Job 32:1-8

1 So these three men ceased to answer Iyov, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barakh'el, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Iyov. His wrath was kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Iyov.

4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Iyov, because they were elder than he.

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

6 Elihu the son of Barakh'el the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion.

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

8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of Shaddai gives them understanding.

Job 32:1-8 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.