6 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. 7 I said, ‘Days should speak,
and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But there is a spirit in man,
and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. 9 It is not the great who are wise,
nor the aged who understand justice. 10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me;
I also will show my opinion.’ 11 “Behold, I waited for your words,
and I listened for your reasoning,
while you searched out what to say. 12 Yes, I gave you my full attention,
but there was no one who convinced Job,
or who answered his words, among you. 13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom,
God may refute him, not man;’ 14 for he has not directed his words against me;
neither will I answer him with your speeches.
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.