New International VersionThey draw near to the pit, and their life to the messengers of death.
New Living TranslationThey are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them.
English Standard VersionHis soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.
Berean Standard BibleHe draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.
King James BibleYea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
New King James VersionYes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners.
New American Standard Bible“Then his soul comes near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death.
NASB 1995“Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death.
NASB 1977 “Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death.
Legacy Standard Bible Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death.
Amplified Bible“Then his soul draws near to the pit [of destruction], And his life to those who bring death (the destroyers).
Christian Standard BibleHe draws near to the Pit, and his life to the executioners.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe draws near to the Pit, and his life to the executioners.
American Standard VersionYea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers.
Contemporary English VersionWe feel death and the grave taking us in their grip.
English Revised VersionYea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationTheir souls approach the pit. Their lives come close to those already dead.
Good News Translationthey are about to go to the world of the dead.
International Standard VersionHis soul is getting close to the Pit; his life is approaching its executioner."
NET BibleHe draws near to the place of corruption, and his life to the messengers of death.
New Heart English BibleYes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
Webster's Bible TranslationYes, his soul draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.
World English BibleYes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd his soul draws near to the pit, "" And his life to those causing death.
Young's Literal Translation And draw near to the pit doth his soul, And his life to those causing death.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd his soul will draw near to the pit, and his life to the dead. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHis soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.
Catholic Public Domain VersionHis soul has approached corruption, and his life has drawn near to what is deadly.
New American BibleHis soul draws near to the pit, his life to the place of the dead.
New Revised Standard VersionTheir souls draw near the Pit, and their lives to those who bring death. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYea, his soul draws near to corruption, and his life to death.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd his soul will come near to destruction and his life to death OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationHis soul also draws nigh to death, and his life is in Hades.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Elihu Rebukes Job… 21His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude. 22He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death. 23Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,…
Cross References Psalm 107:18They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death.
Psalm 88:3-5For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. / I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care.
Psalm 49:14-15Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. / But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah
Psalm 116:3The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
Isaiah 38:17Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
Isaiah 38:10I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.”
Isaiah 38:18For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
Jonah 2:6To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!
Proverbs 15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
Ezekiel 18:27-28But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. / Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.
Matthew 7:13-14Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Luke 16:22-23One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.
John 5:24Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
John 11:25-26Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Job 7:7
O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. Job 17:1,13-16
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me… 1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. his life Job 15:21
A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. Exodus 12:23
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 2 Samuel 24:16
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. Jump to Previous Angels Causing Death Destroyers Draw Draweth Draws Grave Life Messengers Pit Soul UnderworldJump to Next Angels Causing Death Destroyers Draw Draweth Draws Grave Life Messengers Pit Soul UnderworldJob 33 1. Elihu offers himself instead of God to reason with Job8. He excuses God from giving man an account of his ways, by his greatness14. God calls man to repentance by visions, by afflictions, and by his ministry31. He incites Job to attentionHe draws near to the PitThis phrase refers to the grave or Sheol, a common term in the Old Testament for the place of the dead. In the context of Job, it signifies the proximity to death and the despair that accompanies it. The Pit is often depicted as a place of darkness and separation from the living, emphasizing the severity of Job's suffering. In biblical literature, the Pit can also symbolize spiritual desolation and the consequences of sin, as seen in Psalm 88:4-6. The imagery of the Pit underscores the human condition and the inevitability of death, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of Job. and his life to the messengers of death
The "messengers of death" can be understood as agents or forces that bring about death, possibly referring to disease, calamity, or divine judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, death was often personified, and its messengers could be seen as supernatural beings or circumstances that lead to one's demise. This phrase highlights the vulnerability of human life and the ever-present reality of mortality. It also reflects the belief in divine sovereignty over life and death, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:39, where God declares His control over both. Theologically, this can be connected to the New Testament understanding of Christ's victory over death, as in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, where death is ultimately defeated through Jesus' resurrection. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. 2. ElihuA young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a different perspective on Job's suffering. He is the speaker in Job 33. 3. The PitA metaphorical term often used in the Old Testament to describe Sheol or the grave, representing death or a place of despair. 4. Messengers of DeathSymbolic figures representing the approach of death or the forces that bring about the end of life. Teaching Points The Reality of MortalityRecognize that life is fragile and that death is a reality for all. This awareness should lead us to live with purpose and urgency in our faith. God's Sovereignty in SufferingUnderstand that God is sovereign over life and death. Even when we draw near to the "Pit," God is in control and has a purpose for our trials. Hope Beyond DespairWhile the imagery of the Pit is bleak, believers have hope in Christ, who conquered death. This hope should encourage us in times of despair. The Role of IntercessionJust as Elihu intercedes with his words, we are called to intercede for others in prayer, especially those facing life-threatening situations. The Importance of RepentanceElihu's discourse emphasizes repentance and turning back to God. In our own lives, we should regularly examine our hearts and seek God's forgiveness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 33:22?
