Elihu speeches book job

Elihu is the spokesman of god, for 6 chapters, leading up to the summit of the book, which begins in 38. Given the fact that elihu is never mentioned in the book of job outside of chapters 3237, and that these. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics. While he claims to be introducing new arguments neither will i answer him with your speeches, 32. Second, the style of the elihu speeches is different from the style used in the other parts of the book. The bulk of elihus speech then focuses on the justice of god, which elihu feels job has maligned. Elihu, in the hebrew bible, a comforter of job, the biblical prototype of undeserved suffering. The bulk of elihu s speech then focuses on the justice of god, which elihu feels job has maligned. The absence of elihu from the framework is a problem for any view of the. Much of the book takes the form of legal disputation. Elihu was one of job s 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.

He had remained silent because the others were older. His speech uses material and language from the other speeches that we heard first. It is possible that job is the oldest of any book of the bible written approximately 21001800 b. Although there are many variations, the reasons for rejecting the authenticity of the elihu speeches basically fall into four categories. Seeing that jobs three friends remained silent, unable to answer him, elihu takes their place. In this paper i dis cuss whether the elihu speeches are later interpolations or original to the writing, and i. Time and time again throughout the story of job, jobs three friends, eliphaz, bildad, and zophar, make speeches to job. Elihu, also spelled eliu, in the hebrew bible, a comforter of job, the biblical prototype of undeserved suffering.

Dec 03, 2010 although there are many variations, the reasons for rejecting the authenticity of the elihu speeches basically fall into four categories. 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. It is generally agreed by scholars that the elihu speeches in the book of job chaps. Yet much of elihus speech seems similar to the speeches of the first three. These observations show that the elihu speeches are an integral part of the book of job, in contrast to the view of many critics who say that chapters 3237 are not an original part of the book and were added later after the other chapters were written. We know that elihu is right about this because in 42.

Job 32 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. In the book of job of the bible why is elihu not guilty. In addition, job repents of the very mistake both elihu and god had brought to his attentionspeaking words without knowledge job 42. Eastern great lakes and midwest biblical societies 8 1988. The book of job is most frequently pictured as a drama with a prologue 12 and an epilogue job 42. Dec 01, 2016 elihus speeches seem more a criticism of the whole book of job to this point than of job himself.

Job, you are wrong in charging god as your enemy 33. He was angry with job for justifying himself rather than god. Zuck introduction the purpose of the book of job the authenticity of the elihu speeches opponents of elihus authenticity advocates of elihus authenticity conclusions and assumption contributions. He is one of jobs friends who appear after jobs three friends eliphaz, bildad, and zophar came to comfort him. 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. Elihus value to the narrative of the book of job is first of all a summation of arguments. Elihu, though young, starts to open up for us profound wisdom not yet revealed in the book of job, and begins the chapter by making it clear that he is speaking specifically to job job 33. Elihu must have been a very young man to be calling job and his friends very old. The poem is set within the framework of a short narrative in prose form. Elihu takes a mediators path he attempts to maintain the sovereignty and righteousness and gracious mercy of god.

When it comes down to it, job is asking the wrong questions of god. A study in narrative continuity studies in the bible and early christianity larry j. Job 32 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. 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.

The book of job young elihu speaks 3237 executable outlines. Elihu s assertion that job had claimed innocence is an overstatement. Then the wrath of elihu, the son of barachel the buzite, of the family of ram, was aroused against job. 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. The role and character of elihu in the book of job the. Major purposes of the book of job preaching source. The contribution of the speeches of elihu to the argument about suffering in the book of job larry j. Hindi elihu is known as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. 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.

Job is the perfect target for this because his speeches pose questions. 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. The elihu speeches in the criticism of the book of job. He concludes his speech with an effort to speak on gods behalf and by ascribing righteousness to the almighty. 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. He is one of job s friends who appear after job s three friends eliphaz, bildad, and zophar came to comfort him. His suffering had driven him to say things about himself that were overly optimistic and things about god that were disrespectful. These guys have plenty to say, and job isnt their biggest fan.

