones (Psa 38:3) [Umbreit].

20. life--that is, the appetite, which ordinarily sustains "life" (Job 38:39; Psa 107:18; Ec 12:5). The taking away of desire for food by sickness symbolizes the removal by affliction of lust, for things which foster the spiritual fever of pride.

soul--desire.

21. His flesh once prominent "can no more be seen." His bones once not seen now appear prominent.

stick out--literally, "are bare." The Margin, Hebrew (Keri) reading. The text (Chetib) reads it a noun "(are become) bareness." The Keri was no doubt an explanatory reading of transcribers.

22. destroyers--angels of death commissioned by God to end man's life (2Sa 24:16; Psa 78:49). The death pains personified may, however, be meant; so "gnawers" (see on Job 30:17).