Job 33:20
Job 33:20 in Multiple Translations
so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food.
He has no desire for food, and his soul is turned away from delicate meat;
They have no desire to eat; they do not even want their favorite dishes.
So that his life causeth him to abhorre bread, and his soule daintie meate.
And his life hath nauseated bread, And his soul desirable food.
so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food.
Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.
The result is that we do not desire any food, not even very special food.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 33:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 33:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/זִֽהֲמַ֣תּ/וּ
חַיָּת֣/וֹ
לָ֑חֶם
וְ֝/נַפְשׁ֗/וֹ
מַאֲכַ֥ל
תַּאֲוָֽה
וְ/זִֽהֲמַ֣תּ/וּ
zâham
H2092
to loathe
Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3fs | Suff
חַיָּת֣/וֹ
chay
H2416
alive
N-fs | Suff
לָ֑חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
וְ֝/נַפְשׁ֗/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
soul
Conj | N-cs | Suff
מַאֲכַ֥ל
maʼăkâl
H3978
food
N-ms
תַּאֲוָֽה
taʼăvâh
H8378
desire
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 33:20
וְ/זִֽהֲמַ֣תּ/וּ
zâham
H2092
"to loathe"
Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3fs | Suff
To loathe means to feel strong dislike or disgust, often used to describe a negative reaction to something. It is translated as abhor in the Bible.
Definition: (Piel) to loathe, be foul, be loathsome
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: abhor. See also: Job 33:20.
חַיָּת֣/וֹ
chay
H2416
"alive"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
לָ֑חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
וְ֝/נַפְשׁ֗/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
Conj | N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
מַאֲכַ֥ל
maʼăkâl
H3978
"food"
N-ms
This word means food or something to eat, like fruit or meat, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis. It's about nourishment and survival.
Definition: food, fruit, meat
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 33:20; Psalms 44:12.
תַּאֲוָֽה
taʼăvâh
H8378
"desire"
N-fs
This word means desire or longing, and can refer to a positive or negative yearning. In the Bible, it is used to describe the desires of the heart, as seen in Psalm 38:9. It can also imply a delight or satisfaction.
Definition: 1) desire 1a) desire, wish, longings of one's heart 1a1) lust, appetite, covetousness (bad sense) 1b) thing desired, object of desire
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: dainty, desire, [idiom] exceedingly, [idiom] greedily, lust(ing), pleasant. See also H6914 (קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה). See also: Genesis 3:6; Psalms 106:14; Psalms 10:3.
Study Notes — Job 33:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 33:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 33:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 33:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 33:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 33:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 33:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 33:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 33:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 33:20
- Sermons on Job 33:20
Context — Elihu Rebukes Job
18to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.
19A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,
20so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.
21His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude. 22He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 107:17–18 | Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction. They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death. |
| 2 | Job 3:24 | I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water. |
| 3 | Genesis 3:6 | When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 3:19 | Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me. |
| 5 | Amos 5:11 | Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. |
Job 33:20 Summary
[This verse, Job 33:20, explains that when we are going through a hard time, we might even lose our appetite for the things we normally enjoy, like our favorite foods. This can be a difficult and painful experience, but it can also be a time when we turn to God and seek His comfort and guidance, as written in Psalm 34:17-18. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can find strength and hope, even in the midst of suffering, and remember that He is always with us, as promised in Matthew 28:20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of God allowing a person to detest their food?
This is a form of chastisement, as seen in Job 33:20, to help the person recognize their dependence on God and turn to Him, similar to what is written in Deuteronomy 8:3, where God humbled the Israelites by letting them go hungry.
Is it normal for a person to lose their appetite during times of suffering?
Yes, as seen in Job 33:20, it is common for people to lose their appetite during difficult times, and this can be a physical manifestation of their emotional and spiritual pain, as also described in Psalm 107:18.
Can a person's physical health affect their spiritual well-being?
Yes, as seen in this verse, a person's physical health can impact their spiritual well-being, and God often uses physical trials to draw people to Himself, as written in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
This verse demonstrates God's sovereignty over all aspects of a person's life, including their physical health and desires, as seen in Job 33:20, and is a reminder that God is in control, even in times of suffering, as written in Romans 11:36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has used difficult circumstances in my life to draw me closer to Him?
- How do I respond when I am faced with physical or emotional pain, and what can I learn from Job's experience?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even when I do not understand my circumstances?
- What are some practical ways that I can prioritize my spiritual well-being during times of physical or emotional struggle?
Gill's Exposition on Job 33:20
So that his life abhorreth bread,.... Through the force of pain he loses his appetite for food, and even a nausea of it takes place; he loathes it as the most abominable and filthy thing that can be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 33:20
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. Life - i:e., the appetite, which ordinarily sustains, "life" (Job 38:39, margin; see Psalms 107:18, "Their soul abhorreth all manner of
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 33:20
His life, i.e. his soul, as the next clause explains it; or his appetite, which is a sign and an act of life. Bread, i.e. common and necessary food. Dainty meat; such as others do, and he formerly did, much desire and prize.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 33:20
Job 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.Ver. 20. So that his life abhorreth bread] Which is the staff of man’ s life, and by the Latins called panis, of the Greek ðáí, as if it were all in all. This the sick man velut sordidum abominatur, abhorreth as some filthy thing, so the original word here signifieth; he nauseateth and cannot away with it, though made of the kidneys of wheat, as Moses phraseth it; he brooks it no better than if it were made of sawdust, or mixed with gravel, or made with man’ s dung, as that in Ezekiel. And his soul dainty meat] Heb. Meats of desire. Those dainties which he once sought so passionately, and fed upon so eagerly, he finds no more relish in than in the white of an egg or a dry chip; yea, they are no less horrid to him than rank poison. See a like description of a sick person, Psalms 107:18, which seemeth to be taken from hence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 33:20
Verse 20. His life abhorreth bread] These expressions strongly and naturally point out that general nausea, or loathing which sick persons feel in almost every species of disorder.
Cambridge Bible on Job 33:20
20. his life] Or, desire (appetite, ch. Job 38:39). The words mean lit. his desire maketh him abhor.
Barnes' Notes on Job 33:20
So that his life abhorreth bread - It is a common effect of sickness to take away the appetite. Elihu here regards it as a part of the wholesome discipline of the sufferer. He has no relish for the comforts of life.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 33:20
20. His life abhorreth bread — A marked feature of the elephantiasis, to which Elihu alludes — the life, hhayyah, and the soul, nephesh, loathe that which is palatable in a condition of health.
Sermons on Job 33:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Loving Jesus by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of loving Jesus wholeheartedly. He urges believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all earthly possessions |
|
The Blessing of Affliction by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal anecdote about a man named Brother Harry who initially struggled with his preaching. However, after surrendering to God, his life tur |
|
He Sent His Word and Healed Them by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God's word to enlighten and transform our understanding. She shares a personal experience of suddenly realizing the truth and w |
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Suffering for the Sake of the Body - Lesson 4 by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the purpose of suffering for Christians. He emphasizes that suffering is not just a preceding event, but it produces a weight of glory. One of |
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Christian Life - a Battleground, the (Satan's Tactics) by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the strategy of Satan and how to defeat him. He outlines four basic tactics that Satan uses and emphasizes the importance of understanding the |
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Man as You Are by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing man in his innocence and perfection, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. However, the focus of the sermon shifts to man as he is, hig |
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(Hebrews - Part 26): Christ Offered Himself by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and believing in the concept of redemption. He explains that all three persons of the Trinity - the Father, |