Giobbe 32

1 ORA essendo que’ tre uomini restati di rispondere a Giobbe, perchè gli pareva di esser giusto;

2 Elihu, figliuolo di Baracheel, Buzita, della nazione di Ram, si accese nell’ira contro a Giobbe, perchè giustificava sè stesso anzi che Iddio;

3 e contro a’ tre amici di esso, perciocchè non aveano trovata alcuna replica, e pure aveano condannato Giobbe.

4 Ora Elihu avea aspettato che Giobbe avesse parlato; perciocchè egli ed i suoi amici erano più attempati di lui.

5 Ma, veggendo che non vi era replica alcuna nella bocca di que’ tre uomini, egli si accese nell’ira.

6 Ed Elihu, figliuolo di Baracheel, Buzita, parlò, e disse: Io son giovane, e voi siete molto attempati; Perciò io ho avuta paura, ed ho temuto Di dichiararvi il mio parere.

7 Io diceva: L’età parlerà, E la moltitudine degli anni farà conoscere la sapienza.

8 Certo lo spirito è negli uomini, Ma l’inspirazione dell’Onnipotente li fa intendere.

9 I maggiori non son sempre savi; E i vecchi non intendono sempre la dirittura.

10 Perciò io ho detto: Ascoltatemi; Ed io ancora dichiarerò il mio parere.

11 Ecco, io ho aspettate le vostre parole, Io ho pòrto l’orecchio alle vostre considerazioni, Finchè voi aveste ricercati de’ ragionamenti.

12 Ma avendo posto mente a voi, Ecco, non vi è alcun di voi che convinca Giobbe, Che risponda a’ suoi ragionamenti;

13 Che talora non diciate: Noi abbiamo trovata la sapienza; Scaccilo ora Iddio, e non un uomo.

14 Or egli non ha ordinati i suoi ragionamenti contro a me; Io altresì non gli risponderò secondo le vostre parole.

15 Essi si sono sgomentati, non hanno più risposto; Le parole sono state loro tolte di bocca.

16 Io dunque ho aspettato; ma perciocchè non parlano più, Perchè restano e non rispondono più;

17 Io ancora risponderò per la parte mia; Io ancora dichiarerò il mio parere;

18 Perciocchè io son pieno di parole, Lo spirito del mio ventre mi stringe.

19 Ecco, il mio ventre è come un vino che non ha spiraglio, E schianterebbesi come barili nuovi.

20 Io parlerò adunque, ed avrò alcuna respirazione; Io aprirò le mie labbra, e risponderò.

21 Già non mi avvenga di aver riguardo alla qualità della persona di alcuno; Io non m’infingerò parlando ad un uomo.

22 Perciocchè io non so infingermi; Altrimenti, colui che mi ha fatto di subito mi torrebbe via.

Giobbe 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.