FocusClaims about God's justice and instruction
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
interpretation Job 32:18
KJVFor I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
Read it in context
Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends
Start reading at Job 32:1 (Job 32:1 to Job 32:22).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
A new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
- 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
- 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
- 32:3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
- 32:4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
- 32:5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
- 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
- 32:7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
- 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
- 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
- 32:10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
- 32:11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
- 32:12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
- 32:13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
- 32:14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
- 32:15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
- 32:16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
- 32:17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
- 32:18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
- 32:19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
- 32:20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
- 32:21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
- 32:22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Who
- Who wrote the book? The author is unknown. Moses is one ancient traditional proposal, but neither that proposal nor another named author can be established with confidence. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). book background
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Job 32:1–37:24): Elihu addresses Job and the listening wise men after the three friends cease answering. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers within Israel's wisdom tradition, wrestling with innocent suffering, justice, and the limits of human judgment. No named individual or first community is identified. Biblical references: Job 28:28; Job 42:7. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends. Read Job 32:1 through Job 32:22 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? A new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book supplies no royal date or exact historical year for Job's experiences. Proposed patriarchal-era settings are historical inferences, not a date explicitly stated by the narrative. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Job is introduced as a man in the land of Uz. The poetic speeches range through imagined and remembered scenes that should not all be treated as the speakers' physical locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends (Job 32:1 to Job 32:22). Start reading at Job 32:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? James refers to Job's endurance and the Lord's compassion. Connections between Job's suffering and Christ may be considered as comparisons; Job's speeches should not all be treated as direct predictions of Jesus. See Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Do not assume that a sufferer's losses prove a hidden sin. Listen carefully, distinguish the speakers, and read their claims alongside the LORD's concluding rebuke of the friends. interpretation
Cited: Job 32:1, Job 32:22, Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; among the oldest books of Scripture
Not known
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) suggested Moses, but ancient opinion varied widely.
What is debatedThe author is unknown and the date is uncertain. The setting appears patriarchal, but the book could have been written far later.
Related passages
- the spirit Ps 39:3 Jer 20:9 Ezek 3:14-27 Acts 4:20 2 Cor 5:13-14
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Job 32
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Job
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated.
Job's losses and the friends' arrival
Job 1:1–2:13FocusSuffering and the opening test
Connection to the wholeThe narrative establishes Job's losses and integrity before the speeches begin, giving readers information the disputing friends do not possess.
interpretation The lament and first exchange
Job 3:1–14:22FocusSuffering questioned and explained
Connection to the wholeJob's lament leads into the first cycle of speeches, in which the friends' explanations are challenged by Job's experience.
interpretation The second exchange
Job 15:1–21:34FocusAccusation and protest intensify
Connection to the wholeThe argument sharpens as the friends connect suffering with wickedness and Job challenges their account of the wicked's fortunes.
interpretation The final exchange and Job's defense
Job 22:1–31:40FocusWisdom and the demand for an answer
Connection to the wholeThe later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer.
interpretation FocusClaims about God's justice and instruction
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
interpretation The LORD answers
Job 38:1–41:34FocusCreation and the limits of human knowledge
Connection to the wholeThe LORD questions Job concerning the created order, confronting the limits of his knowledge and his attempt to contend with God.
interpretation Job's response and the conclusion
Job 42:1–17FocusRepentance, rebuke, and restoration
Connection to the wholeJob responds, the friends are rebuked, and the narrative closes with intercession and restoration without turning every speech into endorsed doctrine.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.