Job 32:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I said {H559}, Days {H3117} should speak {H1696}, and multitude {H7230} of years {H8141} should teach {H3045} wisdom {H2451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I said, 'Age should speak; an abundance of years should teach wisdom.'

Berean Standard Bible

I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 32:7 introduces Elihu, a new and younger participant in the prolonged debate, as he begins his discourse by articulating a deeply ingrained, traditional belief: that wisdom is inherently and naturally acquired through advanced age and extensive life experience. This statement serves as a rhetorically astute and polite opening for Elihu, acknowledging the conventional respect due to elders and the societal assumption that their long lives should have equipped them with profound insights, a premise he will soon subtly challenge by arguing for a superior, divinely-sourced understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 32:7 initiates a significant shift in the narrative of the Book of Job, ushering in the extensive speeches of Elihu, which span chapters 32-37. This new section follows the exhaustive and ultimately inconclusive dialogues between Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—and Job's final, impassioned defense of his own righteousness in [Job 29-31](/job/29 "Job 29-31 - Job's Final Defense"). Elihu, who has been a silent observer throughout the entire preceding exchange, is introduced as a younger man whose patience has finally worn thin with both Job's self-justification and the friends' inability to provide a satisfactory theological explanation or effective rebuke, as highlighted in [Job 32:1-5](/job/32-1-5 "Job 32:1-5 - Elihu's Anger and Patience"). His opening statement in verse 7, acknowledging the traditional deference to age, establishes a respectful and measured tone, explaining his prior silence and meticulously preparing the ground for his subsequent, more challenging, and divinely-oriented arguments concerning the true nature of wisdom and God's justice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, as in many traditional societies, age was profoundly esteemed and often directly equated with wisdom, accumulated experience, and inherent authority. Longevity was widely perceived as a tangible blessing from God and a clear sign of divine favor, implying a lifetime of acquired knowledge, discernment, and sound judgment. Elders frequently served as venerated counselors and respected judges within their communities, their words carrying immense weight and influence. This pervasive cultural reverence for age is vividly reflected in various ancient wisdom traditions, legal codes, and societal norms. Elihu's initial statement in [Job 32:7](/job/32-7 "Job 32:7 - The Traditional View of Wisdom") skillfully taps into this deeply ingrained cultural value, demonstrating his awareness and respect for societal expectations, even as he prepares to subtly subvert the notion that wisdom is *solely* a product of human experience or the mere passage of time. His relative youth, in stark contrast to the advanced age of the other interlocutors, makes his respectful and deferential opening all the more strategically significant.

* **Key Themes:** Job 32:7 strategically introduces several pivotal themes that Elihu will meticulously develop throughout his subsequent speeches. Foremost among these is the **nature and ultimate source of wisdom**, contrasting the conventional human understanding—which posits wisdom as gained primarily through age and extensive experience—with the divine wisdom that Elihu asserts is the true and ultimate source of profound understanding. This immediately establishes a crucial tension between **human reasoning and divine revelation**, a central theological concern in the book. The verse also subtly underscores the theme of **deference and respect for elders**, a common and deeply held value in ancient society, even as Elihu prepares to critique the inherent limitations of their human-derived wisdom. Furthermore, Elihu's discourse subtly introduces the overarching theme of **God's justice and sovereignty**, as he aims to provide a more comprehensive, nuanced, and theologically sound explanation for suffering than the simplistic retribution theology offered by Job's friends or Job's own self-righteous and limited perspective. His argument in [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding") will immediately pivot to emphasize the Spirit of God as the true giver of understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, this primitive root primarily means "to arrange" but is used figuratively of words, meaning "to speak." In this context, it personifies "Days," suggesting that the passage of time inherently articulates or reveals truths. It implies that a long life naturally provides a platform for wisdom to manifest and be communicated, as if the years themselves are active agents in conveying knowledge.
* **teach (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root means "to know" or "to ascertain by seeing," but it also carries the causative sense of "instruction" or "to make known." Here, applied to "multitude of years," it reinforces the idea that extended life experience is an active instructor, imparting profound insights and understanding. The years are not merely passing, but are actively educating the individual in wisdom.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From H2451, this term refers to "wisdom in a good sense," implying skill, discernment, and sound judgment. In Job 32:7, it is the desired outcome or product of the "multitude of years." Elihu uses this term to acknowledge the traditional belief that a long life naturally culminates in the acquisition of this valuable quality, setting the stage for his subsequent argument that true wisdom originates from a source beyond mere human experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I said":** This opening phrase reveals Elihu's deliberate and thoughtful approach to the conversation. It signifies an internal process of reflection and careful consideration, indicating that his upcoming discourse is not an impulsive outburst but a reasoned conviction. This personal declaration also serves to explain his prior silence, suggesting he has been weighing the arguments and formulating his own conclusions, particularly regarding the traditional expectation that older men should speak first.
* **"Days should speak":** This clause employs personification, attributing to "days"—representing the passage of time and accumulated life—the ability to "speak" or convey profound knowledge. It expresses the deeply held ancient belief that the sheer quantity of time lived, filled with diverse experiences and observations, ought to naturally yield insightful truths and articulate a deep understanding of life. It implies an inherent authority residing in longevity.
* **"and multitude of years should teach wisdom":** This parallel clause powerfully reinforces the preceding thought, intensifying the expectation that a great many years lived should, by their very nature, actively impart "wisdom." It suggests a direct and almost automatic correlation between the quantity of life experience and the quality of discernment, sound judgment, and profound understanding. This statement encapsulates the traditional premise that Elihu will respectfully acknowledge, yet subtly challenge and expand upon, in the verses that immediately follow.

