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Job 32

BSB·22 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1So theseהָ֭אֵלֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → threeשְׁלֹ֤שֶׁתšə·lō·šeṯ — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → menהָאֲנָשִׁ֣יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → stoppedוַֽיִּשְׁבְּת֡וּway·yiš·bə·ṯū — to cease, rest, or desist from laborH7673 — Full Word Study → answeringמֵעֲנ֣וֹתmê·‘ă·nō·wṯ — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → Jobאִיּ֑וֹב’î·yō·wḇ — He weeps or sorrowsH347 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → heה֖וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → was righteousצַדִּ֣יקṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → in his own eyesבְּעֵינָֽיו׃פbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 2This kindledוַיִּ֤חַרway·yi·ḥar — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → the angerאַ֨ף׀’ap̄ — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → of Elihuאֱלִיה֣וּא’ĕ·lî·hū — God is HeH453 — Full Word Study → sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Barachelבַּרַכְאֵ֣לba·raḵ·’êl — God blessesH1292 — Full Word Study → the Buziteהַבּוּזִי֮hab·bū·zî — Descendant of BuzH940 — Full Word Study →, of the familyמִמִּשְׁפַּ֪חַ֫תmim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study → of Ramרָ֥םrām — Exalted, highH7410 — Full Word Study →. He burnedחָרָ֣הḥā·rāh — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → with angerאַפּ֑וֹ’ap·pōw — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → against Jobבְּ֭אִיּוֹבbə·’î·yō·wḇ — He weeps or sorrowsH347 — Full Word Study → forעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → justifyingצַדְּק֥וֹṣad·də·qōw — To be righteous, justify, vindicateH6663 — Full Word Study → himselfנַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹnap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → rather than Godמֵאֱלֹהִֽים׃mê·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, 3and he burnedחָרָ֪הḥā·rāh — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → with angerאַ֫פּ֥וֹ’ap·pōw — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → against Job’s three friendsרֵעָיו֮rê·‘āw — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → becauseעַ֤ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → they had failedלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to refute Job, and yet had condemnedוַ֝יַּרְשִׁ֗יעוּway·yar·šî·‘ū — To act wickedly; condemn as guiltyH7561 — Full Word Study → himאִיּֽוֹב׃’î·yō·wḇ — He weeps or sorrowsH347 — Full Word Study →. 4Now Elihuוֶֽאֱלִיה֗וּwe·’ĕ·lî·hū — God is HeH453 — Full Word Study → had waitedחִכָּ֣הḥik·kāh — to wait, tarry, lingerH2442 — Full Word Study → to speakבִּדְבָרִ֑יםbiḏ·ḇā·rîm — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → to Jobאִ֭יּוֹב’î·yō·wḇ — He weeps or sorrowsH347 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the othersהֵ֖מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → were olderזְֽקֵנִים־zə·qê·nîm- — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → than heמִמֶּ֣נּוּmim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. 5But when heאֱלִיה֗וּא’ĕ·lî·hū — God is HeH453 — Full Word Study → sawוַיַּ֤רְאway·yar — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֘יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the threeשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתšə·lō·šeṯ — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → menהָאֲנָשִׁ֗יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → had noאֵ֤ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → further replyמַעֲנֶ֗הma·‘ă·neh — answer, response, replyH4617 — Full Word Study →, his angerאַפּֽוֹ׃פ’ap·pōw — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → was kindledוַיִּ֥חַרway·yi·ḥar — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study →. 6So Elihuאֱלִיה֖וּא’ĕ·lî·hū — God is HeH453 — Full Word Study → sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Barachelבַּֽרַכְאֵ֥לba·raḵ·’êl — God blessesH1292 — Full Word Study → the Buziteהַבּוּזִ֗יhab·bū·zî — Descendant of BuzH940 — Full Word Study → declaredוַיַּ֤עַן׀way·ya·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →: “Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am youngצָ֘עִ֤ירṣā·‘îr — Small, least, youngest; insignificant or juniorH6810 — Full Word Study → in yearsלְ֭יָמִיםlə·yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, while youוְאַתֶּ֣םwə·’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are oldיְשִׁישִׁ֑יםyə·šî·šîm — Very old, aged person; advanced in yearsH3453 — Full Word Study →; that is whyעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → I was timidזָחַ֥לְתִּיzā·ḥal·tî — to crawl; to writhe in fear or dreadH2119 — Full Word Study → and afraidוָֽאִירָ֓א׀wå̄·ʾī·rå̄ — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → to tell youמֵחַוֺּ֖תmê·ḥaw·wōṯ — to show, declare, or explainH2331 — Full Word Study → what I knowדֵּעִ֣יdê·‘î — Knowledge, understanding, or opinionH1843 — Full Word Study →. 