Job 32:11

_BEHOLD, I WAITED FOR YOUR WORDS; I GAVE EAR TO YOUR REASONS, WHILST YE SEARCHED OUT WHAT TO SAY._ Therefore, Elihu was present from the first. Therefore, Elihu was present from the first. REASONS - literally, understanding; i:e., the meaning intended by words. WHILST - I waited until you should discover a suitable reply to Job....

6-14 Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing....

Verse Job 32:11. _I WAITED FOR YOUR WORDS; I GAVE EAR TO YOUR REASONS_] Instead of תבונותיכם _tebunotheychem_, your _reasons_, תכונותיכם techunotheychem, your _arguments_, is the reading of _nine_ of _Kennicott's_ and _De Rossi's_ MSS. The sense, however, is nearly the same. _WHILST YE SEARCHED OUT WHAT TO SAY._] עד תחקרון מלין _ad tachkerun_ _millin_; "Whilst ye were searching up and down for words." A fine irony, which they must have felt....

I GAVE EAR TO YOUR REASONS - Margin, “understandings.” The meaning is, that he had given the most respectful attention to the views which they had expressed, implying that he had been all along present, and had listened to the debate. WHILST YE SEARCHED OUT WHAT TO SAY - Margin, as in Hebrew, words. It is implied here that they had bestowed much attention on what they had said. They had carefully sought out all the arguments at their command to confute Job, and still had been unsuccessful....

EXPOSITION A new personage is now introduced upon the scene, who speaks in a new style and almost in a new language. No previous mention has been made of him; no subsequent notice is taken of his arguments; and nothing is said of him in the historical section wherewith the work concludes (Job 42:7). It is therefore scarcely surprising that some exception has been taken to the genuineness of the entire passage (Job 32-37), or that it has been regarded by many excellent critics as an interpolation into the Book of Job, made by one who was not the original author, at a date considerably later than the rest of tile composition. A modification of this extreme view is suggested by M. Renan, who thinks that the original author may have added the passage in his old age. This view is entitled to consideration. The subject has been discussed at some length in the Introduction, so that no mor

BEHOLD, I WAITED FOR YOUR WORDS,.... With great desire, with great eagerness and earnestness, in hope of meeting with arguments fully satisfying and convincing; he waited for them, as for the rain, and the latter rain, to be revived, refreshed, and edified therewith; and he patiently waited until they had done speaking: I GAVE EAR TO YOUR REASONS, or "understandings" r; endeavoured to get into the sense and meaning of their words; not only attended to what they did say, but to what he thought they meant to say: some are not so happy in their expressions; and yet, by what they do say, with close attention it may be understood what they aim at, what is their drift and design; this Elihu was careful to attain unto, not barely to hear their words, but penetrate, if possible, into their meaning: WHILST YE SEARCHED OUT WHAT TO SAY; for they did not make their replies to Job immediately, and...

CHAPTER S 32--33:7 _ 1. Elihu introduced (Job 32:1)_ 2. I waited, but now must speak (Job 32:6) 3. His address to Job (Job 33:1) Job 32:1. As Elihu had listened to the different addresses his wrath was stirred up. His name is very suggestive. Elihu means “my God is He”; Barachel--”the Blessed God”; the Buzite, “the rejected One” of Ram, and Ram means “exalted.” These are names which find their fullest application in the person of our Lord, whom Elihu in his mediatorial work represents. But why was his wrath kindled? Because Job justified himself rather than God and because Job's friends had found no solution of the problem, yet they c

Elihu had remained silent because of his youth. However wisdom is not a matter of age, but of Divine inspiration. Where the friends have failed, Elihu will succeed: there is no need to call in God. Job 32:13 is a direct polemic against the poet, a strong assertion that the Divine speeches which follow had been better omitted (Peake)....

_I gave ear to your reasons_ Or, I LISTENED FOR YOUR REASONS, UNTIL YE SHOULD SEARCH OUT WHAT TO SAY. The meaning seems to be that Elihu looked for further and different arguments from the three friends....

TEXT 32:11-22 11 BEHOLD, I WAITED FOR YOUR WORDS, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say. 12 Yea, I attended onto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you. 13 Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man: 14 For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches. 15 They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say. 16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more? 17 I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion. 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst. 20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.