The Meaning of Job 32:1 Explained

Job 32:1

KJV: So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

YLT: And these three men cease from answering Job, for he is righteous in his own eyes,

Darby: And these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

ASV: So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So these three  men  ceased  to answer  Job,  because he [was] righteous  in his own eyes. 

What does Job 32:1 Mean?

Study Notes

So these three
Despite minor differences, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar have one view of the problem of Job's afflictions. He is a hypocrite. Outwardly good, he is, they hold, really a bad man. Otherwise, according to their conception of God, Job's sufferings would be unjust. Job, though himself the sufferer, will not so accuse the justice of God, and his self-defence is complete. Before God he is guilty, helpless, and undone, and there is no daysman ( Job 32:9 ). Later, his faith is rewarded by a revelation of a coming Redeemer, and of the resurrection ( Job 32:19 ). But Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are sinners also as before God, and yet they are not afflicted. Job refutes the theory of the three that he is a secret sinner as against the common moralities, but the real problem, Why are the righteous afflicted remains. It is solved in the last chapter.

Context Summary

Job 32:1-22 - Elihu Enters
The controversy between Job and his counselors is now at an end. They have failed in making out their case; but before God Himself takes up the argument there is another side of the case to be presented by the fervid life of a younger generation. The name Elihu means, "My God is He." He had preserved a respectful silence while his elders were speaking; but he was so conscious of the uprising of the divine that he could refrain no longer.
Elihu was greatly indignant, first with Job for not justifying God, Job 32:2; and then with his friends for their inability to cope with him, Job 32:5. But in addition to these criticisms, he has some positive contribution to make to the debate, and must needs make it. Silence is golden, but there is a time to speak. Be sure in inbreathe the Spirit of God as one long imprisoned in a close chamber inhales the breath of the salt sea. Do not speak, as John Woolman says, beyond the divine openings. [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 32

1  Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends
6  Because wisdom comes not from age, he excuses the boldness of his youth
11  He reproves them for not satisfying Job
16  His zeal to speak

What do the individual words in Job 32:1 mean?

So ceased three men these answering - Job because he [was] righteous in his own eyes -
וַֽיִּשְׁבְּת֡וּ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הָ֭אֵלֶּה מֵעֲנ֣וֹת אֶת־ אִיּ֑וֹב כִּ֤י ה֖וּא צַדִּ֣יק בְּעֵינָֽיו פ

וַֽיִּשְׁבְּת֡וּ  So  ceased 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁבַת 
Sense: to cease, desist, rest.
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת  three 
Parse: Number, masculine singular construct
Root: מִשְׁלֹשׁ 
Sense: three, triad.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים  men 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
הָ֭אֵלֶּה  these 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
מֵעֲנ֣וֹת  answering 
Parse: Preposition-m, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: לְעַנּׄות 
Sense: to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אִיּ֑וֹב  Job 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִיּׄוב  
Sense: a patriarch, the subject of the book of Job.
כִּ֤י  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
ה֖וּא  he  [was] 
Parse: Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
צַדִּ֣יק  righteous 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
בְּעֵינָֽיו  in  his  own  eyes 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, cdc, third person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation