Job 32 Study Notes: Elihu Begins to Speak
When the three friends give up answering Job, a younger man named Elihu steps forward, angry with Job for defending himself over God and with the friends for condemning Job without refuting him. Elihu says he held back out of respect for age, but that understanding is God’s gift, and he vows to show no partiality.
General
According to Job 32:2-3, why was Elihu angry with Job and with the three friends?
Answer: Job justified himself, not God; the friends condemned Job with no answer
A new speaker appears: Elihu, a Buzite whose father was Barachel, from Ram’s family line (32:2). The narrative gives two reasons for his anger. He was angry with Job because Job defended his own righteousness at the expense of God’s (32:2). He was also angry with Job’s three companions, since they had pronounced Job guilty without ever actually answering him (32:3). Later in the book the LORD raises a related question with Job, asking whether he would condemn God in order to justify himself (40:8), and He tells the three friends that they had not spoken about Him accurately, as Job had (42:7). The LORD neither rebukes nor praises Elihu by name, and readers assess his speeches differently.
- Job 32:2-3 (BSB)“This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God, and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.”Elihu is introduced, and the reasons for his anger against Job and the friends are given.
- Job 40:8 (BSB)“Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?”The LORD later questions Job about condemning God in order to justify himself.
- Job 42:7 (BSB)“After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has.”The LORD says the three friends did not speak about Him accurately, as Job had.
Theological
What two grounds for Elihu’s anger does the narrative give in Job 32:2-3?
Answer: Job justified himself, not God; the friends condemned Job with no answer
Elihu, a Buzite and the son of Barachel, from Ram’s line, enters with a twofold anger (32:2-3). Against Job, because Job vindicated himself instead of God (32:2); against the three friends, since they condemned Job while failing to refute him (32:3). The LORD later puts a related question to Job, whether he would condemn Him to justify himself (40:8), and He declares that the friends, unlike Job, did not speak of Him accurately (42:7). The LORD neither rebukes nor commends Elihu by name, and interpreters assess his speeches differently.
- Job 32:2-3 (BSB)“This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God, and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.”Elihu is introduced, and the reasons for his anger against Job and the friends are given.
- Job 40:8 (BSB)“Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?”The LORD later questions Job about condemning God in order to justify himself.
- Job 42:7 (BSB)“After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has.”The LORD says the three friends did not speak about Him accurately, as Job had.
General
How does Elihu describe himself as he gets ready to speak (Job 32:18-22)?
Answer: Bursting to speak, and resolved to show no favoritism
Elihu says he is so full of things to say that his spirit presses him to speak (32:18). He compares himself to wine with no outlet, like fresh wineskins ready to split (32:19), and says he must speak to find relief (32:20). He also promises not to take anyone’s side or flatter anyone, for if he did, his Maker would soon take him away (32:21-22). Scripture elsewhere condemns partiality in judgment (Leviticus 19:15) and warns that flattery sets a trap (Proverbs 29:5). Job had earlier asked whether the friends were showing partiality in arguing for God (13:7-8).
- Job 32:18-20 (BSB)“For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me. Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.”Elihu describes the pressure within him to speak.
- Job 32:21-22 (BSB)“I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man. For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.”Elihu promises not to show partiality or flatter anyone.
- Leviticus 19:15 (BSB)“You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”The Law forbids partiality and favoritism in judging.
- Proverbs 29:5 (BSB)“A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.”Flattery is described as spreading a trap for a neighbor.
- Job 13:7-8 (BSB)“Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?”Job had asked whether the friends were showing partiality in defending God.
Theological
What self-description does Elihu give before launching his argument (Job 32:18-22)?
Answer: Bursting to speak, and resolved to show no favoritism
Elihu presents himself as pressed to speak: full of words, inwardly compelled (32:18), like unvented wine about to burst a new wineskin (32:19), able to find relief only by answering (32:20). He also disavows partiality and flattery, citing accountability to his Maker (32:21-22). Scripture elsewhere forbids partiality in judgment (Leviticus 19:15) and warns that flattery spreads a net (Proverbs 29:5). Job had earlier challenged the friends on this very point, asking whether they would show God partiality in arguing His case (13:7-8).
- Job 32:18-20 (BSB)“For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me. Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.”Elihu describes the pressure within him to speak.
- Job 32:21-22 (BSB)“I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man. For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.”Elihu promises not to show partiality or flatter anyone.
- Leviticus 19:15 (BSB)“You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”The Law forbids partiality and favoritism in judging.
