Job 32

Elihu's First Speech

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

²Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

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

⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

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

⁶Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

⁷I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

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

⁹It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

¹⁰Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

¹¹“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

¹²Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

¹³Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

¹⁴for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

¹⁶Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

¹⁷I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

¹⁹Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

²¹Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

²²For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

Previous Job 31

Next Job 33

After Job's three friends fall silent, a young man named Elihu enters the dialogue, angry at both Job for justifying himself rather than God and at the friends for failing to answer Job adequately. Though initially deferential to his elders' age and presumed wisdom, Elihu argues that true understanding comes from God's Spirit rather than mere experience. He declares his intention to speak boldly and without favoritism, claiming to be compelled by divine inspiration to offer his perspective on Job's situation.

Context

This chapter introduces Elihu as a fourth voice in the dialogue, bridging the failed attempts of Job's friends and God's eventual response from the whirlwind.

Key Themes

Outline

1-5
Elihu's Anger Kindled The three friends cease speaking, and young Elihu becomes angry at both Job's self-justification and the friends' inadequate responses.
6-10
Youth Versus Age in Wisdom Elihu explains his initial deference to age but argues that God's Spirit, not years, grants true understanding.
11-15
Critique of the Failed Dialogue Elihu describes how he listened carefully but found no one able to convince Job or adequately answer him.
16-22
Compelled to Speak Feeling internally pressured like bursting wineskins, Elihu declares his intention to speak without partiality or flattery.

Elihu's First Speech

32:1–33:33

wisdom speech defiant

Elihu, a young man who has been listening to the debate, becomes angry at both Job and his three friends. He introduces himself and begins his first speech, claiming that wisdom comes from God's spirit, not merely from age or experience.

person_contrast

Elihu uniquely challenges Job's self-justification while simultaneously criticizing the friends' inadequate defense of God, positioning himself as mediator between human wisdom and divine authority.

Insight Character Study

Elihu uniquely challenges Job's self-justification while simultaneously criticizing the friends' inadequate defense of God, positioning himself as mediator between human wisdom and divine authority.