“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
Parallel translations
- KJV Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
- BSB Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,
- NKJV Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.
- NASB ¶“Behold, I waited for your words, I listened to your skillful speech, While you pondered what to say.
- NLT “I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Elihu reminds them he patiently waited and listened to their reasoning while they searched for words. He establishes that he gave the elders a fair hearing.
Overview
Elihu notes that he attentively waited through their speeches and listened to their arguments as they tried to find what to say. This emphasizes his patience and the fairness of his coming critique. His careful listening models a virtue, yet his confidence that he can now resolve what they could not foreshadows the need for God's own answer, which alone humbles every speaker and points to the true Counselor, Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Job 32:4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.
- Job 29:21“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.
- Prov 18:17He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
- Job 29:23They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.
- Prov 28:11The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
- Job 5:27Look this, we have searched it, so it is. Hear it, and know it for your good.”
- Eccl 12:9–10Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 32:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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