Job 32:20

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

Job 32:20 Meaning and Commentary

Job 32:20

I will speak, that I may be refreshed
That his mind might be made easy; the matter it was full of lay with much weight upon it, pressed him hard, and gave him pain; and therefore he determines to speak his mind, and disburden himself: so a minister of the word speaks sometimes to the refreshment of others, the Gospel being a word in season to weary souls, bread to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, even wine to them that are of an heavy heart; and especially it is refreshing when the love of God is shed abroad in the heart through it, and the presence of God is enjoyed under it; and sometimes he speaks to the refreshment of himself with others, ( Romans 15:32 ) ; and whether it be so, one or the other, yet a faithful minister eases his mind, discharges his conscience, and is clear from the blood of all, when he truly and fully declares the whole counsel of God, so far as he is acquainted with it:

I will open my lips and answer;
speak freely and boldly what was upon his mind, and he had to say, and which he judged would be a sufficient answer to Job; the opening of his lips is a phrase used by him in allusion to the opening of a bottle, full of new wine, the metaphor before expressed by him.

Job 32:20 In-Context

18 For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; Like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
21 Please don't let me respect any man's person, Neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
22 For I don't know how to give flattering titles; Or else my Maker would soon take me away.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.