Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Passage sections 1 ▾
The Speeches of Elihu poetry 32:1–37:24
Themes 3 ▾
Wisdom 8 Truth 8 Holy Spirit 8
People 3 ▾
Job Patriarchal 1-4, 12 Ram Patriarchal 2 Elihu Patriarchal 2, 4-6
Speakers 1 ▾
Elihu human 1-22
Historic voices 6 ▾
Summa Theologica 1× 8 Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible 1× 1-3, 6-9, 11-22 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-22 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 15, 18 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1, 6, 15 Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary 1× 2-4, 6-11, 13-15, 17-22
Manuscript witnesses 4 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 74 ▾
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What is Job 32 about?

When the three friends fall silent, having failed to answer Job though he was righteous in his own eyes, a younger man named Elihu the Buzite speaks up. He has held back out of respect for his elders, but his anger has been kindled, both at Job for justifying himself rather than God and at the friends for condemning Job without refuting him. He declares that great men are not always wise, for it is the Spirit in man and the breath of the Almighty that gives understanding, and so he will hold his peace no longer. His arrival introduces a fresh voice that turns the argument back toward God's honor and prepares the reader for the LORD's own answer.

Historical backdrop

Job belongs to the patriarchal world, the age of Abraham, before there was an Israel, a law, or a priesthood. His wealth is counted the way a Middle Bronze Age chieftain's was, in herds of sheep and camels, oxen and donkeys, and he himself offers the sacrifices for his household as head of his own clan. The land of Uz lay east toward Edom and the Arabian desert, open country where raiding bands like the Sabeans and Chaldeans could sweep off a man's herds in a morning. Nothing in the book speaks of Sinai or the covenant: its questions are older than the nation, set in the wide world before the promise narrowed to one people.

Matthew Henry on Job 32
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 32
The Church Fathers on Job 32

Job 32

Job Chapter 32
32
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.
5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.
7I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.
12Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.
13Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:
14For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.
16And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?
17I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion.
18For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
19Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; Elsewould my Maker soon take me away.
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What is Job 32 about?

When the three friends fall silent, having failed to answer Job though he was righteous in his own eyes, a younger man named Elihu the Buzite speaks up. He has held back out of respect for his elders, but his anger has been kindled, both at Job for justifying himself rather than God and at the friends for condemning Job without refuting him. He declares that great men are not always wise, for it is the Spirit in man and the breath of the Almighty that gives understanding, and so he will hold his peace no longer. His arrival introduces a fresh voice that turns the argument back toward God's honor and prepares the reader for the LORD's own answer.