Elihu Enters the Debate
Job 32
After Job's three friends fall silent, the younger Elihu the Buzite grows angry, both at Job for justifying himself rather than God and at the three friends for failing to answer him. He explains that he held back out of respect for their age but will now speak, since understanding comes from the Spirit of God and not from age alone.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonHERE Job closed his speech, and his three friends ceased from making further reply to him; for he was righteous in their sight.
BrentonAnd his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.
GreekἩσύχασαν δὲ καὶ οἱ τρεῖς φίλοι αὐτοῦ ἔτι ἀντειπεῖν Ἰὼβ, ἦν γὰρ Ἰὼβ δίκαιος ἐναντίον αὐτῶν.
KJVSo these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
JPSSo these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2
ThomsonThen was kindled the wrath of Elius the son of Barachiel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, of the country of Ausitis. His wrath was kindled against Job to a high degree, because he had declared himself just before the Lord.
BrentonThen Elius the son of Barachiel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, of the country of Ausis, was angered: and he was very angry with Job, because he justified himself before the Lord.
GreekὨργίσθη δὲ Ἐλιοὺς ὁ τοῦ Βαραχιὴλ ὁ Βουζίτης ἐκ τῆς συγγενείας Ῥὰμ, τῆς Αὐσίτιδος χώρας· ὠργίσθη δὲ τῷ Ἰὼβ σφόδρα, διότι ἀπέφῃνεν ἑαυτὸν δίκαιον ἐναντίον Κυρίου·
KJVThen was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
JPSThen was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3
ThomsonAnd with the three friends he was very angry, because they were not able to answer Job’s defence, though they had charged him with being wicked.
BrentonAnd he was also very angry with his three friends, because they were not able to return answers to Job, yet set him down for an ungodly man.
GreekΚαὶ κατὰ τῶν τριῶν δὲ φίλων ὠργίσθη σφόδρα, διότι οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν ἀποκριθῆναι ἀντίθετα Ἰὼβ, καὶ ἔθεντο αὐτὸν εἶναι ἀσεβῆ.
KJVAlso against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
JPSAlso against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4
ThomsonNow Elius had waited to answer Job, because the others were older than he.
BrentonBut Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.
GreekἘλιοὺς δὲ ὑπέμεινε δοῦναι ἀπόκρισιν Ἰὼβ, ὅτι πρεσβύτεροι αὐτοῦ εἰσιν ἡμέραις.
KJVNow Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
JPSNow Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were older than he.
5
ThomsonBut when he saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was fired with indignation;
BrentonAnd Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδεν Ἐλιοὺς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἀπόκρισις ἐν στόματι τῶν τριῶν ἀνδρῶν, καὶ ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ αὐτοῦ.
KJVWhen Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
JPSAnd when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6
Thomsontherefore Elius the son of Barachiel the Buzite taking up the argument, said [to Job]: I indeed am young and you are old; therefore I kept silence and was afraid to give my opinion.
BrentonAnd Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and ye are elder; wherefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.
GreekὙπολαβὼν δὲ Ἐλιοὺς ὁ τοῦ Βαραχιὴλ ὁ Βουζίτης, εἶπε, Νεώτερος μέν εἰμι τῷ χρόνῳ, ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε πρεσβύτεροι, διὸ ἡσύχασα φοβηθεὶς τοῦ ὑμῖν ἀναγγεῖλαι τὴν ἐμαυτοῦ ἐπιστήμην.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not declare you mine opinion.
7
ThomsonFor I said, Is it not age which speaketh? And by many years they have gained wisdom.
BrentonAnd I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years men know wisdom:
GreekΕἶπα δὲ, ὅτι οὐχ ὁ χρόνος ἐστὶν ὁ λαλῶν, ἐν πολλοῖς δὲ ἔτεσιν οἴδασι σοφίαν.
KJVI said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
JPSI said: ‘Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8
ThomsonBut there is a spirit in mortals; and it is the inspiration of the Almighty which teacheth.
Brentonbut there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.
GreekἈλλὰ πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἐν βροτοῖς· πνοὴ δὲ παντοκράτορός ἐστιν ἡ διδάσκουσα.
KJVBut there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
JPSBut it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty, that giveth them understanding.
9
ThomsonThey who live longest are not the wisest, nor is the knowledge of judgment confined to the aged.
BrentonThe long-lived are not wise as such; neither do the aged know judgment.
