Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

32:1–37:24 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 Job’s three friends (see 2:11) failed to comfort him (6:14-30; 13:4; 16:2; 19:21; 42:10).

Verse 2

32:2 the Buzite: Buz had connections with Aram (Gen 22:21) and Arabia (Jer 25:23), as did Uz (Job 1:1). • Elihu repeatedly stated that he was angry; he probably regarded his anger as righteous zeal (Ps 69:9).

Verse 4

32:4-7 Elihu’s deference to elders followed a well-known principle (see also 12:12; 15:10; Lev 19:32; 1 Tim 5:1; 1 Pet 5:5).

Verse 8

32:8-9 The spirit within people might not be the prophetic Spirit that Elihu later appeals to (33:14-15), as Eliphaz had done (4:12-17; cp. 32:18-20). This spirit might simply exist by virtue of creation (33:4; Gen 2:7; Acts 17:25).

Verse 15

32:15-16 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.

Verse 18

32:18-20 The length of Elihu’s speech (32:1–37:24) demonstrates that he truly was full of pent-up words. • Elihu probably thought the spirit (Hebrew ruakh) within him was prophetic urgency (32:8, 19-20; Ps 39:3), 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).