Job 32:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I will speak {H1696}, that I may be refreshed {H7304}: I will open {H6605} my lips {H8193} and answer {H6030}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I must speak, to find relief; I will open my lips and answer.

Berean Standard Bible

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 32:20 marks the dramatic entrance of Elihu, a previously silent observer, into the profound theological debate between Job and his three friends. This verse encapsulates Elihu's intense internal pressure to articulate his perspective, signaling his conviction that he possesses a unique, divinely-inspired insight necessary to clarify the complex issues of human suffering and divine justice. His declaration is not merely a desire to speak, but a profound, almost physical, need to release the thoughts and understanding that have been building within him, promising a fresh and insightful contribution to the stagnant discussion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Elihu's sudden appearance and declaration in [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's Introduction") dramatically shifts the narrative dynamic of the book. For 29 chapters, Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, have engaged in a cyclical and increasingly acrimonious debate, with Job maintaining his innocence and the friends insisting on his sin as the cause of his suffering. Elihu, introduced as a younger man who has patiently waited for his elders to conclude their arguments, now bursts forth, filled with indignation at both Job's self-justification and the friends' inability to provide a satisfactory answer ([Job 32:2-3](/job/32-2 "Job 32:2-3 - Elihu's Anger")). His preceding verse, [Job 32:19](/job/32-19 "Job 32:19 - Elihu's Inner Compulsion"), uses the vivid metaphor of new wine bursting wineskins to describe his internal compulsion, making [Job 32:20](/job/32-20 "Job 32:20 - Elihu's Declaration to Speak") the climactic statement of his intention to speak and relieve this spiritual burden.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, respect for elders was paramount, and it was customary for younger individuals to remain silent in the presence of their seniors, especially during serious discussions or legal proceedings. Elihu's long silence, explicitly noted in [Job 32:4](/job/32-4 "Job 32:4 - Elihu's Patience"), adheres to this cultural norm. His eventual decision to speak, despite his youth, underscores the extraordinary internal pressure he feels. His claim to speak with divine insight, rather than mere human wisdom, would have been understood as a significant and bold assertion, challenging the established hierarchy of discourse and suggesting a prophetic or divinely-inspired authority.
* **Key Themes:** Elihu's declaration introduces several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights **The Compulsion to Speak Truth**, portraying a profound internal burden to articulate what one believes to be God's perspective, akin to a prophetic calling. Secondly, the phrase "that I may be refreshed" underscores the theme of **Relief Through Expression**, suggesting that the articulation of deeply held convictions is not just for the benefit of the listener but also for the speaker's own spiritual and emotional well-being. Elihu feels "pent up" ([Job 32:18](/job/32-18 "Job 32:18 - Elihu's Inner Turmoil")), and speaking is presented as a necessary release. Finally, Elihu's entrance signals the arrival of **A New Voice of Wisdom**, one that critiques the limited theology of both Job and his friends. He introduces a more nuanced understanding of suffering as potentially disciplinary or instructional, designed to draw humanity closer to God, a perspective that bridges the gap between Job's complaints and the friends' rigid retribution theology ([Job 33:14-30](/job/33-14 "Job 33:14-30 - Elihu's Explanation of God's Communication")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Refreshed (Hebrew, _yārûaḥ'_):** This verb, derived from the root רוּחַ (_rûaḥ_), which means "spirit," "wind," or "breath," carries the sense of finding relief, breathing freely, or being able to expand. Elihu describes himself as being "full of words; the spirit within me constrains me" ([Job 32:18](/job/32-18 "Job 32:18 - Elihu's Inner Pressure")). The feeling of being "refreshed" implies a release from this internal pressure, a necessary exhalation of the truth that has been building up within him. It suggests a deep, almost physical, need for expression to achieve inner peace and clarity, much like a person gasping for air finds relief.
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dāḇar'_):** While seemingly straightforward, Elihu's use of _dāḇar_ here is significant. It implies a deliberate, weighty utterance, not mere chatter. It is the language of prophecy and divine communication, suggesting that what Elihu is about to say is not simply his opinion but a message he feels compelled to deliver, potentially with divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will speak":** This opening declaration is emphatic and resolute. After a long period of respectful silence, Elihu asserts his intention to break that silence. It is a statement of personal resolve, indicating that his words are not accidental or impulsive, but the result of a profound internal conviction that has reached its breaking point.
* **"that I may be refreshed":** This clause reveals the deep personal motivation behind Elihu's speech. The act of speaking is presented as a necessary release, a spiritual and emotional exhalation that will bring him relief from the internal burden of unexpressed thoughts and insights. It highlights the therapeutic and clarifying power of articulating one's convictions, especially when they are perceived as divinely inspired or critically important.
* **"I will open my lips and answer":** This phrase serves as a synonymous parallelism to "I will speak," reiterating and reinforcing Elihu's determined intent. "Open my lips" is a common idiom for beginning to speak, while "and answer" indicates that his speech is a direct response to the preceding arguments, aiming to provide a resolution or a superior perspective where others have failed. It signifies his readiness to engage directly with the complex issues at hand.

