Job 32:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore I said {H559}, Hearken {H8085} to me; I also will shew {H2331} mine opinion {H1843}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, I say, listen to me; I too will express my opinion.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 32:10 marks the pivotal entry of Elihu, the youngest of Job's interlocutors, into the profound theological discourse. After patiently observing the protracted and ultimately unsatisfying arguments between Job and his three elder friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—Elihu breaks his silence with a forceful declaration. This verse serves as his bold assertion of his right to speak and a promise to unveil a fresh perspective and deeper understanding, which he believes has been conspicuously absent from the preceding, circular debate.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 32:10 initiates a significant structural and thematic shift within the Book of Job, transitioning from the exhaustive tripartite dialogues of Job 3-31 to the extensive speeches of Elihu, which span Job 32-37. Elihu's appearance is sudden, introduced only briefly in [Job 32:2](/job/32-2 "Job 32:2 - Elihu's Anger Kindles"). His prolonged silence, explicitly noted in [Job 32:4](/job/32-4 "Job 32:4 - Elihu Waits to Speak"), underscores his deference to his elders, a deeply ingrained cultural value. However, his profound frustration with their inability to either refute Job's claims convincingly or offer a satisfying theological explanation for Job's suffering compels him to speak. This verse is his direct, authoritative address, demanding the attention of all present and setting the stage for his comprehensive theological discourse, which aims to correct the flawed understandings of both Job and his friends before God Himself intervenes in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job") to deliver the definitive word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, wisdom was a highly revered attribute, often associated with age, experience, and divine inspiration. Respect for elders was a foundational societal norm, making Elihu's bold interjection, despite his relative youth, a significant cultural challenge. His decision to speak only after the older, more respected men had exhausted their arguments demonstrates both his initial deference and his growing conviction that a new, perhaps divinely-inspired, perspective was critically needed to break the intellectual and spiritual impasse. The narrative's setting in the land of Uz, likely a region outside Israel (possibly Edom or northern Arabia), situates the Book of Job within a broader ancient wisdom tradition that wrestled with universal human questions of suffering, justice, and the character of God, often through sophisticated poetic dialogues.
* **Key Themes:** This verse serves as the thematic gateway for several crucial ideas that Elihu will develop throughout his subsequent speeches. A primary theme introduced here is **wisdom from unexpected sources**, directly challenging the conventional ancient Near Eastern notion that wisdom is solely the domain of the aged. Elihu explicitly argues in [Job 32:8-9](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8-9 - Elihu on the Spirit's Role in Wisdom") that "it is the spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty, that giveth them understanding," not merely the passage of years. Another significant theme is the **limitations of human understanding** when attempting to fully grasp divine mysteries; Elihu believes the previous speakers have failed precisely because their human wisdom, however seasoned, is insufficient. His declaration to "shew mine opinion" also subtly introduces the theme of **divine revelation** and the **purpose of suffering**, as he aims to present a more nuanced and theologically sound view of God's justice and the potential redemptive or disciplinary role of affliction, thereby preparing the ground for God's ultimate intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** This imperative verb carries profound weight, extending beyond mere auditory reception to encompass "to hear intelligently, listen attentively, understand, and often, to obey." Elihu is not merely requesting polite attention; he is demanding a profound and engaged listening, implying that what he is about to articulate requires serious intellectual and spiritual consideration, and potentially a fundamental shift in the listeners' perspectives. It signifies a call to active engagement, not passive reception, suggesting that his words hold significant truth that demands a response.
* **Opinion (Hebrew, _dêaʻ_):** While translated as "opinion" in the KJV, the Hebrew word _dêaʻ_ is far richer in meaning, encompassing "knowledge, understanding, insight, perception, and discernment." Elihu is not offering a casual or subjective viewpoint but rather a deeply considered, perhaps divinely-granted, understanding. His choice of this term suggests he believes his forthcoming contribution will be a significant revelation of truth, providing genuine insight and clarity where the preceding arguments have offered only flawed human reasoning and limited perspectives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore I said,"**: This opening phrase establishes a direct causal link between Elihu's preceding observations and his impending speech. The "therefore" indicates that his decision to speak is a logical and necessary consequence of what he has witnessed—the utter failure of Job and his friends to resolve the profound theological dilemma of suffering. It signifies his deep conviction that the current impasse demands his intervention, born out of a perceived vacuum of truth and understanding.
* **"Hearken to me;"**: This is a direct, authoritative command, an imperative that underscores Elihu's earnestness and conviction. Despite his youth relative to the other speakers, Elihu asserts his right to be heard and demands the full, undivided attention of his elders. This imperative sets a tone of gravitas and urgency, signaling that he believes his words carry significant weight and are worthy of careful, deliberate consideration, challenging the established hierarchy of discourse.
* **"I also will shew mine opinion."**: This declaration expresses Elihu's firm and resolute intent to reveal his understanding. The phrase "I also" implies that he, like the others, possesses a perspective to offer, but his tone and the context suggest that his "opinion" (or insight/knowledge) will be distinct, superior, and ultimately more illuminating than what has already been presented. He positions himself as one who holds a crucial, missing piece of the theological puzzle, ready to unveil it and provide clarity.

