Job 32:4-6
New English Translation
4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking[a] to Job, because the others[b] were older than he was. 5 But when Elihu saw[c] that the three men had no further reply,[d] he became very angry.
Elihu Claims Wisdom
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up:[e]
“I am young,[f] but you are elderly;
that is why I was fearful,[g]
and afraid to explain[h] to you what I know.
Footnotes
- Job 32:4 tc This reading requires repointing the word בִּדְבָרִים (bidevarim, “with words”) to בְּדַבְּרָם (bedabberam, “while they spoke [with Job]”). If the MT is retained, it would mean “he waited for Job with words,” which while understandable is awkward.
- Job 32:4 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the other friends) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Job 32:5 tn The first clause beginning with a vav (ו) consecutive and the preterite can be subordinated to the next similar verb as a temporal clause.
- Job 32:5 tn Heb “that there was no reply in the mouth of the three men.”
- Job 32:6 tn Heb “answered and said.”
- Job 32:6 tn The text has “small in days.”
- Job 32:6 tn The verb זָחַלְתִּי (zakhalti) is found only here in the OT, but it is found in a ninth century Aramaic inscription as well as in Biblical Aramaic. It has the meaning “to be timid” (see H. H. Rowley, Job [NCBC], 208).
- Job 32:6 tn The Piel infinitive with the preposition (מֵחַוֹּת, mekhavvot) means “from explaining.” The phrase is the complement: “explain” what Elihu feared.
Job 32:4-6
King James Version
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
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.
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Job 32:4-6
English Standard Version
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:
“I am young in years,
and you are (A)aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.
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