Job 37 · a question people ask
These are Elihu's last words. Is he right?
The book never says, and these notes don't decide. Chapter 32's honest questions set out what the book does and doesn't say about Elihu. His last words are "Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart" (37:24). The book names him only in 32:2, 32:4, 32:5, 32:6, 34:1, 35:1 and 36:1: not anywhere after 36:1, and not in 42:7-9, where the LORD speaks to Eliphaz of "your two friends" (42:7). The book gives no verdict on Elihu's speeches, and these notes add none, for them or against them.
The verses
“Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.””
“Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.”
“Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled. Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.”
“Moreover Elihu answered,”