Job 32:1-5

Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was 1righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel 2the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself 3rather than God.
3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had 4declared Job to be in the wrong.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

Job 32:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References 4

  • 1. See Job 33:9
  • 2. Genesis 22:21; Jeremiah 25:23
  • 3. Job 4:17; [Job 34:5; Job 35:2; Job 40:8]
  • 4. Job 8:6; Job 22:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.