Bible Strands
Job 32:4
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elihu addresses Job after the three friends have exhausted their arguments and fallen silent. He pauses before responding because the others hold greater age.
The words — The verb חִכָּ֣ה (chi.Kah) means "he had waited," linked to כִּ֤י (ki) "for" to introduce the reason of respect for the elders' seniority.
The thread — Elihu reiterates his patient listening in Job 32:11, while Proverbs 18:13 warns against answering before hearing, framing his delayed speech as deliberate rather than dismissive.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to distinguish between hesitation and respectful pause, recognizing that waiting for the right moment to speak carries more weight than immediate rebuttal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
Cross-references
- Job 32:11 Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,
- Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.