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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 32:13 So do not claim, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/32-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/18_Job_32_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 32:13 - Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So do not claim, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/32-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/32-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/32.htm">Chapter 32</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/32-12.htm" title="Job 32:12">◄</a> Job 32:13 <a href="/job/32-14.htm" title="Job 32:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/32.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/32.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not say, &#8216We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom’; God will vanquish him, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom: God will defeat him, not man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do not say, &#8216We have found wisdom; God will rout him, not man.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; God will rout him, not man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God will drive him away, not man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Beware if you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So do not claim, “We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So do not claim, &#8220We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You shouldn't say, "We know what's right! Let God punish him." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So don't say, 'We've found wisdom. Let God, not humans, defeat him.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can you claim you have discovered wisdom? God must answer Job, for you have failed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"So that you cannot claim, 'We have found wisdom!' let God do the rebuking, not man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So do not claim, ?We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Lest you say, We have found wisdom, "" God thrusts him away, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lest ye say, We have found wisdom, God doth thrust him away, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Lest ye shall say, We found wisdom: God will thrust him, not man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Lest you should say : We have found wisdom, God hath cast him down, not man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So that you will not say, “We have found wisdom,” God has thrown him down, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So do not say, “We have met wisdom; God can vanquish him but no mortal!” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a human.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So that you could not say, We have found wisdom. God has smitten him, not man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For you say, ‘we have found wisdom; God is he who has wounded him, and not a son of man’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Beware lest ye say: 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />lest ye should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/32-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=4920" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/32.htm">Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">So do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">claim,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To attain to, find. ">‘We have found</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥāḵ·māh (N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">wisdom;</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">let God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5086.htm" title="5086: yid·də·p̄en·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- To drive, drive asunder. A primitive root; to shove asunder, i.e. Disperse.">refute him.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-13.htm">Job 12:13</a></span><br />Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a></span><br />And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a></span><br />For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Isaiah 40:13-14</a></span><br />Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-34</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a></span><br />For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6-7</a></span><br />Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-20.htm">Daniel 2:20-22</a></span><br />and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-10.htm">Psalm 94:10-11</a></span><br />He who admonishes the nations, does He not discipline? He who teaches man, does He lack knowledge? / The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a></span><br />Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a></span><br />The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:26</a></span><br />To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a></span><br />There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19-20</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Lest you should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusts him down, not man.</p><p class="hdg">Lest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-23.htm">Genesis 14:23</a></b></br> That I will not <i>take</i> from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that <i>is</i> thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/7-2.htm">Judges 7:2</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that <i>are</i> with thee <i>are</i> too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5,7</a></b></br> I have even from the beginning declared <i>it</i> to thee; before it came to pass I shewed <i>it</i> thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them… </p><p class="hdg">We</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-2.htm">Job 12:2</a></b></br> No doubt but ye <i>are</i> the people, and wisdom shall die with you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-8.htm">Job 15:8-10</a></b></br> Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21</a></b></br> Woe unto <i>them that are</i> wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></b></br> And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-10.htm">Job 2:10</a></b></br> But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/4-9.htm">Job 4:9</a></b></br> By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/4-22.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/job/24-5.htm">Care</a> <a href="/job/32-3.htm">Found</a> <a href="/job/26-11.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/job/32-3.htm">Refute</a> <a href="/judges/1-5.htm">Rout</a> <a href="/job/30-12.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Thrusteth</a> <a href="/job/32-7.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/job/31-39.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/36-18.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/job/34-13.htm">Care</a> <a href="/job/33-10.htm">Found</a> <a href="/job/32-15.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/job/33-5.htm">Refute</a> <a href="/psalms/78-66.htm">Rout</a> <a href="/psalms/5-10.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Thrusteth</a> <a href="/job/33-33.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/job/40-20.