GreekΟὐχ οἱ πολυχρόνιοί εἰσι σοφοὶ, οὐδʼ οἱ γέροντες οἴδασι κρίμα.
KJVGreat men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
JPSIt is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that discern judgment.
10
ThomsonWherefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.
BrentonWherefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.
GreekΔιὸ εἶπα, ἀκούσατέ μου, καὶ ἀναγγελῶ ὑμῖν ἃ οἶδα.
KJV—
JPS—
11
ThomsonListen attentive to my words, for I will speak in your hearing that you may examine them.
BrentonHearken to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until ye shall have tried the matter with words:
GreekἘνωτίζεσθέ μου τὰ ῥήματα· ἐρῶ γὰρ ὑμῶν ἀκουόντων ἄχρις οὗ ἐτάσητε λόγουις,
KJV—
JPS—
12
ThomsonEven now I could wish to attend to you: but behold there is none who convicteth Job—none of you who refuteth his arguments:
Brentonand I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,
Greekκαὶ μέχρι ὑμῶν συνήσω, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἦν τῷ Ἰὼβ ἐλέγχων ἀνταποκρινόμενος ῥήματα αὐτοῦ ἐξ ὑμῶν·
KJVYea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
JPSYea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.
13
Thomsonthat you might not say, We the Lord’s advocates have found wisdom.
Brentonlest ye should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.
Greekἵνα μὴ εἴπητε, εὕρομεν σοφίαν Κυρίῳ προσθέμενοι.
KJVLest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
JPSBeware lest ye say: ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man! ’
14
ThomsonAnd you have left a man at liberty to use hereafter the same arguments.
BrentonAnd ye have commissioned a man to speak such words.
GreekἈνθρώπῳ δὲ ἐπετρέψατε λαλῆσαι τοιαῦτα ῥήματα.
KJV—
JPS—
15
ThomsonThey were daunted. They answered not again. They have antiquated their own speeches.
BrentonThey were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.
GreekἘπτοήθησαν, οὐκ ἀπεκρίθησαν ἔτι, ἐπαλαίωσαν ἐξ αὐτῶν λόγους.
KJVThey were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
JPS—
16
Thomson—
BrentonI waited, (for I had not spoken,) because they stood still, they answered not.
GreekὙπέμεινα, οὐ γὰρ ἐλάλησα, ὅτι ἔστησαν, οὐκ ἀπεκρίθησαν.
KJVWhen I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
JPS—
17
ThomsonI waited patiently: for I had not spoken. Because they stopped and made no reply, therefore Elius interposing, saith, I will speak again,
BrentonAnd Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,
GreekὙπολαβὼν δὲ Ἐλιοῦς, λέγει,
KJV—
JPS—
18
Thomsonfor I am full of words—for I am pained with a spirit within me—
Brentonfor I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.
Greekπάλιν λαλήσω, πλήρης γάρ εἰμι ῥημάτων, ὀλέκει γάρ με τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς γαστρός.
KJVFor I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
JPSFor I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
19
Thomsonfor I am like a vessel full of new wine, in fermentation, without vent; or like the labouring bellows of a smith.
BrentonAnd my belly is as a skin of sweet wine bound up and ready to burst; or as a brazier's labouring bellows.
GreekἩ δὲ γαστήρ μου ὥσπερ ἀσκὸς γλεύκους ζέων δεδεμένος, ἢ ὥσπερ φυσητὴρ χαλκέως ἐῤῥηγώς.
KJVBehold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
JPSBehold, mine inwards are as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins which are ready to burst.
20
ThomsonI will speak that I may have ease, by opening my lips.
BrentonI will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.
GreekΛαλήσω, ἵνα ἀναπαύσωμαι ἀνοίξας τὰ χείλη,
KJVI will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
JPSI will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
21
ThomsonFor I should not be awed by man: nor put to the blush because of a mortal.
BrentonFor truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.
Greekἄνθρωπον γὰρ οὐ μὴ αἰσχυνθῶ, ἀλλὰ μὴν οὐδὲ βροτὸν οὐ μὴ ἐντραπῶ.
KJV—
JPS—
22
Thomson—
BrentonFor I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.
GreekΟὐ γὰρ ἐπίσταμαι θαυμάσαι πρόσωπα· εἰ δὲ μὴ, καὶ ἐμὲ σῆτες ἔδονται.
KJV—
JPS—