Albert Barnes Commentary Job 32:14

Albert Barnes Commentary

Job 32:14

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Job 32:14

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches." — Job 32:14 (ASV)

Now, he has not directed his words against me - Margin, “ordered.” The meaning of this expression is, “I can approach this subject in a wholly dispassionate and unprejudiced manner. I have had none of the provocations which you have felt; his harsh and severe remarks have not fallen on me as they have on you, and I can come to the subject with the utmost coolness.” The object is to show that he was not irritated and that he would be under no temptation to use words from the influence of passion, or any words other than those which conveyed the simple truth. He seems disposed to admit that Job had given some occasion for severe remarks by the manner in which he had treated his friends.

Neither will I answer him with your speeches - They also had been wrong. They had given way to passion and indulged in severity of language, rather than pursued a simple and calm course of argument. From all this, Elihu says he was free and could approach the subject in the most calm and dispassionate manner. He had had no temptation to indulge in severity of language like theirs, and he would not do it.