Albert Barnes Commentary Job 32:6

"And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion." — Job 32:6 (ASV)

And Elihu said, I am young (the margin notes “few of days”). The Hebrew is, I am small of days (צעיר tsâ‛ı̂yr); that is, I am inexperienced. We have no means of ascertaining his exact age, though it is evident that there was a considerable disparity between them and him.

And you are very old — ישׁישׁים yâshı̂yshiym. The word used here is probably derived from the obsolete root שוש, meaning “to be white, hoary,” and therefore, to be hoary-headed, or aged (compare to 2 Chronicles 36:17). The entire discourses of Job’s friends seem to imply that they were aged men. They laid claim to great experience and professed to have had opportunities for long observation. It is probable that they were regarded as sages, who, by observing events over a long time, had acquired a reputation for great wisdom.

Therefore I was afraid — He was timid, bashful, and diffident.

And dared not show you my opinion — (the margin notes “feared”). He had that diffidence to which modesty prompts in the presence of the aged. He had formed his opinion as the argument proceeded. However, he did not deem it proper for one so young to interfere, even when he thought he perceived that others were wrong.