#### Literary Devices
Job 32:20, especially when read in conjunction with the preceding verses, employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, particularly the extended metaphor in [Job 32:19](/job/32-19 "Job 32:19 - Elihu's Wine Metaphor") where Elihu compares himself to "new wine that has no vent" and "new wineskins, ready to burst." This vivid imagery conveys the overwhelming, almost violent, internal pressure he feels to speak, making his declaration in [Job 32:20](/job/32-20 "Job 32:20 - Elihu's Declaration") a necessary act of release. The verse itself utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism** in "I will speak" and "I will open my lips and answer," where the second phrase reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing Elihu's unwavering determination. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play, as Elihu confidently asserts his ability to "answer" and bring "refreshment," yet the ultimate resolution and true refreshment for Job will come not from Elihu's words, but from God's direct intervention in the whirlwind.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's bursting forth with a compulsion to speak truth, "that I may be refreshed," resonates with a profound theological theme: the burden of divine revelation and the spiritual necessity of its articulation. His experience mirrors that of many biblical figures who felt an overwhelming internal pressure to deliver God's message, finding no peace until they had spoken. This is not merely an intellectual exercise for Elihu but a deeply spiritual and physical imperative. His conviction that he has a unique insight into God's ways, particularly regarding suffering as a means of instruction and purification, positions him as a transitional figure in the book of Job, bridging the inadequate retribution theology of the friends and the ultimate divine revelation. His speech, while not explicitly presented as direct prophecy, carries the weight of a divinely-inspired burden, suggesting that God can use unexpected voices to reveal deeper truths.

* [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - Jeremiah's Burning Bones")
* [Psalm 39:3](/psalms/39-3 "Psalm 39:3 - David's Unspoken Anguish")
* [Acts 4:20](/acts/4-20 "Acts 4:20 - Peter and John's Compulsion to Speak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elihu's compelling declaration in [Job 32:20](/job/32-20 "Job 32:20 - Elihu's Inner Compulsion") offers profound insights for believers today regarding the nature of truth, conviction, and communication. There are moments in life when we, like Elihu, feel an overwhelming internal pressure to speak, to articulate a truth, to offer a word of wisdom, or to share an insight we believe is crucial for a given situation or for the spiritual well-being of others. Suppressing such a burden, especially when it feels divinely impressed, can indeed lead to spiritual and emotional "suffocation," akin to Elihu's metaphor of bursting wineskins. This verse encourages us to discern carefully when silence must give way to speech, particularly when we believe we can contribute a perspective that is more aligned with God's character or truth, or when our own spiritual health depends on articulating our convictions. Speaking openly, thoughtfully, and with a spirit of humility, can be a form of release and refreshment, allowing us to process, to heal, and to participate in God's ongoing work of revelation and reconciliation in the world. It reminds us that sometimes, the act of speaking is not just for the listener, but a vital part of our own spiritual journey and well-being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Have you ever felt an overwhelming internal compulsion to speak a truth, similar to Elihu's "bursting" feeling? How did you respond?**
* **What are the potential dangers of suppressing a deeply held conviction that you believe is from God?**
* **In what situations is it important to prioritize speaking for your own "refreshment" or spiritual well-being, even if it feels uncomfortable?**
* **How can we discern whether our compulsion to speak comes from divine inspiration or merely from personal opinion or frustration?**

### FAQ
**Is Elihu's speech considered divinely inspired or just his personal opinion?**

Answer: Elihu's speech in the book of Job is a subject of scholarly debate. While the text does not explicitly state that God inspired his words in the same way it does for a prophet like Jeremiah, Elihu himself asserts that "the spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life" ([Job 33:4](/job/33-4 "Job 33:4 - Elihu's Claim of Divine Spirit")), and he claims to speak on God's behalf, offering a more nuanced and accurate understanding of God's ways than Job's friends. Many scholars view Elihu as a bridge between the limited human wisdom of Job and his friends and the direct divine revelation that follows. His arguments, particularly regarding suffering as a means of instruction and purification, are often seen as moving closer to the truth revealed by God in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job"). While not a direct divine oracle, his words are presented as having significant theological weight and are distinct from the flawed arguments of the three friends.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Elihu's profound internal compulsion to speak truth, "that I may be refreshed," and his subsequent role as an "interpreter" or "mediator" ([Job 33:23](/job/33-23 "Job 33:23 - Elihu's Mediator Figure")) who reveals God's way to humanity, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Word of God, Jesus Christ. Elihu's desire to bring clarity and a deeper understanding of God's character, particularly in the face of suffering, finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, who is the full and final revelation of God. Just as Elihu felt a bursting need to articulate truth, Jesus is the very embodiment of truth, the [Logos made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), through whom God has spoken definitively to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in Christ")). Elihu's longing for personal "refreshment" through speaking the truth points to Christ as the ultimate source of spiritual refreshment and living water, who declares, "[If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to the Thirsty")" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to the Thirsty")). Furthermore, Elihu's attempt to mediate between Job and God, to explain God's purposes, is ultimately and perfectly accomplished by Christ, our [one mediator between God and man](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator"), who not only speaks truth but *is* the truth, reconciling humanity to God through His life, death, and resurrection.

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.