Job 32:6-22

Elihu’s justification for speaking

6 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said: I'm young and you're old, so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.
7 I thought, Let days speak; let multiple years make wisdom known.
8 But the spirit in a person, the Almighty's breath, gives understanding.
9 The advanced in days aren't wise; the old don't understand what's right.
10 Therefore, I say: "Listen to me; I'll state my view, even I."
11 Look, I waited while you spoke, listened while you reasoned, while you searched for words.
12 I was attentive to you, but you offered no rebuke to Job, no answer from you for his words.
13 Be careful you don't say, "We've found wisdom; God, not a person, will defeat him."
14 Now Job hasn't addressed me, and I won't quote you to him.
15 They are troubled, no longer answer; words now escape them.
16 I waited, but they didn't speak, for they stood but answered no more.
17 I will answer. Indeed, I will state my piece; I too will declare my view,
18 for I'm full of words. The spirit in my belly compels me.
19 Look, my belly is like unopened wine; like new wineskins it will burst.
20 I will speak and get relief; I will open my lips and respond.
21 I won't be partial to anyone, won't flatter a person;
22 for I don't know flattery; otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.

Job 32:6-22 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.

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