Job 33:5

5 Answer me if you can. Prepare your arguments.

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 All my words are sincere, and I am speaking the truth.

4 God's spirit made me and gave me life.

5 Answer me if you can. Prepare your arguments.

6 You and I are the same in God's sight, both of us were formed from clay.

7 So you have no reason to fear me; I will not overpower you.