Job 33:5

5 If you are able, give me an answer; put your cause in order, and come forward.

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 heart is overflowing with knowledge, my lips say what is true.

4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Ruler of all gives me life.

5 If you are able, give me an answer; put your cause in order, and come forward.

6 See, I am the same as you are in the eyes of God; I was cut off from the same bit of wet earth.

7 Fear of me will not overcome you, and my hand will not be hard on you.