Job 33:5

5 Answer me if you can. Present your case to me, and take your stand.

Job 33:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 33:5

If thou canst answer me
That is, when he had done speaking, after he had heard him out; if he thought he could make a reply to him, he gave him full liberty so to do, and tacitly suggests that he should give him an attentive and candid hearing, as he had requested of him:

set [thy words] in order before me;
put them into the best form and order thou canst for thy self-defence, and level them at me; set them, as it were, in battle array against me; give them all the poignancy, strength, and three thou art capable of:

stand up;
not out of veneration to him, but to denote freedom and boldness in himself; a presentation of himself with boldness, and standing and keeping his ground: the expressions are military; Mr. Broughton renders it, "stand to it".

Job 33:5 In-Context

3 My words are straight from the heart, and I sincerely speak the knowledge that is on my lips.
4 "God's Spirit has made me. The breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 Answer me if you can. Present your case to me, and take your stand.
6 Indeed, I stand in front of God as you do. I, too, was formed from a piece of clay.
7 You certainly don't need to be terrified of me. I won't put too much pressure on you.
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