American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Job 32
2
Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
Reference
People
3
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 8:6
4
Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6
And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and you are very old; why I was afraid, and dared not show you my opinion.
Reference
8
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 38:36
2 Timothy 3:16
Proverbs 2:6
James 1:5
1 Kings 3:12
Job 35:11
1 Kings 3:28
Spirit
Job 33:4
Ecclesiastes 2:26
1 Corinthians 12:8
10
Therefore I said, Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.
11
Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst you searched out what to say.
12
Yes, I attended to you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13
Lest you should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusts him down, not man.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 9:23
14
Now he has not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15
They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16
When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
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I said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.
19
Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 9:17
20
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 21:3
21
Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles to man.
Reference
22
For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Summary of Job 32
Job Chapter 32 introduces Elihu and marks an important transition in the book's debate, because Job's three older friends have finally exhausted their arguments while Job remains convinced that their explanation of his suffering is inadequate. Elihu, a younger man who has been listening quietly throughout the discussion, now steps forward because he believes that both sides have failed in important ways: Job has become too confident in defending his own righteousness, while the three friends have failed to provide a convincing explanation for why Job is suffering.
The chapter begins by explaining why the three friends stop speaking. They have repeatedly argued that Job's suffering must be connected to his wrongdoing, but Job has consistently rejected their reasoning and defended his integrity. Eventually, they have nothing new to say.
Elihu is angry with Job because he believes Job has gone too far in defending himself, almost placing his own righteousness above God's justice. At the same time, Elihu is angry with Job's friends because they have failed to answer Job convincingly. This is important because Elihu does not simply join the existing argument. He believes that the older men have not solved the problem.
Elihu's age is emphasized throughout the chapter. He has deliberately remained silent because the other men are older, and ancient society placed great value on the wisdom and authority associated with age. He believed that the older men should naturally have been able to provide the strongest answers.
However, after listening carefully, Elihu reaches a different conclusion: age does not automatically produce wisdom.
This becomes one of the central ideas of the chapter.
Elihu argues that understanding ultimately comes from God rather than simply from years of experience. A person may be old and experienced yet still misunderstand an important issue, while a younger person may understand something that older people have overlooked.
This does not mean Elihu rejects respect for elders. Instead, he challenges the assumption that seniority guarantees correctness.
The chapter also gives Elihu a distinct personality. He has been listening carefully, but he feels an increasing pressure to speak. He compares his unspoken thoughts to new wine trapped inside a wineskin that is ready to burst. The image communicates both his excitement and his frustration: he believes he has something important to say, and he no longer feels able to remain silent.
He also promises not to flatter anyone.
This is significant because Job is a powerful and respected man, while his three friends are older and presumably influential. Elihu claims that he will not allow social position to determine his judgment. He intends to speak honestly because he believes that ultimately he is accountable to God rather than to human status.
The historical setting helps explain why Elihu's entrance is so important. Ancient discussions often gave priority to older and more experienced speakers. A young man challenging older men could therefore appear presumptuous unless he could demonstrate that his argument was based on something more substantial than age.
Elihu's claim is that wisdom comes from God, and therefore a younger person can sometimes speak truthfully when older people have failed to do so.
Another important feature of the chapter is that Elihu does not yet provide his complete explanation of Job's suffering. Instead, Chapter 32 functions as an introduction to the speeches that follow. Elihu establishes his qualifications, explains why he has remained silent, identifies what he believes is wrong with both sides, and prepares the reader for his own interpretation.
His criticism of Job is particularly important. Elihu believes Job's defense has become too focused on proving himself right. Job has repeatedly argued that he is not guilty of the kind of wickedness that would explain his suffering, and Elihu believes that this defense risks making Job more concerned with proving his own righteousness than understanding God's purposes.
At the same time, Elihu does not simply accept the arguments of the three friends. Their repeated claim that suffering automatically proves guilt has failed to persuade him.
The chapter therefore creates a new position between the two sides.
Job says, in effect, that his suffering cannot be explained by hidden wickedness.
The three friends say that Job must be guilty.
Elihu believes both approaches are incomplete.
The chapter's deeper theme is therefore the limits of human wisdom and the importance of listening before speaking. Elihu has watched the debate carefully, and although his confidence may eventually become excessive, his entrance reminds the reader that neither age nor confidence guarantees correct understanding.
