Job32
World English Bible · Public Domain
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
3Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.
5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.
7I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
10Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’
11“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
12Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.
13Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’
14for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.
16Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?
17I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.
18For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
19Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
21Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
22For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 32.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Elihu is displeased at the dispute between Job and his friends. (1–5). He reproves them. (6–14). He speaks without partiality. (15–22).
vv1-5
Job's friends were silenced, but not convinced. Others had been present. Elihu was justly displeased with Job, as more anxious to clear his own character than the justice and goodness of God. Elihu was displeased with Job's friends because they had not been candid to Job. Seldom is a quarrel begun, more seldom is a quarrel carried on, in which there are not faults on both sides. Those that seek for truth, must not reject what is true and good on either side, nor approve or defend what is wrong.
vv6-14
Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.
vv15-22
If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men. Could we set the wrath Lord always before us, in his mercies and his terrors, we should not be moved from doing our duty in whatever we are called to do.
Key Words
אֵלֶּה: these or those
שָׁלוֹשׁ: three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אֱנוֹשׁ: a man in general (singly or collectively)
שָׁבַת: to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
עָנָה: properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
אִיּוֹב: Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
צַדִּיק: just
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֱלִיהוּ: Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites
Cross References
Job 32Establishes Elihu's lineage through Buz, the son of Nahor and nephew of Abraham.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Elihu's own definition of the divine inspiration and breath that gives understanding.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Elihu's internal, burning constraint to speak with Jeremiah's shut-up fire.
Supported by JFB
Directly parallels Elihu's metaphor of words swelling like fermenting wine ready to burst old wineskins.
Supported by JFB
Confirms that true wisdom and understanding come exclusively from the mouth of God.
Supported by JFB
Warns against glorying in human wisdom, matching Elihu's rebuke of the friends' self-conceit.
Supported by JFB
Condemns showing partiality or respect of persons, which Elihu resolves to avoid entirely.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates Elihu's charge that Job sought to justify himself rather than God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's final verdict confirms Elihu's anger that the friends condemned Job without answering him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Eliphaz previously claimed authority based on age, which Elihu now addresses and challenges.
Supported by JFB
Echoes being 'pressed in the spirit' to speak and testify boldly without delay.
Supported by JFB
Recalls Job's earlier accusation that the three friends partialy accepted God's person.
Supported by JFB
Verbal link showing Elihu's mounting wrath at the silence of the three friends.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Cross-links Elihu's patient waiting for the elders to finish speaking before he begins.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Expresses the same fear of God over man, rejecting pleasing men with flattering words.
Supported by Matthew Henry