Job 32:2

Authorized King James Version

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חָרָ֣ה
Then was kindled
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
#2
אַפּ֑וֹ
the wrath
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#3
אֱלִיה֣וּא
of Elihu
elihu, the name of one of job's friends, and of three israelites
#4
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל
of Barachel
barakel, the father of one of job's friends
#6
הַבּוּזִי֮
the Buzite
a buzite or descendant of buz
#7
מִמִּשְׁפַּ֪חַ֫ת
of the kindred
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#8
רָ֥ם
of Ram
ram, the name of an arabian and of an israelite
#9
בְּ֭אִיּוֹב
against Job
ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
#10
חָרָ֣ה
Then was kindled
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
#11
אַפּ֑וֹ
the wrath
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#12
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
צַדְּק֥וֹ
because he justified
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
#14
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ
himself
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#15
מֵאֱלֹהִֽים׃
rather than God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Job. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection