←Job 32→BSB

In This Chapter 4 people 36 terms

People

Elihu (Friend of Job). 9 Job 8 Barachel 4 Ram (Ancestor of Elihu) 2

Key Terms

Perceive 11 To Declare Guilty 4 Fear 2 Wisdom 2 Understanding (Awareness) 2 Justify Be (Or Show Oneself) Just Acquit Justice (Right) Righteousness (Standard) Righteousness (Act) Just Put Right With Make Righteous Deserved Justify (Vindicate) Justly Justice Righteousness (Quality) Fear (State) Awe (State) Fear (Terror) Fear (Reverence) Fear (Awe) Fearful Respect Respect (Among People) Ability (Skill) Ability (Power) World Universe Miracle Ability (Spiritual) Lordship Spiritually Understanding

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

ⓘ After three rounds of speeches between Job and...

After three rounds of speeches between Job and his friends, a new voice speaks. Elihu, a young man, has listened to everything the others said.

1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God, 3and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

ⓘ Elihu respected elders, following a common principle (see...

Elihu respected elders, following a common principle (see also 12:12; 15:10; Leviticus 19:32; 1 Timothy 5:1; 1 Peter 5:5).

4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. 5But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled. 6So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared:

“I am young in years,while you are old;that is why I was timid and afraidto tell you what I know.7I thought that age should speak,and many years should teach wisdom.
ⓘ The spirit in a man might not be...

The spirit in a man might not be God's Spirit of prophecy that Elihu later mentions, as Eliphaz had done (33:14–15; 4:12–17; compare 32:18–20). This spirit might simply exist because of creation (33:4; Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:25).
8But there is a spirit† in a man,the breath of the Almighty,that gives him understanding.9It is not only the old† who are wise,or the elderly who understand justice.10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;I too will declare what I know.’
11Indeed, I waited while you spoke;I listened to your reasoning;as you searched for words,12I paid you full attention.But no one proved Job wrong;not one of you rebutted his arguments.13So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom;let God, not man, refute him.’14But Job has not directed his words against me,and I will not answer him with your arguments.
ⓘ Some translations read, " you are silent, now...

Some translations read, "you are silent, now that you stand and no longer reply." Thus, Elihu addresses Job's friends. The Berean Standard Bible translates they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply. This interprets Elihu talking to Job about his friends.
15Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say;words have escaped them.16Must I wait, now that they are silent,now that they stand and no longer reply?17I too will answer;yes, I will declare what I know.
ⓘ The length of Elihu’s speech shows he had...

  • The length of Elihu’s speech shows he had many words to share (32:1–37:24).

  • Elihu probably believed the spirit (Hebrew ruakh) within him urged him to speak (32:8, 19–20; Psalm 39:3). But the reader might regard him as just full of wind (an alternate meaning of the Hebrew ruakh; see study note on Job 15:2–3).

  • Like Zophar, Elihu needed to speak to find relief (compare 20:2).
18For I am full of words,and my spirit within me compels me.19Behold, my belly is like unvented wine;it is about to burst like a new wineskin.20I must speak and find relief;I must open my lips and respond.21I will be partial to no one,nor will I flatter any man.22For I do not know how to flatter,or my Maker would remove me in an instant.