#### Literary Devices
Job 32:10 functions as a powerful **transition** in the narrative arc of the Book of Job, marking the dramatic shift from the exhausted, repetitive arguments of Job's friends to the fresh, albeit still human, perspective of Elihu. The verse employs strong **assertion** and **declaration**, as Elihu boldly states his intention to speak and demands attention, thereby challenging the traditional hierarchy of age and wisdom. There is a palpable element of **foreshadowing**, as Elihu's claim to a deeper "knowledge" or "opinion" subtly anticipates the ultimate divine revelation that will come directly from God Himself in the whirlwind, suggesting that human wisdom, even at its best, is but a prelude to divine truth. Furthermore, the scene sets up a significant **dramatic tension**, as the reader is left to wonder whether Elihu's promised "opinion" will indeed resolve the profound questions of suffering and justice that have plagued Job and his companions, or if it too will fall short.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's emergence in Job 32:10 profoundly challenges the conventional wisdom that often associates true insight solely with age and extensive experience. His bold assertion that he too will "shew mine opinion" introduces the crucial theological truth that God's wisdom is not confined to human expectations, traditional channels, or the perceived wisdom of the aged. Instead, it underscores the idea that genuine understanding and spiritual discernment ultimately come from the Spirit of God, not merely from the accumulation of years or human reasoning. Elihu's palpable frustration with the circular, unhelpful, and ultimately flawed arguments of the elders highlights the inherent limitations of human reason when attempting to fully comprehend divine justice, the complexities of suffering, and the unfathomable ways of God. His intervention thus prepares the reader for a different kind of wisdom, one that points beyond human logic and philosophical debate to a deeper, God-given understanding that transcends earthly categories.

* [Proverbs 18:13](/proverbs/18-13 "Proverbs 18:13 - Hasty Speech is Folly")
* [Job 32:6-9](/job/32-6 "Job 32:6-9 - Elihu's Justification for Speaking")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elihu's dramatic entrance in Job 32:10 serves as a powerful reminder that wisdom and profound insight are not the exclusive domain of any particular age group, social status, or level of worldly experience. God, in His sovereignty, can grant understanding and revelation to anyone He chooses, often from the most unexpected sources. This should cultivate within us a posture of profound humility and openness, prompting us to be ready to receive truth and wisdom regardless of its human origin. Furthermore, Elihu's example champions the invaluable virtues of patient observation and discerning listening. He waited, absorbed, and meticulously analyzed the entire, lengthy debate before offering his perspective, demonstrating that sometimes the most impactful and timely contributions arise from careful consideration and thoughtful discernment rather than an immediate, reactive response. In our own lives, when confronted with complex problems, difficult theological questions, or challenging interpersonal conversations, Elihu's approach encourages us to listen deeply, discern thoughtfully, and then, with both conviction and humility, offer our "opinion" or Spirit-led insight, trusting that God can use us to bring clarity, truth, and healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we cultivate a spirit of humility that enables us to genuinely receive wisdom and insight from unexpected sources, irrespective of a person's age, background, or perceived status?**
* **In what specific situations might patient, active listening and careful observation prove to be far more valuable and impactful than an immediate, perhaps ill-considered, contribution?**
* **How do we discern between a mere personal opinion, potentially biased or uniformed, and a genuine, Spirit-led insight that truly contributes to understanding and truth in complex discussions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Elihu wait so long to speak?**

