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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 32:9 It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/32-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_32_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 32:9 - Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice." /><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/32-9.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/32-9.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 9</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="/ad9.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/32-8.htm" title="Job 32:8">◄</a> Job 32:9 <a href="/job/32-10.htm" title="Job 32:10">►</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 />It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Great men are not <i>always</i> wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Great men are not <i>always</i> wise, Nor do the aged <i>always</i> understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The abundant <i>in years</i> may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The abundant <i>in years</i> may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The abundant <i>in years</i> may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Those [who are] abundant <i>in years</i> may not [always] be wise, Nor may the elders [always] understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Age is no guarantee of wisdom and understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />It is not the great that are wise, nor the aged that understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It is not growing old that makes us wise or helps us to know what is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"The aged aren't always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The multitude are not wise, "" Nor do the aged understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The multitude are not wise, Nor do the aged understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Not the many will be wise: and old men understand judgment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The wise are not the aged, nor do the elders understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />It is not those of many days who are wise, nor the aged who understand the right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It is not the old that are wise, nor the aged that understand what is right.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />It is not age that makes men wise; nor do the aged always understand judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />It is not therefore abundance of days that makes wise, neither is it the old ones who discern judgment<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that discern judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The long-lived are not wise <i>as such</i>; neither do the aged know judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/32-9.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=4894" 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">8</span>But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><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.">It is not only</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">the old</a> <a href="/hebrew/2449.htm" title="2449: yeḥ·kā·mū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be wise. A primitive root, to be wise.">who are wise,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ū·zə·qê·nîm (Conj-w:: Adj-mp) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">or the elderly</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: yā·ḇî·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">who understand</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- Judgment. ">justice.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’…<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/16-31.htm">Proverbs 16:31</a></span><br />Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:13</a></span><br />Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">1 Corinthians 1:26-29</a></span><br />Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...<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="/psalms/119-100.htm">Psalm 119:100</a></span><br />I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7-12</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. / Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. / Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-7</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. / Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18-20</a></span><br />Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/1-17.htm">Daniel 1:17-20</a></span><br />To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams. / Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. / And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<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/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="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a></span><br />Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-21.htm">Luke 10:21</a></span><br />At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.</p><p class="hdg">Great</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Jeremiah 5:5</a></b></br> I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, <i>and</i> the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, <i>and</i> burst the bonds.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></b></br> At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/7-48.htm">John 7:48</a></b></br> Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?</p><p class="hdg">neither</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-20.htm">Job 12:20</a></b></br> He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:13</a></b></br> Better <i>is</i> a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/22-5.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/job/29-8.htm">Aged</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Always</a> <a href="/job/7-10.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/job/12-20.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/job/31-31.htm">Full</a> <a href="/job/31-34.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/31-28.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/32-7.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/job/32-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/32-8.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/job/26-3.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/35-16.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/job/42-17.htm">Aged</a> <a href="/psalms/5-11.htm">Always</a> <a href="/job/34-4.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/psalms/105-22.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/job/32-12.htm">Full</a> <a href="/job/33-12.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/34-4.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/job/34-5.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/33-19.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/job/33-12.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/36-29.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Wise</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>It is not only the old who are wise</b><br>This phrase challenges the common ancient belief that wisdom is inherently tied to age. In biblical times, elders were often seen as the primary source of wisdom due to their life experiences (<a href="/job/12-12.htm">Job 12:12</a>). However, this statement suggests that wisdom is not exclusive to the elderly. The Bible presents several young figures who exhibit wisdom beyond their years, such as Joseph (<a href="/genesis/41-39.htm">Genesis 41:39-40</a>), David (<a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">1 Samuel 16:18</a>), and Daniel (<a href="/daniel/1-17.htm">Daniel 1:17-20</a>). This idea is echoed in the New Testament, where Timothy, a young leader, is encouraged not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth (<a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a>).<p><b>or the elderly who understand justice</b><br>Justice, in the biblical sense, involves righteousness and fairness, often associated with God's character (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>). While elders were typically judges and leaders in Israelite society (<a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">Exodus 18:13-26</a>), this phrase implies that understanding justice is not solely dependent on age. The Bible emphasizes that true justice comes from God and can be understood by those who seek His wisdom, regardless of age (<a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6-9</a>). This challenges the assumption that age automatically confers a deeper understanding of justice, highlighting the importance of divine insight over human experience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elihu.htm">Elihu</a></b><br>A young man who speaks in <a href="/bsb/job/32.htm">Job 32</a>, offering a fresh perspective after Job's three friends have failed to provide satisfactory answers. He emphasizes that wisdom is not limited to the aged.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the book, a man who suffers greatly and seeks understanding of his plight. His dialogues with friends set the stage for Elihu's speech.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who have attempted to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, but have been unable to provide true insight.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>A key theme in the book of Job, often associated with age and experience, but here challenged by Elihu's assertion.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/justice.htm">Justice</a></b><br>Another central theme, as Job seeks to understand the justice of God in the face of his suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_beyond_age.htm">Wisdom Beyond Age</a></b><br>True wisdom is not confined to the elderly; it is a gift from God that can be granted to anyone who seeks it earnestly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit can impart wisdom and understanding to believers, enabling them to discern justice and truth beyond human experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_learning.htm">Humility in Learning</a></b><br>We should remain humble and open to learning from others, regardless of their age, recognizing that God can use anyone to convey His wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_divine_wisdom.htm">Seeking Divine Wisdom</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God through prayer and study of the Scriptures, trusting that He will provide insight and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/challenging_traditional_assumptions.htm">Challenging Traditional Assumptions</a></b><br>Elihu's speech challenges the assumption that age equates to wisdom, prompting us to evaluate our own assumptions about where wisdom comes from.<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/does_deut._32_39_align_with_god's_benevolence.htm">How does Deuteronomy 32:39's portrayal of God as both life-giver and destroyer align or conflict with other biblical texts that emphasize only God's benevolence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_a_wise_god_allow_suffering.htm">In Job 9:4, how can an all-powerful God allow innocent suffering if He is truly wise and mighty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god's_justice_align_with_destruction.htm">Job 34:12 - Elihu insists God always acts justly; how does this align with texts describing God commanding destruction (e.g., Joshua 6)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_goal_of_righteous_teaching.htm">What does the Lord's zeal mean?</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>(9) <span class= "bld">Great men are not always wise</span>.--That is, <span class= "ital">old men. </span>He had just before said that he was "little in days" (<a href="/job/32-6.htm" title="And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and you are very old; why I was afraid, and dared not show you my opinion.">Job 32:6</a>); or it may be used in the sense of number, many, or multitudes. (Comp. what Job himself said, <a href="/job/12-2.htm" title="No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.">Job 12:2</a> : "No doubt because ye are a <span class= "ital">people </span>wisdom will die with you.")<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged</span> (always) <span class="cmt_word">understand judgment</span>. Elihu lays down the universal law, before applying it to the particular instance. True wisdom is from God, not from observation and experience. Therefore many aged men are not wise; many experienced men, great in position, versed in affairs, do not possess understanding. It is a trite remark, "With how little wisdom the world is governed!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/32-9.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">It is not only</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</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">the old</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבִּ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who are wise,</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶחְכָּ֑מוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yeḥ·kā·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2449.htm">Strong's 2449: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be wise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or the elderly</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝זְקֵנִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·zə·qê·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">who understand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבִ֥ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">justice.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּֽט׃</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/32-9.htm">OT Poetry: Job 32:9 It is not the great who (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/32-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 32:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 32:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/32-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 32:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 32:10" /></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>