Job 32:18
Job 32:18 in Multiple Translations
For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:
I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!
For I am full of matter, and the spirite within me compelleth me.
For I have been full of words, Distressed me hath the spirit of my breast,
For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me.
I have plenty to say, and my spirit compels me to say it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 32:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 32:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֭י
מָלֵ֣תִי
מִלִּ֑ים
הֱ֝צִיקַ֗תְ/נִי
ר֣וּחַ
בִּטְנִֽ/י
כִּ֭י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
מָלֵ֣תִי
mâlêʼ
H4390
to fill
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
מִלִּ֑ים
millâh
H4405
speech
N-fp
הֱ֝צִיקַ֗תְ/נִי
tsûwq
H6693
to press
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs | Suff
ר֣וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
בִּטְנִֽ/י
beṭen
H990
belly
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 32:18
כִּ֭י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
מָלֵ֣תִי
mâlêʼ
H4390
"to fill"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
מִלִּ֑ים
millâh
H4405
"speech"
N-fp
This Hebrew word means a word or speech, and can also refer to a topic or subject. It's used in the Bible to describe what people say or talk about.
Definition: word, speech, utterance Aramaic equivalent: mil.lah (מִלָּה "word" H4406)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to speak(-ing), speak, talking, word. See also: 2 Samuel 23:2; Job 30:9; Psalms 19:5.
הֱ֝צִיקַ֗תְ/נִי
tsûwq
H6693
"to press"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs | Suff
To press means to squeeze or compress something. It can also mean to oppress or distress someone, making their situation difficult or hard to bear. This word is used to describe a challenging or tough circumstance.
Definition: (Hiphil) to constrain, press, bring into straits, straiten, oppress
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: constrain, distress, lie sore, (op-) press(-or), straiten. See also: Deuteronomy 28:53; Job 32:18; Isaiah 29:2.
ר֣וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
בִּטְנִֽ/י
beṭen
H990
"belly"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.
Study Notes — Job 32:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 32:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 32:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 32:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 32:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 32:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 32:18
- Cambridge Bible on Job 32:18
- Barnes' Notes on Job 32:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 32:18
- Sermons on Job 32:18
Context — Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends
16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?
17I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.
18For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
19Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin. 20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 39:3 | My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: |
| 2 | Acts 4:20 | For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 5:13–14 | If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 3:14–27 | So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed. At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself. Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood. But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.” And there the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He said to me, “Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.” So I got up and went out to the plain, and behold, the glory of the LORD was present there, like the glory I had seen by the River Kebar, and I fell facedown. Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet. He spoke with me and said, “Go, shut yourself inside your house. And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes, and you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 20:9 | If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail. |
Job 32:18 Summary
[This verse, Job 32:18, means that the person speaking, Elihu, feels like he has so much to say that he just can't keep it inside anymore, like a bottle that's about to burst, similar to what Jeremiah felt in Jeremiah 20:9. He's being driven by his spirit to express himself, which can be similar to how the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak or act, as seen in Acts 2:4. This reminds us that our words have power, and we should use them wisely, as cautioned in Proverbs 10:19 and Ecclesiastes 3:7. By considering our words carefully and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can speak up in a way that honors God and brings life to those around us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'full of words' as mentioned in Job 32:18?
Being 'full of words' means having a deep sense of urgency and conviction to share one's thoughts and feelings, as seen in the example of Jeremiah who was compelled to speak God's words in Jeremiah 20:9, and also in the apostle Paul's eagerness to preach the gospel in Romans 1:14-15.
How does the spirit within us compel us to act or speak?
The spirit within us, as mentioned in Job 32:18, can be likened to the Holy Spirit's work in believers, guiding and prompting us to take action or speak up, as seen in Acts 2:4 and Ezekiel 2:2, where the Holy Spirit gives us the words to say and the courage to speak them.
Is it always right to speak our minds and share our thoughts?
While Job 32:18 expresses a sense of urgency to speak, it's also important to consider the wisdom of Proverbs 10:19, which cautions against speaking too much, and to remember that there is a time for silence and a time for speech, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:7.
How can we know if our desire to speak is from God or just our own emotions?
To discern whether our desire to speak is from God or our own emotions, we can examine our motivations and consider the counsel of Proverbs 16:2, which reminds us that our ways may seem right to us, but God weighs our motives, and also seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 16:13.
Reflection Questions
- What am I feeling compelled to speak up about in my own life, and is it in line with God's will for me?
- How can I balance the need to express myself with the wisdom of knowing when to remain silent?
- In what ways can I allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words and actions, as seen in the example of Jesus in John 12:49-50?
- What are some potential consequences of speaking without carefully considering my words, and how can I avoid them, as warned in James 1:26?