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. 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. Elihus speech comes after the final words of job in the third speech cycle 31. 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. 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.

First, elihu is mentioned nowhere in the book of job outside of his speeches in job 3237. This estimate seems, however, to take into account only the part it plays in a. Elihu strongly condemns the approach taken by the three friends, and argues that job is misrepresenting gods righteousness and discrediting his loving. Elihu condemns job as much as he does jobs other friends, but for different reasons. 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. Elihu is known as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. After a few rounds of back and forth, the friends quite down. Chapter 32 of the book of job is directed at jobs three friends.

The context of elihu speeches an outline of job 3237 the person of elihu 4. It is true elihu is not mentioned elsewhere in the book. 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. So these three men ceased answering job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Job, the book of holman bible dictionary bible dictionary. 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 s picture of god is definitely different from the three friends. Outline and examination of the person elihu the context of elihu speeches an outline of job 3237 the person of elihu 4. Even when job is given opportunity to speak, elihu does not hear a cross word from him job 33. Elihu opens his discussion with what he perceives to be the problem with jobs claims. Elihu addresses job by name, something the three friends had not done. Job says, i am innocent, but god denies me justice.

The book of job consists of a prose prologue and epilogue narrative framing poetic dialogues and monologues. Elihu is identified only as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. Job is wrong to claim innocence at the expense of gods grace. Curtis, why were the elihu speeches added to the book of job. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a fourth friend steps in and is given six consecutive chapters to present yet another speech to job. 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 arescholars consider his section to be a later interpolation. Elihus assertion that job had claimed innocence is an overstatement. How was what elihu said any different from what jobs other three friends. 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.

The contribution of the speeches of elihu to the argument about suffering in the book of job. Elihus picture of god is definitely different from the three friends. There is a dramatic interruption in the book of job at this spot. The role and character of elihu in the book of job the doc file. He is said to have descended from buz who may be from the line of abraham genesis 22. Waters lewiston, ny 20090603 elihu refuted the claims of compensation theology by eliphaz, bildad, and zophar that presumed that a relationship between god and man was a fixed business contract defining predictable and precise responses. Nov 11, 2014 in the book of job, job has three friends approach him and condemn him for evil. Because elihus speech, which appears in the book of job. Elihu has heard job profess his innocence while counting god as his enemy b. Why wasnt elihu included in gods scolding to jobs friends. Key personalities of this book include job, eliphaz the temanite, bildad the shuhite, zophar the naamathite, and elihu the buzite.

Yet much of elihu s speech seems similar to the speeches of the first three. Oct 29, 2012 time and time again throughout the story of job, job s three friends, eliphaz, bildad, and zophar, make speeches to job. Analysis of the elihu speeches and his view of suffering part one i. The characteristics elihu assigns to himself are indeed desirable. It is noticeable, when the book of job is compared with other old testament treatments of the problem of suffering, how the treatments of this problem increase during the exilic age. Waters has made an outstanding contribution to the study of the book of job and the subject of undeserved suffering. However, at the end of the story, god chastises all of job s friends except elihu. 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. Unfortunately, two erroneous interpretations of jobs theses are by far the most popular. The contribution of the speeches of elihu to the argument. However, if it can be demonstrated that elihus speeches are.

Singapore moses messenger of god, ceo in it industry, astronaut, scientist elihu was a descendant of buz, the second son of nahor, the brother of abraham gen. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics stack. Elihu charges job with adding to his sin by multiplying words against god without knowledge 34. Pdf elihus contribution to the thought of the book of job robert. However, at the end of the story, god chastises all of jobs friends except elihu. 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. Job, job, book of he is described as the son of baerachel the buzite.

Because job was suffering, they were of the opinion that job had some hidden evil. Elihu charges job with adding to his sin by multiplying words. Their place and sense in the book of job tyndale bulletin 66 1 2015 7594. In the book of job, job has three friends approach him and condemn him for evil. Because elihu was younger in years than the three friends, he was quiet during their conversation job 32. 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. 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. Gods wisdom is not limited by human assumptiona defense of elihus intrusion ii. The book, in its present form, loosely divides into five parts.