6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. 7 I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' 8 But it is the spirit[1] in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 9 It is not only the old[2] who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. 10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. 11 I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, 12 I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments. 13 Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.' 14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young,
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' 8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 9 It is not the old
6 This is what Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite, said: "I'm a young man, and you are all old and experienced. That's why I kept quiet and held back from joining the discussion. 7 I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.' 8 But I see I was wrong - it's God's Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible. 9 The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense. 10 So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think. 11 "I hung on your words while you spoke, listened carefully to your arguments. While you searched for the right words, 12 I was all ears. And now what have you proved? Nothing. Nothing you say has even touched Job. 13 And don't excuse yourselves by saying, 'We've done our best. Now it's up to God to talk sense into him.' 14 Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, 'Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.' 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice. 10 "Therefore I say, 'Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.' 11 Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say. 12 I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words-- 13 Lest you say, 'We have found wisdom'; God will vanquish him, not man. 14 Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words.
6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, "I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. 7 I thought, 'Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.' 8 But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. 9 Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. 10 So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. 11 "I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words. 12 I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. 13 And don't tell me, 'He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.' 14 If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 32:6-14
Commentary on Job 32:6-14
(Read Job 32:6-14)
Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.