Bible Strands
Job 33:23
Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Elihu speaks to Job at a moment when Job’s life has drawn near the Pit, presenting a conditional scenario of possible rescue.
The words — מֵלִ֗יץ (me.Litz) means “mediator” or “intercessor,” and מַלְאָ֗ךְ (mal.'Akh) denotes “messenger” or “angel.”
The thread — A divine messenger preparing the way appears in Malachi 3:1, while appointed human advocates making God’s appeal are described in 2 Corinthians 5:20. The phrase “one in a thousand” parallels Ecclesiastes 7:28, which records finding a single upright person among many.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that restoration requires an appointed mediator to declare the correct course, rather than relying on human reasoning or merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
Cross-references
- Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- Ecclesiastes 7:28 While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
- Haggai 1:13 Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
- Malachi 2:7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
- Job 36:3 I get my knowledge from afar, and I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
- Job 36:8 And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction,
- Job 37:23 The Almighty is beyond our reach; He is exalted in power! In His justice and great righteousness He does not oppress.
- Psalms 94:12 Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,
- Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.