Job 36 2

Job 36:2 kjv

Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.

Job 36:2 nkjv

"Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God's behalf.

Job 36:2 niv

"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf.

Job 36:2 esv

"Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf.

Job 36:2 nlt

"Let me go on, and I will show you the truth.
For I have not finished defending God!

Job 36 verses

Job 36 2 Meaning

Elihu opens his discourse in Job 36 by respectfully, yet firmly, requesting a brief moment of quiet attention from his audience, particularly Job. He states his intention to articulate further truths concerning God's character and actions, implying that his words are not yet exhausted and that he possesses crucial insights that will defend the Almighty's justice and wisdom beyond what has already been said. He is setting the stage to offer a more profound and satisfactory explanation of divine sovereignty and its intersection with human experience.

Job 36 2 Context

Job 36:2 is Elihu's renewed plea for attention as he launches into the climactic part of his extensive discourse (Job 32-37). Having patiently listened to Job and his three friends (Job 32:6-12), and having expressed his frustration with their arguments and Job's perceived self-righteousness, Elihu asserted his own wisdom, claiming it came from divine inspiration rather than merely age. Chapters 34 and 35 laid the groundwork, where Elihu strongly refuted Job’s claim that God afflicted the righteous without cause and that God did not care about human actions.

In Job 36, Elihu shifts his focus directly to magnifying God's omnipotence, righteousness, and justice in governance of the world, specifically challenging the narrow human understanding of divine action. This verse acts as a prologue to his detailed explanation of how God works through affliction for instruction, purification, and blessing, emphasizing that God is utterly great, majestic, and beyond human full comprehension, yet always righteous. Elihu aims to move Job away from his complaints and towards recognizing God’s boundless wisdom and the hidden purposes behind His actions.

Job 36 2 Word analysis

• Suffer me (הוֹחִלֵהוּ, hokhilehu): Derived from the root יָחַל (yakhal), meaning "to wait," "to hope," or "to endure." The Hiphil imperative form here is best rendered as "cause me to wait for him," which implies "grant me time," or "be patient with me." It’s a polite yet urgent request for forbearance and concentrated listening, urging Job to suppress any immediate urge to respond. It conveys Elihu's conviction that his words demand full attention and space to unfold.
• a little (זְעֵיר, ze'ir): This Aramaic word (transliterated into Hebrew script in the text) signifies a "small amount," "briefly," or "for a short while." It emphasizes that his request for patience is not for an indeterminate time, but a measured moment before he proceeds with his elaborate explanation. This contrasts with the preceding lengthy silences of Job’s friends and perhaps signals Elihu's intention to speak extensively, making the "little" a moment of setting the stage rather than the extent of his speech.
• and I will shew thee (וְאֲחַוֶּה לָּךְ, ve'akhaweh lakh): From the root חָוָה (ḥawāh), "to show," "to make known," "to declare." Elihu is asserting his intention to reveal or explain something profound and hidden. He presents himself as an illuminator, a teacher who will unveil aspects of God that are perhaps misunderstood or overlooked by the others. This phrase highlights Elihu’s claim to possess clarity and insight.
• that I have yet to speak (כִּי־עוֹד לֶאֱלֹהַּ מִלִּים, kî ‘ōd le’ĕlōah millîm):
  • כִּי (kî): A conjunction, often meaning "for," "because," or "that." Here, it introduces the content of what Elihu will show.
  • עוֹד (‘ōd): An adverb meaning "still," "yet," "again." It indicates that his message is not a mere repetition of past arguments, but something new or an continuation that goes deeper. It suggests remaining content to be expounded.
  • לֶאֱלֹהַּ (le’ĕlōah): This is a combination of the preposition לְ (le), which can mean "to," "for," "concerning," or "on behalf of," and אֱלוֹהַּ (ʾĕlōah), a common biblical name for God, emphasizing God’s majesty and transcendence. In this context, it signifies "on God's behalf" or "concerning God," indicating that Elihu intends to vindicate God's actions and character. He is not speaking for himself, but acting as God's advocate or explainer.
  • מִלִּים (millîm): The plural of מִלָּה (millah), meaning "words," "speech," "a matter." Here it signifies the discourse, the content of Elihu’s argument. The plural suggests a comprehensive and weighty message.

• "Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee": This phrase combines a plea for patient listening with a promise of profound revelation. It establishes Elihu's authoritative yet respectful tone, claiming a superior understanding that warrants the undivided attention of his audience, particularly Job. He is requesting a calm space for exposition before proceeding to unfold his explanation.
• "that I have yet to speak on God's behalf": This indicates Elihu's explicit agenda: to articulate new or unstated arguments that clarify and justify God’s actions. He perceives himself as God’s advocate, someone whose mission is to explain the Almighty’s wisdom and justice where others have failed. This phrase frames his upcoming discourse as a theological vindication of God’s ways, not just another human argument.

Job 36 2 Bonus section

Elihu's role in the book of Job is often debated among scholars. Some view him as a divinely inspired prophet who sets the stage for God's appearance, offering a superior theological argument compared to the other friends. Others see him as merely another human attempting to explain the inexplicable, albeit with a more refined theology. His insistence on speaking "on God's behalf" suggests he sees himself as a messenger or a vehicle for divine truth, which lends a prophetic weight to his ensuing speech. His contribution shifts the argument from punitive justice (retribution) to redemptive or disciplinary justice, where suffering serves to instruct and purify, making it an essential pre-cursor to God's ultimate declaration from the whirlwind. This nuance makes Elihu a significant, transitional figure in the book's theological development, anticipating a more nuanced understanding of God’s interaction with humanity.

Job 36 2 Commentary

Job 36:2 marks Elihu's transition from challenging the flawed arguments of Job and his friends to delivering his own comprehensive theological discourse centered on God's unparalleled wisdom and righteous governance. His request for a "little" patience before he "shows" profound truths underscores his conviction that his insights are vital and transcend previous limited perspectives. Elihu positions himself as an explainer or advocate on God's behalf, signaling his aim to defend God's justice and sovereignty against Job’s accusations of unfairness. Unlike the friends who mostly focused on Job's presumed sin, Elihu emphasizes the instructional and redemptive purposes of suffering and God's incomprehensible greatness. This verse is not just a polite opening, but a strategic claim to present a higher understanding of divine purpose and wisdom. Elihu intends to bridge the gap between human experience and divine majesty, correcting the erroneous notions of his predecessors.