The chapter also prepares the way for the final stages of the book. Job's long defense has reached its conclusion, the three friends have fallen silent, and Elihu begins a new series of speeches that will eventually lead toward God's direct response.
Job Chapter 32 can therefore be summarized as the beginning of a new voice in the debate: Elihu, a younger man who has patiently listened to the older speakers, becomes convinced that they have failed to explain Job's suffering adequately and decides to speak because he believes true wisdom comes from God rather than simply from age.
The chapter begins by explaining why the three friends stop speaking. They have repeatedly argued that Job's suffering must be connected to his wrongdoing, but Job has consistently rejected their reasoning and defended his integrity. Eventually, they have nothing new to say.
Elihu is angry with Job because he believes Job has gone too far in defending himself, almost placing his own righteousness above God's justice. At the same time, Elihu is angry with Job's friends because they have failed to answer Job convincingly. This is important because Elihu does not simply join the existing argument. He believes that the older men have not solved the problem.
Elihu's age is emphasized throughout the chapter. He has deliberately remained silent because the other men are older, and ancient society placed great value on the wisdom and authority associated with age. He believed that the older men should naturally have been able to provide the strongest answers.
However, after listening carefully, Elihu reaches a different conclusion: age does not automatically produce wisdom.
This becomes one of the central ideas of the chapter.
Elihu argues that understanding ultimately comes from God rather than simply from years of experience. A person may be old and experienced yet still misunderstand an important issue, while a younger person may understand something that older people have overlooked.
This does not mean Elihu rejects respect for elders. Instead, he challenges the assumption that seniority guarantees correctness.
The chapter also gives Elihu a distinct personality. He has been listening carefully, but he feels an increasing pressure to speak. He compares his unspoken thoughts to new wine trapped inside a wineskin that is ready to burst. The image communicates both his excitement and his frustration: he believes he has something important to say, and he no longer feels able to remain silent.
He also promises not to flatter anyone.
This is significant because Job is a powerful and respected man, while his three friends are older and presumably influential. Elihu claims that he will not allow social position to determine his judgment. He intends to speak honestly because he believes that ultimately he is accountable to God rather than to human status.
The historical setting helps explain why Elihu's entrance is so important. Ancient discussions often gave priority to older and more experienced speakers. A young man challenging older men could therefore appear presumptuous unless he could demonstrate that his argument was based on something more substantial than age.
Elihu's claim is that wisdom comes from God, and therefore a younger person can sometimes speak truthfully when older people have failed to do so.
Another important feature of the chapter is that Elihu does not yet provide his complete explanation of Job's suffering. Instead, Chapter 32 functions as an introduction to the speeches that follow. Elihu establishes his qualifications, explains why he has remained silent, identifies what he believes is wrong with both sides, and prepares the reader for his own interpretation.
His criticism of Job is particularly important. Elihu believes Job's defense has become too focused on proving himself right. Job has repeatedly argued that he is not guilty of the kind of wickedness that would explain his suffering, and Elihu believes that this defense risks making Job more concerned with proving his own righteousness than understanding God's purposes.
At the same time, Elihu does not simply accept the arguments of the three friends. Their repeated claim that suffering automatically proves guilt has failed to persuade him.
The chapter therefore creates a new position between the two sides.
Job says, in effect, that his suffering cannot be explained by hidden wickedness.
The three friends say that Job must be guilty.
Elihu believes both approaches are incomplete.
The chapter's deeper theme is therefore the limits of human wisdom and the importance of listening before speaking. Elihu has watched the debate carefully, and although his confidence may eventually become excessive, his entrance reminds the reader that neither age nor confidence guarantees correct understanding.
The chapter also prepares the way for the final stages of the book. Job's long defense has reached its conclusion, the three friends have fallen silent, and Elihu begins a new series of speeches that will eventually lead toward God's direct response.
Job Chapter 32 can therefore be summarized as the beginning of a new voice in the debate: Elihu, a younger man who has patiently listened to the older speakers, becomes convinced that they have failed to explain Job's suffering adequately and decides to speak because he believes true wisdom comes from God rather than simply from age.