TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS
Chapter 32
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1These three men ceased replying to Iyov, for he considered himself right.
אוַיִּשְׁבְּתוּ שְׁלֹשֶׁת הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה מֵעֲנוֹת אֶת־אִיּוֹב כִּי הוּא צַדִּיק בְּעֵינָיו׃
2Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was angry—angry at Iyov because he thought himself right against Hashem.
בוַיִּחַר אַף אֱלִיהוּא בֶן־בַּרַכְאֵל הַבּוּזִי מִמִּשְׁפַּחַת רָם בְּאִיּוֹב חָרָה אַפּוֹ עַל־צַדְּקוֹ נַפְשׁוֹ מֵאֱלֹהִים׃
3He was angry as well at his three friends, because they found no reply, but merely condemned Iyov.
גוּבִשְׁלֹשֶׁת רֵעָיו חָרָה אַפּוֹ עַל אֲשֶׁר לֹא־מָצְאוּ מַעֲנֶה וַיַּרְשִׁיעוּ אֶת־אִיּוֹב׃
4Elihu waited out Iyov's speech, for they were all older than he.
דוֶאֱלִיהוּ חִכָּה אֶת־אִיּוֹב בִּדְבָרִים כִּי זְקֵנִים־הֵמָּה מִמֶּנּוּ לְיָמִים׃
5But when Elihu saw that the three men had nothing to reply, he was angry.
הוַיַּרְא אֱלִיהוּא כִּי אֵין מַעֲנֶה בְּפִי שְׁלֹשֶׁת הָאֲנָשִׁים וַיִּחַר אַפּוֹ׃
6Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said in reply: I have but few years, while you are old; Therefore I was too awestruck and fearful To hold forth among you.
va-YA-an e-lee-HU ven ba-rakh-AYL ha-bu-ZEE va-yo-MAR tza-EER a-NEE l'-ya-MEEM v'-a-TEM y'-shee-SHEEM al KAYN za-KHAL-tee va-ee-RA may-kha-VOT day-EE et-KHEM
ווַיַּעַן אֱלִיהוּא בֶן־בַּרַכְאֵל הַבּוּזִי וַיֹּאמַר צָעִיר אֲנִי לְיָמִים וְאַתֶּם יְשִׁישִׁים עַל־כֵּן זָחַלְתִּי וָאִירָא מֵחַוּׂת דֵּעִי אֶתְכֶם׃
32:6 I have but few years, while you are old
By allowing Iyov’s other friends to speak first and expressing his own opinion only afterwards, Elihu seems to be giving great respect to his elders. However, we quickly learn that his deference is just a show. Not only does he disagree with the others, but he even scolds them. This lack of concern for appropriate behavior is also clear in his condemnatory and unsympathetic stance towards Iyov. However, Malachi states that before the ultimate redemption occurs: “He shall reconcile parents with children and children with their parents, so that, when I come, I do not strike the whole land with utter destruction.” (3:24). According to the Bible, the way to bring hope and happiness to the world, and to build up the Land of Israel, is by the young honoring their elders, in accordance with the fifth commandment.
7I thought, “Let age speak; Let advanced years declare wise things.”
זאָמַרְתִּי יָמִים יְדַבֵּרוּ וְרֹב שָׁנִים יֹדִיעוּ חָכְמָה׃
8But truly it is the spirit in men, The breath of Shaddai, that gives them understanding.
חאָכֵן רוּחַ־הִיא בֶאֱנוֹשׁ וְנִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי תְּבִינֵם׃
9It is not the aged who are wise, The elders, who understand how to judge.
טלֹא־רַבִּים יֶחְכָּמוּ וּזְקֵנִים יָבִינוּ מִשְׁפָּט׃
10Therefore I say, “Listen to me; I too would hold forth.”
ילָכֵן אָמַרְתִּי שִׁמְעָה־לִּי אֲחַוֶּה דֵּעִי אַף־אָנִי׃
11Here I have waited out your speeches, I have given ear to your insights, While you probed the issues;
יאהֵן הוֹחַלְתִּי לְדִבְרֵיכֶם אָזִין עַד־תְּבוּנֹתֵיכֶם עַד־תַּחְקְרוּן מִלִּין׃
12But as I attended to you, I saw that none of you could argue with Iyov, Or offer replies to his statements.
יבוְעָדֵיכֶם אֶתְבּוֹנָן וְהִנֵּה אֵין לְאִיּוֹב מוֹכִיחַ עוֹנֶה אֲמָרָיו מִכֶּם׃
13I fear you will say, “We have found the wise course; Hashem will defeat him, not man.”
יגפֶּן־תֹּאמְרוּ מָצָאנוּ חָכְמָה אֵל יִדְּפֶנּוּ לֹא־אִישׁ׃
14He did not set out his case against me, Nor shall I use your reasons to reply to him.
ידוְלֹא־עָרַךְ אֵלַי מִלִּין וּבְאִמְרֵיכֶם לֹא אֲשִׁיבֶנּוּ׃
15They have been broken and can no longer reply; Words fail them.
טוחַתּוּ לֹא־עָנוּ עוֹד הֶעְתִּיקוּ מֵהֶם מִלִּים׃
16I have waited till they stopped speaking, Till they ended and no longer replied.
טזוְהוֹחַלְתִּי כִּי־לֹא יְדַבֵּרוּ כִּי עָמְדוּ לֹא־עָנוּ עוֹד׃
17Now I also would have my say; I too would like to hold forth,
יזאַעֲנֶה אַף־אֲנִי חֶלְקִי אֲחַוֶּה דֵעִי אַף־אָנִי׃
18For I am full of words; The wind in my belly presses me.
יחכִּי מָלֵתִי מִלִּים הֱצִיקַתְנִי רוּחַ בִּטְנִי׃
19My belly is like wine not yet opened, Like jugs of new wine ready to burst.
יטהִנֵּה־בִטְנִי כְּיַיִן לֹא־יִפָּתֵחַ כְּאֹבוֹת חֲדָשִׁים יִבָּקֵעַ׃
20Let me speak, then, and get relief; Let me open my lips and reply.
כאֲדַבְּרָה וְיִרְוַח־לִי אֶפְתַּח שְׂפָתַי וְאֶעֱנֶה׃
21I would not show regard for any man, Or temper my speech for anyone's sake;
כאאַל־נָא אֶשָּׂא פְנֵי־אִישׁ וְאֶל־אָדָם לֹא אֲכַנֶּה׃
22For I do not know how to temper my speech— My Maker would soon carry me oV!
כבכִּי לֹא יָדַעְתִּי אֲכַנֶּה כִּמְעַט יִשָּׂאֵנִי עֹשֵׂנִי׃
