But [there is] a spirit in man
This seems to be a correction of his former sentiment; the
consideration of which gave him encouragement, though young, to
declare his opinion, since there is a spirit in men, both young
and old; and wherever that be, there is an ability to speak and a
capacity of teaching wisdom; which is not tied to age; but may he
found in young men as well as in old men: some by this understand
the rational soul, or spirit, which is immaterial, immortal, is
of God, and is in man; and the rather it is thought this is
meant, because it is in every man, whereby he has knowledge of
many things, natural and divine, and particularly is capable of
trying and judging things, of discerning the difference between
one thing and another, and of reasoning and discoursing upon
them; and this being observed by Elihu, and he being conscious to
himself of having such a spirit in him, was emboldened to engage
in the debate, though a young man; but if such a spirit is meant,
the words may be rendered to such a sense, verily, truly, indeed
"there is [such a rational spirit] in man", which makes him
capable of knowing many things, "but the inspiration of the
Almighty" F16; it is not owing to the rational
powers and faculties of the soul of man, and the use of them,
that a man becomes capable of teaching others wisdom; but to his
soul or spirit being inspired by the Almighty; and such an one,
be he young or old, that God breathes into, and he is under his
inspiration, he is the man fit to engage in such work: though I
rather think, that in this first clause the spirit of God is
meant, and so Jarchi; who is an uncreated, infinite, and eternal
Spirit; is of God, and is put into men; for he is not in men
naturally, nor in everyone; and where he is, he is given, and
there he abides; and it is from him men have their wisdom and
knowledge; it is he that makes men know themselves, that searches
the deep things of God, and reveals them to men, and that is the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and
leads into all truth, as it is in him; though rather the spirit
in his gifts, than in his spiritual saving grace, is here meant;
and so does not point to every good man in common, but to such
who are favoured with the gifts of the spirit superior to others;
and so the Targum interprets it of the spirit of prophecy; and on
whomsoever this rests, whether on young or old, he is fit to
teach men wisdom:
and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them
understanding;
not the soul of man, or breath of God inspired by him, which is
the candle of the Lord, searching the inward parts of men; for
that leaves him without understanding of things of the greatest
importance: rather, as the Targum, the Word of God, the essential
Word, the Son of God, who gives an understanding of the best
things, ( 1 John 5:20 ) ; but,
better, the Spirit of God, by whom the Scriptures were inspired,
and who is breathed into men, ( John 20:22 ) ; and is a
spirit of understanding to them; for though a man has an
understanding of natural things, yet not of things spiritual; to
have an understanding of them is the special gift of God, and is
in particular the work of the Spirit of God: Elihu now having
some reason to believe that he had the Spirit of God, and was
under his inspiration, and was favoured with knowledge and
understanding by him, is encouraged, though young, to interpose
in this dispute between Job and his friends, and declare his
opinion on the matter in debate; and which leads him to make an
observation somewhat different from his former sentiment, as
follows.
F16 So Vatablus, Beza.
