Hiob 32

1 Und jene drei Männer hörten auf, dem Hiob zu antworten, weil er in seinen Augen gerecht war.

2 Da entbrannte der Zorn Elihus, des Sohnes Barakeels, des Busiters, vom Geschlechte Ram; sein Zorn entbrannte wider Hiob, weil er sich selbst mehr rechtfertigte als Gott.

3 Und sein Zorn entbrannte wider seine drei Freunde, darum, daß sie keine Antwort fanden und Hiob verdammten.

4 Aber Elihu hatte auf Hiob gewartet mit Reden, weil jene älter an Jahren waren als er.

5 Und als Elihu sah, daß keine Antwort in dem Munde der drei Männer war, da entbrannte sein Zorn.

6 Und Elihu, der Sohn Barakeels, der Busiter, hob an und sprach: Ich bin jung an Jahren, und ihr seid Greise; darum habe ich mich gescheut und gefürchtet, euch mein Wissen kundzutun.

7 Ich sagte: Mögen die Tage reden, und die Menge der Jahre Weisheit verkünden.

8 Jedoch der Geist ist es in den Menschen, und der Odem des Allmächtigen, der sie verständig macht.

9 Nicht die Bejahrten sind weise, noch verstehen die Alten, was recht ist.

10 Darum sage ich: Höre mir zu, auch ich will mein Wissen kundtun.

11 Siehe, ich harrte auf eure Reden, horchte auf eure Einsichten, bis ihr Worte ausfindig gemacht hättet,

12 und ich richtete meine Aufmerksamkeit auf euch; und siehe, keiner ist unter euch, der Hiob widerlegt, der seine Reden beantwortet hätte.

13 Daß ihr nur nicht saget: Wir haben Weisheit gefunden. Gott wird ihn aus dem Felde schlagen, nicht ein Mensch!

14 Er hat ja an mich keine Worte gerichtet, und mit euren Reden werde ich ihm nicht erwidern. -

15 Sie sind bestürzt, sie antworten nicht mehr, die Worte sind ihnen ausgegangen.

16 Und ich sollte warten, weil sie nicht reden, weil sie dastehen, nicht mehr antworten?

17 Auch ich will mein Teil erwidern, auch ich will mein Wissen kundtun.

18 Denn voll bin ich von Worten; der Geist meines Innern drängt mich.

19 Siehe, mein Inneres ist wie Wein, der nicht geöffnet ist; gleich neuen Schläuchen will es bersten.

20 Ich will reden, daß mir Luft werde, will meine Lippen auftun und antworten.

21 Daß ich nur ja für niemand Partei nehme! Und keinem Menschen werde ich schmeicheln.

22 Denn ich weiß nicht zu schmeicheln: gar bald würde mein Schöpfer mich hinwegnehmen.

Hiob 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

Elihu is displeased at the dispute between Job and his friends. (1-5) He reproves them. (6-14) He speaks without partiality. (15-22)

Verses 1-5 Job's friends were silenced, but not convinced. Others had been present. Elihu was justly displeased with Job, as more anxious to clear his own character than the justice and goodness of God. Elihu was displeased with Job's friends because they had not been candid to Job. Seldom is a quarrel begun, more seldom is a quarrel carried on, in which there are not faults on both sides. Those that seek for truth, must not reject what is true and good on either side, nor approve or defend what is wrong.

Verses 6-14 Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.

Verses 15-22 If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men. Could we set the wrath Lord always before us, in his mercies and his terrors, we should not be moved from doing our duty in whatever we are called to do.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 32

Job's three friends being silenced, and having no more to say in reply to him, Elihu, of whose descent some account is given, a bystander and hearer of the whole dispute between them, rises up as a moderator, and expresses some anger both against them and Job, Job 32:1-5; he makes an apology for engaging in this controversy, by reason of his youth, and they being advanced in years, Job 32:6,7; but since there is a spirit in man, that gives understanding to men of every age, and old men are not always wise, he desires they would hearken to him while he delivered his sentiments on the subject in debate, Job 32:8-10; and hopes to be heard patiently, since he had waited until they had said all they had to say, and had closely attended to it, and which fell short of convincing Job; and this he was obliged to say, lest they should be wise in their own conceit, and attribute that to men which belongs to God, Job 32:11-13; he proposes to take a new method with Job, different from theirs; and now they hearing all this from a young man, they were filled with amazement, and struck with silence; and after he had waited a while to observe whether they would say anything or not, he determined to take his turn, and show his opinion also, Job 32:14-17; and the rather because he was full of arguments, he was desirous to propose them, and was uneasy until he had brought them out; and which he was resolved to do with all impartiality and integrity, Job 32:18-22.