Barachel is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Job, specifically in Job 32:2. He is identified as the father of Elihu, one of Job's friends who plays a significant role in the dialogues that occur in the latter part of the book. The name Barachel means "God blesses" or "blessed by God," which reflects a common practice in biblical times of naming individuals in a way that acknowledges divine favor or attributes.

Biblical Context

Barachel is described as a Buzite, which indicates his lineage from Buz, a nephew of Abraham. This connection places Barachel and his family within the broader narrative of the descendants of Abraham, highlighting the interconnectedness of various tribes and families in the ancient Near East. The Buzites are mentioned in Genesis 22:21, where Buz is listed as a son of Nahor, Abraham's brother. This lineage suggests that Barachel and his family were part of the extended family network that had knowledge of the God of Abraham.

Role in the Book of Job

Barachel himself does not speak in the Book of Job, but his son Elihu is introduced as a young man who becomes frustrated with the inability of Job's three older friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—to provide satisfactory answers to Job's suffering. Elihu's speeches, which begin in Job 32, are marked by a youthful zeal and a desire to defend God's justice and righteousness. Elihu's introduction in Job 32:2 states: "Then the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned against Job; his anger burned because he justified himself rather than God."

Elihu's speeches are significant because they offer a different perspective on Job's suffering, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the idea that human understanding is limited. While Elihu's arguments do not fully resolve the questions raised by Job's plight, they prepare the way for God's own response to Job in the subsequent chapters.

Cultural and Theological Significance

The mention of Barachel and his son Elihu in the Book of Job serves to underscore the diversity of voices and perspectives present in the biblical text. Elihu's role as a younger voice challenging the wisdom of the older friends reflects a recurring biblical theme where God uses unexpected individuals to convey His truth. This theme is seen throughout Scripture, where God often chooses the unlikely or the young to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the accounts of David, Jeremiah, and Timothy.

Barachel's inclusion in the narrative, though brief, highlights the importance of family and lineage in the biblical world. It also serves as a reminder of the broader community of faith that surrounds the central figures of the biblical accounts, providing a rich tapestry of relationships and interactions that contribute to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

References in Scripture

· Job 32:2 : "Then the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned against Job; his anger burned because he justified himself rather than God."
· Genesis 22:21 : "Uz the firstborn, his brother Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram)."Barachel

that bows before God

Barachel

(God has blessed), father of Elihu. (Job 32:2,6) [BUZ]

Whom God has blessed, a Buzite, the father of Elihu, one of Job's friends (Job 32:2, 6). BARACHEL

bar'-a-kel (barakh'el, "God blesses"): Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was the father of Elihu, who was the last one to reason with Job (Job 32:2, 6). Compare BUZ; RAM.

1292. Barakel -- "El does bless," the father of one of Job's ...
... "El does bless," the father of one of Job's friends. Transliteration: Barakel Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-rak-ale') Short Definition: Barachel. ... Barachel. ...
/hebrew/1292.htm - 6k

Chapter xxii
... mentioned Job 1:1, is to be thought of as the land where the descendants of Uz,
the son of Nahor, dwelt or not; or whether Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

Barachel (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BARACHEL. bar'-a-kel (barakh'el ... BUZ; RAM.
Multi-Version Concordance Barachel (2 Occurrences). Job 32:2 ...
/b/barachel.htm - 7k

Bar'achel (2 Occurrences)
Bar'achel. Barachel, Bar'achel. Barachiah . Multi-Version Concordance Bar'achel
(2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Barachel, Bar'achel. Barachiah . Reference
/b/bar'achel.htm - 6k

Elihu (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Whose God is he. (1.) "The son of Barachel, a
Buzite" (Job 32:2), one of Job's friends. When the debate ...
/e/elihu.htm - 15k

Eli'hu (11 Occurrences)
... Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of
the family of Ram; against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified ...
/e/eli'hu.htm - 8k

Buzite (2 Occurrences)
... Buzite (2 Occurrences). Job 32:2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel,
the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. ...
/b/buzite.htm - 8k

Barakel (2 Occurrences)
... Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of
the family of Ram; against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified ...
/b/barakel.htm - 6k

Justifying (9 Occurrences)
... Job 32:2 and burn doth the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family
of Ram; against Job hath his anger burned, because of his justifying ...
/j/justifying.htm - 9k

Timid (8 Occurrences)
... Job 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young,
and ye are aged; wherefore I was timid, and feared to shew you what I know. ...
/t/timid.htm - 8k

Daring (5 Occurrences)
... Job 32:6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are
very old; Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion. ...
/d/daring.htm - 8k

Durst (9 Occurrences)
... Job 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young,
and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine ...
/d/durst.htm - 9k

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