7I thoughtאָ֭מַרְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → that ageיָמִ֣יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → should speakיְדַבֵּ֑רוּyə·ḏab·bê·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, and manyוְרֹ֥בwə·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁ֝נִ֗יםšā·nîm — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → should teachיֹדִ֥יעוּyō·ḏî·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָֽה׃ḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study →. 8Butאָ֭כֵן’ā·ḵên — Surely, certainly, trulyH403 — Full Word Study → there is a spiritרֽוּחַ־rū·aḥ- — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → in a manבֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁḇe·’ĕ·nō·wōš — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study →, the breathוְנִשְׁמַ֖תwə·niš·maṯ — breath, spirit, life-breathH5397 — Full Word Study → of the Almightyשַׁדַּ֣יšad·day — The AlmightyH7706 — Full Word Study →, that gives him understandingתְּבִינֵֽם׃tə·ḇî·nêm — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →. 9It is not onlyלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → the oldרַבִּ֥יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → who are wiseיֶחְכָּ֑מוּyeḥ·kā·mū — to be wise; to act with wisdomH2449 — Full Word Study →, or the elderlyוּ֝זְקֵנִ֗יםū·zə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → who understandיָבִ֥ינוּyā·ḇî·nū — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → justiceמִשְׁפָּֽט׃miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →. 10Thereforeלָכֵ֣ןlā·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → I sayאָ֭מַרְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Listenשִׁמְעָה־šim·‘āh- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to me; Iאָֽנִי׃’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → tooאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → will declareאֲחַוֶּ֖ה’ă·ḥaw·weh — to show, declare, or explainH2331 — Full Word Study → what I knowדֵּעִ֣יdê·‘î — Knowledge, understanding, or opinionH1843 — Full Word Study →.’ 11Indeedהֵ֤ןhên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, I waitedהוֹחַ֨לְתִּיhō·w·ḥal·tî — To wait; to hope; to expect with patienceH3176 — Full Word Study → while you spokeלְֽדִבְרֵיכֶ֗םlə·ḏiḇ·rê·ḵem — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →; I listenedאָ֭זִין’ā·zîn — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study → toעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → your reasoningתְּב֥וּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֑םtə·ḇū·nō·ṯê·ḵem — Prudent understanding; discernment and skillH8394 — Full Word Study →; asעַֽד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → you searchedתַּחְקְר֥וּןtaḥ·qə·rūn — to search out, investigate, or examine thoroughlyH2713 — Full Word Study → for wordsמִלִּֽין׃mil·lîn — speech, word, matter, thing saidH4405 — Full Word Study →, 12I paid you full attentionאֶתְבּ֫וֹנָ֥ן’eṯ·bō·w·nān — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →. But no oneאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → proved Jobלְאִיּ֣וֹבlə·’î·yō·wḇ — He weeps or sorrowsH347 — Full Word Study → wrongמוֹכִ֑יחַmō·w·ḵî·aḥ — To rebuke, reprove, or correct with reasoningH3198 — Full Word Study →; not one ofמִכֶּֽם׃mik·kem — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → you rebuttedעוֹנֶ֖ה‘ō·w·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → his argumentsאֲמָרָ֣יו’ă·mā·rāw — Word, speech, saying, utteranceH561 — Full Word Study →. 13So do notפֶּן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → claimתֹּ֣֭אמְרוּtō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘We have foundמָצָ֣אנוּmā·ṣā·nū — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָ֑הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study →; let Godאֵ֖ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → manאִֽישׁ׃’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, refute himיִדְּפֶ֣נּוּyid·də·p̄en·nū — to drive away, thrust, or shake violentlyH5086 — Full Word Study →.’ 14But Job has notוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → directedעָרַ֣ךְ‘ā·raḵ — to arrange, set in order, prepareH6186 — Full Word Study → his words against meאֵלַ֣י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, and I will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → answer himאֲשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ׃’ă·šî·ḇen·nū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → with your argumentsוּ֝בְאִמְרֵיכֶ֗םū·ḇə·’im·rê·ḵem — Word, speech, saying, utteranceH561 — Full Word Study →. 