1Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends. 6He excuseth the boldness of his youth, because wisdom doth not always come from age: 11he complaineth of the weak reasonings of those, who, instead of confuting Job, had been silenced by him: 16he sheweth his own zeal to speak, 21which he professeth to do without respect of person.
1SO these 1three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous 2in his own eyes.
1 Namely, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.
2 That is, in his own judgment. See Job 18 on verse 3. So the three men perceived of Job, namely, that he held himself to be a righteous man, being not able either to find out matter for proving the contrary, namely, that Job was unrighteous, that is, a wicked wretch and hypocrite; for, that he was a sinner, together with others, himself he had freely yielded and confessed, Job 14:4.
2Then 3was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the 4Buzite, of the kindred of 5Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified 6himself 7rather than God.
3 Namely, against Job and his three friends. Compare the phrase with Gen. 4:5; 39:19.
4 That is, one of the posterity of Buz, the son of Nahor, the brother of Abraham. See Gen. 22:21. Some hold him for Balaam, of whom see Num. 22:5.
5 Opinions vary about this name. Many perceive that Ram is put by abbreviation for Aram, the name of a Syrian, of whom a certain family or generation of the Syrians out of which was Elihu, bore the surname. Others understand by Ram the father of Amminadab, 1 Chron. 2:9, 10, who is likewise called Aram, Mat. 1:4. Some also Abram, so called first, Gen. 11:27, and after Abraham, Gen. 17:5.
6 Or, his soul. See 1 Kings 19 on verse 4.
7 Job never said so in any express terms, but Elihu inferred thence that Job wanted to enter in the process equally with God, and was more busy to maintain his uprightness than to give glory to God’s wisdom and righteousness.
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found 8no answer, and yet had 9condemned Job.
8 Namely, to disprove and to convince Job.
9 Namely, of hypocrisy and wickedness.
4Now Elihu had waited 10till Job had 11spoken, because 12they were elder than he.
10 And his friends.
11 Hebr. in the words, namely, to see whether they would go on in their discourse or debate, or when they would make an end of their words. The friends had ended theirs in Job 26, and Job his with the end of the previous chapter. Other, Elihu had waited with Job upon their words, namely, of the three friends.
12 Namely, Job and his three friends.
5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am 13young, and ye are very old;a wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
13 Hebr. few of days, that is, a man of younger years. See Job 30:1 and the annotation.
a verses 4 and 7; Job 15:10.
714I said, 15Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
14 Namely, by myself; that is, I thought. See Gen. 20 on verse 11.
15 That is, those who are advanced in years; also in the sequel multitude of years for those who have many years.
8Butbthere is a 16spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty 17giveth them understanding.
b Job 12:13; 38:36; Prov. 2:6; Eccl. 2:26; Dan. 1:17; 2:21.
16 Understand the Spirit of God, as may be gathered from the following words. The meaning is, that wisdom properly and solely has its origin from God, and not from age or the multitude of years, which often fail. Other, Surely is the spirit, that is, the reasonable and understanding soul, in man, but the breath, etc., that is, the true wisdom proceeds only from God’s illumination.
17 Namely, men. It is permutation of the number; for, he had spoken just now in the singular. See Job 24 on verse 18.
918Greatc men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
18 That is, the elderly in years. See Job 30 on verse 1. The sense is, that such are not always wise, and not properly nor principally because of age and many years.
c Job 12:12.
10Therefore I said, 19Hearken to me; 20I also will shew mine opinion.
19 He addresses Job.
20 Namely, though I am younger of years.
11Behold, I waited 21for your words; I gave ear 22to your reasons, whilst ye searched out 23what to say.
21 He addresses Job’s three friends.
22 That is, listened so accurately and attentively, that I have fully comprehended all your propounded considerations.
23 Namely, whereby you might have convinced Job.
12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
1324Lest ye should say, We have found out 25wisdom: God thrusteth him down, 26not man.
24 Some do fill in the sense of these words with I say this, that ye may not say.
25 Namely, wherewith Job is convinced and refuted by us. Now this wisdom they conceived was that God had sent this misery upon him and no man, and that God being righteous and doing wrong to none, especially when His punishments are so dreadful and terrible, that Job must needs be a very wicked man.
26 Hebr. not a man.
14Now 27he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with 28your speeches.
27 Namely, Job.
28 Namely, ye Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.
1529They were amazed, they answered 30no more: they 31left off speaking.
29 Namely, the three friends of Job. It seems that, saying this, he turned himself towards the bystanders and listeners.
30 Namely, to Job’s replies.
31 That is, avoided and left it to others.
16When I had 32waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
32 Namely, for the answers of Job’s friends.
17I said, I will answer also my part, I 33also will shew mine opinion.
33 Also verse 10.
18For I am full of matter, 34the spirit within 35me constraineth me.
34 Understand the zeal and the good inclination, which Elihu had to utter his mind about this matter. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 7.
35 That is, of my inmost disposition. See Job 15 on verse 2. Also in the next verse.
19Behold, 36my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new 37bottles.
36 Understand that his inward disposition would not be without harm if he concealed what he had considered about this matter; even as we see the vessel rend and burst, which, being filled with new and strong wine, have no vent.
37 The Hebrew word signifies here bottles, or sacks of leather, in which they, in former times, put the wine. Compare Mat. 9:17.
20I will speak, that I may 38be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
38 That is, be relieved of the considerations and anxieties, which were caused in me by hearing and holding my peace all that time.
21Let me not, I pray you, accept 39any man’s person, neither let me give 40flattering titles unto man.
39 See Lev. 19 on verse 15.
40 Namely, neither in good terms, to sooth and flatter him, nor in evil, to revile or abuse him with bitter admonitions.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my 41maker 42would soon 43take me away.
41 That is, God, Who made and created me. See Job 4 on verse 17.
42 Namely, if I would do such thing.
43 That is, kill and destroy.