Job 32:2-12

2 And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was angry, burning with wrath against Job, because he seemed to himself more right than God;

3 And he was angry with his three friends, because they had been unable to give him an answer, and had not made Job's sin clear.

4 Now Elihu had kept quiet while Job was talking, because they were older than he;

5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry.

6 And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, made answer and said, I am young, and you are very old, so I was in fear, and kept myself from putting my knowledge before you.

7 I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.

8 But truly it is the spirit in man, even the breath of the Ruler of all, which gives them knowledge.

9 It is not the old who are wise, and those who are full of years have not the knowledge of what is right.

10 So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.

11 I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,

12 I was taking note; and truly not one of you was able to make clear Job's error, or to give an answer to his words.

Job 32:2-12 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.