Job 32:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Great men {H7227} are not always wise {H2449}: neither do the aged {H2205} understand {H995} judgment {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

it isn't [only] the great who are wise or the aged who know how to judge.

Berean Standard Bible

It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.

American Standard Version

It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 32:9 marks a pivotal turning point in the book of Job, introducing Elihu, a younger man, who steps forward to challenge the long-standing and ultimately unhelpful debate between Job and his three elder friends. This verse serves as Elihu's foundational premise, asserting that wisdom and sound judgment are not inherent qualities of status or advanced age. He critiques the prevailing cultural assumption that "great men" or "the aged" automatically possess superior understanding, thereby clearing the ground for a fresh, divinely-inspired perspective that anticipates God's direct intervention and emphasizes the spiritual origin of true wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 32:9 immediately follows Elihu's introduction, where he explains his profound patience in listening to the extensive arguments of Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Elihu expresses his frustration, stating that he waited for the elders to speak, assuming wisdom would naturally reside with them, but he found their arguments insufficient to convince Job or to resolve the profound theological dilemma of innocent suffering. This verse, therefore, functions as Elihu's opening declaration, a direct and audacious challenge to the perceived authority and wisdom of the older, more established figures. It sets the stage for his subsequent, extensive discourse (Job 32-37), which aims to reframe the discussion about God's justice, sovereignty, and the purpose of suffering, ultimately preparing the reader for God's own direct address from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job"). Elihu's intervention is crucial, shifting the dialogue from a narrow focus on Job's presumed sin to a deeper exploration of God's ways and the inherent limitations of human understanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, age and social standing were profoundly revered and often equated with wisdom and authority. Elders, known as *z'qenim*, were traditionally seen as repositories of life experience, practical wisdom, and sound judgment, frequently serving as counselors, arbiters, and leaders in community affairs. "Great men" (*g'dolim*) referred to those of high social status, influential leaders, or prominent figures whose opinions carried significant weight and were rarely challenged. Elihu's statement in [Job 32:9](/job/32-9 "Job 32:9 - Elihu's Challenge to Conventional Wisdom") directly confronts this deeply ingrained cultural reverence and societal norm. By declaring that neither status nor age guarantees wisdom or understanding of judgment, Elihu subverts a foundational cultural expectation. This audacious challenge from a younger man highlights the extraordinary nature of his intervention and underscores the book's broader theological message that divine truth often transcends conventional human categories and expectations, emerging from unexpected sources.
* **Key Themes:** Job 32:9 powerfully introduces and amplifies several key themes that resonate throughout the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Wisdom vs. Human Wisdom**. Elihu posits that true wisdom and understanding of God's intricate ways are not inherent in human experience, social status, or advanced age, but are gifts from God, often revealed through His Spirit, as he explicitly states in [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding"). This establishes a stark contrast with the limited, often flawed human reasoning displayed by Job's friends and even Job himself. Secondly, the verse implicitly calls for **Humility in Knowledge**. By challenging the presumed authority of the "great men" and "aged," Elihu suggests that even those held in high esteem can err significantly, emphasizing the profound need for intellectual humility and openness to divine revelation. This theme anticipates God's humbling questions to Job in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job"), which expose the vast chasm between human and divine understanding. Lastly, the verse functions as a **Critique of Conventional Authority**, demonstrating that valuable insights and truth can emerge from unexpected sources, challenging the notion that truth is solely the domain of established figures or those with the most experience. This prepares the reader for Elihu's own significant contribution to the theological dialogue, despite his younger, less prominent status.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great men (Hebrew, _rab'_):** This term (H7227) signifies abundance in various aspects, including quantity, size, and crucially, rank or quality. In this context, it refers to individuals of high social standing, importance, or influence, often denoting leaders or prominent figures. Elihu's use of this term is a direct challenge to the perceived authority and the weight given to the arguments of Job's three friends, who were likely respected and influential figures in their communities, based on their status.
* **aged (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** This word (H2205) specifically denotes "old" or "elder." In ancient Near Eastern societies, elders were traditionally seen as the custodians of wisdom, experience, and tradition, often serving as community leaders and counselors. Elihu's assertion that the aged do not necessarily "understand judgment" is a radical departure from this deeply ingrained cultural norm, directly undermining the automatic reverence and presumed wisdom associated with years of experience.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This multifaceted term (H4941) properly refers to a verdict, a formal decree, or a sentence, encompassing divine law, justice, and the act of discerning what is right. In [Job 32:9](/job/32-9 "Job 32:9 - Elihu's Challenge to Conventional Wisdom"), it signifies the capacity to understand God's ways, to discern truth in complex situations (such as the mystery of Job's suffering), and to render a correct verdict or interpretation of events. Elihu argues that this crucial understanding of divine justice and discernment is not guaranteed by age or social status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Great men are not [always] wise":** This clause serves as Elihu's initial, bold declaration, directly confronting the deeply held assumption that social standing, prominence, or worldly influence automatically confers true wisdom. The bracketed "always" in the KJV is an interpretive addition, but it accurately conveys the sense that wisdom is not an inherent or guaranteed quality of those in positions of power or influence. Elihu implies that the arguments presented by Job's friends, despite their esteemed status, lacked genuine insight into Job's profound suffering or the deeper character of God.
* **"neither do the aged understand judgment":** This second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, specifically targeting the cultural veneration of elders. Elihu asserts that even those with many years of life experience do not necessarily possess true discernment or the ability to grasp the intricacies of divine justice (`mishpâṭ`). This statement challenges the very foundation of traditional wisdom, suggesting that age, while bringing valuable experience, does not automatically grant spiritual or theological understanding, especially concerning the complex ways of God.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's statement in [Job 32:9](/job/32-9 "Job 32:9 - Elihu's Challenge to Conventional Wisdom") employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, where two contrasting ideas are juxtaposed to highlight a critical point: "great men" are contrasted with "wise," and "aged" are contrasted with "understand judgment." This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, emphasizing the disconnect between human assumptions about the source of wisdom and its actual, divine origin. The verse also functions as a **Rhetorical Challenge**, as Elihu directly confronts the prevailing cultural norms and the failed arguments of Job's friends. It is a bold, almost audacious claim from a younger man, designed to dismantle the intellectual authority of his elders and open the way for a new, divinely-centered perspective. Furthermore, the statement has the concise, declarative quality of a **Proverbial Statement**, even though it challenges conventional proverbs. It is presented as a universal truth, intended to reshape the audience's understanding of where true wisdom resides.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 32:9 serves as a profound theological statement, asserting that true wisdom and understanding of divine judgment are not human achievements tied to status, longevity, or accumulated experience, but rather gifts from God. This challenges the self-sufficiency of human reason and highlights the inherent limitations of human perspective when attempting to comprehend the unfathomable ways of an infinite God. Elihu's words prepare the ground for a theology that emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and the necessity of divine revelation for genuine insight. It underscores that spiritual discernment comes not from accumulated knowledge or worldly prestige, but from a humble openness to the Spirit of God, who alone grants understanding. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, consistently pointing to God as the ultimate source of all wisdom, accessible to those who seek Him in humility rather than relying on human credentials.

* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - Wisdom from the Lord")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Ask God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 32:9 offers timeless wisdom that challenges our contemporary assumptions about who possesses true insight and authority. In a world that often equates influence, wealth, academic degrees, or social media following with wisdom, Elihu's statement reminds us that genuine understanding, especially concerning matters of faith, morality, and the complexities of human suffering, transcends these superficial markers. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, recognizing that even the most accomplished, experienced, or well-intentioned individuals are fallible and limited in their understanding. True discernment comes from a source beyond human limitations—from God Himself, through His Word and His Spirit. This verse calls us to be discerning listeners, evaluating counsel not by the speaker's status, age, or popularity, but by its alignment with biblical truth and the leading of the Holy Spirit. It impels us to prioritize seeking wisdom from God's Word and through prayer, understanding that He delights in revealing His truth to those who humbly seek it, regardless of their earthly standing or perceived intellectual capacity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What cultural assumptions about wisdom or authority do I tend to hold, and how might [Job 32:9](/job/32-9 "Job 32:9 - Elihu's Challenge to Conventional Wisdom") challenge them in my own life?**
* **How do I discern true wisdom in my own decision-making and in the counsel I receive from others, moving beyond superficial markers?**
* **In what ways might my own age, experience, or lack thereof, hinder or help my pursuit of godly wisdom and spiritual understanding?**
* **How does a posture of humility open the door for God to reveal His wisdom to me, regardless of my background or perceived status?**

### FAQ
**Does Elihu's statement disrespect elders or people in authority?**

Answer: Elihu's statement in [Job 32:9](/job/32-9 "Job 32:9 - Elihu's Challenge to Conventional Wisdom") is not a blanket dismissal of elders or authority figures, nor is it an endorsement of disrespect. Instead, it's a profound theological corrective. In ancient cultures, age and status were almost automatically equated with wisdom, making Elihu's challenge quite audacious. He is not saying that no great men are wise or that no aged understand judgment. Rather, he asserts that wisdom and sound judgment are not *inherent* or *guaranteed* by age or position, but are gifts from God. He is critiquing a flawed premise—the assumption that human credentials automatically confer divine insight—not the individuals themselves. His point is that human experience and status, while valuable, are insufficient for understanding divine truth without the illuminating power of the Spirit of God, as he implies in [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - The Spirit of God Gives Understanding"). Therefore, it encourages discernment and humility, both in those who speak and those who listen, rather than blind deference based solely on human standing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 32:9, with Elihu's audacious challenge to human wisdom and conventional authority, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate revelation of divine wisdom in Jesus Christ. Elihu's assertion that "great men are not wise" and "the aged do not understand judgment" finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who, though rejected by the religious and political "great men" of His day, embodied the very wisdom of God. The world's wisdom often values power, status, and human achievement, but God's wisdom, as revealed in Christ, is often found in humility, sacrifice, and what appears to be weakness or foolishness to human eyes. The apostle Paul articulates this beautifully, declaring that Christ crucified is "a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:23-24](/1_corinthians/1-23-24 "1 Corinthians 1:23-24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). In Christ, "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, the Treasure of Wisdom")). He is the true "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the embodiment of divine understanding that transcends all human categories of greatness or age. Elihu's statement thus prepares the way for a wisdom that is not earned or inherited, but freely given by God through His Son, Jesus, to all who humbly receive Him, regardless of their earthly standing, just as Jesus Himself praised God for hiding things from the wise and understanding and revealing them to little children ([Matthew 11:25](/matthew/11-25 "Matthew 11:25 - Jesus' Prayer of Thanks")).

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

Job 12:20

He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.

1 Corinthians 1:26

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Ecclesiastes 4:13

¶ Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Matthew 11:25

¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

1 Corinthians 2:7

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1 Corinthians 2:8

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.