Job 33:7

7 You certainly don't need to be terrified of me. I won't put too much pressure on you.

Job 33:7 Meaning and Commentary

Job 33:7

Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid
To come near, join issue in a debate, and speak freely; this Job had wished for, and desired of God that his fear might not terrify him, and his dread not make him afraid, and then he could talk and reason freely with him, ( Job 9:34 Job 9:35 ) ( Job 13:21 Job 13:22 ) ; now Job had nothing to fear from Elihu, he was a man and not God, with whom there was no terrible majesty, as with God; he was but a clod of clay, and had nothing in him or about him to strike terror into him; he was no great personage, as a king or prince, nor in any civil authority, nor had so much as age to command an awe, much less could inject dread and terror:

neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee;
which is not to be literally understood; Job could be in no fear of that, nor Elihu guilty of such rudeness; but figuratively, that he should not seek to afflict and distress him, or add to his affliction, and make it heavier, by hard words, severe reflections, and cruel reproaches; he seems to refer to ( Job 13:21 ) ; the Targum is,

``my burden upon time shall not be heavy;''

he promises not to aggravate things, but make them as easy as they would admit of.

Job 33:7 In-Context

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.

8 "But you spoke directly to me, and I listened to your words.

9 [You said,] 'I'm pure--without any rebellious acts [against God]. I'm clean; I have no sin.