An Examination of Elihu and His Role in the Book of Job

Abstract

In this paper, I examine the character of Elihu and his role within the book of Job and demonstrate how he, unlike the so-called “three friends” (Job 2:11), offers words of divine wisdom to Job at a crucial point in the narrative. Although the prologue reveals that Job’s suffering is rooted in Satan’s accusation against what the LORD has spoken regarding Job’s righteousness (1:6-12), Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar all believe Job is the one to blame. But after defending his own innocence against their slanderous attacks, Job errs by charging God with unjust cruelty (30:21; 32:2; 40:8) and by demanding God (with an oath) to give an account for his deeds (31:35). Elihu then enters the debate and silences all parties with words of wrath (32:2, 5) and wisdom (33:33). Throughout his speeches, Elihu exposes the folly of the retribution theology espoused by the “three friends” (32:3, 5) and rebukes Job for “justifying himself rather than God” (32:2). Ultimately, Elihu proves to be Job’s real friend by directing Job’s eyes away from himself and back onto the LORD who “does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous” (36:7).