- Proverbs 29:5 (BSB)“A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.”Flattery is described as spreading a trap for a neighbor.
- Job 13:7-8 (BSB)“Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?”Job had asked whether the friends were showing partiality in defending God.
General
True or False: Elihu says he held back from speaking because he was younger than the others and thought the older men should be the ones to teach wisdom.
Answer: True
This is true. The narrative notes that Elihu had waited because the other men were his seniors in age (32:4). Elihu then explains that he is young and they are old, so he had felt too timid and fearful to share his own view; he had expected the years to bring wisdom (32:6-7). This respect for age fits the Law’s command to honor the elderly (Leviticus 19:32). Job himself had linked wisdom with the aged (12:12), and Eliphaz had claimed the gray-haired were on the friends’ side (15:10). Only when all three men had nothing more to say did Elihu speak (32:5).
- Job 32:4-5 (BSB)“Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.”Elihu had waited because the others were older, then grew angry when they had no answer.
- Job 32:6-7 (BSB)“So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know. I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.”Elihu explains that his youth made him hesitant to speak before the old.
- Leviticus 19:32 (BSB)“You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.”The Law commands honor for the elderly and the aged.
- Job 12:12 (BSB)“Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.”Job himself had connected wisdom with old age.
- Job 15:10 (BSB)“Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side—men much older than your father.”Eliphaz had appealed to the aged as supporting the friends’ case.
Theological
True or False: Elihu explains his long silence by his youth and his expectation that the aged would be the ones to impart wisdom.
Answer: True
This is true. Elihu deferred to the friends because of their age (32:4), and he himself explains that as a younger man he was timid, expecting the aged to impart wisdom (32:6-7). Such deference reflects the Law’s honor for the elderly (Leviticus 19:32). The same assumption had appeared in the debate: Job conceded that wisdom belongs with the aged (12:12), and Eliphaz appealed to the gray-haired being on the friends’ side (15:10). Elihu breaks his silence only once the three have run out of answers (32:5).
- Job 32:4-5 (BSB)“Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.”Elihu had waited because the others were older, then grew angry when they had no answer.
- Job 32:6-7 (BSB)“So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know. I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.”Elihu explains that his youth made him hesitant to speak before the old.
- Leviticus 19:32 (BSB)“You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.”The Law commands honor for the elderly and the aged.
- Job 12:12 (BSB)“Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.”Job himself had connected wisdom with old age.
- Job 15:10 (BSB)“Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side—men much older than your father.”Eliphaz had appealed to the aged as supporting the friends’ case.
General
What does Elihu fault the three friends for after listening to all their speeches (Job 32:11-13)?
Answer: None of them actually answered Job’s arguments
Elihu says he listened carefully while the friends searched for words, but none of them showed Job to be wrong or answered what he said (32:11-12). He warns them not to excuse themselves by saying they had found wisdom and that only God could put Job right (32:13). Since Job had not argued with Elihu, Elihu promises not to reply with the friends’ arguments (32:14). Job had also complained that the friends’ answers were empty and false (21:34). Later the LORD Himself says the friends had not spoken about Him accurately (42:7).
- Job 32:11-14 (BSB)“Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words, I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments. So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’ But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.”Elihu says the friends never answered Job and that he will not use their arguments.
- Job 21:34 (BSB)“So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.””Job had called the friends’ answers empty and false.
- Job 42:7 (BSB)“After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has.”The LORD says the friends did not speak about Him accurately.
Theological
What failure does Elihu charge against the three friends in Job 32:11-13?
Answer: None of them actually answered Job’s arguments
Elihu’s complaint is that, for all their speeches, the friends never refuted Job or answered his arguments (32:11-12). He refuses to let them retreat into the claim that they had found wisdom and that God alone must rebut Job (32:13), and he disowns their line of argument for his own reply (32:14). Job had likewise dismissed their answers as empty and false (21:34), and the LORD’s final word confirms that the friends did not speak of Him accurately (42:7).
- Job 32:11-14 (BSB)“Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words, I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments. So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’ But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.”Elihu says the friends never answered Job and that he will not use their arguments.
- Job 21:34 (BSB)“So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.””Job had called the friends’ answers empty and false.
- Job 42:7 (BSB)“After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has.”The LORD says the friends did not speak about Him accurately.
General
Why did Job’s three friends finally stop answering him (Job 32:1)?