2. How does Job 33:22 illustrate the urgency of seeking God's deliverance?
3. What role does an "angel" or "mediator" play in Job 33:22?
4. How can Job 33:22 deepen our understanding of God's mercy and grace?
5. What New Testament connections can be made with Job 33:22's themes?
6. How can we apply the message of Job 33:22 in our daily lives?
7. What does Job 33:22 reveal about the nature of life and death?
8. How does Job 33:22 fit into the overall message of the Book of Job?
9. What theological implications does Job 33:22 have on the concept of salvation?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 33?
11. What is the order of the Bible's books?
12. How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?
13. In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering?
14. Job 1:18-19 - Why would God permit the deaths of Job's children if they were not the ones being tested?What Does Job 33:22 Mean He draws near to the PitJob 33:22 opens with the sobering picture of a man whose very existence is slipping toward “the Pit.” Elihu is describing someone who has been brought low through suffering (vv. 19-21). • The “Pit” is Scripture’s common term for the grave or Sheol—see Job 17:16, Psalm 88:3-4, and Jonah 2:6. • The movement “near” the Pit underscores how close death can come when God allows affliction. Psalm 30:3 celebrates God bringing David “up from Sheol,” proving this nearness is not irreversible. • The literal reality of death is also a spiritual warning. Romans 6:23 reminds us that “the wages of sin is death,” while Hebrews 9:27 declares that “people are appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” • Yet God’s hand is still visible. Psalm 49:15 promises, “God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol.” Elihu is setting up the hope that follows in verses 23-30.
and his life to the messengers of deathThe second clause sharpens the crisis: not only is this man close to the grave, but “his life” is being handed over to death’s agents. • “Messengers of death” can be understood as any means God may employ—disease, disaster, even angelic executioners (2 Samuel 24:16; 2 Kings 19:35; Psalm 78:49). Revelation 6:8 pictures Death riding with authority over a quarter of the earth, showing these messengers are real, not merely poetic. • For the believer, the truth is twofold: ‑ Death is an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). ‑ Death is also under God’s command (Deuteronomy 32:39; Revelation 1:18). • Elihu’s larger argument (Job 33:14-30) is that God uses extreme measures to rescue a person from pride and eternal ruin. Hebrews 12:6 echoes this: “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” • Verses 23-24 immediately introduce a “mediator” who pleads for the dying man—foreshadowing Christ, the one Mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). In Jesus, every messenger of death meets the stronger Messenger of life (John 11:25-26).
summaryJob 33:22 paints the darkest moment a person can face: life tottering on the edge of the grave and delivered into death’s hands. Elihu’s vivid language reminds us that God allows such nearness to awaken sinners, humble saints, and magnify the coming Mediator. The Pit is real, the messengers of death are real, yet the Lord who holds the keys of death and Hades is more real still. Those who heed His voice find that the place of greatest peril becomes the doorway to deliverance and renewed life. Verse 22. - Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. "The destroyers" are probably the angels to whom the task is assigned of ultimately inflicting death, if minor chastisements prove insufficient (comp. 2 Samuel 24:16, 17; Psalm 78:49, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Heנַפְשׁ֑וֹ (nap̄·šōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion draws nearוַתִּקְרַ֣ב (wat·tiq·raḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approachto the Pit,לַשַּׁ֣חַת (laš·ša·ḥaṯ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7845: A pit, destructionand his lifeוְ֝חַיָּת֗וֹ (wə·ḥay·yā·ṯōw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, lifeto the messengers of death.לַֽמְמִתִֽים׃ (lam·mi·ṯîm)Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill
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OT Poetry: Job 33:22 Yes his soul draws near to (Jb) |
