Elihu אֱלִיהוּ
A young man who spoke to Job.
Who is Elihu in the Bible?
Elihu is a young man from the family of Ram who appears in the Book of Job and delivers speeches to Job and his three friends after their initial dialogue concludes (Job 32:2-6). Angry that Job had justified himself rather than God, and frustrated that Job's friends could not adequately address his complaints, Elihu respectfully waited until the older men had finished speaking before offering his own perspective (Job 32:2-6). Throughout his lengthy speeches in Job 33-37, Elihu emphasizes God's absolute justice, sovereignty, and wisdom, arguing that God uses suffering as a means of discipline and spiritual purification rather than as punishment for sin. He insists that God transcends human understanding and calls people to submit to God's will. Elihu's speeches serve as a bridge in the narrative, preparing the way for God's own response to Job from the whirlwind (Job 38:1), and his emphasis on God's inscrutability and justice anticipates themes God Himself will develop.
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,
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.
Biography
Elihu is a character in the Book of Job who speaks to Job and his three friends after they had finished their dialogue (Job.32-37). He is described as a young man from the family of Ram, and he became angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God and with Job's friends for not finding an answer to Job's complaints (Job.32.2-3). Elihu waited to speak until after the older men had finished, showing respect for their age (Job.32.4-6). In his speeches, Elihu emphasizes God's justice, sovereignty, and wisdom, arguing that God uses suffering to discipline and purify people (Job.33-37). He also asserts that God is greater than human understanding and that people should submit to His will (Job.36-37). After Elihu's speech, God Himself addresses Job out of the whirlwind (Job.38.1). The Bible does not provide any further information about Elihu's life or background.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJob 5 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 32:4
"Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he."
- Job 32:5
"But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled."
- 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."
- Job 34:1
"Then Elihu continued:"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֱלִיהוּ |