Who is Elihu?

[garee]

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

I look at that as a parable like with Abraham and Issacs. Historallly true but with another meaning hid to enrich it. .

Elihu shown with kindred. . . his father "Ram". . .a word meaning "two Israelites". This I believe shows us the proper kindled wrath of God.

In our human anger we are not to sin . Take out that log before the sun sets . Unlike the anger of man spoken of in James. It does not bring about the righteous life he does desire of us. Vengeance is His . His wrath is tempered with mercy .

Being the youngest his love was long suffering . Reminding us also not to look down on someone's youth .Jesus was 12 and above any human teacher. When his mother and father could not find him doing the business of the father and vanished.

I think they as the father and son could be compared . Elihu, son of Ram. Jesus, Son of God . God sent a Ram it rescued Job .

 

[p_rehbein]

Elihu
image: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/img/play.png

as a boys' name is pronounced ee-LYE-hew. It is of He
brew origin, and the meaning of Elihu is "He is my God". Biblical: a young man whose fiery defense of God's righteousness is written of in the Book of Job. Also form of Elijah.

Read more at http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Elihu#kI1msVKFbWlLRxor.99

 

[p_rehbein]

Personally, I don't see him as an appearance of Christ in the OT, but that is just my opinion. Clearly, none of us actually know who he was..............and, I don't think he was the devil or any such. The devil is not likely to strongly defend the righteousness of God is he?

There are various other folks who appear in Scripture that little is known about, other than what the few verses they appear in say about them.

Right off, the 10 that Christ healed, and ONLY 1 returned to praise Him.......who were they?

The woman at the well...........all we know of her is what is revealed in the one Chapter she appears in.

Many others as well.......................

What about the three friends of Job? What do we know of them?

 

[JamOn]

With friends like those, who needed enemies?

It seems in my opinion Jobs friends mentality is still around today, you can see it in the entertainment industry or when folks are admired for what ever reason, putting people on pedestals agreeing with what ever they do to be in the lime light or part of the in crowd.

 

[JamOn]

Personally, I don't see him as an appearance of Christ in the OT, but that is just my opinion. Clearly, none of us actually know who he was..............and, I don't think he was the devil or any such. The devil is not likely to strongly defend the righteousness of God is he?

There are various other folks who appear in Scripture that little is known about, other than what the few verses they appear in say about them.

Right off, the 10 that Christ healed, and ONLY 1 returned to praise Him.......who were they?

The woman at the well...........all we know of her is what is revealed in the one Chapter she appears in.

Many others as well.......................

What about the three friends of Job? What do we know of them?

I agree I don’t think it was the devil, as far as I know it could of been God manifested in human form to reason with Job, I mean He did call Job righteous and a stand up guy who could say such things to him.

Job 2 does have some account of the friends.

Job 2
11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

I don't think it's a big mystery. The text is as clear about who he is as it is about the other three.

 

[JamOn]

I don't think it's a big mystery. The text is as clear about who he is as it is about the other three.

Well he was the son of Barachel the Buzite, and fairly young in years.

 

[christophernyc]

First and foremost we should realize God counts all who have faith and trust in Him righteous, even though we all have many and varied faults. Job was righteous the same way we are, through the mercy and grace of God. The proof that Elihu had the discernment to identify Job and his three friends problems is the fact God did not require repentance from him as He did from the others.

But neither is Elihu affirmed by God either, so this logic does not work. In fact, nowhere in the story of Job is there any affirmation of Elihu by anyone other than Elihu himself. God affirms Job, both at the beginning and the end of the story, but not Elihu. Elihu is the only one who affirms Elihu.

 

[christophernyc]

I don't think it's a big mystery. The text is as clear about who he is as it is about the other three.

Clear how? Can you expound on your statement? Thanks.

 

[Magenta]

Clear how? Can you expound on your statement? Thanks.

He is now a guest which means he cannot respond... unless he is here under a new name...

 

[christophernyc]

Elihu introduces himself as the youngest of those talking to Job. Beyond that, we don't know much about this guy.

The Lord in chapter 42 doesn't say anything good or bad about him, like He does to Job and his 3 friends. He just kinda disappears.

Elihu says some apparent good things, but there might be some little hints that maybe something is amiss with him. I have heard some say that he is Satan, and I've heard others say he is a Christophany (appearance of Christ in O.T.)

I honestly don't know what to think about him, but I suspect he is very important. I'd be interested to hear what others think about him.

Thank you for starting this thread. Here are a few common views of Elihu I have seen:

1. He brings the answer to Job's questions, is a type of Jesus, and is truly full of the Holy Spirit.
2. He has some good things to say, but is ultimately a mixed bag, repeating the other friends' arguments and not really contributing anything helpful.
3. He is wicked and evil.

As for his importance, I believe understanding his character is a key to unlocking the whole story. If anyone wants to understand him, it seems one good way is to start by looking at what he actually says and analyze it. I also suggest not only looking at *what* he says, but to also consider *why* he is saying it and what his specific words mean and imply in this extraordinary circumstance with Job.

Here is one for starters. In Job 36:4 Elihu speaks of himself as being "perfect in knowledge". (Anyone have questions about that statement?) Then in Job 37:16 Elihu refers to God as being "perfect in knowledge". So effectively, Elihu is equating himself with God. Does this sound right?

If we look at Philippians 2:5-7 we read about the character and attitude of Jesus Christ. It says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant..."

