Job 33:21

21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out.

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 "Man is also chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones;

20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite dainty food.

21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out.

22 His soul draws near the Pit, and his life to those who bring death.

23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him;