Answer: Job regarded himself as righteous, so they gave up arguing
After several rounds of speeches, the three friends fall silent. The reason given is that Job considered himself righteous (32:1). Job had sworn to hold on to his innocence as long as he lived (27:6), and his own words had just come to a close with a long oath clearing his name (31:40). The friends had nothing more to say that could move him. The LORD Himself had called Job blameless and upright at the start of the book (1:8), so the dispute was never simply about whether Job was a hypocrite. Elihu did not interrupt anyone; he waited until all three had finished (32:4-5).
- Job 32:1 (BSB)“So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.”The narrative gives the reason the three friends stopped answering Job.
- Job 32:4-5 (BSB)“Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.”Elihu waits until the three older men have no further reply.
- Job 27:6 (BSB)“I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.”Job had vowed to hold on to his righteousness and a clear conscience.
- Job 31:40 (BSB)“then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.”Job’s words come to their close just before the friends fall silent.
- Job 1:8 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.””The LORD Himself had described Job as blameless and upright.
Theological
What reason does Job 32:1 give for the end of the three friends’ speeches?
Answer: Job regarded himself as righteous, so they gave up arguing
The three friends end the debate because Job is in the right in his own estimation (32:1). He had vowed to cling to his righteousness for life (27:6), and his discourse has just concluded with an extended oath of innocence (31:40). The friends have no further argument that can shake him. Yet the LORD had already pronounced Job blameless and upright (1:8), so the impasse is not a simple case of a hypocrite refusing correction. Elihu, far from interrupting, waits until the three have nothing left to say (32:4-5).
- Job 32:1 (BSB)“So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.”The narrative gives the reason the three friends stopped answering Job.
- Job 32:4-5 (BSB)“Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.”Elihu waits until the three older men have no further reply.
- Job 27:6 (BSB)“I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.”Job had vowed to hold on to his righteousness and a clear conscience.
- Job 31:40 (BSB)“then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.”Job’s words come to their close just before the friends fall silent.
- Job 1:8 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.””The LORD Himself had described Job as blameless and upright.
General
What does Elihu say is the real source of a person’s understanding (Job 32:8-9)?
Answer: The spirit that God gives, not simply a long life
Elihu had assumed that age brings wisdom, but now he says that understanding comes from the spirit within a person, the very breath of God Almighty (32:8). Old age alone does not make anyone wise or able to judge rightly (32:9). That is why he asks the older men to listen to him too (32:10). He repeats the thought later, saying that God’s Spirit made him (33:4). The principle that wisdom is God’s gift is affirmed elsewhere in Scripture: wisdom and understanding come from the LORD (Proverbs 2:6), and those who lack it may ask Him for it (James 1:5). A psalmist even says God’s word gave him more insight than his elders (Psalm 119:99-100).
- Job 32:8-10 (BSB)“But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’”Elihu claims that understanding comes from God’s breath, not age alone, and asks to be heard.
- Job 33:4 (BSB)“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”Elihu later repeats that God’s Spirit made him and gives him life.
- Proverbs 2:6 (BSB)“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”Scripture elsewhere teaches that the LORD is the giver of wisdom and understanding.
- James 1:5 (BSB)“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”God gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks Him.
- Psalm 119:99-100 (BSB)“I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.”A psalmist credits God’s word with giving him more insight than his elders.
Theological
To what does Elihu trace true understanding in Job 32:8-9?
Answer: The spirit that God gives, not simply a long life
Elihu grounds understanding not in years but in the spirit in man, which is God’s own breath (32:8); length of days does not guarantee wisdom or a grasp of justice (32:9). On that basis he claims a hearing from the older men (32:10), and he later restates that God’s Spirit made him (33:4). That wisdom is God’s gift rather than a product of age is affirmed elsewhere in Scripture: wisdom and understanding come from the LORD (Proverbs 2:6), He gives generously to those who ask (James 1:5), and the psalmist can say that God’s testimonies gave him more discernment than the elders (Psalm 119:99-100).
- Job 32:8-10 (BSB)“But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’”Elihu claims that understanding comes from God’s breath, not age alone, and asks to be heard.
- Job 33:4 (BSB)“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”Elihu later repeats that God’s Spirit made him and gives him life.
- Proverbs 2:6 (BSB)“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”Scripture elsewhere teaches that the LORD is the giver of wisdom and understanding.
- James 1:5 (BSB)“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”God gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks Him.
- Psalm 119:99-100 (BSB)“I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.”A psalmist credits God’s word with giving him more insight than his elders.