15Job’s friends are dismayed, with noלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → moreע֑וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → to sayעָ֣נוּ‘ā·nū — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →; wordsמִלִּֽים׃mil·lîm — speech, word, matter, thing saidH4405 — Full Word Study → have escapedהֶעְתִּ֖יקוּhe‘·tî·qū — to remove, depart, or wear awayH6275 — Full Word Study → them. 16Must I waitוְ֭הוֹחַלְתִּיwə·hō·w·ḥal·tî — To wait; to hope; to expect with patienceH3176 — Full Word Study →, now thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they are silentלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →, now thatכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they standעָ֝מְד֗וּ‘ā·mə·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → and noלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → longerעֽוֹד׃‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → replyעָ֥נוּ‘ā·nū — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →? 17Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → tooאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → will answerאַעֲנֶ֣ה’a·‘ă·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →; yesאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study →, Iאָֽנִי׃’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will declareאֲחַוֶּ֖ה’ă·ḥaw·weh — to show, declare, or explainH2331 — Full Word Study → what I knowדֵעִ֣יḏê·‘î — Knowledge, understanding, or opinionH1843 — Full Word Study →. 18Forכִּ֭יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I am full ofמָלֵ֣תִיmā·lê·ṯî — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → wordsמִלִּ֑יםmil·lîm — speech, word, matter, thing saidH4405 — Full Word Study →, and my spiritר֣וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → within meבִּטְנִֽי׃biṭ·nî — belly; womb; interior of the bodyH990 — Full Word Study → compels meהֱ֝צִיקַ֗תְנִיhĕ·ṣî·qaṯ·nî — to pressH6693 — Full Word Study →. 19Beholdהִנֵּֽה־hin·nêh- — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, my bellyבִטְנִ֗יḇiṭ·nî — belly; womb; interior of the bodyH990 — Full Word Study → is like unventedיִפָּתֵ֑חַyip·pā·ṯê·aḥ — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → wineכְּיַ֥יִןkə·ya·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study →; it is about to burstיִבָּקֵֽעַ׃yib·bā·qê·a‘ — To break open, split, or break throughH1234 — Full Word Study → like a newחֲ֝דָשִׁ֗יםḥă·ḏā·šîm — new, fresh, recentH2319 — Full Word Study → wineskinכְּאֹב֥וֹתkə·’ō·ḇō·wṯ — Medium or spiritist; one who consults the deadH178 — Full Word Study →. 20I must speakאֲדַבְּרָ֥ה’ă·ḏab·bə·rāh — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → and find reliefוְיִֽרְוַֽח־wə·yir·waḥ- — to be refreshed, to have relief or spaceH7304 — Full Word Study →; I must openאֶפְתַּ֖ח’ep̄·taḥ — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → my lipsשְׂפָתַ֣יśə·p̄ā·ṯay — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → and respondוְאֶֽעֱנֶֽה׃wə·’e·‘ĕ·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →. 21I will be partialאֶשָּׂ֣א’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → to noאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → oneאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, nor willלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → I flatterאֲכַנֶּֽה׃’ă·ḵan·neh — to give flattering titles; to surname or nameH3655 — Full Word Study → any manאָ֝דָ֗ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 22Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I do notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → know howיָדַ֣עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → to flatterאֲכַנֶּ֑ה’ă·ḵan·neh — to give flattering titles; to surname or nameH3655 — Full Word Study →, or my Makerעֹשֵֽׂנִי׃‘ō·śê·nî — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → would remove meיִשָּׂאֵ֥נִיyiś·śā·’ê·nî — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → in an instantכִּ֝מְעַ֗טkim·‘aṭ — A small amount; little; fewH4592 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Job 32
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Chapter 32 introduces Elihu, a fourth speaker who has been silently observing the debate between Job and his three friends. Frustrated by what he perceives as their failure to answer Job satisfactorily, and angered by Job's self-justification at the expense of God's character, Elihu breaks his silence. Though he begins with deference to his elders' age and wisdom, he argues that true understanding comes not from years alone but from the Spirit of God. This chapter sets the stage for Elihu's lengthy speeches (chapters 32-37) and marks a significant turn in the book's dialogue, introducing a younger voice with a different perspective on Job's suffering.

