E O¹ 32:1-5. The connecting narrative. O² 32:6-37:24. The ministry proper.
O¹ w 1. The 3 men. Job's friends.
x 2,3. Anger in Elihu.
w 4. The one man. Job.
x 5. Anger of Elihu.
1656 B.C.
Job 32)
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu (= God is Yahaveh; or, my God is He. Not named before. His address occupy 6 chapters. His 2 counts of indictments [vv.2,3] are based upon what precedes, and lead up to "the end of the Lord" in what follows from v.13) the son of Barachel (= who God has blessed) the Buzite (descended from Buz, the 2nd son of Nahor, the brother of Abraham [Gen. 22:20,21]), of the kindred of Aram (related to Buz [Gen. 22:21]): against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified his soul rather than God (Elohim).
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
O2 P1 32:6-22. Elihu. Introduction.
Q1 33:1-33. His 1st address to Job.
P2 34:1. Elihu. Continuation.
Q2 34:2-37. His words to Job's friends.
P3 35:1. Elihu. Continuation.
Q3 35:2-16. His 2nd address to Job.
P4 36:1. Elihu. Conclusion.
Q4 36:2-37:24. His words on God's behalf.
P¹ y 6-. Personal. Seniority.
z -6,7. Reason for not speaking before.
y 8,9. Personal. Qualifications.
z 10-22. Reason for speaking now.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, "I am young, and you are very old;
wherefore I was afraid, and did not show you my opinion.
7 I said, 'Days should speak, and multitude of years (put for men of years: aged men) should teach wisdom.'
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of The Almighty gives them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, while you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I attended to you, and, behold, there was none of you that convicted Job (man condemns without convicting; but God convicts 1st, that the man may condemn himself), or that answered his arguments:
13 Lest you should say, 'We have found out wisdom:' GOD (El) thrusts him down, not man.
14 Now he has not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches."
15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I said, 'I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.
18 For I am full of the matter of what is said, the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new skin bottles. (Which, if fermentation is not completed, sometimes burst.)
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles to man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.' (See Prov. 5:14)