Barachel בָּרַכְאֵל
The father of Elihu, one of Job's friends.
Who is Barachel in the Bible?
Barachel was a Buzite who appears in the book of Job only as the father of Elihu, one of the men who spoke to Job during his suffering (Job 32:2, 32:6). Though Barachel himself never speaks in the biblical account, he is identified as the parent of Elihu, a younger man who listened to the dialogue between Job and his three friends before offering his own theological perspective on Job's trials and God's justice. The name Barachel, meaning "God blesses," combined with the Buzite designation, suggests a family connection to the region of Buz, possibly in northern Arabia or southern Edom. While the scriptures provide no other details about Barachel's life or character, his mention establishes the family lineage of Elihu, whose speeches in the later chapters of Job represent a transitional voice between the three elder counselors and the divine response that follows.
This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,
So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
Biography
Barachel is mentioned in Job.32.2 and Job.32.6 as the father of Elihu, one of the men who engaged in a dialogue with Job. Barachel is described as a Buzite, indicating that he was from the region of Buz, possibly located in northern Arabia or southern Edom. Elihu, his son, is introduced as a younger man who had been listening to the conversation between Job and his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). After the three friends had finished speaking, Elihu became angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God and with the friends for not refuting Job's arguments effectively. Elihu then proceeded to present his own perspective on Job's situation and God's justice. Apart from being Elihu's father and a Buzite, no other information is provided about Barachel himself.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJob 2 verses
- Job 32:2
"This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,"
- Job 32:6
"So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בָּרַכְאֵל |