So if we compare Elihu to Jesus, we see that Elihu's posture here is the opposite of Jesus.

And there is much more to discover about this angry young man.

 

[posthuman]

The Lord in chapter 42 doesn't say anything good or bad about him, like He does to Job and his 3 friends. He just kinda disappears.

because the Lord rebukes Job and Jobs friends in ch. 42, and omits mentiom of Elihu, is that not tacit approval?

Elihu rebuked Job in a very similar way to how God did.

 

[posthuman]

Elihu was clearly upholding the greatness, the righteousness and the justice of God. But at the same time he was falsely accusing Job of wickedness. However Job admitted his ignorance about God and His ways, and that was the truth

bro i know it's been 6 years since you wrote that comment; do you see things any differently now?

Elihu says

Job 35:16​

Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.​

God Almighty says

Job 38:2​

Who [is] this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?​

 

[posthuman]

Elihu was clearly upholding the greatness, the righteousness and the justice of God. But at the same time he was falsely accusing Job of wickedness. However Job admitted his ignorance about God and His ways, and that was the truth.

God had already called Job a righteous man, so when his friends assumed that Job was devastated because he was wicked, they made false accusations. But Elihu is just Elihu, neither Satan nor Christ. And Noah, Daniel, and Job are singled out by God in Ezekiel as the three truly righteous men who would escape divine judgment.

yet the Spirit tells us in more than one place in scripture, all have sinned; no one but The Lamb is worthy...

 

[Magenta]

bro i know it's been 6 years since you wrote that comment; do you see things any differently now?

Elihu says

Job 35:16​

Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.​

God Almighty says

Job 38:2​

Who [is] this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?​

He has not been on site or at least not posted since last October...

I do hope he is well.

 

[christophernyc]

because the Lord rebukes Job and Jobs friends in ch. 42, and omits mentiom of Elihu, is that not tacit approval?

Elihu rebuked Job in a very similar way to how God did.

No, tacit approval from God in this story is when God expressly affirms Job in chapters 1 & 2, and then again in chapter 42. There is no express approval by God of Elihu.

Also, how do you know Elihu is present after God appears in the whirlwind? There is no mention of Elihu whatsoever after that. Have you ever cross referenced all of the appearances of a “whirlwind” in Scripture (KJV) and observed the majority of those contexts? (Recommended) Then consider Elihu.

 

[christophernyc]

bro i know it's been 6 years since you wrote that comment; do you see things any differently now?

Elihu says

Job 35:16​

Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.​

God Almighty says

Job 38:2​

Who [is] this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?​

Are you highlighting the differences or the similarities in these two separate verses? My guess is that you intend to show how they are the same, however, it appears to me you have proved the opposite. So thank you for bringing them to our attention.

First thing we notice is that what Elihu says is a statement. It's a harsh accusation like many of Elihu's words. However, God speaks in the form of a question here, as he does all throughout chapters 38-41. Elihu is condemning. God is gracious.

Secondly, Elihu criticizes Job for opening his mouth in vain. Is there a verse where God accuses Job of speaking in vain? Because God does not say that in this verse. However, what we can find is God affirming Job when God clearly states that Job has spoken rightly about Him (God) in chapter 42. Would you say Job speaking rightly about God was done in vain?

Does Job speak without knowledge. Um, yes. That is accurate because Job had no way of knowing what happened between God and satan as told to the reader in chapters 1 & 2.

Elihu is not like God. Do not be deceived by him.

 

[Suze]

The only one that was straight up with Job and told him he was being self righteous.

Yep. Sometimes people need someone like that.

Lanolin , hi , if u r still out there just wanted to let u know that I am...... allergic to u ! 😲 😆 . U bring me out in a terrible rash ! 🥴 .

 

[shittim]

Interesting that you bring this up.
I do not have an answer to give you; however,
(I wish I could remember where) I heard this somewhere a few days ago........
I can not remember what I was listening to, but the same point was made about neither good or bad was said, he was there and then "disappears".
Just think that's interesting that something/someone so seemingly small, overlooked and missed by many would come up 2x's within a short time period for me.
This will be interesting........................

He has led me this way often.
blessings

 

[christophernyc]

Interesting that you bring this up.
I do not have an answer to give you; however,
(I wish I could remember where) I heard this somewhere a few days ago........
I can not remember what I was listening to, but the same point was made about neither good or bad was said, he was there and then "disappears".
Just think that's interesting that something/someone so seemingly small, overlooked and missed by many would come up 2x's within a short time period for me.
This will be interesting........................

Yes, after the whirlwind arrives, Elihu is not heard from or mentioned again. Some people assume Elihu is still there, but where is the evidence for that view?

What I have found very interesting are other places where a whirlwind is mentioned in Scripture. The KJV specifically uses the term "whirlwind", so that's where the references below are from. Perhaps these verses can provide a clue us as to the whereabouts of Elihu:

1. Proverbs 10:25 “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.”

2. Jeremiah 23:19 “Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.”

3. Jeremiah 30:23 “Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.”

4. Hosea 8:7 “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”

5. Isaiah 40:24 “Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.”

6. Proverbs 1:26,27 “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

7. Nahum 1:2,3 “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

So if Job and his friends were wicked, it seems the whirlwind would have destroyed them. But as we know, Job and his friends are present when God appears in the whirlwind. What is quite curious, however, is that Elihu is never heard from or mentioned again after God appears in the whirlwind. Hmm...