Lexical Summary Barakel: Barakel Original Word: בָּרַכְאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Barachel From barak and 'el, God has blessed; Barakel, the father of one of Job's friends -- Barachel. see HEBREW barak see HEBREW 'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom barak and el Definition "El does bless," the father of one of Job's friends NASB Translation Barachel (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בָּרַכְאֵל proper name, masculine (El doth bless, compare Phoenician ברכבעל, Palmyrene בלברך Vog117, Babylonian Bariki-ili OppJa 1887 Nov-Dec., 596f.) father of Elihu Job 32:2,6. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Barakel, meaning “God has blessed,” appears only twice in Scripture, both in the prologue to Elihu’s speeches (Job 32:2, Job 32:6). Though a silent figure, his name frames Elihu’s intervention as an act flowing from divine blessing rather than mere youthful zeal. Historical Setting Job is set in patriarchal times, east of the Jordan, among Edomite‐Arabian clans. Barakel is described as a “Buzite,” locating him among descendants of Buz, son of Nahor (Genesis 22:21), Abraham’s brother. Jeremiah later lists “Buz” beside the wisdom centers of Dedan and Tema (Jeremiah 25:23), implying a reputation for discernment in that region. Thus Barakel’s household stood within a culture that prized counsel, giving context to Elihu’s confidence to speak before Job and his three older friends. Genealogical Connections The phrase “of the family of Ram” (Job 32:2) may identify a clan within Buz or connect Barakel distantly to Aram, progenitor of many Aramean tribes. Either way, Scripture subtly links Elihu—and therefore Barakel—to lines that trace back to the broader Abrahamic family. This hints that, while Job himself is not called an Israelite, the drama still unfolds within families touched by covenant promises. Narrative Context in Job Barakel’s sole biblical role is to be named as Elihu’s father: “Then the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned against Job…” (Job 32:2). “So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said: ‘I am young in years, and you are old…’ ” (Job 32:6). The double mention anchors Elihu’s legitimacy. Ancient audiences valued paternal lineage; invoking Barakel establishes that Elihu speaks not as an isolated youth but as one formed by a recognized household. The father’s reputation for blessing (“God has blessed”) stands in contrast to Job’s apparent curse, accentuating the tension Elihu addresses. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Generational Faithfulness: While Barakel never utters a word, his son delivers six chapters of Spirit‐guided counsel (Job 32–37). The fruit suggests parental instruction in reverence and wisdom (compare Proverbs 4:1–5). Lessons for Today • Invest in the next generation; unseen parental faith can equip children to speak for God when their moment arrives (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:5). Related Scriptures for Further Study Genesis 22:20-23; Jeremiah 25:23; Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 78:4-6; 1 Samuel 25:32-33; 2 Samuel 17:27-29; 2 Timothy 2:2. Forms and Transliterations בַּֽרַכְאֵ֥ל בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל ברכאל ba·raḵ·’êl barachEl baraḵ’êlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 32:2 HEB: אֱלִיה֣וּא בֶן־ בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל הַבּוּזִי֮ מִמִּשְׁפַּ֪חַ֫ת NAS: the son of Barachel the Buzite, KJV: the son of Barachel the Buzite, INT: of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite of the family Job 32:6 2 Occurrences |
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