Elihu

Portrait of Elihu

Elihu the Buzite was a younger bystander who withheld his words out of respect for his elders, then spoke last after the three friends fell silent. Angry at both Job's self-justification and the friends' failure, he offered a fresh perspective: that God uses suffering to teach, discipline, and refine rather than merely to punish. His speeches, extolling God's greatness and justice, form a bridge to the LORD's own answer from the whirlwind.

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Biography

Occupation
Youngest of Job's counselors
Father
Barachel
Era
Patriarchal Age
Nationality
Buzite

Family

Parents
Barachel
โ†“
Elihu
Old Testament Job

Did You Know?

1

Elihu appears without warning in Job 32, never mentioned before or after, and he is the only speaker whom God neither rebukes nor answers - leaving interpreters to debate for centuries whether he is right, wrong, or a bridge to God's own speech.

2

As the youngest present, he waited in deference until his elders finished, then burst out because he was 'full of matter' and felt 'the spirit within me constraineth me' (Job 32:18).

3

Elihu introduces a fresh idea the three friends missed: that suffering can be redemptive and instructive - God 'openeth the ears of men' through affliction (Job 33:16) - anticipating the whirlwind speeches that follow.

Key Chapters

Job 32 Elihu Speaks 3 min read The young Elihu, filled with the need to speak, breaks his silence when the olde... Job 33 Elihu: God Speaks to Man 3 min read Elihu argues that God speaks through dreams and affliction to turn a soul back f...

Key Passages

Elihu Speaks at Last

Job 32:6-10

The young Elihu, filled with the need to speak, breaks his silence when the older men have no more answers.

A6nd 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.

7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. 8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

Read full chapter: Job 32 โ†’

Suffering as Instruction

Job 33:14-30

Elihu argues that God speaks through dreams and affliction to turn a soul back from the pit.

F14or God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a childโ€™s: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

Read full chapter: Job 33 โ†’

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