Chapter Overview
Summary
Job 32 introduces ELIHU — a fourth-character previously-unmentioned, the youngest in-the-discussion. He has-listened-silently through-all-the-friend-cycles and now-speaks with-anger at-both-Job (for-self-righteousness) and-the-friends (for failure-to-answer). Elihu's four-speeches (chapters 32–37) precede the divine-speeches and prepare for them. Some scholars view-Elihu as a later-editorial-insertion; others as the book's-most-orthodox-voice.
Notable Variants
32:1–5 narrative-introduction of Elihu (rare prose-section in poetic-portion); 32:8–9 'it is the spirit in man' youthful-claim to revelation; Elihu's role as bridge to-divine-speeches.
Structural Notes
MT Job 32 = LXX Job 32. 22 verses. Opens ELIHU'S SPEECHES (chapters 32–37). Prose narrative-introduction (vv. 1–5).
These three men gave up responding to Job, for he considered himself righteous.
'So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes' tracks MT. THREE-FRIENDS-CEASE — narrative-frame transitioning to Elihu.
Then the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, burned hot. His anger burned against Job because he justified himself rather than God.
'Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God' tracks MT. ELIHU INTRODUCED. Buzite — possibly from Buz, brother of Uz (Gen 22:21) — Edomite or Aramean. Elihu = 'He is my God.'
His anger also burned against his three friends, because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job.
'He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong' tracks MT.
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he in years.
'Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he' tracks MT. WAITED-OUT-OF-RESPECT — ancient deference-to-elders ethic.
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, his anger burned.
'And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger' tracks MT.
Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I held back, I was afraid to declare what I know to you.
'And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you' tracks MT.
I thought, 'Let days speak, and the abundance of years teach wisdom.'
'I said: Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom' tracks MT. LET-DAYS-SPEAK — but next-verse subverts this.
But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding.
'But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand' tracks MT. SPIRIT-MAKES-UNDERSTAND. The chapter's-pivot-point. Wisdom comes-from-divine-spirit, not-only-from age. 1 Corinthians 2:10–12 ('these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit') extends.
It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
'It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right' tracks MT.
Therefore I say: Listen to me. I too will declare what I know.
'Therefore I say: Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion' tracks MT.
Look — I waited for your words. I listened for your insights while you searched for what to say.
'Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say' tracks MT.
I paid close attention to you, but not one of you refuted Job. None of you answered his arguments.
'I gave you my attention, and behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words' tracks MT.
Do not say, 'We have found wisdom — only God can refute him, not a man.'
'Beware lest you say: We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man' tracks MT.
He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
'He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches' tracks MT.
They are dismayed; they answer no more. Words have departed from them.
'They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say' tracks MT.
I waited, but they do not speak. They stand there; they answer no more.
'And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?' tracks MT.
I too will answer my part. I too will declare what I know.
'I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion' tracks MT.
For I am full of words; the spirit in my belly presses hard against me.
'For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me' tracks MT. SPIRIT-CONSTRAINS — divine-pressure-to-speak. Jeremiah 20:9's 'fire shut up in my bones' parallel.
My belly is like wine that has no vent — like new wineskins, ready to burst.
'Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst' tracks MT. NEW-WINESKINS imagery. Matthew 9:17 (Jesus' new-wine-in-old-wineskins parable) draws on the same vocabulary.
Let me speak, so I can breathe. Let me open my lips and answer.
'I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer' tracks MT.
I will not show favoritism to anyone, and I will not flatter any person.
'I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person' tracks MT. NO-FLATTERY ethic.
For I do not know how to flatter; if I did, my Maker would soon carry me off.
'For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away' tracks MT.