Job 32:6 - Barnes' Notes

Job 32:6

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

5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.

6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am ^ayoung in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.

7 I said,¹ ‘Age should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

8 But there is a spirit in man,
And ^athe breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

9 ^aGreat¹ men are not always wise,
Nor do the aged always understand justice.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Job 32:5

Job 32:7 >>

Job 32:6

And Elihu - "said, I am young" Margin, few of days. The Hebrew is, "I am small ( tsâ‛ı̂yr ) of days;" that is, I am inexperienced. We have no means of ascertaining his exact age, though it is evident that there was a considerable disparity between them and him.

And ye are very old - ׁׁ yâshı̂yshiym . The word used here is probably derived from the obsolete root , "to be white, hoary" ; and hence, to be hoary-headed, or aged; compare II Chronicles 36:17. The whole of the discourses of the friends of Job seem to imply that they were aged men. They laid claim to great experience, and professed to have had opportunities of long observation, and it is probable that they were regarded as sages, who, by the long observation of events, had acquired the reputation of great wisdom.

Wherefore I was afraid - He was timid, bashful, diffident.

And durst not show you mine opinion - Margin, feared. He had that diffidence to which modesty prompts in the presence of the aged. He had formed his opinion as the argument proceeded, but he did not deem it proper that one so young should interfere, even when he thought he perceived that others were wrong.

Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Job 32:6:

Job 11:2
Job 12:12
Job 30:1
Job 32:17
Isaiah 47:6

<< Job 32:5

Job 32:7 >>

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