Job Chapter 32

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 22 Verses

What is Job 32 about?

The suffering of a righteous man and the profound questions it raises about God's justice, sovereignty, and human understanding. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.
5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.
7I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.
12Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.
13Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:
14For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.
16And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?
17I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion.
18For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
19Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray you, respect any man`s person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; [Else] would my Maker soon take me away.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“So these three men ceased to answer Job, etc.] His three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, who came to visit and comfort him under his afflictions; but unawares were led into a controversy with him, occasioned by some rash and impatient expressions of his; which controversy had been carried on between them a considerable time, but now dropped; they grew weary of it, and now rested themselves as men do on a sabbath, as the word signifies; they set themselves down, and made no reply to Job’s vindication of himself, not caring to give themselves any further trouble, or…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“SPEECH OF ELIHU. (Job 32:1-37:24) Prose (poetry begins with "I am young"). because, &c.--and because they could not prove to him that he was unrighteous.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“So these three men ceased to answer Job - Each had had three opportunities of replying to him, though in the last series of the controversy Zophar had been silent. Now all were silent; and though they do not appear in the least to have been convinced, or to have changed their opinion, yet they found no arguments with which to sustain their views. It was this, among other things, which induced Elihu to take up the subject. Because he was righteous in his own eyes - Umbreit expresses the sense of this by adding, “and they could not convince him of his unrighteousness.” It was not merely because he was righteous in…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Because - So they said: but they could not answer him. Job 32:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“32:1–37:24 Having completed three cycles of speeches between Job and his three friends, we now hear from a new voice. Elihu has not been previously introduced, but he is a young man who has listened to everything the others have said. 32:1 Job’s three friends (see 2:11) failed to comfort him (6:14-30; 13:4; 16:2; 19:21; 42:10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“to answer: Heb. from answering righteous: Job 6:29, Job 10:2, Job 10:7, Job 13:15, Job 23:7, Job 27:4-6, Job 29:11-17, 31:1-40, Job 33:9 Job 32:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“1-3 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. And the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself at the expense of God. And against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they found no answer, and condemned Job. The name of the speaker is אליהוּא (with Mahpach), son of בּרכאל (with Munach) the buwziy (with Zarka). The name Elihu signifies "my God is He," and occurs also as an Israelitish name, although it is not specifically Israelitish, like Elijah (my God is…”
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