Elihu speeches in the book of job

We go back to the beginning of elihus speech in 32. First, one can thus imagine the book without the elihu speeches, although we do not know such a book of job from the textual history. Now that he had opportunity, he began speaking his mind to all four debaters job 32. The characteristics elihu assigns to himself are indeed desirable. Not only do they incur the indignation of job and his other friend elihu, but god himself rebukes them, saying to eliphaz, i am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant job has. Oct 29, 2012 time and time again throughout the story of job, job s three friends, eliphaz, bildad, and zophar, make speeches to job. Given the fact that elihu is never mentioned in the book of job outside of chapters 3237, and that these. Jul 24, 2015 at a recent pastors conference on the book of job, a leader asked the attendees whether the speeches of elihu job 3237 should be trusted, like gods job 3841, or discarded, like those of jobs three friends job 45, 8, 11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25. First, elihu is mentioned nowhere in the book of job outside of his speeches in job 3237. Second, the style of the elihu speeches is different from the style used in the other parts of the book. It is possible that job is the oldest of any book of the bible written approximately 21001800 b. However, at the end of the story, god chastises all of job s friends except elihu. In this paper i dis cuss whether the elihu speeches are later interpolations or original to the writing, and i. Elihu charges job with adding to his sin by multiplying words.

In the book of job of the bible why is elihu not guilty before god. Hindi elihu is known as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. Then elihu son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram, became very angry. However, at the end of the story, god chastises all of jobs friends except elihu. For example, i gathered from one commentators 40 pages on elihu s speeches the following labels.

The bulk of elihus speech then focuses on the justice of god, which elihu feels job has maligned. Elihu strongly condemns the approach taken by the three friends, and argues that job is misrepresenting gods righteousness and discrediting his loving character. It is generally agreed by scholars that the elihu speeches in the book of job chaps. Because he appears, dominates all discussion and then abruptly leaves, some modern commentators think that he wasnt really part of the story and was inserted into the account later by the author or another editor. Dec 03, 2010 the final argument against the elihu speeches being an authentic part of the book of job is the claim that the speeches make no contribution to the book. First cycle of speeches 414 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine the counsel of jobs friends, what their observations were, and upon what they based their conclusions regarding jobs suffering 2 to consider jobs response to his friends, how he took their advice, and how he continued to. Elihus picture of god is definitely different from the three friends. A study in narrative continuity studies in the bible and early christianity larry j. Elihus fourpart speech is followed by god breaking his silence to directly answer job. He is not mentioned anywhere else in the book, which means the author doesnt give us any clues as to whether he is to be read as another friend with flawed advice, or as the precursor to gods righteous response.

Oct 23, 2014 elihu, the forgotten prophet of job the book of job is one of the most important of the entire bible, and is a prerequisite to all discussions of christian theology, particularly theodicy. However, if it can be demonstrated that elihus speeches are. God and are totally dependent on his grace for deliverance. It is common to view the narrative frame as the original core of the book, enlarged later by the poetic dialogues and discourses, and sections of the book such as the elihu speeches and the wisdom poem of chapter 28 as late insertions, but recent trends have tended to concentrate on the.

Elihu s assertion that job had claimed innocence is an overstatement. Gods wisdom is not limited by human assumptiona defense of elihus intrusion ii. Mackey was the young elihu of the book of job chs 3237, as according to some, an enlightened prophet whose input is crucial to the dialogue, providing a bridge between job and god, or, as according to mason, an astonishingly pompous little. This is the first mention of elihu in the book of job.

This estimate seems, however, to take into account only the part it plays in a. Job refutes every speech of the three with eight speeches of his own. In addition, job repents of the very mistake both elihu and god had brought to his attentionspeaking words without knowledge job 42. The elihu speeches in the criticism of the book of job. The role and character of elihu in the book of job the. Dec 01, 2016 elihus speeches seem more a criticism of the whole book of job to this point than of job himself. And god must get job not only to stop justifying himself but also to begin justifying god.

