Job 32:8
in Job 32But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
KJV
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
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This verse in Job 32
Commentary
10 notes on this verseBut, as I see, there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. He would be right in saying this, did he not arrogate to himself this same wisdom above all others. For it is no slight condemnation for a man to boast within himself of that advantage which is given to him in common with others, to know whence he has received a good gift, and to know not how to use the good he has received.
This site's exposition
I am young in years, while you are old
on Job 32:6-9
“I am young in years, while you are old” opens Elihu's apology. He states the rule he held, that “age should speak”, and overturns it. Henry reads the conclusion of verse 9 as true in itself and dangerous in Elihu's mouth, since it licenses the speech that follows.
This site's exposition
the breath of the Almighty
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown hear Elihu claiming inspiration, the breath of the Almighty given to a messenger to Job. Henry replies that such a claim needed proof. A spirit in a man that gives him understanding no one could deny.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church2 voices
The words "but truly it is the spirit in mortals," [indicate] a rational soul. The words "the breath of the Almighty that makes them intelligent," [indicate] that if we need to find a superior wisdom in human beings, we will recognize it in those who …
As a consequence he excuses the fact that he is now going to begin to speak because he has experienced the fact that age is not the sufficient cause of wisdom, but rather divine inspiration, and so he says, "But as I see," that is, …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Had he meant I have revelation as well as you (as some understand it), he must have proved it; but, if he meant only I have reason as well as you, they cannot deny it, for it is every man's honour, and it is no presumption to claim it, nor could they gainsay his inference from it (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
But there is a spirit in man,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
But there is a spirit in man - Mr. Good translates: - “But surely there is an afflation in mankind, And the inspiration of the Almighty actuateth them.” Coverdale, thus: - Every man (no doute) hath a mynde; but it is the inspyracion of the Almightie that geveth understondinge.
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Elihu claims inspiration, as a divinely commissioned messenger to Job (Job 33:6, 23); and that claim is not contradicted in Job 42:4, 5. Translate: "But the spirit (which God puts) in man, and the inspiration . . . is that which giveth," &c.; it is not mere "years" which give understanding (Pr 2:6;
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But there is a spirit in man - This evidently refers to a spirit imparted from above; a spirit from the Almighty. The parallelism seems to require this, for it responds to the phrase “the inspiration of the Almighty” in the other hemistich. The Hebrew expression here also seems to require this interpretation. It is, הוא רוח rûach hû', the Spirit itself; meaning the very Spirit that gives wisdom, or the Spirit of inspiration. He had said, in the previous verse, that it was reasonable to expect to find wisdom among the aged and the experienced. But in this he had been disappointed. He now finds that wisdom is not the attribute of rank or station, but that it is the gift of God, and therefore it may be found in a youth. All true wisdom, is the sentiment, is from above; and where the inspiration of the Almighty is, no matter whether with the aged or the young, there is understanding. Elihu undoubtedly means to say, that though he was much younger than they were, and though, according to the common estimate in which the aged and the young were held, he might be supposed to have much less acquaintance with the subjects under consideration, yet, as all true wisdom came from above, he might be qualified to speak. The word “spirit” here, therefore, refers to the spirit which God gives; and the passage is a proof that it was an early opinion that certain men were under the teachings of divine inspiration. The Chaldee renders it נבואתא רוח, a spirit of prophecy. And the inspiration of the Almighty - The breathing” of the Almighty - שׁדי נשׁמה neshâmâh Shadday. The idea was, that God breathed this into man, and that this wisdom was the breath of God; compare Gen 2:7; Joh 20:22. Septuagint, πνοή pnoē, breath, breathing.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אָ֭כֵן | ʾakhen | nevertheless | H403 → | |
| רֽוּחַ־ | ruach- | [is the] spirit | H7307 → | 378 times |
| הִ֣יא | hi' | it | H1931 → | 1879 times |
| בֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁ | veenoosh | in a person | H582 → | 566 times |
| וְנִשְׁמַ֖ת | venishmat | and [the] breath of | H5397 → | 24 times |
| שַׁדַּ֣י | shadai | [the] Almighty | H7706 → | 48 times |
| תְּבִינֵֽם׃ | tevinem | [which] it gives understanding them | H995 → | 170 times |
אָ֭כֵןnevertheless
ʾakhenH403 →
רֽוּחַ־[is the] spirit
ruach-H7307 →378 times
הִ֣יאit
hi'H1931 →1879 times
בֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁin a person
veenooshH582 →566 times
וְנִשְׁמַ֖תand [the] breath of
venishmatH5397 →24 times
שַׁדַּ֣י[the] Almighty
shadaiH7706 →48 times
תְּבִינֵֽם׃[which] it gives understanding them
tevinemH995 →170 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
it leads to
- Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- 2 Peter 1:19–21
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day…
- Mark 12:24
Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
- Psalms 19:7–11
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Romans 15:4
Through
James 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
it leads to
- Proverbs 2:3–6
if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,
- John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Jeremiah 29:12–13
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
- Proverbs 2:3–6
About Job
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Gregory the Dialogist, Morals on the Book of Job, Book XXIII; Ishodad of Merv, COMMENTARY ON JOB 32:8; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Job.