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

JOB 33:21KJV
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Job 33:21 (KJV)

What does Job 33:21 mean?

Job 33:21 describes a person whose body has wasted away so severely from suffering that their flesh is gone and their bones, once hidden, now stick out visibly. The verse paints a vivid picture of extreme physical decline, showing just how deeply the person has been afflicted.

In this part of the book of Job, Elihu is speaking to Job and describing the effects of intense suffering on a human body. Elihu is explaining how severe pain and illness can strip a person down to skin and bones, emphasizing the seriousness of Job’s condition and the frailty of human life in the face of suffering.

The Hebrew behind Job 33:21

  • The word for "flesh" is בָּשָׂר (basar), often referring to the soft tissue of the body. Here, it highlights how much of the person's body has wasted away.
  • The word for "consumed away" is כָּלָה (kalah), which means to be used up or finished. This word shows the total exhaustion or disappearance of the flesh due to suffering.
  • The word for "bones" is עֶצֶם (etsem), which refers to the bones themselves. The verse draws attention to how the bones, usually unseen, are now prominent.
  • The word for "stick out" is שָׁפָה (shaphah), which can mean to be bare or exposed. This word underlines the shocking visibility of the bones after the flesh is gone.

Why Job 33:21 matters

  • This verse helps the reader understand the real, physical toll that suffering has taken on Job, moving beyond emotional or spiritual pain to the visible effects on his body.
  • Elihu’s description emphasizes the seriousness of Job’s situation and sets up his argument about human weakness and the need for God’s intervention.
  • The vivid imagery connects to the wider theme in Job of human vulnerability and the limits of human strength when faced with overwhelming hardship.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H8192 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

“seen” Hebrew H7210 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 16:13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
  • 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
  • Job 7:8 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

“out” Hebrew H8205 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
  • Jeremiah 3:2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
  • Jeremiah 7:29 Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

“bones” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 1 Kings 13:31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
  • Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.