#### Literary Devices
Job 32:7 masterfully employs **Personification** and **Proverbial Language** to articulate its central idea. The phrases "Days should speak" and "multitude of years should teach wisdom" are prime examples of **Personification**, where abstract concepts like "days" and "years" are endowed with human capabilities such as speaking and teaching. This literary device lends a sense of natural authority, inevitability, and active agency to the traditional belief that wisdom is an inherent outcome of advanced age. Furthermore, the verse is structured with the conciseness and balanced parallelism characteristic of **Proverbial Language**. Its succinct and memorable form gives it the ring of an established adage, reflecting a widely accepted cultural norm and a common understanding of wisdom's source. Elihu's strategic use of this proverbial form initially aligns him with conventional wisdom and societal respect, allowing him to gracefully enter the discourse before he introduces his more profound and divinely-oriented theological insights, thereby employing **Anticipation** to set the stage for his subsequent argument that true wisdom stems not from human experience alone, but from the Spirit of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's opening statement in Job 32:7, while seemingly a simple acknowledgment of the cultural reverence for age and experience as sources of wisdom, subtly prepares the ground for a profound theological correction that will redefine the ultimate source of true understanding. The broader biblical narrative consistently values the insights and counsel of elders, recognizing the practical wisdom gained through a lifetime of experience, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 16:31](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - The Crown of Glory for Old Age"). However, Scripture also emphatically asserts that true, divine wisdom is not solely a product of human longevity, intellectual prowess, or accumulated experience. Instead, it is fundamentally a gift from God, accessible through His Spirit and revealed truth. Elihu's subsequent argument in [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding") directly addresses this crucial distinction, stating that "there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." This highlights a pivotal biblical tension: while human experience can indeed impart valuable practical knowledge and discernment, ultimate spiritual understanding of God's complex ways and purposes comes from an entirely divine source, transcending human age, status, or accumulated years.

