Job 32

2 the Buzite. Buz is mentioned in Jer. xxv. 23, with Tema and Dedan, as a part of Arabia. Some refer the name to a son of Nahor (see Gen. xxii. 21), which would agree with the opinion that Job lived not long after the time of Abraham. Elihu is not mentioned as having been present during the previous discussion; but it is very probable that he, as well as others, had been attracted by the controversy going on between Job and his friends.

4 had waited till Job had spoken. Rather, “had waited (until the three had finished) to speak unto Job,” R.V.

VER. 6-XXXIII. Elihu was dissatisfied with the state in which the previous debates had left the argument; neither party having set God’s providence in the right light. After rendering due respect to the claims of seniority, he gives his reasons for speaking, promising to be impartial (6-22). He then addresses Job; blames him for his strong assertions of his own innocence and his complaints against God; and lays down as his first proposition the important principle, that suffering is disciplinary and corrective (xxxiii.).

9. Great men. Probably, “The aged”; as in Gen. xxv. 23. Wisdom is not necessarily an attribute even of age and experience; it is the gift of God.

12 convinced. i.e., “confuted”; according to the Old English meaning of “convince.”

14 he hath not directed his words against me. Elihu was therefore free from any such bias or unfriendly feeling as those might have who had been excited by dispute.

15. They left off speaking. More expressively, as R.V., “They have not a word to say.” Heb., “Words are gone from them.”

16. When I had waited. Rather, “And shall I wait, because they speak not, because they stand still, and answer no more? I also will answer,” etc. R.V.

18 matter. Literally, “words.” 19 My belly. “My mind."—new bottles. New wine-skins”: see Josh. ix. 4, and Matt. ix. 17.

20 may be refreshed. Heb., “get breath,” i.e., be relieved.