Job32

Elihu, a younger man, becomes angry with Job for self-justification and with his three friends for failing to answer and yet condemning him. He explains that he waited to speak out of respect for their age, but now feels compelled to offer his own perspective, asserting that wisdom comes from God's spirit, not merely from years. He declares his intention to speak without partiality or flattery, as the others have ceased their arguments.

Listen to this chapter

The Friends Cease Speaking

¶ So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

Elihu Justifies His Intervention

¶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

Elihu's Internal Compulsion to Speak

¶ They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

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

For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Study Notes for Job 32

Verse 1

The friends stop speaking because Job maintained his innocence, viewing himself as righteous even when arguing against God's actions. This sets the stage for Elihu's unexpected intervention.

Verse 2

Elihu (“My God is He”) is introduced, representing a younger generation. His primary anger stems from Job’s self-justification, which Elihu interprets as elevating himself above God.

Verse 4

Elihu observed the traditional respect for elders (cf. Lev. 19:32), explaining his initial silence. This deference contrasts sharply with the boldness he exhibits once the elders fail.

Verse 6

Elihu acknowledges the social hierarchy based on age but immediately prepares to argue that this hierarchy does not apply to wisdom provided by divine insight.

Verse 7

This verse articulates the standard ancient Near Eastern wisdom ideal: greater age brings greater wisdom and authority. Elihu will challenge this premise immediately.

Verse 8

This is the theological lynchpin of Elihu's argument. True wisdom is not merely acquired through years but is an intrinsic spiritual gift, the 'inspiration of the Almighty,' given by God.

Verse 9

Elihu uses the failure of the three friends as empirical evidence that age and social status do not guarantee spiritual insight or sound judgment.

Verse 12

Elihu notes the critical failure of the three older men: they were unable to refute Job’s arguments, leaving the theological problem unresolved.

Verse 13

Elihu warns the friends against excusing their failure by claiming that only God could silence Job, thus preempting a potential cop-out and asserting his own authority to speak.

Verse 15

This verse marks the end of the friends' sophisticated arguments, highlighting their exhausted silence and inability to continue the debate.

Verse 18

Elihu explains that his desire to speak is not merely intellectual, but a powerful, internal constraint ('the spirit within me') that he must release, suggesting divine inspiration.

Verse 19

The vivid simile of 'new bottles' (wineskins) ready to burst illustrates the intense, unbearable pressure of the message building up inside him, demanding expression.

Verse 21

Elihu vows strict impartiality, promising not to flatter or favor anyone, setting his ethical standard higher than that of the three friends who were clearly biased against Job.

Verse 22

Elihu concludes his introductory speech with a solemn oath, implying that if he were to act deceitfully or flatteringly, God (his 'maker') would swiftly punish him.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Job32

The Friends Cease Speaking

Elihu Justifies His Intervention

Elihu's Internal Compulsion to Speak

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options