Job 33:21

21 until his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall shew his bones bare.

Job 33:21 Meaning and Commentary

Job 33:21

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen
All being gone, none left to be seen, nothing but skin and bones; and this partly through the vehemence of strong pain, and partly through the nausea of food; not being able to take anything for nourishment and the support of the fluids, and so quite emaciated:

and his bones [that] were not seen stick out:
which before were covered with flesh and fat, so that they could not be seen; but now the flesh and fat being wasted, they seem as if they rose up in an eminence, and stood out to be beheld; this was also Job's case, being reduced to a mere skeleton, ( Job 19:20 ) . Elihu, in this description of an afflicted man, seems to have Job chiefly in view, and by this would intimate to him that God had been, and was speaking to him by those afflictions, which he would do well to advert unto.

Job 33:21 In-Context

19 And again, he chastens him with sickness on his bed, and the multitude of his bones is benumbed.

20 And he shall not be able to take any food, though his soul shall desire meat;

21 until his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall shew his bones bare.

22 His soul also draws nigh to death, and his life is in Hades.

23 Though there should be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them shall wound him: if he should purpose in his heart to turn to the Lord, and declare to man his fault, and shew his folly;