Job 32:1-24

F. Elihu’s Speeches chs. 32-37

Some critical scholars believe that a later editor inserted chapters 32-37 in the text of Job. [Note: See William Ewart Staples, The Speeches of Elihu: A Study of Job XXXII-XXXVII, pp. 12-24, and David Noel Freedman, "The Elihu Speeches in the Book of Job," Harvard Theological Review 61:1 (January 1968):51-59, for support of this view. See John Peter Lange, ed., Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, vol. 4. Chronicles-Job, pp. 268-73, for a summary of the arguments with rebuttals. See also Larry J. Waters, "The Authenticity of the Elihu Speeches in Job 32-37," Bibliotheca Sacra 156:621 (January-March 1999):28-41.] Many conservatives believe there is ample external and internal evidence indicating that this section of chapters fits into the argument of the book.

". . . the Elihu speeches (chaps. 32-37), which seemingly interrupt the argument of the book, actually set the stage for the Yahweh speeches. Elihu appears as a type of mediator (an impartial witness) who speaks on behalf of God (Job 36:2) by rebuking the three friends (cf. Job 32:3; Job 32:6-14; Job 34:2-15; cf. Job 35:4) and by suggesting that Job needed to repent of his pride which developed because of his suffering (cf. Job 33:17; Job 35:12-16). He recommended that Job should exalt God’s works which are evident in nature (Job 36:24 to Job 37:18) and fear Him who comes in golden splendor out of the north (Job 37:22-24). These basic ideas of Elihu are either assumed or developed by the Lord in His speeches." [Note: Parsons, p. 141.]