Job 33:12

12 "But in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.

Job 33:12 Meaning and Commentary

Job 33:12

Behold, [in] this thou art not just
Here begins Elihu's answer, who does not deny that Job was a just man, both before God in an evangelic sense, and before men in a moral sense; he did not go about to detract from Job's general character, as a man that lived soberly, righteously, and godly in the world; but in this he was not just, nor is it to be justified, with respect to this thing, he could not acquit him of doing what was wrong; namely, insisting so much on his own innocence, and tacking therewith such unbecoming and undue reflections on the dealings of God with him; he did not give to God his due, he did not do him justice in representing him in this light; he did not say nor do the right thing, so Mr. Broughton translates the words,

``lo, here thou art not in the right;''

see ( Job 32:2 ) ;

I will answer thee;
or "I must tell thee"; as the same writer renders the words, being able to make it clear and plain:

that God is greater than man:
than any man, than the greatest of men, most famous for power, wisdom, or justice; he is not only greater in his power, faithfulness, goodness, grace, and mercy, but in his holiness and righteousness, wisdom and knowledge; and therefore can never do either an unjust thing, or an unwise one; and for man, who is both sinful and ignorant, even the best in comparison of him, to arraign him at his bar, is very arrogant and presumptuous; since he knows best what to do, and what are his reasons for so doing, and is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Job 33:12 In-Context

10 Look, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy;
11 he puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths.'
12 "But in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.
13 Why do you contend against him, saying, "He will answer none of my words'?
14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though people do not perceive it.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.