Job 33:5

5 If you are able, answer me; lay out your case before me and take a 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 come from a virtuous heart; my lips speak knowledge clearly.

4 God's spirit made me; the Almighty's breath enlivens me.

5 If you are able, answer me; lay out your case before me and take a stand.

6 Notice that I'm just like you to God; I also was pinched from clay.

7 Surely fear of me shouldn't scare you; my pressure on you shouldn't be heavy.

Footnotes

• [a] Heb lacks your case.