Job 32 · a question people ask

"Because he was righteous in his own eyes" (32:1). Is the book saying Job was wrong to think himself righteous?

In the text

Read exactly what 32:1 says: "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes". In Hebrew in his own eyes is one word, be'enav, literally "in his eyes". These are the book's own words, giving the reason the three stopped answering: how Job saw himself. The verse gives no verdict on whether he was right. Job has said as much himself: "I know that I am righteous" (13:18), and "I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go" (27:6). Elsewhere the book has the LORD call Job "a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil" (1:8), and say to Eliphaz, "you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has" (42:7). It also has the LORD ask Job, "Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?" (40:8), and Job say in his last answer, "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42:6). The book doesn't set any of these beside 32:1, and these notes don't decide between them.

The verses

“So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.”
Job 32:1 · World English Bible
“See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.”
Job 13:18 · World English Bible
“I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach me so long as I live.”
Job 27:6 · World English Bible
“The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.””
Job 1:8 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 32

Job 32: A spirit in man

Elihu says "the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding" (32:8), and one chapter later "the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (33:4): in Hebrew the same two words. And before Elihu says a word, the book gives the reasons for his anger, against Job and against the three friends (32:2-3), without saying whether he was right.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions