Job 32:5-15

5 When Elihu saw that the three men had no further responses, he became very angry.

6 So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied [to Job], "I am young, and you are old. That's why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know.

7 I thought, 'Age should speak, and experience should teach wisdom.'

8 However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9 People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.

10 "That is why I say, 'Listen to me! Let me tell you what I know.'

11 I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.

12 I've paid close attention to you, but none of you refuted Job. None of you has an answer to what he says.

13 So don't say, 'We've found wisdom. Let God, not humans, defeat him.'

14 Job did not choose his words to refute me, so I won't answer him with your speeches.

15 "Job's friends have been overwhelmed and don't have any more answers. They don't have another word to say.

Job 32:5-15 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.