Bible Commentaries

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the ^a Buzite, of the kindred of ^b Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself ^c rather than God.

(a) Which came from Buz, the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother.

(b) Or, as the Chaldee translation reads, Abram.

(c) By making himself innocent, and by charging God of rigour.

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because ^d they [were] elder than he.

(d) That is, the three mentioned before.

I said, Days ^e should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

(e) Meaning, the ancient, who have experience.

But [there is] a spirit in man: ^f and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

(f) It is a special gift of God that man has understanding and comes neither from nature nor by age.

Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out ^g what to say.

(g) To prove that Job's affliction came for his sins.

Lest ye should say, We have ^h found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

(h) Flatter yourselves as though you had overcome him.

Now ⁱ he hath not directed [his] words against me: neither will I answer ^k him with your speeches.

(i) That is, Job.

(k) He uses almost the same arguments but without taunting and reproaches.

For I am full of ^l matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

(l) I have conceived in my mind a great store of reasons.

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, ^m neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

(m) I will neither have regard for riches, credit, nor authority but will speak the very truth.

For I know not to give flattering ⁿ titles; [in so doing] my maker would soon take me away.

(n) The Hebrew word signifies to change the name as to call a fool a wise man: meaning, that he would not cloak the truth to flatter men.