Gill's Exposition on Job 32:18
For I am full of matter,.... Or "full [of] words" (y); not of mere words, such that have nothing solid and substantial in them; this is the character of a fool, Ecclesiastes 10:14; nor was Elihu a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 32:18
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. 'I am full of words,' whereas the friends have not a word more to say.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 32:18
I am full of matter, i.e. I have many things to say in this cause. The spirit within me; either my own spirit or soul, which is wholly dissatisfied with what hath been hitherto spoken, and clearly apprehends what may silence Job, and end the dispute; or God’ s Spirit, which he hath put in me; the Spirit of understanding, which hath discovered the truth of the matter to me; and the Spirit of zeal, which urgeth me to plead God’ s cause against Job. Constraineth me; forceth me to speak. It is a metaphor from a man or woman whose belly is full with wind, or with a child, and is never at rest till it be emptied and eased of its burden.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 32:18
Job 32:18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.Ver. 18. For I am full of matter] Heb. Of words; such as are weighty and stuffy, steeped in mine understanding (as Plutarch saith Phocion’ s words were), and very well digested. I am ειπεινδεινοτατος, in very good case to speak; as full of solid arguments as the moon is of light. Whether Elihu speaketh this arrogantly and from the flesh, or from the spirit, I determine not, saith Brentius here. But sure it is, that such words as these, howsoever they may seem arrogant and carnal, possunt tamen esse spiritualissima, yet they may be very spiritual, as Jeremiah 4:1-31 Jeremiah 20:1-18. And as sure it is, that we should be in company like full clouds or paps, that pain themselves with fulness till eased of their milk. The spirit within me constraineth me] Heb. The spirit of my belly; that is, God’ s Holy Spirit inhabiting mine heart, and exciting me to so good a work. "The love of Christ constraineth us," 2 Corinthians 5:14.
It hath not only an impulsive, but a compulsive, faculty. Rumperer medius, si non erumperet sermo intra me conceptus, as Brentius here paraphraseth; I should even burst if I did not vent my conceptions, which, like a child in the womb at full time, or as wind in the bowels, want room, and press to come out, Psalms 39:3 Jeremiah 20:9. Sicut flatus in ventre conclusus magno impetu exitum quaerit: sic zelus mentis quaerit exitum per sermonem (Pisc.).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 32:18
Verse 18. I am full of matter] מלים millim, "I am full of WORDS," or sayings; i.e., wise sentences, and ancient opinions. The spirit within me constraineth me.] How similar to the words of St. Paul! The love of Christ constraineth us. Elihu considered himself under the influence of that Spirit of God which gives understanding, and felt anxiously concerned for the welfare both of Job and his friends.
Cambridge Bible on Job 32:18
15–22. Turning from the three friends Elihu seems to speak in soliloquy and present to his own mind the singular situation: the three friends are discomfited before Job and reduced to silence; this should not be; therefore he will express his convictions. His breast is filled with thoughts and emotions that will not be repressed: he must speak, that he may find relief. And he will speak fearlessly and in sincerity, not regarding the person of any man.
Barnes' Notes on Job 32:18
For I am full of matter - Margin, as in Hebrew words.” The three friends of Job had been silenced. They had not one word more to say. Elihu says that the reverse was true of him.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 32:18
18. The spirit within me — Literally, The spirit of my inward part, áùׂ ?ðé. The experience of the prophets was similar to that of Elihu. Jeremiah 4:19; Amos 3:8.
Sermons on Job 32:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Wind of the Holy Ghost Blowing Upon the Dry Bones in the Valley of Vision by Ralph Erskine | Ralph Erskine preaches about the necessity of the breathings and influences of the Holy Spirit for the revival of souls, emphasizing the threefold resurrection represented in Ezeki |
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A Closed Mouth and Silent Heart by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of silence and a closed mouth in prayer, arguing that true communion with God transcends mere requests for personal gain. He reflects on Psalm |
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Samuel Rutherford by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot reflects on Samuel Rutherford's letters, highlighting the amazing warmth and energy that emanated from his soul, the profound views on time and eternity expressed with |
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Let Compassion Swallow Your Fear by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about injuring his arm while running to the house. Despite the pain, he continued to preach the gospel with his son-in-law outsi |
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Submission and Piety at Home by Keith Daniel | In this video, the speaker reflects on an eight-week preaching tour they recently completed, covering 17 different states. They express their gratitude for the opportunity to preac |
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(Through the Bible) Amos 1-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preparing to meet God, as everyone will ultimately stand before Him in judgment. The preacher describes a vision of all th |
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Fren-18 Apostolic Foundations - Preaching by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on moments of physical weakness and disorientation while preaching the word of God. Despite the risk of failure and humiliation, the speaker em |