Job 33:7

7 Don't be afraid of me; I will not be hard 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; get yourself ready and stand before me.

6 I am just like you before God; I too am made out of clay.

7 Don't be afraid of me; I will not be hard on you.

8 "But I heard what you have said; I heard every word.

9 You said, 'I am pure and without sin; I am innocent and free from guilt.