Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword. New Living Translation He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death. English Standard Version he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. Berean Standard Bible to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword. King James Bible He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. New King James Version He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. New American Standard Bible He keeps his soul back from the pit, And his life from perishing by the spear. NASB 1995 He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. NASB 1977 He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. Legacy Standard Bible He holds back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over to death by a weapon. Amplified Bible He holds back his soul from the pit [of destruction], And his life from passing over into Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead). Christian Standard Bible God spares his soul from the Pit, his life from crossing the river of death. Holman Christian Standard Bible God spares his soul from the Pit, his life from crossing the river of death. American Standard Version He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. Contemporary English Version and to protect us from being swept away to the world of the dead. English Revised Version He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. GOD'S WORD® Translation He keeps their souls from the pit and their lives from crossing the River [of Death]. Good News Translation He will not let them be destroyed; he saves them from death itself. International Standard Version sparing his soul from the Pit and his life from violent death. NET Bible He spares a person's life from corruption, his very life from crossing over the river. New Heart English Bible He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. Webster's Bible Translation He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleto preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword. World English Bible He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe keeps back his soul from corruption, "" And his life from passing away by a dart. Young's Literal Translation He keepeth back his soul from corruption, And his life from passing away by a dart. Smith's Literal Translation He will keep back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing away by the spear. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleRescuing his soul from corruption : and his life from passing to the sword. Catholic Public Domain Version rescuing his soul from corruption and his life from passing away by the sword. New American Bible He holds his soul from the pit, his life from passing to the grave. New Revised Standard Version to spare their souls from the Pit, their lives from traversing the River. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe spares his soul from corruption, and his life from perdition. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He will save his soul from corruption and his life from destruction OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917That He may keep back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. Brenton Septuagint Translation He spares also his soul from death, and suffers him not to fall in war. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elihu Rebukes Job…17to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, 18to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword. 19A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,… Cross References Psalm 103:4 who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion, Psalm 56:13 For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. Psalm 116:8 For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. Proverbs 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. Isaiah 38:17 Surely 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. Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah Psalm 30:3 O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit. Psalm 86:13 For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. Psalm 40:2 He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. 2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, Colossians 1:13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath. Romans 7:24-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? / Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Treasury of Scripture He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. keepeth Acts 16:27-33 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled… Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 2 Peter 3:9,15 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance… perishing. Jump to Previous Corruption Dart Destruction Keepeth Keeps Life Passing Perishing Pit Preserve Sheol Soul Sword UnderworldJump to Next Corruption Dart Destruction Keepeth Keeps Life Passing Perishing Pit Preserve Sheol Soul Sword 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 greatness 14. God calls man to repentance by visions, by afflictions, and by his ministry 31. He incites Job to attention to preserve his soul from the Pit This phrase highlights God's intervention to save a person from spiritual and physical destruction. The "Pit" often symbolizes Sheol or the grave, a place of darkness and separation from God. In the context of Job, it reflects the belief that God actively works to prevent individuals from descending into ultimate ruin. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's desire to save and redeem, as seen in Psalm 103:4, where God "redeems your life from the pit." The concept of preservation from the Pit can also be seen as a type of Christ, who through His death and resurrection, offers salvation from eternal separation from God. and his life from perishing by the sword Persons / Places / Events 1. ElihuA young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a different perspective on Job's suffering. He emphasizes God's justice and mercy. 2. Job A righteous man who undergoes severe trials and suffering, questioning the reasons behind his afflictions. 