Job 32

Chapter context

What is happening in Job 32?

sufferingwisdomjusticelament

Job 32 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the divine speeches and epilogue. Job probes innocent suffering, failed consolation, contested theology, the limits of human explanation, and the mystery of divine wisdom. Read this chapter with the wider themes of suffering, wisdom, and justice in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

¹ So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 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. ³ Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 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 ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. ⁷ I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. ⁸ But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. ⁹ Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. ¹⁰ Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. ¹¹ Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. ¹² Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: ¹³ Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. ¹⁴ Now he hath 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 spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) ¹⁷ I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. ¹⁸ For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. ¹⁹ Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. ²⁰ I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. ²¹ Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. ²² For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Study helps

Glossary

Barachel Person v. 2, 6: Whom God has blessed, a Buzite, the father of Elihu, one of Job’s friends ( Job 32:2 , 6).
Elihu Person v. 2, 4-6: Whose God is he. (1. ) “The son of Barachel, a Buzite” ( Job 32:2 ), one of Job’s friends.
Ram Person v. 2: Exalted. (1. ) The son of Hezron, and one of the ancestors of the royal line ( Ruth 4:19 ). The margin of 1 Chr. 2:9 , also Matt. 1:3 , 4 and Luke 3:33 , have “Aram. ” (2. ) One of the sons of Jerahmeel ( 1 Chr. 2:25 , 27).