Job 32:4-14

4 Now Elihu had waited until Job had spoken, because they were older than he.

5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

6 And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: "I am young, and ye are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not show you mine opinion.

7 I said, `Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

8 But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

9 Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judgment.

10 Therefore I say, `Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.'

11 "Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

12 Yea, I attended unto you, and behold, there was none of you that convinced Job or that answered his words,

13 lest ye should say, `We have found out wisdom. God thrusteth him down, not man.'

14 Now he hath not directed his words against me, neither will I answer him with your speeches.

Job 32:4-14 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.