Job 33:17

17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, And hide pride from man;

Job 33:17 Meaning and Commentary

Job 33:17

That he may withdraw a man [from his] purpose
Or "work" {m}, his wicked work, as the Targum; either which he has begun upon, or which he designed to do. Thus Abimelech and Laban were restrained from their intentions by a divine admonition in a dream, the one from taking Abraham's wife, as he intended, and the other from doing harm to Jacob, which he designed:

and hide pride from man;
by pardoning his sins, in which there is always pride, so some; pardon of sin being expressed by covering it, ( Psalms 32:1 ) ; or rather by repressing, weakening, and preventing it; and that by not suffering vain and proud men to perform their enterprises, but obliging them to submit to the will of God, and humble themselves under his mighty hand. These are the ends proposed, and which are effected through the Lord speaking to men in dreams, opening their ears, and sending instructions to them; and others also for their good follow.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (hvem) "opere", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus

Job 33:17 In-Context

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed;

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction,

17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, And hide pride from man;

18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones;