Job 35:4

KJV

I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will answer {H7725}{H4405} thee, and thy companions {H7453} with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here is my answer to you, to you and to your friends:

Berean Standard Bible

I will reply to you and to your friends as well.

American Standard Version

I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 35:4 presents Elihu's confident and pivotal declaration, where he asserts his intention to provide a definitive and superior answer not only to Job's profound laments and self-justifications but also to the inadequate arguments put forth by Job's three companions. This verse serves as Elihu's bold opening statement, positioning himself as a divinely insightful arbiter who believes he possesses a clearer understanding of God's justice, sovereignty, and the true nature of human suffering than any previous speaker. It sets the stage for his extensive discourse, which aims to reconcile God's righteousness with the perplexing reality of Job's inexplicable pain.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 35:4 is situated within Elihu's extended monologue, which spans from [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's Introduction and Initial Speech") through [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu's Concluding Speech"). Having patiently—or perhaps impatiently—listened to the protracted and circular arguments between Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, Elihu finally erupts in anger, expressing frustration with all parties. He criticizes Job for seemingly justifying himself rather than God, and the friends for failing to provide a satisfactory theological explanation for Job's suffering, despite their condemnation. This particular verse, "I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee," serves as Elihu's explicit declaration of intent, signaling a new phase in the dialogue where he promises to offer a superior and more accurate perspective on divine justice and human righteousness, setting himself apart from the previous speakers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location likely situated east of Palestine, suggesting a non-Israelite, patriarchal context. The cultural backdrop is one where wisdom literature flourished, and profound questions about suffering, divine justice, and the nature of God were debated within a communal setting. The "companions" (rêaʻ) of Job, like the patriarchs, would have been respected elders or wise men, engaging in a formal, albeit impassioned, theological discourse. Elihu, though younger, asserts his right to speak, perhaps challenging the traditional deference to age, based on his conviction of divine inspiration. The expectation of an "answer" (from the root `shûwb`, implying a turning back or a definitive response) in such a debate was not merely a retort but a comprehensive, authoritative declaration meant to resolve the intellectual and spiritual dilemma at hand, reflecting the high stakes of their theological wrestling.
* **Key Themes:** Elihu's intervention, initiated by this verse, introduces several key themes that permeate his discourse. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Human Understanding**, as Elihu attempts to correct what he perceives as Job's flawed understanding of God's justice and the friends' inadequate explanations. He posits that God is greater than human comprehension and that His actions, even those that bring suffering, are always just and purposeful, often serving to refine or instruct. Another significant theme is **Elihu's Authority and Insight**, as he presents himself as having a superior understanding, capable of answering not only Job but also his companions, who have failed to convince Job or truly explain his plight. This confidence stems from his belief in being divinely inspired, as hinted at in [Job 32:8](/job/32-8 "Job 32:8 - Elihu's Claim of Spirit-Given Understanding"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Nature of Dialogue and Debate** itself within the book, highlighting how different human perspectives grapple with profound theological questions, with Elihu's intervention signifying a new and more direct challenge to Job's arguments, particularly his assertion that righteousness brings no advantage (as seen in [Job 34:9](/job/34-9 "Job 34:9 - Job's Claim of No Profit in Righteousness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Answer (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root, often meaning "to turn back," "to return," or "to retreat," is used here in an idiomatic sense to mean "to answer (again)" or "to respond). In this context, Elihu's declaration "I will answer" signifies his intention to provide a definitive and comprehensive response that turns the debate in a new direction, offering what he believes to be a conclusive argument. It implies not just a simple reply, but a turning of the tide in the discussion, a re-presentation of truth.
* **Companions (Hebrew, _rêaʻ'_):** This noun refers to an "associate" or "friend," often in a close relationship. Here, it specifically denotes Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. By including them, Elihu indicates that his critique and the "answer" he intends to provide are directed not only at Job's arguments but also at the collective failure of his friends to offer satisfactory counsel or theological insight. He sees their arguments as equally flawed or incomplete, necessitating his own intervention for all parties involved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will answer thee":** This clause establishes Elihu's direct and personal engagement with Job. It highlights Elihu's self-appointed role as the one who will finally provide a satisfactory theological explanation for Job's suffering and God's justice, directly addressing Job's complaints and challenges to God's character. It implies a promise of clarity and resolution from Elihu's perspective, marking a shift from the previous, unproductive exchanges.
* **"and thy companions with thee":** This second clause expands the scope of Elihu's intended discourse. He is not merely correcting Job but also implicitly critiquing the arguments of Job's three friends. This indicates Elihu's belief that their counsel was also deficient, failing to adequately address Job's plight or to properly defend God's character, thus necessitating his own intervention to set the record straight for all involved in the debate.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Direct Address** and **Assertion**. Elihu directly addresses Job ("thee") and his friends ("thy companions"), creating an immediate and confrontational tone. This directness underscores Elihu's confidence and his intention to take a central role in the debate. The statement "I will answer" is a strong **Assertion**, signaling Elihu's self-assuredness and his conviction that he possesses a superior understanding or insight that has been lacking in the previous exchanges. This assertive declaration functions as a **Proleptic Statement**, foreshadowing the extensive and detailed arguments Elihu is about to unfold, positioning himself as the one who will bring resolution or, at least, a new, divinely-informed perspective to the seemingly intractable problem of Job's suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 35:4, as Elihu's declaration, points to the profound human desire for answers in the face of suffering and theological perplexity. While Elihu positions himself as the one capable of providing these answers, his words ultimately serve as a human attempt to grapple with divine mysteries, foreshadowing the ultimate revelation of God's own wisdom. The verse underscores the theme that human wisdom, even when well-intentioned, is limited in fully comprehending the vastness of God's ways and His justice. It highlights the tension between human reasoning and divine sovereignty, preparing the reader for the moment when God Himself will speak, providing the only truly definitive answer.

* [Job 32:2-6](/job/32-2 "Job 32:2-6 - Elihu's Anger and Readiness to Speak")
* [Job 38:1-3](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1-3 - The Lord Answers Job Out of the Whirlwind")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elihu's bold declaration in Job 35:4 serves as a powerful reminder of our human inclination to seek and offer definitive answers, especially concerning complex theological matters like suffering and divine justice. It challenges us to reflect on the source of our own wisdom and the humility with which we approach God's inscrutable ways. While Elihu was confident in his understanding, the narrative arc of Job ultimately reveals that true answers come from God alone, not from human speculation. This verse, therefore, prompts us to cultivate a posture of intellectual and spiritual humility, recognizing the limits of our own comprehension and the vastness of God's wisdom. It encourages us to listen carefully, speak thoughtfully, and, most importantly, to always turn to God's revealed truth as the ultimate source of understanding, rather than relying solely on human reasoning or experience, however profound.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I seek definitive answers from human sources rather than patiently waiting on God's revelation?**
* **How does Elihu's confidence in his own understanding challenge or affirm my own approach to theological discussions and difficult questions?**
* **What does this verse, in the broader context of Job, teach me about the importance of humility when attempting to explain God's actions or character?**

### FAQ
**Did Elihu truly have the "answer" for Job's suffering?**

Answer: While Elihu was confident that he possessed a superior understanding and could provide the definitive "answer" to Job and his companions, the biblical narrative suggests that his perspective, while containing elements of truth about God's greatness and sovereignty, was still a human attempt to explain divine mysteries. Elihu correctly identified Job's self-righteousness and the friends' flawed accusations, but he did not fully grasp the unique nature of Job's test or the depth of God's purposes. The ultimate and truly definitive answer comes not from Elihu, but from God Himself, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God's First Response to Job"), revealing His unsearchable wisdom and power, and humbling both Job and his human counselors. Thus, Elihu's "answer" was a significant, but not the final, word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Elihu's assertion in Job 35:4, "I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transcendence in the person of Jesus Christ. While Elihu, a human, claimed to possess the wisdom to resolve the profound questions of suffering and divine justice, it is Christ alone who embodies the perfect wisdom of God and provides the definitive answer to humanity's deepest spiritual dilemmas. The New Testament reveals that God, who "at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a spokesman for God, but God Himself, the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). In Him are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom Are All Treasures of Wisdom")), making Him the ultimate "answer" to the human condition, to suffering, and to the mystery of God's ways. Unlike Elihu, whose understanding was limited, Jesus fully reveals the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God, But Christ Reveals Him")), offering not just explanations, but salvation and reconciliation, truly answering the cries of humanity for justice, meaning, and relationship with God. He is the divine wisdom and power of God, who alone can truly "answer" all our questions and meet our deepest needs ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")).

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 34:8

Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

Proverbs 13:20

¶ He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.