Job 33:21
New International Version
Their flesh wastes away to nothing, and their bones, once hidden, now stick out.

New Living Translation
Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out.

English Standard Version
His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.

Berean Standard Bible
His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.

King James Bible
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

New King James Version
His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out which once were not seen.

New American Standard Bible
“His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones, which were not seen, stick out.

NASB 1995
“His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out.

NASB 1977
“His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out.

Legacy Standard Bible
His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out.

Amplified Bible
“His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, And his bones which were not seen now stick out.

Christian Standard Bible
His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his unseen bones stick out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his unseen bones stick out.

American Standard Version
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out.

Contemporary English Version
and we become so skinny that our bones stick out.

English Revised Version
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their flesh becomes so thin that it can't be seen. Their bones, not seen before, will be exposed.

Good News Translation
Their bodies waste away to nothing; you can see all their bones;

International Standard Version
His flesh wastes away; his bones, which once couldn't be seen, are visible.

Majority Standard Bible
His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.

NET Bible
His flesh wastes away from sight, and his bones, which were not seen, are easily visible.

New Heart English Bible
His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

Webster's Bible Translation
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

World English Bible
His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
His flesh is consumed from being seen, "" And his bones are high, they were not seen!

Young's Literal Translation
His flesh is consumed from being seen, And high are his bones, they were not seen!

Smith's Literal Translation
His flesh will consume away from seeing, and they saw not the nakedness of his bones.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones that were covered shall be made bare.

Catholic Public Domain Version
His body will waste away, and his bones, which had been covered, will be revealed.

New American Bible
His flesh is wasted, it cannot be seen; bones, once invisible, appear;

New Revised Standard Version
Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and their bones, once invisible, now stick out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His flesh is wasted away because of his fear, so that a greater part of his bones can he seen.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He will consume his flesh from fear, and the multitude of his bones he will not see
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones corrode to unsightliness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
until his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall shew his bones bare.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Rebukes Job
20so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food. 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.…

Cross References
Psalm 107:18
They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death.

Isaiah 52:14
Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—

Lamentations 4:8-9
But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. / Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

Psalm 102:5
Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.

Isaiah 17:4
“In that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, and the fat of his body will waste away,

Psalm 22:17
I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.

Isaiah 24:16
From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.” But I said, “I am wasting away! I am wasting away! Woe is me.” The treacherous betray; the treacherous deal in treachery.

Psalm 38:7
For my loins are full of burning pain, and no soundness remains in my body.

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Proverbs 5:11
At the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are spent,

Matthew 4:2
After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2 Corinthians 11:27
in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure.


Treasury of Scripture

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

His flesh

Job 7:5
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

Job 13:28
And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

Job 14:20,22
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away…

his bones

Psalm 22:15-17
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death…

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Bones Consumed Flesh Hidden High Once Sight Stick View Wasted Wastes
Job 33
1. Elihu offers himself instead of God to reason with Job
8. 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














His flesh wastes away from sight
The phrase "His flesh wastes away from sight" speaks to the physical deterioration that Job is experiencing. In the Hebrew text, the word for "flesh" is "בָּשָׂר" (basar), which often refers to the physical body or the human condition. This imagery of wasting away is a vivid depiction of suffering and decay, emphasizing the frailty of human life. Historically, this reflects the ancient understanding of disease and suffering as visible signs of deeper spiritual or moral issues. In the context of Job, it underscores the severity of his trials and the visible manifestation of his internal anguish. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly life and the hope of restoration and renewal through faith.

and his hidden bones stick out
The phrase "and his hidden bones stick out" further illustrates the extent of Job's physical affliction. The Hebrew word for "bones" is "עֶצֶם" (etsem), which can symbolize strength and structure. The fact that these bones are "hidden" yet now "stick out" suggests a dramatic loss of flesh and health, revealing what is normally concealed. This imagery conveys the depth of Job's suffering, as his very framework is exposed due to his emaciation. In a broader scriptural context, bones often represent the essence of life and vitality, and their exposure here highlights the stripping away of Job's strength and dignity. From a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a poignant reminder of human vulnerability and the need for reliance on God's sustaining power, even in the face of profound suffering. It also points to the hope of eventual restoration, as God is ultimately the healer of both body and spirit.

Verse 21. - His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; literally, from the sight; but the Authorized Version gives probably the correct meaning. And his bones that were not seen stick out. These are general features of a wasting illness (comp. Psalm 22:17, "I may tell all my bones"). Such illness gives the sufferer time to review thoroughly his life and cow duct, and see to it "if there be any way of wickedness in him," or any particular form of sin to which he is tempted.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His flesh
בְּשָׂר֣וֹ (bə·śā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

wastes away
יִ֣כֶל (yi·ḵel)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

from sight,
מֵרֹ֑אִי (mê·rō·’î)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7210: Looking, seeing, sight

and his hidden
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

bones
עַ֝צְמוֹתָ֗יו (‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

protrude.
וְשֻׁפּ֥וּ (wə·šup·pū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8205: Bareness, a smooth or bare height


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OT Poetry: Job 33:21 His flesh is so consumed away that (Jb)
Job 33:20
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