Job 32

Chap. XXXII. ver. 1. — because he was righteous in his own eyes.] They found that he was resolutely bent to justify himself, let them say what they would. Clark.

Job 32:2

2. — the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram:] Of Syrian extraction, for Bus was the son of Nahor, who was a Syrian. Grotius. See Gen. xxii. 20.

Job 32:3

3. — because they had found no answer.] No convincing reply, such as could silence Job. Bp. Wilson.

Job 32:6

6. — I am young, &c.] For a youth to speak in such an assembly on so delicate and difficult a subject, and after his superiors in age, and men renowned for wisdom, had given up the dispute, exposed him to the danger of discovering his weakness and folly, and of being thought forward and presumptuous. Scott, Poole.

Job 32:7

7, 8. I said, Days should speak, &c.] I said, as in good manners I ought, those who are ancient and full of days should speak; and those who had the experience of many years, should be most able to teach wisdom to such as are younger; but I see, all is not in age; there is a Spirit of God which, breathing where it listeth, maketh a difference in men. Bp. Hall.

Job 32:8

8. — inspiration of the Almighty] The word used here, which we translate “inspiration,” is used by Moses, Gen. ii. 7, to signify the inspiration or breath of life: and therefore we may justly take it to mean here, not what Christians call the grace of God, but rather that original ability of mind which God has given to man. Shuckford.

Job 32:13

13. Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom.]

Do not think or say, that you have, by your great wisdom, convinced Job, upon this ground, that God hath afflicted him, not man; that God, being just, punishes none but a sinner; and that therefore Job is a hypocrite: I shall deal with him in another way. Bp. Hall.

Job 32:14

14. Now he hath not directed his words against me.]

I am not engaged in this discourse, by any provoking words of Job, as you have been, but merely out of zeal for God, and love to truth, and a sincere desire to minister to Job matter both for conviction and comfort; neither will I answer him with such weak arguments and provoking language as you have used. Clark.

Job 32:15

15. They were amazed, &c.] Here Elihu turns his speech to the auditors. Clark. As if he had said, See, I beseech you, all that hear us, how these disputants are amazed; how silent they are, as if their speech had forsaken them. Bp. Patrick.

Job 32:18

18. — the spirit within me constraineth me.] As he was a young man, he does not claim much authority from his own sayings; but he claims it from the inspiration of the Almighty, by whose Spirit he was actuated, ver. 8, and whose oracles he was delivering. Heath.

Job 32:19

19. — as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.] Bottles made of skin were used anciently by most nations, and still are used in the East. It appears from a figure found among the ruins of Herculaneum, that, after the skin had been stripped off the animal, and properly dressed, the places where the legs had been were strongly closed up; and where the neck was, an opening was left for receiving and discharging the contents of the bottle. Such bottles, when full, must have differed greatly from the same when empty. On receiving the liquor they must be greatly swollen and distended; and no doubt, they must be swollen still further by the fermentation of the liquor within them, as that advances to ripeness: so that in this state, if “no vent” be given to it, the liquor may overpower

refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

Job 32:22

22. For I know not to give flattering titles:] I dare not soothe and flatter any man in a false conceit: if I should do so, I know that God would be sure to be speedily avenged of me. Bp. Hall.

The protestation, here made by Elihu, that he would speak freely and impartially, should prompt us always to speak with sincerity, without being restrained by any regard to men; especially when the glory of God, and their good, require us to speak the truth. Ostervald.

Chap. XXXIII. ver. 4. The Spirit of God hath made me.] Creation being proper to the true God, the Holy Ghost, or Spirit of God, is therefore the true God.