Elihu, the son of barachel the buzite, of the family of ram. As a whole, the book appears to have been written as a direct challenge to the timehonored doctrine that people are rewarded or punished according to their merits. These guys have plenty to say, and job isnt their biggest fan. He is not mentioned anywhere else in the book, which means the author doesnt give us any clues as to whether he is to be. Pdf elihus contribution to the thought of the book of job robert. In short, elihu condemns jobs friends and jobs claim of being without sin, declares gods justice, condemns jobs attitude toward god, and exalts gods greatness. Curtis, why were the elihu speeches added to the book of job. The point elihu was making is that gods retributive justice. The context of elihu speeches an outline of job 3237 the person of elihu analysis of the elihu speeches and his view of suffering, part one elihu\s first speech job 32.

The speeches of elihu represent a further attempt to find justification for jobs affliction. Because elihus speech, which appears in the book of job chapters 3237, differs in style from the rest of the work and because he is not mentioned elsewhere in itas the other three comforters. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a fourth friend steps in and is given six consecutive chapters to present yet another speech to job. Elihus speech comes after the final words of job in the third speech cycle 31. Because job was suffering, they were of the opinion that job had some hidden evil. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics stack. Yet even if god speaks to us through a little child, or perhaps a donkey, he always gives us enough evidence to discern his voice. While gods first speech properly demotes jobs selfesteem, it does not yet promote gods gargantuan superiority.

The book, in its present form, loosely divides into five parts. Elihu addresses job by name, something the three friends had not done. The consensus is that elihu was inserted in the book at. Some critics have considered that the elihu portion of the book of job was added by a later hand, and urge obscurities and prolixities, as well as a different style, to prove that it was the work of an inferior writer. The authenticity of the elihu speeches in job 3237 29 allotted to elihu in comparison to the four chapters assigned to eliphaz, the three to bildad, and the two to zophar, b the placement of the elihu speeches in the book, and c the reaction the speeches have drawn from critical circles on the question of authenticity. Chapter 32 of the book of job is directed at jobs three friends. After a few rounds of back and forth, the friends quite down. Waters has made an outstanding contribution to the study of the book of job and the subject of undeserved suffering. The book of job young elihu speaks 3237 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine elihus perspective in the debate regarding jobs suffering 2 to notice how elihu appears to prepare job for what the lord will have to say summary we are now introduced to a new voice in this discussion. Eastern great lakes and midwest biblical societies 8 1988. As a whole, the book appears to have been written as a direct challenge to the timehonored doctrine that people are rewarded or. Commentary on elihu and job chapter 32 and 33 by craig truglia. Elihus life and speech offer many insights for today. His speech uses material and language from the other speeches that we heard first.

Chapter 31, which precedes the elihu speeches, presents, so to speak. The contribution of the speeches of elihu to the argument about suffering in the book of job. Outline and examination of the person elihu the context of elihu speeches an outline of job 3237 the person of elihu 4. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics. A poem to wisdom chapter 28, previously read as part of the speech of job, now regarded by most scholars as a separate interlude in the narrators voice jobs closing monologue chapters 2931 and elihus speeches chapters 3237 4. It is true elihu is not mentioned elsewhere in the book.

Its author is unknown yet it is possible that job himself wrote it. Their place and sense in the book of job tyndale bulletin 66 1 2015 7594. With jobs three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared. Job says, i am innocent, but god denies me justice. Yet much of elihu s speech seems similar to the speeches of the first three. In this frequently discussed and often disputed book, one of the most frequently discussed and most often disputed figures is the character of elihu, a young man who suddenly appears following job s final speech in job 31, delivers a series of speeches to job in chapters 3237, and then disappears from the scene as quickly as he came when god begins to speak to job out of the whirlwind in job 38. Time and time again throughout the story of job, jobs three friends, eliphaz, bildad, and zophar, make speeches to job.

Elihus assertion that job had claimed innocence is an overstatement. This study contends that elihu and his speeches are an original part of the text of the book of job and do play a significant interpretive. The book of job is most frequently pictured as a drama with a prologue 12 and an epilogue job 42. In the book of job, job has three friends approach him and condemn him for evil. Job, job, book of he is described as the son of baerachel the buzite. Elihu has now succeeded in showing why his anger was justified in both cases. He was angry with job for justifying himself rather than god. Dec 03, 2010 although there are many variations, the reasons for rejecting the authenticity of the elihu speeches basically fall into four categories. Is it significant that job gives no response to elihu. I can only analyze the character of elihu and what he has to say from what is contained in the book of job. Yet much of elihus speech seems similar to the speeches of the first three. Elihu is cruel, cold, detached, crass, trite, perfectionist, vain, etc. Elihu opens his discussion with what he perceives to be the problem with jobs claims.

