Job 32

It appears by the fifteenth verse of this chapter, that there were several other persons present besides those that are named, when this dispute was held between Job and his three friends. Among whom there was a young man named Elihu; and who was cither a Syrian (in which language this book was first written, and translated by Moses into Hebrew, says the author of the commentaries under Origen’s name), descended from the second son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, Gen. xxii. 20. or an Idumean, of the same country with Eliphaz the Temanite, Jer. xxv. 23. I have made him a Syrian in my paraphrase, because he is said to be of the kindred of Ram; by whom we are to understand either Aram, or, as the Hebrews think, Abraham, by whom such wisdom and piety rni£ht be promoted in his brother’s family, as is apparent in Elihu; who, though much inferior to the. rest in years (for which reason he had held his peace thus long), yet was much superior to them in knowledge. Which he discovers in the judicious censures he here passes, not only upon the three friends, but upon Job himself: whom he hath nothing to charge withal, relating to any crime committed before this affliction befel him; but thinks he had not managed the dispute about it with so much calmness and submission to God, as became his piety. In this he difTers from those that spake before him: for I do not find that he blames him for any miscarriages, but those only which he observed in the heat of his disputation; and he spends his time rather in justifying God, than in carping at Job, as the other had done. -

Job 32:1

*JO these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. And his three friends also left off disputing with him, because they saw him immoveably fixed in the opinion of his innocence.

Job 32:2

TJien teas 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. Which very much displeased a young man, who had stood by all this time, and heard what both sides said for themselves. His name was Elihu, descended from a brother of Abraham; who was exceeding angry with Job, because he spent more time in justifying himself than in justifying God;

Job 32:3

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. And with his three friends also, because they were not able to maintain their charge against Job, and yet had condemned him to be a wicked hypocrite.

Job 32:4

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. Yet he moderated his passion so discreetly, that he said not a word, till he had waited, as w r ell as Job, to see whether they would resume the debate: because it was not fit, he thought, for him to meddle, as long as his elders had any thing to say.

Job 32:5

When Elihu saw that there teas no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath ivas kindled. But! when he saw that none of the three offered to reply, but sat as men that knew not what to say, he was not able to hold his peace any longer:

Job 32:6

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. But in this manner addressed himself unto them, sayiug,*I have considered all this while mine own youth, and your aged experience; which have deterred me so much, that I have hitherto been afraid to interpose my opinion.

Job 32:7

I. said, Days should speak, and multitude of years shall teach wisdom. I thought with myself, that it was becoming one of my small standing to hear, rather than to speak; and to learn wisdom in such grave company as yours, rather than pretend to teach it.

Job 32:8

But there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of.the Almighty giveth them understanding. But I see I was mistaken: man is a very wretched thing, though he live never so long, if God do not illuminate him. It is the Divine inspiration which gives understanding.

Job 32:9

Great men are not always wise; neither do the aged understand judgment. They are not always the wisest who are in authority, and the teachers of others: nor do old men always so well employ their years as to understand the difference of things.

Job 32:10

Tlierefore I said, Hearken to me; I also tviU shew mine opinion. Therefore let me entreat you to lend your ears a little to me: I also will tell you what I think about this matter.

Job 32:11

Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, tvhilst you searched out what to say. Do not think me too forward; for I have with great patience heard all your discourses, and observed your arguments; and let you proceed till you have searched as far as you could into the business:

Job 32:12

Yea, I attended unto you; and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words. And having duly considered and comprehended every word, I must needs pronounce, that there is none of you hath confuted Job, nor said any thing to the purpose in answer to his defence of himself.

Job 32:13

Lest ye should say; We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. For it is not sufficient for you to say he is obstinate, and therefore it is wisely done of us to leave him to God: he shall confound him, by continuing his affliction; not we by our arguments.

Job 32:14

Now, he hath not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches. Which truly are so weak, that I shall make no use of them; but, as Job hath directed none of his words against me, so I shall trouble him with none of your replies.

Job 32:15

Tftey were amazed; they answered no more; they left off speaking. See, I beseech you all, you that hear us, how these disputants are amazed; how silent they are, as if their speech had forsaken them.

Job 32:16

When I had waited (for they spake not, but stood still, and anstvered no more). You are my witnesses, that I have waited for satisfaction: but after long expectation they bring forth nothing; they are at a stand, and furnished with no further answer.

Job 32:17

I said, I will answer also my part; I also will shew mine opinion. Which made me resolve within myself, that I would have a share in this dispute; and show, as I have often told you, what my opinion is concerning it.

Job 32:18

For I am full of matter; the spirit ivitldn me constraineth me. And indeed it is high time; for I am so full, by long thinking of what I have to say, that I am in pain till I have uttered my mind., J.