Job 33:2

¹“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words. ²Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue. ³My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

Summary

In this verse, Elihu, one of Job's friends, asserts his intention to speak on God's behalf. He positions himself as a messenger of divine wisdom, claiming that his words will be spoken with sincerity and integrity. Elihu's desire is to offer insight and understanding to Job, emphasizing the importance of listening attentively to his words. This verse sets the stage for Elihu's discourse, where he seeks to bring clarity and perspective to the situation Job is facing, ultimately pointing towards God's sovereignty and wisdom.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Behold, now I have opened my mouth,.... Begun to speak in order to give vent to the fulness of matter within him, which made him, like bottles of new wine, ready to burst; and since he had opened his lips, that he might speak and be refreshed, he desires Job to listen to him, and offers same things to his consideration to induce him to it: my tongue hath spoken in my mouth: but does not every man's tongue speak in his mouth when he speaks? is there anything singular and peculiar in this, that can excite attention? it may be rendered, "in my palate" (d); which, as it is an instrument of speech, so of tasting and trying food, see Job 6:30; and Elihu's sense is, that he had thoroughly considered what he should say, he had well weighed what he should speak, and should not deliver anything raw, crude, and undigested; he had palated his words, in order to discern whether there was anything in them perverse or not. (d) "in palato meo", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Beza, Schultens; so Mr. Broughton.