Job 32:1-5

Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job

1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was 1righteous in his own eyes.
2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the 2Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned 3because he justified himself 4before God.
3 And his anger burned against his three friends because * they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.
5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.

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. Job 10:7; Job 13:18; Job 27:5, 6; Job 31:6
  • 2. Genesis 22:21
  • 3. Job 27:5, 6
  • 4. Job 30:21

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "more than"
  • [b]. Lit "for Job with words;" or possibly "while they were speaking with Job"
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