Job 32 17

Job 32:17 kjv

I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

Job 32:17 nkjv

I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion.

Job 32:17 niv

I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.

Job 32:17 esv

I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion.

Job 32:17 nlt

No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.

Job 32 verses

Job 32 17 Meaning

This verse marks Elihu's firm declaration that he will now contribute to the discourse, having patiently waited for the previous speakers to finish. He asserts his right and intention to articulate his specific perspective and well-formed opinion concerning the matters discussed. His repetition of "I also" underscores his personal commitment and the unique contribution he believes he brings to the stalled conversation.

Job 32 17 Context

Job 32:17 occurs at a pivotal point in the book of Job. After thirty-one chapters of dialogue between Job and his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar), which ended in a stalemate, a new character, Elihu, is introduced. Elihu has been listening to the entire conversation and has been filled with anger—against Job for asserting his righteousness more than God's, and against the friends for failing to provide a satisfactory answer despite their years and supposed wisdom. Job 32 begins by explaining Elihu's silence due to his youth and respect for his elders. However, by this verse (32:17), his patience has run out. He states his resolve to speak, implying his speech will transcend the superficial arguments and false premises that have characterized the previous exchanges. He will assert his God-given understanding, positioning himself as an instrument through which a more profound truth will emerge, preparing the way for God's direct intervention. The historical-cultural context values age and experience; Elihu's audacious claim to speak challenges this societal norm by prioritizing divinely-inspired insight over mere chronology.

Job 32 17 Word analysis

• "I" (אֲנִי, 'ani): This is the first-person singular pronoun. Its double repetition in the Hebrew ("I also... I also") strongly emphasizes Elihu's personal conviction and his assertive, individual determination to speak. It conveys a sense of taking responsibility and presenting his distinct viewpoint, rather than merely repeating others.
• "will answer" (אֲדַבְּרָה, 'adaberah): From the root דָּבַר (davar), "to speak," "to say," "to answer." The Hebrew verbal form here is a Cohortative or Jussive (often seen as a strong declarative or volitional imperfect). It expresses Elihu's firm resolve and intention. It signifies that his speech will not be a hesitant suggestion, but a definite contribution, directly addressing the preceding dialogue.
• "also" (אַף, 'af): This conjunction means "also," "even," "indeed." Placed immediately after "I," it highlights that he too, despite his youth, has a right and a compelling reason to participate in this profound theological debate, aligning himself with the esteemed previous speakers yet distinguishing himself in purpose.
• "my part" (חֶלְקִי, ḥelqi): From חֵלֶק (ḥeleq), meaning "portion," "share," "lot," "inheritance." In this context, it refers to his assigned portion or specific contribution to the conversation. It implies a sense of rightful allocation, as if he has a unique piece of the truth or understanding to share that no one else has presented.
• "will declare" (אַחֲוֶה, 'aḥawweh): From חָוָה (ḥavah), a Hiphil imperfect form, meaning "to show," "to make known," "to disclose," "to reveal." This term is stronger than simply "speaking" or "answering"; it carries the connotation of unveiling or presenting something clearly and convincingly. It implies bringing hidden understanding or making evident a perspective that has been obscured.
• "my opinion" (דֵּעִי, de'i): From דֵּעָה (de'ah), which means "knowledge," "understanding," "discernment," or "opinion." This is not a mere feeling but Elihu's carefully considered and informed understanding of the matter. He believes his "opinion" is rooted in insight, distinguishing it from the flawed or incomplete views of others.

Words-group analysis:

• "I will answer also my part": This phrase communicates Elihu's intention to speak, not merely in agreement or disagreement, but by adding his distinct contribution. The "also" underscores his assertion of rightful inclusion, suggesting that he is stepping into the void left by the elders' inability to adequately address Job. His "part" implies a specific, perhaps divinely assigned, role in bringing clarity.
• "I also will declare my opinion": This second part functions as emphatic parallelism, reinforcing the first statement while subtly shifting the emphasis from simply "answering" to "declaring" and from a "part" to a distinct "opinion." "Declare" highlights the clarity and conviction with which he intends to articulate his perspective, and "my opinion" points to the reasoned, insightful nature of what he is about to convey. Together, the repeated "I also" underscores his profound sense of urgency and authoritative conviction rooted in divine understanding (as stated in previous verses of this chapter).

Job 32 17 Bonus section

Elihu's readiness to speak, even with his youth, reflects a recurring biblical theme: God can use unexpected individuals to convey profound truth, often bypassing conventional sources of authority or wisdom (e.g., Ps 8:2, Matt 11:25). His impatience is described as being "kindled" by his zeal for God and the truth, setting his motivation apart from simple ego (Job 32:2-3). This verse serves as an anticipation of God's own voice which later thunders from the whirlwind, suggesting Elihu's words might contain elements of divine foresight or revelation that precede God's direct intervention. Elihu's approach of discerning why the earlier arguments failed implies an inductive methodology that aims to build a solid theological understanding from observed failures rather than purely deductive application of traditional proverbs.

Job 32 17 Commentary

Elihu's entrance signifies a new theological paradigm in the Book of Job. Having heard all the previous arguments, he no longer tolerates the inconclusive dialogue or the misplaced theology. Job 32:17 is his determined assertion of intent: he will speak, not out of mere impetuosity, but out of a conviction that he has a unique and vital understanding to contribute. His statement, amplified by the repeated "I also," conveys his firm resolve and the gravity of his upcoming discourse. He claims to possess knowledge (דֵּעָה, de'ah) that needs to be declared, distinguishing his wisdom from the failed human logic of Job's friends. This verse establishes his role as a bridge to God's ultimate voice, highlighting that even a younger, less conventionally 'wise' individual can be a channel for divine truth when empowered by God's Spirit.