Job 32:20
Job 32:20 in Multiple Translations
I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
Let me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.
I have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.
Therefore will I speake, that I may take breath: I will open my lippes, and will answere.
I speak, and there is refreshment to me, I open my lips and answer.
I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer.
I must speak [MTY], in order that I do not have to keep holding what I want to say; I must say something [MTY] to reply to you all.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 32:20
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 32:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲדַבְּרָ֥ה
וְ/יִֽרְוַֽח
לִ֑/י
אֶפְתַּ֖ח
שְׂפָתַ֣/י
וְ/אֶֽעֱנֶֽה
אֲדַבְּרָ֥ה
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-1cs
וְ/יִֽרְוַֽח
râvach
H7304
be wide
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לִ֑/י
Prep | Suff
אֶפְתַּ֖ח
pâthach
H6605
to open
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
שְׂפָתַ֣/י
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
וְ/אֶֽעֱנֶֽה
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 32:20
אֲדַבְּרָ֥ה
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-1cs
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
וְ/יִֽרְוַֽח
râvach
H7304
"be wide"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To be wide means to have ample room or to breathe freely, like being relieved or refreshed, and is used in the Bible to describe a sense of freedom or spaciousness. It can also mean to be large or expansive.
Definition: 1) to be wide, be spacious, breathe 1a) (Qal) to breathe easily, be relieved 1b) (Pual) spacious (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: be refreshed, large. See also: 1 Samuel 16:23; Job 32:20; Jeremiah 22:14.
לִ֑/י
""
Prep | Suff
אֶפְתַּ֖ח
pâthach
H6605
"to open"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb means to engrave or carve, and is used in Exodus to describe the intricate carvings on the furniture of the tabernacle.
Definition: 1) to open 1a) (Qal) to open 1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to free 1c2) to loosen 1c3) to open, open oneself 1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 39:10; Psalms 5:10.
שְׂפָתַ֣/י
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd | Suff
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
וְ/אֶֽעֱנֶֽה
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
Study Notes — Job 32:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 32:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 32:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 32:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 32:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 32:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 32:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 32:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 32:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 32:20
- Sermons on Job 32:20
Context — Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends
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.
21I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man. 22For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 8:6–7 | Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. |
| 2 | Job 21:3 | Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking. |
| 3 | Job 13:13 | Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may. |
| 4 | Job 13:19 | Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die. |
| 5 | Job 20:2 | “So my anxious thoughts compel me to answer, because of the turmoil within me. |
Job 32:20 Summary
[In Job 32:20, Elihu says he must speak and find relief, which means he really needs to express himself and get things off his chest. This is something we can all relate to, as seen in Psalm 55:22 where it says to cast our cares on God. Sometimes we just need to talk things through or share our thoughts and feelings with someone. Elihu feels like he's going to burst if he doesn't say something, which is similar to the feeling of being overwhelmed in Psalm 38:9. By speaking up, Elihu is able to find relief and be honest about what's on his mind, which is an important part of building strong relationships, as seen in Ephesians 4:25.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving Elihu to speak in Job 32:20?
Elihu feels compelled to speak because he is full of words and his spirit within him is urging him to respond, as seen in Job 32:18-19. This inner prompting is similar to the apostle Paul's desire to preach the gospel in Romans 1:14-15.
Why does Elihu need to open his lips and respond?
Elihu needs to open his lips and respond in order to find relief, as stated in Job 32:20. This is similar to the Psalmist's expression of pouring out his heart to God in Psalm 42:4.
Is Elihu's desire to speak a selfish one?
No, Elihu's desire to speak is not driven by a desire to flatter or partiality, as he claims in Job 32:21-22. Instead, he is motivated by a desire to speak the truth and respond to the situation at hand, much like the prophets in the Bible who spoke truth to power, such as in Isaiah 58:1.
How does Elihu's statement relate to our own experiences?
Elihu's statement in Job 32:20 can be applied to our own lives when we feel the need to express ourselves or share our thoughts and feelings with others, as seen in Ephesians 4:29 where we are encouraged to speak the truth in love.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt compelled to speak up or respond to a situation, and how did I handle it?
- How can I, like Elihu, be mindful of my motivations for speaking and ensure that I am not driven by selfish desires?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of speaking the truth in love, as seen in Ephesians 4:29, to my everyday conversations and interactions?
- What are some ways that I can create space for others to share their thoughts and feelings, just as Elihu is creating space for himself to respond in Job 32:20?
- How can I balance the need to express myself with the need to listen to others, as seen in James 1:19-20?
Gill's Exposition on Job 32:20
I will speak, that I may be refreshed,.... That his mind might be made easy; the matter it was full of lay with much weight upon it, pressed him hard, and gave him pain; and therefore he determines
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 32:20
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. Refreshed - literally, that there may be air or relief to me (1 Samuel 16:23).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 32:20
That I may be refreshed; that I may ease my mind of those thoughts which now oppress it. I will open my lips and answer; I will not utter impertinent words, but solid answers, to Job’ s arguments.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 32:20
Job 32:20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.Ver. 20. I will speak, that I may be refreshed] Heb. that I may breathe: this many martyrs did, though to the loss of their precious lives; as those that came to the tribunals, and cried out, Christiani sumus, We are Christians, hang us, burn us, stone us, &c., Modo Iesum nostrum nanciscamur, so that we may get our Jesus. And when they were told that they were put to death, Non pro fide, sed pro obstinatione, not for their religion, but for their obstinace, Tertullian answered, Pro hac obstinatione fidei morimur, For this religious obstinace we gladly die. As for those that made not a good confession, but either denied or dissembled their religion, for political respects, what a deal of unrest found they in their consciences, till they had better declared themselves, or revoked their recantations; as Bilney, Bainham, Benbridge, Abbes, Sharp, besides Origen, and all those of old? Let a man speak boldly and freely in a good cause when called to it, and he shall be refreshed; for as every flower hath its sweet smell, so hath every good word and work its comfort. I will open my lips and answer] viz. Freely and fully, as Ephesians 6:19, with great alacrity of spirit and vehemence of speech. Some kind of answer a man may make, though he open not his lips; as he did, who, being asked what man’ s life was? presently turned his back, and went his way. Theodoret also, upon Matthew 5:2, observeth that our Saviour taught sometimes when yet he opened not his mouth; viz. by holy life and wondrous works.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 32:20
Verse 20. I will open my lips and answer.] In the preceding verse Elihu compares himself to a skin-bottle, in which the wine was in a state of fermentation, and the bottle ready to burst for want of vent. He carries on the metaphor in this verse: the bottle must be opened to save it from bursting; I will OPEN my mouth.
Cambridge Bible on Job 32:20
20. be refreshed] Rather, find relief; lit. get air or vent. The figure is still that of fermenting wine, Job 32:19.
Barnes' Notes on Job 32:20
I will speak, that I may be refreshed - Margin, “breathe.” The meaning is, that he would then have room to breathe again; he would feel relieved.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 32:20
20. I will speak — He carries on the metaphor in this verse; the bottle must be opened to save it from bursting. Be refreshed — The margin is more literal.
Sermons on Job 32:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prudence: The Discipline of Godly Speech by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of developing the skill of wisdom and prudence. The speaker highlights that God's intention for all mankind is to live in peac |
|
(Proverbs) ch.6:12 - 8:21 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of young people not realizing their need for God. He emphasizes the importance of humility and acknowledging one's need for God's gu |