Job 32:15-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 32:15-22

Three things here apologize for Elihu's interposing as he does in this controversy which had already been canvassed by such acute and learned disputants:? 1. That the stage was clear, and he did not break in upon any of the managers on either side: They were amazed (Job 32:15); they stood still, and answered no more, Job 32:16. They not only left off speaking themselves, but they stood still, to hear if any of the company would speak their minds, so that (as we say) he had room and fair play... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:15

They were amazed ,.... They were like persons thunderstruck, quite surprised and astonished to hear a young man talk after this manner: they answered no more ; as they had ceased to answer Job, they did not undertake to answer Elihu, who had plainly told them their arguments were not convincing, their answers were no answers, and that they had done a wrong thing in condemning Job without proof; and that which they thought their greatest wisdom, and strongest argument, had no wisdom nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:16

When one had waited ,.... To observe whether they would make any reply to what he had said, or any objection to his engaging in the controversy: for they spake not ; were as mute as fishes: but stood still ; like statues, had no power to move, neither to sit down nor to depart, but were as if all life, sense, and motion, were gone from them: and answered no more ; or not at all; for it does not appear that they had given him any answer before, as well as not now. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:17

I said , I will answer also my part ,.... Or take his turn in giving an answer to Job; what they had given being quite insufficient and unsuitable: I also will show mine opinion ; knowledge, or sentiment; this for a while he was fearful of doing, but, upon a thorough and serious consideration of things, he determined upon it, and now repeats it, to assure he would do it; the reasons of which follow. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:18

For I am full of matter ,.... Or "full of words" F25 מלתי מלים "plenus sum sermonibus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Beza, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; not of mere words, such that have nothing solid and substantial in them; this is the character of a fool, Ecclesiastes 10:14 ; nor was Elihu a loquacious talkative man, as Job is charged to be, a man full of talk, Job 11:2 ; but he was full of words, which had fulness of matter in them, which were to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:19

Behold, my belly is as wine, which hath no vent ,.... Or, "is not opened" F1 לא יפתה "quod non est apertum", Pagninus, Michaelis, Schultens. , like a bottle of wine, as Ben Gersom, which is stopped close, and the wine in it new; which is most apt to ferment, and should have vent given it; so the Targum, "as new wine, which is not opened:' in the same manner Jarchi and Bar Tzemach interpret it; in these words Elihu illustrates, by a metaphor taken from new wine put into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:20

I will speak, that I may be refreshed ,.... That his mind might be made easy; the matter it was full of lay with much weight upon it, pressed him hard, and gave him pain; and therefore he determines to speak his mind, and disburden himself: so a minister of the word speaks sometimes to the refreshment of others, the Gospel being a word in season to weary souls, bread to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, even wine to them that are of an heavy heart; and especially it is refreshing when the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:21

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person ,.... Neither the person of Job, because of his poverty and affliction, indulging too much to pity and commiseration, and affecting to get a good name from others for it; nor the persons of his three friends, on account of their wealth and grandeur; for neither the persons of the poor, nor of the rich, are to be regarded in judgment, or in the decision of any matter between them, but truth and justice are to be attended to; see Exodus 23:3 .... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 32:22

For I know not to give flattering titles ,.... He had not been brought up in such a manner, nor taught to use them; he had not been inured to them, nor did he know or approve of them; nor could he in conscience give them; in so doing , my Maker would soon take me away ; it being such a piece of wickedness, so abominable to him, and so highly resented by him, that I might justly expect he would, as he could, strike me dead at once; just as Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 32:15

They were amazed - Mr. Good translates: "They (the speeches) are dissipated; they no longer produce effect; the words have flirted away from them." Your words, being without proper reference and point, are scattered into thin air: there is nothing but sound in them; they are quite destitute of sense. But I prefer the words as spoken of Job's friends. They took their several parts in the controversy as long as they could hope to maintain their ground: for a considerable time they had been... read more

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