Job 32


Job 32 is the 32nd chapter of the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is anonymous; most scholars believe it was written around 6th century BCE. This chapter records the speech of Elihu, which belongs to the "Verdicts" section of the book, comprising Job 32:1–42:6.

Text

The original text is written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 22 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex, and Codex Leningradensis. Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls including 4Q99 with extant verses 3–4.
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, and Codex Alexandrinus.

Analysis

The structure of the book is as follows:
  • The Prologue
  • The Dialogue
  • The Verdicts
  • The Epilogue
Within the structure, chapter 32 is grouped into the Verdict section with the following outline:
  • Elihu's Verdict
  • *Prose Introduction of Elihu
  • *Elihu's Apology
  • *A Transition from Apology to Argument
  • *Elihu's First Speech
  • *Elihu's Second Speech
  • *Elihu's Third Speech
  • *Elihu's Fourth Speech
  • God's Appearance and Job's Responses
  • *God's First Speech
  • *Job's First Reply – An Insufficient Response
  • *God's Second Speech
  • *Job's Second Reply
The section containing Elihu's speeches serves as a bridge between the Dialogue and the speeches of YHWH. There is an introduction in the prose form, describing Elihu's identity and circumstances that cause him to speak. The whole speech section can be formally divided into four monologues, each starting with a similar formula. Elihu's first monologue is preceded by an apologia for speaking and a transitionary part which introduces Elihu's main arguments before the speech formally commences. In the first three speeches Elihu cites and then disputes specific Job's charges in the preceding dialogue:
Job's chargesElihu's response
Job 33:8–11Job 33:12–30
Job 34:5–9Job 34:10–33
Job 35:2–3Job 35:4–13

In chapters 36–37 Elihu stops refuting Job's charges, but states his conclusions and verdict:
  1. A summon to Job
  2. A hymn of praise to God as creator
  3. A concluding address to Job.

Prose introduction to Elihu (32:1–5)

The section starts by stating the breakdown of the Dialogue that Job's three friends cease to answer Job, and this allows another person, Elihu, to come forward to speak. Elihu is described as 'angry', first to Job, because Job justified himself rather than God, then to the three friends for not providing a "answer" to Job yet condemning Job, and then while waiting for his turn to speak, Elihu is forced by this great anger to give responses to Job.

Verse 1

  • "In his own eyes": translated from the Hebrew word בְּעֵינָֽיו, bə-; the Greek Septuagint, Syriac, and Symmachus versions have "in their eyes".

Verse 2

  • "Then was kindled the wrath": translated from the Hebrew phrase וַיִּחַר אַף, vayyikhar ʾaf, literally "and the anger became hot", meaning Elihu 'became very angry'.
  • "Elihu": literally "He is my God"; the only character in the book of Job mentioned in full name, including the patronymic. His identity as a Buzite places his origin in Edom.
  • "Rather than": is rendered in the Greek Septuagint and Latin versions as "before God."

Elihu's apology (32:6–22)

This section records Elihu's speech in a form of apologia or justification for his boldness to speak out. At first, Elihu refrains from speaking in the presence of his elders, due to his timidity and his initial belief that wisdom is learned over time. However, he is now compelled to speak after realizing that the source of wisdom is not old age but God alone and this gift can be given by God to anyone, including Elihu who is younger than Job and the three friends. Because of the "spirit" or "wind" in him, Elihu 'needs' to speak to find relief, but he will be impartial as he believes that he is accountable before God.

Verse 8

  • "Breath": translated from the Hebrew word נְשָׁמָה, which is used in Genesis 2:7 as 'breathed into Adam' to make him a living person ; in this verse is paralleled to the "spirit", in the first line, which is interpreted by some commentators as the "Spirit of God".