Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 33

Therefore, Job, I ask you. —He begins by professing his sincerity and integrity; and with reference to Job’s expressed desire to find an umpire (Job 9:33), and one who would maintain his right with God (Job 16:21), he declares that he is ready to do so, and that he is, like Job, made out of the clay, and consequently disposed to deal favourably with him.

Neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee — that is, I will deal gently with you, and not be harsh.

I am clean without transgression. —Job has nowhere used this language; but many of his statements were capable of being so perverted and misrepresented (Job 9:20–21; Job 16:17; Job 23:10–12; Job 27:5–6). This shows that Elihu even was incapable of entering fully into Job’s position. He did not understand that a man could be righteous only to the degree that he trusted God, but that, trusting God, he was righteous with His righteousness. This was the truth that Job dimly perceived and was faintly, though surely, striving after; and to his friends it was unintelligible, and not wholly apprehended by Elihu.

Behold, he findeth occasions against me. —See Job 13:24; Job 13:26–27; Job 19:11.

He putteth my feet in the stocks. —Referring, probably, to Job 13:27.