Job 33 · Verse 14

Job 33:14

For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
Job 33:14, King James Version

Job 33:14 in other translations

BSBFor God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.
WEBFor God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
ASVFor God speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.
YLTFor once doth God speak, and twice, (He doth not behold it.)
DARBYFor God speaketh once, and twice, — and man perceiveth it not —
BBEFor God gives his word in one way, even in two, and man is not conscious of it:
WebsterFor God speaketh once, yes twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

What does Job 33:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. Translate, "Yet, man regardeth it not"; or rather, as Umbreit, "Yea, twice (He repeats the warning)--if man gives no heed" to the first warning. Elihu implies that God's reason for sending affliction is because, when God has communicated His will in various ways, man in prosperity has not heeded it; God therefore must try what affliction will effect (Joh 15:2; Psa 62:11; Is 28:10, 13).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 For God speaketh once - Though he will not be summoned to the bar of his creatures, nor condescend to detail the reasons of his conduct, which they could not comprehend, yet he so acts, in the main, that the operation of his hand and the designs of his counsel may sufficiently appear, provided men had their eyes open upon his ways, and their hearts open to receive his influence. Elihu, having made the general statement that God would not come to the bar of his creatures to give account of his conduct, shows the general means which he uses to bring men to an acquaintance with themselves and with him: he states these in the six following particulars, which may be collected from Job 33:15-24.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 33:14-18
God speaks to us by conscience, by providences, and by ministers; of all these Elihu discourses. There was not then, that we know of, any Divine revelation in writing, though now it is our principal guide. When God designs men's good, by the convictions and dictates of their own consciences, he opens the heart, as Lydia's, and opens the ears, so that conviction finds or forces its way in. The end and design of these admonitions are to keep men from sin, particularly the sin of pride. While sinners are pursuing evil purposes, and indulging their pride, their souls are hastening to destruction. That which turns men from sin, saves them from hell. What a mercy it is to be under the restraints of an awakened conscience!

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Job 33:14 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
בְאַחַ֥תve.'a.Chaton one [occasion]H259
יְדַבֶּר\־ye.da.ber-he speaksH1696
אֵ֑ל'ElGodH410
וּ֝בִשְׁתַּ֗יִםu.vish.Ta.yimand on two [occasions]H8147
לֹ֣אlo'notH3808
יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה\׃ye.shu.Re.nahanyone perceives itH7789

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 33:14

  • Proverbs 1:24

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

  • 2 Chronicles 33:10

    And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

  • Psalms 62:11

    God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

  • Job 33:29

    Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

  • John 3:19

    And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

  • Luke 24:25

    Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

  • Matthew 13:14

    And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

  • Isaiah 6:9

    And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

  • Proverbs 1:29

    For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

  • Mark 8:17-18

    And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

  • Job 40:5

    Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
God.
40:5; Ps 62:11
perceiveth.
2Ch 33:10; Pr 1:24,29; Isa 6:9; Mt 13:14; Mr 8:17,18; Lu 24:25
Joh 3:19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 33:13

    Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

  • Job 33:14

    For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

  • Job 33:15

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

Read all of Job 33

Job 33:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Sin embargo, en una ó en dos maneras habla Dios; mas el hombre no entiende.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car ✶Dieu parle une fois, et deux fois – et l’on n’y prend pas garde –
German
Elberfelder 1871		Doch in einer Weise redet Gott und in zweien, ohne daß man es beachtet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Semel loquitur Deus, et secundo idipsum non repetit.