Verses 1-5: The Silence of the Three Friends and Elihu's Rising Anger

The three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—have exhausted their arguments and ceased speaking. Their silence came because Job, despite his suffering, continued to justify himself rather than acknowledge wrongdoing (verse 2). This refusal to confess sin or accept their diagnosis of his condition frustrated them. Elihu's anger kindles not only against Job but also against the three friends themselves (verse 3). Why? Because they had condemned Job without successfully proving their case—they leveled accusations but provided no satisfying answers. Elihu, though younger, had waited respectfully for his elders to finish speaking (verse 4), but once he recognized their failure, his frustration overflowed.

Application: This reminds us that silence in the face of spiritual error, and failed attempts to help someone see truth, can breed frustration. We should speak truth with both humility and clarity, not merely repeat formulas.

Verses 6-10: Elihu's Respectful Qualification

Elihu acknowledges the cultural expectation that age brings wisdom (verse 7). However, he introduces a crucial principle: wisdom is not automatically granted by years, but by the Spirit of God (verse 8). Not all great or aged people possess understanding or sound judgment (verse 9). This is a vital theological insight—human experience and seniority, while valuable, are insufficient for true wisdom. The inspiration of the Almighty alone grants genuine understanding. Therefore, despite his youth, Elihu feels compelled to speak his opinion (verse 10). His respect for his elders is genuine but not paralyzing; he recognizes that divine wisdom can work through younger vessels.

Application: True wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit, not merely from age or status. Younger believers should not hesitate to speak biblical truth humbly, and older believers should remain open to insight from unexpected sources.

Verses 11-17: Elihu's Honest Assessment

Elihu waited attentively, listening carefully to every word (verse 11). But his conclusion is clear: none of the three friends successfully answered or convinced Job (verse 12). He notes that they may have feared that speaking further would constitute a claim to have found out wisdom—that human reasoning had defeated Job (verse 13). Elihu resolves to proceed differently (verse 14). When the friends fell silent and stood helpless (verse 15), he recognized his moment to speak (verses 16-17).

Application: Honest assessment of a situation—recognizing what approaches have failed and what needs to change—is necessary for genuine help. We must be willing to acknowledge when previous efforts haven't worked.

Verses 18-22: Elihu's Compulsion to Speak

Elihu describes himself as internally compelled by the Spirit (verse 18). His metaphor is vivid: he is like wine ready to burst from sealed bottles, needing release (verse 19). He must speak to find relief (verse 20). Importantly, he commits himself to impartiality—he will not show favoritism or use flattery (verses 21-22). He recognizes that flattery would be unfaithful to his Maker and deserving of judgment.

Application: A genuine burden to speak God's truth should be accompanied by a commitment to honesty and impartiality, never flattery or human-pleasing.

Application for Today

Elihu's introduction challenges us to distinguish between respecting human authority and obeying God's truth. While honor and humility are virtues, they must never silence biblical witness. We are called to speak God's Word faithfully, whether we are young or old, whether our words are popular or not. Like Elihu, our motivation should be the constraint of God's Spirit, not arrogance or frustration—and our commitment should always be to truth, never to flattery or people-pleasing.

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