* [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding")
* [Proverbs 16:31](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - The Crown of Glory for Old Age")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 32:7 provides a profound starting point for critical reflection on how we perceive, value, and acquire wisdom in our personal lives, families, and communities. While it is an undeniable truth that age and extensive experience often bring a depth of perspective, practical knowledge, and seasoned judgment that should be honored, sought after, and respected, Elihu's broader message in the chapters that follow serves as a crucial reminder: human wisdom, no matter how vast or deeply acquired, possesses inherent limitations. True, transformative wisdom—particularly in grappling with the profound complexities of suffering, understanding God's sovereign purposes, and navigating the mysteries of faith—ultimately flows from divine revelation and the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This challenges us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, recognizing that God, in His infinite wisdom, can choose to speak through unexpected voices, regardless of their age, social status, or perceived experience. It encourages us to listen attentively and respectfully to the insights of elders, but also to remain open and receptive to fresh truth from younger generations, and, most importantly, to consistently and fervently seek wisdom directly from God Himself through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, and the guiding illumination of His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we authentically honor the wisdom of elders in our lives and communities while simultaneously maintaining an open heart and mind to God's truth, which can emerge from any source, including younger voices?**
* **In what specific ways might our own preconceived assumptions about the primary source of wisdom (e.g., solely from experience, formal education, or advanced age) inadvertently hinder us from discerning God's voice or recognizing His profound truth?**
* **What is the indispensable role of humility in both speaking and receiving wisdom, whether that wisdom originates from human experience or directly from divine revelation?**
* **How can we actively cultivate a deeper and more consistent reliance on divine wisdom in our daily decision-making processes, rather than exclusively depending on human understanding, personal experience, or worldly counsel?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Elihu's age in this context?**

Answer: Elihu's youth is profoundly significant within the narrative of Job. The text explicitly states he was "younger than they" ([Job 32:4](/job/32-4 "Job 32:4 - Elihu's Patience")) and patiently waited for the older, more established men to conclude their arguments. His opening statement in [Job 32:7](/job/32-7 "Job 32:7 - The Traditional View of Wisdom"), acknowledging that "days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom," serves as a polite and culturally appropriate deference to his elders, demonstrating his respect for societal norms. However, this also functions as a masterful rhetorical setup. By articulating the traditional view, Elihu establishes his credibility and respect before immediately challenging its limitations in [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding"), where he asserts that true understanding and wisdom come from the Spirit of God, not merely from the passage of time or human experience. His youth thus allows him to represent a fresh, divinely-inspired perspective that transcends the stalemated and ultimately inadequate human wisdom of Job and his three friends.

**Does this verse contradict other biblical teachings about respecting elders?**

Answer: No, [Job 32:7](/job/32-7 "Job 32:7 - The Traditional View of Wisdom") does not contradict other biblical teachings that emphasize respecting elders and valuing their wisdom. Passages such as [Leviticus 19:32](/leviticus/19-32 "Leviticus 19:32 - Respect for the Aged") ("Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man") and [Proverbs 16:31](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - The Crown of Glory for Old Age") ("The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness") clearly affirm the honor and respect due to the aged. Elihu himself begins his discourse by explicitly acknowledging this traditional reverence. However, his subsequent argument clarifies that while age often brings invaluable experience and practical insight, it does not *guarantee* divine wisdom or infallible understanding, particularly concerning the complex and often mysterious ways of God. The verse therefore serves to qualify, rather than contradict, the general principle, emphasizing that the ultimate and true source of profound wisdom is God's Spirit, not merely human longevity or accumulated years.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 32:7, with its initial affirmation of age and experience as the primary sources of wisdom, finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very person of Jesus, who uniquely embodies divine wisdom in a manner that transcends all human categories and expectations. While Elihu points to the "spirit in man" and the "inspiration of the Almighty" as the true wellspring of understanding ([Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding")), Christ is revealed in the New Testament as 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 was not an old man when He commenced His public ministry, yet His teaching and insights consistently confounded the wisest and most learned of His day, demonstrating a profound understanding that far surpassed the accumulated years and scholarly knowledge of the scribes and Pharisees ([Luke 2:46-47](/luke/2-46-47 "Luke 2:46-47 - Jesus in the Temple")). In Him, as the Apostle Paul declares, "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")), definitively proving that true wisdom is not merely a product of human experience, age, or intellectual pursuit, but is found supremely in a Person—the Son of God. Jesus's life, parables, and teachings consistently challenged and subverted conventional human wisdom, revealing God's upside-down kingdom where the last are first, the humble are exalted, and the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom ([Matthew 5:3-12](/matthew/5-3-12 "Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes"); [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1-corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser")). Thus, the ancient quest for wisdom, so poignantly articulated by Elihu, ultimately leads to Christ, who is Himself our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1-corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")).

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

Proverbs 16:31

¶ The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.

Job 12:12

¶ With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

Hebrews 5:12

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

1 Kings 12:6

And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?

1 Kings 12:8

But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, [and] which stood before him:

Psalms 34:11

¶ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalms 34:12

What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?