Job 32

Job 32:1-37:24.

SPEECH OF

ELIHU.

1-6. Prose (poetry begins with "I am young").

because, &c.--and because they could not prove to him that he was

unrighteous.

2. Elihu--meaning "God is Jehovah." In his name and character as

messenger between God and Job, he foreshadows Jesus Christ

(Job 33:23-26).

Barachel--meaning "God blesses." Both names indicate the piety of

the family and their separation from idolaters.

Buzite--Buz was son of Nahor, brother of Abraham. Hence was named a

region in Arabia-Deserta

(Jer 25:23).

Ram--Aram, nephew of Buz. Job was probably of an older generation

than Elihu. However, the identity of names does not necessarily prove

the identity of persons. The particularity with which Elihu's descent

is given, as contrasted with the others, led LIGHTFOOT

to infer Elihu

was the author of the book. But the reason for particularity was,

probably, that Elihu was less known than the three called "friends"

of Job; and that it was right for the poet to mark especially him who

was mainly to solve the problem of the book.

rather than God--that is, was more eager

to vindicate himself than God. In

Job 4:17,

Job denies that man can be more just than God. UMBREIT translates, "Before (in the presence of)

God."

3. Though silenced in argument, they held their opinion still.

4. had spoken--Hebrew, "in words," referring rather to

his own "words" of reply, which he had long ago ready, but kept back

in deference to the seniority of the friends who spoke.

6. was afraid--The root meaning in Hebrew is "to crawl"

(De 32:24).

7. Days--that is, the aged

(Job 15:10).

8. Elihu claims inspiration, as a divinely commissioned messenger

to Job

(Job 33:6, 23);

and that claim is not contradicted in

Job 42:4, 5.

Translate: "But the spirit (which God puts) in man, and the inspiration

. . . is that which giveth," &c.; it is not mere "years"

which give understanding

(Pr 2:6;

Joh 20:22).

9. Great--rather, "old"

(Job 32:6).

So Hebrew, in

Ge 25:23.

"Greater, less" for the older, the younger.

judgment--what is right.

10. Rather, "I say."

opinion--rather, "knowledge."

11. Therefore Elihu was present from the first.

reasons--literally, "understandings," that is, the meaning intended

whilst--I waited until you should discover a suitable reply to

Job.

13. This has been so ordered, "lest you should" pride yourselves on

having overcome him by your "wisdom"

(Jer 9:23,

the great aim of the Book of Job); and that you may see, "God alone can

thrust him down," that is, confute him, "not man." So Elihu grounds his

confutation, not on the maxims of sages, as the friends did, but on his

special commission from God

(Job 32:8; 33:4, 6).

14. I am altogether unprejudiced. For it is not I, whom he addressed.

"Your speeches" have been influenced by irritation.

15. Here Elihu turns from the friends to Job: and so passes from

the second person to the third; a transition frequent in a rebuke

(Job 18:3, 4).

they left off--Words were taken from them.

17. my part--for my part.

opinion--knowledge.

18. "I am full of words," whereas the friends have not a word more

to say.

the spirit--

(Job 32:8; 33:4;

Jer 20:9;

Ac 18:5).

19. belly--bosom: from which the words of Orientalists in speaking

seem to come more than with us; they speak gutturally. "Like (new)

wine (in fermentation) without a vent," to work itself off. New wine is kept in new goatskin bottles. This fittingly applies to the

young Elihu, as contrasted with the old friends

(Mt 9:7).

20. refreshed--literally, "that there may be air to me"

(1Sa 16:23).

21. "May I never accept," &c. Elihu alludes to Job's words

(Job 13:8, 10),

wherein he complains that the friends plead for God partially,

"accepting His person." Elihu says he will not do so, but will act

impartially between God and Job. "And I will not give flattery," &c.

(Pr 24:23).

22. take me away--as a punishment

(Ps 102:24).