Job 32:4

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.

American Standard Version (1901)

Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.

Bible in Basic English

Now Elihu had kept quiet while Job was talking, because they were older than he;

Free Bible Version

Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.

King James (Authorized) Version

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

Translation for Translators

Elihu was younger than the others, so he waited until they had finished speaking before he replied to Job.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the other men were older than he.

Noah Webster Bible

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken because they were older than he.

World English Bible

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

Young's Literal Translation

And Elihu hath waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he in days.

Context

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

³and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.⁵But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.

Sermons

Now Elihu Had Waited Till Job Had Spoken

John Calvin

Summary

In Job 32:4, Elihu, a young man who had been listening to the conversation between Job and his friends, finally speaks up. Despite his youth, he respectfully waits for his turn to share his wisdom. This verse marks the beginning of Elihu's speech, where he offers a fresh perspective on the situation and provides insights that were not previously considered by Job or his companions. Elihu's intervention serves as a reminder that wisdom and understanding can come from unexpected sources, regardless of age or experience.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

4-6 And Elihu had waited for Job with words, for they were older than he in days. And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, then his wrath was kindled. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite began, and said. He had waited (perf. in the sense of the plusquamperf., Ew. 135, a) for Job with words (בּדברים as elsewhere בּמלּים, בּמלּין), i.e., until Job should have spoken his last word in the controversial dialogue. Thus he considered it becoming on his part, for they (המּה, illi, whereas אלּה according to the usage of the language is hi) were older (seniores) than he in days (לימים as Job 32:6, less harsh here, instead of the acc. of closer definition, Job 15:10, comp. Job 11:9). As it now became manifest that the friends made no reply to Job's last speeches for want of the right solution of problem, and therefore also Job had nothing further to say, he believes that he may venture, without any seeming want of courtesy, to give utterance to his long-restrained indignation; and Elihu (with Mahpach) the son of Barach'el (Mercha) the Buzite (with Rebia parvum) began and spoke (ויּאמר not with Silluk, but Mercha mahpach., and in fact with Mercha on the accented penult., as Job 3:2, and further).