Behold, I will open my mouth;
This phrase signifies the speaker's intention to communicate something important and demands the listener's attention. In biblical context, the act of opening one's mouth often precedes a significant declaration or prophecy (e.g., Ezekiel 3:27). It implies readiness and authority to speak. The speaker, Elihu, is preparing to offer his perspective on Job's suffering, suggesting that he believes he has divine insight or wisdom to share. This mirrors the prophetic tradition where God's messengers often begin with a call to attention.

my address is on the tip of my tongue.
This expression indicates that the speaker is eager and prepared to speak. It suggests immediacy and the readiness to deliver a message that has been carefully considered. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, eloquence and the ability to speak wisely were highly valued traits. The phrase also implies that the speaker has been contemplating his words, suggesting a thoughtful and deliberate approach. This can be connected to Proverbs 16:1, which speaks of the preparation of the heart and the answer of the tongue being from the Lord, indicating divine guidance in speech.

1. Elihu
A young man who speaks to Job and his friends. He is not one of the three friends who initially came to comfort Job but is introduced later in the account. Elihu claims to speak on behalf of God and offers a different perspective on Job's suffering.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, a man who experiences immense suffering and seeks to understand the reasons behind it. Job is known for his patience and faithfulness despite his trials.

3. Job's Friends
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the initial speakers who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, which Elihu challenges.

4. The Setting
The dialogue takes place in the land of Uz, where Job resides. The setting is a place of discourse and debate about the nature of suffering and divine justice.

5. The Event
Elihu's speech marks a turning point in the dialogue, as he introduces a new perspective on Job's situation, emphasizing God's justice and the need for humility.The Responsibility of Speech
Our words carry weight and can influence others significantly. Like Elihu, we must be mindful of the impact our words can have, especially when discussing matters of faith and suffering.

The Importance of Humility
Elihu's confidence in his own understanding serves as a cautionary tale. We should approach discussions about God's will and human suffering with humility, recognizing our limited understanding.

Listening Before Speaking
Elihu's eagerness to speak reminds us of the biblical principle to listen more than we speak. In conversations about faith, it is crucial to understand others' perspectives before offering our own.

Seeking Divine Wisdom
While Elihu claims to speak for God, his words remind us of the need to seek divine wisdom through prayer and scripture, rather than relying solely on our own insights.

The Role of Youth in Wisdom
Elihu's role as a young speaker highlights that wisdom is not confined to age. Young believers can offer valuable insights, but they must also be guided by humility and reverence for God.1. What is the meaning of Job 33:2?

2. How does Job 33:2 encourage us to speak truthfully and boldly for God?

3. What can we learn about God's communication through Elihu's readiness to speak?

4. How does Job 33:2 relate to Proverbs 15:28 on speaking wisely?

5. In what ways can we prepare our hearts to speak God's truth today?

6. How can Job 33:2 inspire us to be courageous in sharing our faith?

7. What is the significance of Job 33:2 in understanding divine communication?

8. How does Job 33:2 reflect on the nature of human suffering?

9. What does Job 33:2 reveal about God's justice?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 33?

11. Job 40:1-5: What historical or archaeological evidence supports such a direct, extended conversation between God and a single individual like Job?

12. How can Bildad's claim that God never rejects the blameless (Job 8:20-22) be reconciled with instances of innocent suffering in Scripture?

13. If Job 3:8 references creatures like Leviathan, is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting such a being?

14. What does 'We shall see Him as He is' mean?Behold,

• Elihu’s first word signals urgency and respect. He wants Job to stop and take notice—much like Isaiah 51:4, “Pay attention to Me, O My people,” or Proverbs 8:6, “Listen, for I will speak noble things.”

• Throughout Scripture “behold” marks a moment when God is about to reveal something weighty (Genesis 15:5; Luke 1:31). Elihu believes the counsel he brings is not casual opinion but truth that deserves full attention.

• For believers today, the call is identical: pause, quiet the inner noise, and ready the heart for instruction (Psalm 46:10; James 1:19).

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I will open my mouth;

• Elihu moves from pleading for attention to the deliberate act of speaking. Opening the mouth is a purposeful, almost covenantal step—like Psalm 78:2, “I will open my mouth in a parable,” or Matthew 5:2, “And He opened His mouth and taught them.”

• Scripture treats speech as weighty stewardship (Proverbs 18:21; Ephesians 4:29). By announcing “I will open my mouth,” Elihu accepts accountability for every word.

• For us, it is a reminder that words reveal the heart (Luke 6:45) and must be saturated with truth and grace (Colossians 4:6). Before speaking, we choose whether our mouths will build up or tear down (Proverbs 12:18).

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my address is on the tip of my tongue.

• Elihu’s message is ready—pressing against his lips, eager to be released. Job 32:18-20 already unveiled this inner pressure: “the spirit within me compels me.”

• Similar urgency fills Jeremiah 20:9, where God’s word becomes “a burning fire shut up in my bones,” and Psalm 39:3, “my heart grew hot within me… then I spoke.”

• The phrase underscores sincerity. Elihu is not groping for words; he believes God has given him something timely and necessary. Paul felt the same compulsion in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ compels us.”

• Practical takeaway: when God’s truth grips our hearts, we should be quick yet careful to share it (Acts 8:35). Hesitation can dull conviction; reckless blurting can wound. Spirit-guided readiness anchors both zeal and wisdom (Proverbs 15:23; 1 Peter 3:15).

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summary

Job 33:2 captures Elihu’s earnest resolve: “Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue”. He calls for attentive listening, accepts the responsibility of measured speech, and testifies that his message is burning to be spoken. The verse challenges believers to treat every word as sacred, to let urgency be governed by integrity, and to speak only after hearts and mouths are yielded to God’s truth.

Verse 2. - Behold, now I have opened my mouth. (On the solemnity of the phrase, "opened my mouth," see the comment upon Job 3:1.) My tongue hath spoken in my mouth; literally, in my palate (comp. Job 6:30). Each word has been, as it were, tasted; that is, seriously considered and examined beforehand. My remarks will not be crude, extempore remarks; so may they be the better worth attending to.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Behold
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

now,
נָ֭א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

I will open
פָּתַ֣חְתִּי (pā·ṯaḥ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

my mouth;
פִ֑י (p̄î)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

what I speak
דִּבְּרָ֖ה (dib·bə·rāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

is on the tip
בְחִכִּֽי׃ (ḇə·ḥik·kî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2441: Palate, roof of the mouth, gums

of my tongue.
לְשׁוֹנִ֣י (lə·šō·w·nî)
Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue


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OT Poetry: Job 33:2 See now I have opened my mouth (Jb)