What is the meaning of Job 32:9?

It is not only the old

“ ‘It is not only the old…’ ” (Job 32:9a)

• Elihu observes that age, though respected in Scripture (Leviticus 19:32), is not the sole source of insight.

• God often bypasses cultural expectations, calling younger people like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6-7) and Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12).

• The verse challenges any presumption that longevity automatically equals spiritual depth; wisdom is ultimately God-given (Proverbs 2:6).

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who are wise

“…who are wise…” (Job 32:9b)

• True wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord (Psalm 111:10), not in accumulated birthdays.

• The Spirit grants understanding to whomever He chooses (Daniel 2:21; James 1:5).

• Elihu’s claim echoes Psalm 119:99-100, where meditation on God’s Word gave the psalmist more insight than both teachers and elders.

• Wisdom, therefore, is measured by alignment with God’s revelation rather than social seniority.

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or the elderly

“…or the elderly…” (Job 32:9c)

• Scripture honors elders (Proverbs 16:31), yet also illustrates that age can coexist with folly, as seen in King Rehoboam’s older advisors (1 Kings 12:6-8).

• Elihu himself is younger (Job 32:4-6) yet confident that God can speak through him.

• This clause widens the scope: neither advanced years nor respected position guarantees spiritual perception.

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who understand justice

“…who understand justice.” (Job 32:9d)

• Justice—acting in harmony with God’s character—requires revelation (Micah 6:8).

• Solomon sought an “understanding heart to judge” (1 Kings 3:9); God granted it, proving that comprehension of right and wrong is a divine gift, not an automatic result of aging.

• Jesus affirmed that genuine discernment flows from doing the Father’s will (John 7:17), available to all believers, regardless of age.

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summary

Job 32:9 reminds us that wisdom and discernment are gifts from God, not trophies of longevity. Respect for elders remains biblical, yet Scripture encourages every believer—young or old—to seek divine insight. By relying on God’s Word and Spirit, anyone can grasp wisdom and justice, reflecting the Lord who “gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21).