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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 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/32-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/18_Job_32_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 32:4 - Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.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/32-3.htm" title="Job 32:3">◄</a> Job 32:4 <a href="/job/32-5.htm" title="Job 32:5">►</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 />Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they <i>were</i> elder than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now because they <i>were</i> years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited with <i>his</i> words for Job because they were years older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were years older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Elihu was younger than these three, and he let them speak first. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Elihu waited as they spoke to Job because they were older than he was.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Because Elihu was the youngest one there, he had waited until everyone finished speaking. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken because they were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Elihu has waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he in days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Elihu hath waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he in days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Elihu waited for Job in words, for they were old for days above him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So Eliu waited while Job was speaking, because they were his elders that were speaking. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, Eliu waited while Job was talking, for these were his elders that were speaking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But since these men were older than he, Elihu bided his time before addressing Job.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to correct Job with words, because the other men were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Elihu rebuked Job with words, because they were older than he in days<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/32-4.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=4862" 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">3</span>and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/453.htm" title="453: we·’ĕ·lî·hū (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Or deliyhuwh; from 'el and huw'; God of him; Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites.">Now Elihu</a> <a href="/hebrew/2442.htm" title="2442: ḥik·kāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To wait, await. A primitive root; properly, to adhere to; hence, to await.">had waited</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: biḏ·ḇā·rîm (Prep-b:: N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">to speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/347.htm" title="347: ’î·yō·wḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A patriarch. From 'ayab; hated; Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience.">to Job</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">the others</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: zə·qê·nîm- (Adj-mp) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">were older</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nū (Prep:: 3ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">than he.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: lə·yā·mîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative."></a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.…<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="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a></span><br />He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a></span><br />My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-20.htm">Proverbs 29:20</a></span><br />Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2</a></span><br />Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Proverbs 15:28</a></span><br />The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Proverbs 18:2</a></span><br />A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a></span><br />When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Proverbs 17:27</a></span><br />A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-1.htm">James 3:1-2</a></span><br />Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. / We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-23.htm">Proverbs 12:23</a></span><br />A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Proverbs 14:29</a></span><br />A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-32.htm">Proverbs 16:32</a></span><br />He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a></span><br />If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:9</a></span><br />Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.</p><p class="hdg">waited till Job had spoken.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/32-11.htm">Job 32:11,12</a></b></br> Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a></b></br> He that answereth a matter before he heareth <i>it</i>, it <i>is</i> folly and shame unto him.</p><p class="hdg">elder.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/8-5.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/job/15-10.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/job/32-2.htm">Elihu</a> <a href="/job/32-2.htm">Eli'hu</a> <a href="/job/31-40.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/job/32-3.htm">Job</a> <a href="/job/31-34.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/job/15-10.htm">Older</a> <a href="/job/31-34.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/job/29-22.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/29-9.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/job/29-9.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/job/30-26.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/job/31-40.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/63-1.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-2.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/job/32-5.htm">Elihu</a> <a href="/job/32-5.htm">Eli'hu</a> <a href="/psalms/9-6.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/job/32-12.htm">Job</a> <a href="/job/32-6.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Older</a> <a href="/job/32-16.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/job/32-7.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/32-15.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/job/36-4.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Words</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>Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job</b><br>Elihu's introduction marks a shift in the dialogue of the Book of Job. His waiting signifies respect for the elders, a cultural norm in ancient Near Eastern societies where age was associated with wisdom. Elihu's patience also reflects a biblical principle seen in <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a>, which emphasizes listening before speaking. His entrance into the conversation suggests a new perspective, as he is not one of Job's three friends, indicating a fresh voice in the narrative.<p><b>because the others were older than he.