The context of elihu speeches an outline of job 3237 the person of elihu 4. Some commentators have seen the elihu speeches as a later addition. Unfortunately, two erroneous interpretations of jobs theses are by far the most popular. Because elihu was younger in years than the three friends, he was quiet during their conversation job 32. There is a dramatic interruption in the book of job at this spot. He is one of jobs friends who appear after jobs three friends eliphaz, bildad, and zophar came to comfort him. Elihus speeches seem more a criticism of the whole book of job to this point than of job. Zuck introduction the purpose of the book of job the authenticity of the elihu speeches opponents of elihu s authenticity advocates of elihu s authenticity conclusions and assumption contributions and limitations the state of. Jobs three friends eliphas the temanite, bildad the shuhite, and zophar the naamathite were gulity before god because of what they said to job. Elihu s claim as spokesman for god was without foundation job 33. I admit that there are some things in elihu s speeches very hard to understand. The authenticity of the elihu speeches in job 3237 29 allotted to elihu in comparison to the four chapters assigned to eliphaz, the three to bildad, and the two to zophar, b the placement of the elihu speeches in the book, and c the reaction the speeches have.

Elihu, the forgotten prophet of job the book of job is one of the most important of the entire bible, and is a prerequisite to all discussions of christian theology, particularly theodicy. Much of the book takes the form of legal disputation. Although there are many variations, the reasons for rejecting the authenticity of the elihu speeches basically fall into four categories. Elihu admits that the arguments of the three friends have been adequately refuted by job, but he believes he can present other ones that will show how job has been in the wrong. Even when job is given opportunity to speak, elihu does not hear a cross word from him job 33.

Analysis of the elihu speeches and his view of suffering part one i. The role and character of elihu in the book of job the doc file. But at the beginning job 32 and at the end job 37, they are skillfully woven into the fabric of the book and made to play a legitimate role. Elihu condemns job as much as he does job s other friends, but for different reasons. He breaks the flow of the narrative from the final monologue of job in 2931 to gods speeches in 3841.

Elihu was one of jobs friendsnot one of the three who had come to comfort job at the beginning of the book, but one who arrives later and offers the last and longest single speech to job. Whether as an addition or part of the original manuscript, the speeches of elihu do contribute to the narrative. Key personalities of this book include job, eliphaz the temanite, bildad the shuhite, zophar the naamathite, and elihu the buzite. Why wasnt elihu included in gods scolding to jobs friends.

Job 32 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Also waterss discussion of elihus four speeches shows that critics are wrong in suggesting elihus view of suffering was no different from that of jobs three companions. Elihu takes a mediators path he attempts to maintain the sovereignty and righteousness and gracious mercy of god. Nov 11, 2014 in the book of job, job has three friends approach him and condemn him for evil.

How was what elihu said any different from what jobs other three friends. In the book of job of the bible why is elihu not guilty. Job is the perfect target for this because his speeches pose questions. The book of job consists of a prose prologue and epilogue narrative framing poetic dialogues and monologues. Even scholars who regard the book of job as a literary composition by a single author tend to see in elihus speeches an early addition or commentary to the original book. The book of job is widely regarded as one of the great written masterpieces of history, equally impressive for the depth of the issues it wrestles with and the great literary quality it displays. Elihu is identified only as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. The work is grouped with proverbs and ecclesiastes as a product of the wisdom movement, even though it contains what might be called an antiwisdom strain in that the hero protests. Elihu considered both sides at fault and came in as a mediator between the two contending forces job 32. The bulk of elihu s speech then focuses on the justice of god, which elihu feels job has maligned. He concludes his speech with an effort to speak on gods behalf and by ascribing righteousness to the almighty. The book of job young elihu speaks 3237 executable outlines.

Job, the book of holman bible dictionary bible dictionary. Elihu condemns job as much as he does jobs other friends, but for different reasons. The absence of elihu from the framework is a problem for any view of the. Elihu starts his response by being very angry with job. I would be foolish to try in my own arguments to alter scripture as it stands. Irwin that the book of job divides obviously and naturally into several large sections is freely admitted by all students of the book of whatever stripe of critical bias. Job 32 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the.