3. The Pit Often understood as Sheol or the grave, representing death or destruction. 4. The Sword Symbolic of violence, judgment, or divine retribution. 5. God's Intervention The divine act of sparing a soul from death or destruction, highlighting God's mercy and sovereignty. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and MercyGod has the power to spare us from destruction, both physically and spiritually. His intervention is an act of mercy, reminding us of His control over life and death. The Reality of Divine Protection Believers can trust in God's protection from both seen and unseen dangers. This protection is not always from physical harm but can also be spiritual preservation. The Importance of Repentance and Obedience Elihu's message underscores the need for repentance and obedience to God. Turning away from sin can lead to divine protection and blessing. Understanding Suffering and Deliverance Suffering can be a means through which God teaches and refines us. Deliverance from suffering is a testament to God's faithfulness and love. The Role of Intercession Just as Elihu intercedes for Job, believers are called to intercede for others, praying for God's mercy and intervention in their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 33:18?2. How does Job 33:18 illustrate God's protection from "the Pit"? 3. What does Job 33:18 teach about God's intervention in human life? 4. How can Job 33:18 deepen our understanding of divine deliverance? 5. Which other scriptures highlight God's saving power from death or destruction? 6. How can we apply the message of Job 33:18 in daily spiritual battles? 7. How does Job 33:18 reflect God's protection over human life? 8. What does Job 33:18 reveal about the nature of divine intervention? 9. How does Job 33:18 challenge the belief in human autonomy? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 33? 11. In Job 36:5, how can God 'despise no one' if other scriptures depict His wrath and judgment against certain people? 12. Jeremiah 11:18-23: How do these threats on Jeremiah's life align with the idea of divine protection for those who follow God's will? 13. In Job 36:11-12, obedience supposedly leads to prosperity while disobedience brings destruction; how does this align with the real-world experiences of faithful people in hardship? 14. If God wants to protect His people, why does He allow the righteous to suffer at the hands of the wicked? What Does Job 33:18 Mean to preserve his soul• God actively intervenes to keep a person alive in body and spirit. Job’s suffering becomes a means through which the Lord “preserves” him rather than abandoning him (Job 33:29-30). • Psalm 16:10 assures, “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,” echoing the same divine intent. • This preservation is personal: Luke 19:10 declares that the Son of Man came “to seek and to save the lost,” underscoring God’s desire to rescue every individual soul. • Suffering, then, is not random punishment but a gracious alarm that keeps one from greater ruin (Job 36:15). from the Pit • “The Pit” points to the realm of death and separation from God (Psalm 30:3; Isaiah 38:17). • God’s purpose in warning dreams and physical pain (Job 33:14-17, 19) is to snatch a person away from ultimate destruction—much like Psalm 103:4 where He “redeems your life from the Pit.” • This deliverance displays God’s sovereign power over life and death, echoing 1 Samuel 2:6: “The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.” and his life • The verse shifts from “soul” to “life,” showing that God cares for both spiritual and physical well-being (Matthew 6:25-26). • Proverbs 3:1-2 links obedience with “long life and peace,” reinforcing that God’s commands protect everyday existence. • Job’s own testimony later reflects this dual care: “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25), uniting present life with eternal hope. from perishing by the sword • “The sword” represents violent, untimely death—often God’s judgment on persistent rebellion (Ezekiel 33:11; Romans 13:4). • God’s warning through Elihu is preventive: He would rather discipline than destroy (Hebrews 12:10-11). • Psalm 91:7 promises protection—“A thousand may fall at your side… but it will not come near you”—when one trusts in the Almighty. • Thus, even painful trials may serve as a shield against greater catastrophes. summary Job 33:18 reveals a loving God who interrupts a person’s path toward destruction, both spiritual (“the Pit”) and physical (“the sword”). Through suffering, warnings, and divine counsel, He preserves soul and life, demonstrating His commitment to rescue and restore rather than condemn. Verse 18. - He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. By these interpositions God may even save a man from utter ruin, when, but for them, he would have rushed upon it. He may cause a person -to give up designs or enterprises which would have brought him into danger, and perhaps led to his being slain with the sword.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew to preserveיַחְשֹׂ֣ךְ (yaḥ·śōḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2820: To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe his soul נַ֭פְשׁוֹ (nap̄·šōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion from מִנִּי־ (min·nî-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the Pit, שָׁ֑חַת (šā·ḥaṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7845: A pit, destruction and his life וְ֝חַיָּת֗וֹ (wə·ḥay·yā·ṯōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life from perishing מֵעֲבֹ֥ר (mê·‘ă·ḇōr) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on by the sword. בַּשָּֽׁלַח׃ (baš·šā·laḥ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7973: A missile of attack, spear, a shoot of growth, branch Links Job 33:18 NIVJob 33:18 NLT Job 33:18 ESV Job 33:18 NASB Job 33:18 KJV Job 33:18 BibleApps.com Job 33:18 Biblia Paralela Job 33:18 Chinese Bible Job 33:18 French Bible Job 33:18 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 33:18 He keeps back his soul (Jb) |
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