Answer: Elihu himself provides a comprehensive explanation for his prolonged silence in [Job 32:6-7](/job/32-6 "Job 32:6-7 - Elihu's Respect for Elders"). He explicitly states that he waited out of profound respect for the age and seniority of Job and his three friends, adhering to the ancient Near Eastern cultural norm that "days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom." He patiently observed the entire, protracted debate, listening intently to every argument and counter-argument. However, his frustration and anger grew as he perceived that the older, more experienced men had utterly failed to provide a satisfactory answer to Job's profound questions or to effectively refute his claims. Therefore, his silence was a strategic combination of cultural deference, allowing him to fully grasp the deficiencies of the preceding arguments, and a period of deep reflection before presenting his own, more comprehensive perspective.

**Is Elihu's perspective entirely correct or divinely inspired?**

Answer: Elihu's speeches offer significant theological insights that are often considerably more profound and accurate than those articulated by Job's other friends. He correctly emphasizes God's absolute righteousness, His supreme sovereignty, and the potential for suffering to serve as a disciplinary, purifying, or instructional tool, rather than solely a direct punishment for sin (as eloquently articulated in [Job 33:17-30](/job/33-17 "Job 33:17-30 - Elihu on God's Discipline")). He also powerfully points to God's incomprehensibility and majestic power, which directly foreshadows God's own climactic address from the whirlwind. However, it is crucial to recognize that Elihu, despite his insights, is still a human attempting to explain divine mystery. While he claims that the "inspiration of the Almighty" gives understanding ([Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit Gives Understanding")), his perspective is not presented as the final, infallible word. God's direct intervention in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job") corrects, surpasses, and ultimately contextualizes all human arguments, including Elihu's, demonstrating that even the most insightful human wisdom ultimately falls short of divine truth and comprehensive understanding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Elihu's bold declaration in [Job 32:10](/job/32-10 "Job 32:10 - Elihu's Declaration to Speak") to "shew mine opinion" points, in a profound yet ultimately imperfect way, to the ultimate and perfect revelation of God's wisdom and truth found exclusively in Jesus Christ. Elihu, a human, felt an urgent compulsion to offer a "new" and deeper understanding where the wisdom of the elders had failed, believing he possessed a superior insight into God's intricate ways. This universal human yearning for ultimate truth and the inherent inadequacy of all human "opinions" and philosophies find their perfect and complete fulfillment in Christ, who is not merely an opinion-giver or a wise teacher, but the very **Wisdom of God** incarnate ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). He is the one who truly and perfectly "shews" God's opinion, for He is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Unlike Elihu, whose understanding, however insightful and Spirit-led, remained human and therefore necessarily incomplete, Jesus perfectly and fully reveals the Father, declaring, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). He is the definitive answer to the profound problem of human suffering, not just through intellectual explanation but through His own redemptive suffering on the cross and His glorious victory over sin and death, offering a solution that transcends and far surpasses any human philosophical or theological discourse ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant")). In Christ, the ultimate "opinion" of God concerning humanity, justice, salvation, and the very nature of His being is fully, finally, and perfectly revealed for all eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 7:25

¶ Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

1 Corinthians 7:40

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.