Job 32:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I will show no favor to anyone, and I will flatter no one;

Berean Standard Bible:

I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

American Standard Version:

Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let me not, I pray you, accept^{H5375} any man's^{H376} person^{H6440}, neither let me give flattering titles^{H3655} unto man^{H120}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 32:21

Job 32:21 is a part of the speech given by Elihu, one of the characters in the Book of Job, which is a significant piece of Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible. The Book of Job wrestles with the age-old question of why suffering exists, particularly for the righteous, and whether there is a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity.

In the historical context, the Book of Job is set in the time of the patriarchs, before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy, and is believed to have been written between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE. The narrative centers around Job, a man known for his piety and righteousness, who endures severe suffering as a result of a heavenly wager between God and Satan.

Elihu is the fourth and youngest of Job's friends who comes to offer his perspective on Job's situation. Before Elihu speaks, Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—have each taken turns arguing that Job's suffering must be a punishment for sin. Job, however, maintains his innocence, leading to a stalemate in the dialogue.

In Job 32:21, Elihu is asserting his commitment to impartiality and truth as he prepares to speak. He vows not to show partiality to any man ("accept any man's person") nor to use flattery to curry favor with those of high status or wealth ("give flattering titles unto man"). This declaration reflects a key theme in the Book of Job: the importance of speaking honestly and justly, even when it is difficult or socially inconvenient. Elihu's statement underscores the value of integrity and the pursuit of truth, which are central to the Wisdom Literature tradition in the Bible.

The verse also touches on the broader theme of wisdom and folly. In Wisdom Literature, there is often a contrast between true wisdom, which is aligned with fear of the Lord and honest speech, and false wisdom, which can manifest as flattery, dishonesty, or empty rhetoric. Elihu's commitment to avoiding these pitfalls sets the stage for his arguments, which seek to provide a fresh perspective on the reasons for Job's suffering and the nature of God's justice.

In summary, Job 32:21 reflects Elihu's resolve to engage in honest dialogue without being swayed by social status or the temptation to flatter. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and truth-seeking, which are essential components of wisdom as portrayed in the Book of Job and other Wisdom Literature in the Bible.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3655
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּנָה
   Transliteration: kânâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to address by an additional name; hence, to eulogize; give flattering titles, surname (himself).
   
5. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.