Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 33:17

"That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, And hide pride from man;" — Job 33:17 (ASV)

From his purpose. —Rather, That He may withdraw man from carrying out his evil actions, and may remove that pride from man which he secretly cherishes. This is the main point of Elihu’s teaching: that the purposes of God are disciplinary, to keep man from the sin which otherwise he would be prone to commit. In this way Job might have been a righteous man, and yet be justly chastened lest he should prove unrighteous.