Die Funktion des מַלְאָךְ in Hiob 33,23–24

Abstract

The function of מַלְאָךְ in Job 33:23–24. In his first speech in the Book of Job (Job 32:6b–33:33), Elihu addresses, among other things, the God-ordained upbringing of human beings (33:14–30). In addition to dreams and visions (33:15–18), persistent pain can also educate people (33:19–22). In describing this education, Elihu surprisingly mentions a מַלְאָךְ [messenger, angel] who appears and mediates between God and the person who is suffering (33:23–24). As this passage presents some difficulties on text-critical, grammatical, and semantic levels, the role of the מַלְאָךְ has been interpreted differently by commentators to date. This article deals with the question of what function the מַלְאָךְ takes on in Job 33:23–24. The aim is to offer a coherent solution to the textual difficulties and to define the role of the מַלְאָךְ in the educational process. Acknowledging that various possibilities can lead to different interpretations, the article presented here is that in this passage, an angel mediates between God and humans by instructing them about a godly way of life and interceding for them before God, so that they can be saved from imminent death.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article examines an aspect of the Book of Job that has received relatively little attention in Old Testament research. It thus contributes to the discussion about the significance of Elihu’s speeches in the book.