</b><br>In the ancient world, age was often equated with authority and wisdom, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-32.htm">Leviticus 19:32</a>, which commands respect for the elderly. Elihu's deference to the older men aligns with this cultural expectation. However, his eventual decision to speak suggests that wisdom is not solely the domain of the aged, echoing themes found in <a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a>, where youth is not to be despised if accompanied by godliness. Elihu's role can be seen as a type of Christ, who also brought a new understanding and challenged established norms, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God, regardless of age.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elihu.htm">Elihu</a></b><br>A young man who enters the dialogue in the Book of Job. He is the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the family of Ram. Elihu is notable for his youth and his boldness in speaking after Job's three friends have finished their discourse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. Job's account is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine justice.<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 have been engaging in a lengthy dialogue with Job, attempting to explain his suffering through traditional wisdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>The dialogue takes place in the land of Uz, where Job resides. The setting is a gathering where Job and his friends are discussing the reasons for his suffering.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event.htm">The Event</a></b><br>Elihu's decision to wait before speaking, showing respect for the age and presumed wisdom of Job's three friends, but eventually feeling compelled to offer his own perspective.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_elders.htm">Respect for Elders</a></b><br>Elihu's initial decision to wait before speaking demonstrates a respect for the wisdom and experience of those older than him. In our own lives, we should value and seek the counsel of those who have walked the path before us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_youth_in_wisdom.htm">The Role of Youth in Wisdom</a></b><br>Elihu's eventual boldness in speaking reminds us that wisdom is not confined to age. Young people can offer valuable insights and should be encouraged to share their perspectives in a respectful manner.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Elihu's example teaches us the importance of listening fully before responding. This allows us to understand the situation better and respond with wisdom and discernment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_to_speak_truth.htm">Courage to Speak Truth</a></b><br>Despite his youth, Elihu felt compelled to speak when he believed the truth was not being fully addressed. We should have the courage to speak up when necessary, guided by the Holy Spirit and grounded in Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_respect_and_boldness.htm">Balancing Respect and Boldness</a></b><br>Elihu's approach shows a balance between respecting others and being bold in sharing one's convictions. This balance is crucial in maintaining healthy and constructive dialogues.<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/why_does_job_4_contradict_psalms.htm">Why does Job 4 seem to contradict other biblical teachings, such as the Book of Psalms, that the righteous can and do suffer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_elihu_suddenly_introduced.htm">Job 32:1-5 – Why does the text abruptly introduce a new character (Elihu) who wasn’t mentioned before, and is this consistent with the earlier chapters? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_14_4_align_with_atonement.htm">In Job 14:4, how can anyone be made pure from something impure without contradicting other biblical texts about atonement and redemption?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">Had waited in words for or regarding Job; </span>that is, as some understand it, had waited to speak unto Job, or, more probably, had waited till the argument was closed to declare his opinion with reference to Job. The line taken by Elihu is an intermediate one, and is neither that of Job nor his friends. He admits the integrity of Job--or, at least, he does not deny it--although he uses very strong expressions as to the course which Job has adopted (<a href="/context/job/34-7.htm" title="What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water?">Job 34:7-9</a>; <a href="/context/job/34-35.htm" title="Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.">Job 34:35-37</a>); but he considers that the Divine afflictions have a disciplinary object, and that they may be sent because God has discerned the seeds of unfaithfulness and defection in the sufferer; and this may serve to explain their purpose in the case of Job. He has very lofty ideas of the righteousness of God (<a href="/job/34-10.htm" title="Therefore listen to me you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.">Job 34:10</a>, &c.), and of His power and majesty (<a href="/job/37-22.htm" title="Fair weather comes out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.">Job 37:22</a>). He holds that with regard to the Almighty we cannot find Him out, but that we may safely trust His mercy and His justice. This is the position to which he leads Job when the Lord answers him out of the whirlwind.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken</span>; rather, <span class="accented">to speak to Job</span> (see the Revised Version) He had waited impatiently until the three special "friends" had said their say, and be might come forward without manifest presumption. <span class="cmt_word">Because they were elder than he</span>. (On the respect paid to age at this time in the land wherein Job lived, see the comment on Job 29:8.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/32-4.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">Now Elihu</span><br /><span class="heb">וֶֽאֱלִיה֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(we·’ĕ·lî·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_453.htm">Strong's 453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elihu -- 'He is (my) God', five Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had waited</span><br /><span class="heb">חִכָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥik·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2442.htm">Strong's 2442: </a> </span><span class="str2">To adhere to, to await</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to speak</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּדְבָרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(biḏ·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Job</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֭יּוֹב</span> <span class="translit">(’î·yō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_347.htm">Strong's 347: </a> </span><span class="str2">Job -- a patriarch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the others</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֖מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were older</span><br /><span class="heb">זְֽקֵנִים־</span> <span class="translit">(zə·qê·nîm-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than he.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּ֣נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/32-4.htm">Job 32:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/32-4.htm">OT Poetry: Job 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/32-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 32:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 32:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/32-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 32:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 32:5" /></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>