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Job 32</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/32-1.htm">Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/32-6.htm">Because wisdom comes not from age, he excuses the boldness of his youth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/32-11.htm">He reproves them for not satisfying Job</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/32-16.htm">His zeal to speak</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/32.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/32.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So do not claim</b><br>This phrase introduces a caution against presumption. In the context of the Book of Job, Elihu is addressing Job's friends, who have been attempting to explain Job's suffering through their own understanding. The warning here is against assuming that human wisdom is sufficient to comprehend divine matters. This echoes <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5</a>, which advises trusting in the Lord rather than one's own understanding.<p><b>‘We have found wisdom’</b><br>The assertion of having found wisdom suggests a sense of finality and completeness in understanding. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with age and experience. However, Elihu challenges this notion, implying that true wisdom is not merely human but divine. This aligns with the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God, as seen in <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>, where believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God.<p><b>let God, not man, refute him.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and ultimate authority of God in matters of truth and justice. Elihu suggests that only God has the right and ability to correct or refute Job. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's omniscience and omnipotence, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are described as higher than those of humans. It also foreshadows God's direct response to Job later in the book, where God speaks out of the whirlwind, demonstrating His supreme authority and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elihu.htm">Elihu</a></b><br>A young man who speaks after Job's three friends have failed to provide satisfactory answers to Job's suffering. He is introduced in <a href="/bsb/job/32.htm">Job 32</a> and claims to speak with wisdom given by God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the book, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and questions the reasons for his suffering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_three_friends.htm">Job's Three Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, suggesting it is due to sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate source of wisdom and the one who eventually answers Job, highlighting the limitations of human understanding.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>The dialogue takes place in the land of Uz, where Job and his friends engage in a series of discourses about suffering, justice, and divine wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_source_of_true_wisdom.htm">The Source of True Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom comes from God, not from human reasoning or tradition. We must seek divine insight rather than relying solely on human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_understanding.htm">Humility in Understanding</a></b><br>Recognize the limitations of human wisdom and approach God with humility, acknowledging that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_youth_in_wisdom.htm">The Role of Youth in Wisdom</a></b><br>Elihu, though young, demonstrates that God can use anyone, regardless of age, to convey His truth. We should be open to wisdom from unexpected sources.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>Trust that God is the ultimate judge and refuter of arguments. We should not presume to have all the answers but rely on His perfect judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Elihu listened before speaking, showing the importance of understanding before responding. We should practice active listening in our interactions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_32.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 32</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_elihu_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Elihu in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_qoheleth_in_ecclesiastes.htm">Who is Qoheleth in the Book of Ecclesiastes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_32_8_conflict_with_science.htm">Job 32:8 - Does the statement that 'the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding' conflict with scientific explanations of human intellect?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_proverbs_4_13_stress_instruction.htm">Why does Proverbs 4:13 insist on unwavering adherence to instruction when other biblical passages (like Job) suggest wisdom doesn't always prevent hardship?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/32.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Lest ye should say.</span>--That is, "I resolved to speak, lest ye should think yourselves wise, and that God was afflicting him on account of his sins." God is declaring his guilt in such a way that man's opinion matters little.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom</span>; or, <span class="accented">beware lest ye say</span>, <span class="accented">We have found wisdom</span> (see the Revised Version). "Do not suppose, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, that you have triumphed in the controversy, that your mode of meeting Job's complaints is the wise and right one. The exact reverse is the case. You have not vanquished Job. On the contrary, he is unvanquished, and remains master of the field. If he is ever to be vanquished, it will not be by you. <span class="cmt_word">God thrusteth</span> (rather, <span class="accented">may thrust</span>) him down, <span class="cmt_word">not man</span>. A true prophecy! (see <a href="/job/40-1.htm">Job 40:1-14</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/32-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So do not</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">claim,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּ֣֭אמְרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘We have found</span><br /><span class="heb">מָצָ֣אנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṣā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wisdom;</span><br /><span class="heb">חָכְמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāḵ·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִֽישׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">refute him.’</span><br /><span class="heb">יִדְּפֶ֣נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yid·də·p̄en·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5086.htm">Strong's 5086: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shove asunder, disperse</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/32-13.htm">Job 32:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/32-13.htm">OT Poetry: Job 32:13 Beware lest you say 'We have found (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/32-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 32:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 32:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/32-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 32:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 32:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>