Job 32:11 - “Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
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What does "Job 32:11" mean?
Job 32:11, "Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say," is spoken by Elihu, a young man who has been listening to Job and his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) debate Job's suffering. This verse essentially highlights Elihu's frustration and disappointment with the older, more experienced men. He's saying:
"Behold, I waited for your words...": Elihu is emphasizing that he patiently listened to them. He gave them the respect due to their age and presumed wisdom.
"...and I listened for your reasoning...": He was hoping to hear sound, logical arguments that could explain Job's situation or offer genuine insight. He wasn't just listening to words, but to the underlying reasoning behind them.
"...while you searched out what to say.": This is the crucial part. It reveals Elihu's criticism. He observed them struggling to find appropriate responses. Instead of offering profound wisdom, they appeared to be grasping at straws, trying to find anything to say that would support their pre-conceived notions (that Job's suffering must be due to some hidden sin). He felt they were more concerned with crafting an eloquent response than with speaking the truth or offering genuine comfort.
In essence, the verse means:
"I gave you all ample opportunity to speak, and I listened attentively, hoping to hear wise and insightful arguments. However, I saw that you were simply struggling to find something – anything – to say, rather than presenting genuine understanding of Job's situation."
The context is important:
Elihu feels that Job's friends have failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for Job's suffering. They have simply reiterated the traditional Deuteronomic theology: that righteousness is rewarded and wickedness is punished. This simplistic explanation doesn't fit Job's situation, and Elihu feels they have avoided grappling with the deeper complexities of God's justice and Job's innocence. This verse is a prelude to Elihu's own lengthy speeches, where he will attempt to offer a different perspective on suffering and God's relationship with humanity. He is building up his justification for speaking, claiming that the older men have failed and therefore he, though younger, is obligated to offer his own wisdom.
Job 32:11 - “Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
What does "Job 32:11" mean?
Job 32:11, "Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say," is spoken by Elihu, a young man who has been listening to Job and his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) debate Job's suffering. This verse essentially highlights Elihu's frustration and disappointment with the older, more experienced men. He's saying:
"Behold, I waited for your words...": Elihu is emphasizing that he patiently listened to them. He gave them the respect due to their age and presumed wisdom.
"...and I listened for your reasoning...": He was hoping to hear sound, logical arguments that could explain Job's situation or offer genuine insight. He wasn't just listening to words, but to the underlying reasoning behind them.
"...while you searched out what to say.": This is the crucial part. It reveals Elihu's criticism. He observed them struggling to find appropriate responses. Instead of offering profound wisdom, they appeared to be grasping at straws, trying to find anything to say that would support their pre-conceived notions (that Job's suffering must be due to some hidden sin). He felt they were more concerned with crafting an eloquent response than with speaking the truth or offering genuine comfort.
In essence, the verse means:
"I gave you all ample opportunity to speak, and I listened attentively, hoping to hear wise and insightful arguments. However, I saw that you were simply struggling to find something – anything – to say, rather than presenting genuine understanding of Job's situation."
The context is important:
Elihu feels that Job's friends have failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for Job's suffering. They have simply reiterated the traditional Deuteronomic theology: that righteousness is rewarded and wickedness is punished. This simplistic explanation doesn't fit Job's situation, and Elihu feels they have avoided grappling with the deeper complexities of God's justice and Job's innocence. This verse is a prelude to Elihu's own lengthy speeches, where he will attempt to offer a different perspective on suffering and God's relationship with humanity. He is building up his justification for speaking, claiming that the older men have failed and therefore he, though younger, is obligated to offer his own wisdom.