Job 32
Summary for Job 32:1-22: 32:1–37:24 a 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 b Job’s three friends (see 2:11 c) failed to comfort him (6:14-30 d; 13:4 e; 16:2 f; 19:21 g; 42:10 h).32:2 i the Buzite: Buz had connections with Aram (Gen 22:21 j) and Arabia (Jer 25:23 k), as did Uz (Job 1:1 l).
• Elihu repeatedly stated that he was angry; he probably regarded his anger as righteous zeal (Ps 69:9 m).
Summary for Job 32:4-7: 32:4-7 n Elihu’s deference to elders followed a well-known principle (see also 12:12 o; 15:10 p; Lev 19:32 q; 1 Tim 5:1 r; 1 Pet 5:5 s).
Summary for Job 32:8-9: 32:8-9 t The spirit within people might not be the prophetic Spirit that Elihu later appeals to (33:14-15 u), as Eliphaz had done (4:12-17 v; cp. 32:18-20 w). This spirit might simply exist by virtue of creation (33:4 x; Gen 2:7 y; Acts 17:25 z).
Summary for Job 32:15-16: 32:15-16 aa As translated, the phrase you sit there ... you are silent is addressed to Job’s friends. An alternate translation is they sit there ... they are silent, in which case Elihu is speaking to Job about his friends.
Summary for Job 32:18-20: 32:18-20 ab The length of Elihu’s speech (32:1–37:24 ac) demonstrates that he truly was full of pent-up words.
• Elihu probably thought the spirit (Hebrew ruakh) within him was prophetic urgency (32:8 ad, 19-20 ae; Ps 39:3 af), but the reader might find him full of wind (Hebrew ruakh; see study note on Job 15:2-3).
• Like Zophar, Elihu must speak to find relief (cp. 20:2 ag).
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