Job 33:32
New International Version
If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want to vindicate you.

New Living Translation
But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified.

English Standard Version
If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.

Berean Standard Bible
But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

King James Bible
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

New King James Version
If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.

New American Standard Bible
Then if you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I would take pleasure in justifying you.

NASB 1995
“Then if you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.

NASB 1977
Then if you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then if you have any speech, respond to me; Speak, for I desire to prove you righteous.

Amplified Bible
“If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.

Christian Standard Bible
But if you have something to say, answer me; speak, for I would like to justify you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you have something to say, answer me; speak, for I would like to justify you.

American Standard Version
If thou hast anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify thee.

Contemporary English Version
though I would gladly listen to anything you say that proves you are right.

English Revised Version
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you have a response, answer me. Speak, because I'd be happy if you were right.

Good News Translation
But if you have something to say, let me hear it; I would gladly admit you are in the right.

International Standard Version
If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, because I'd be happy to vindicate you.

Majority Standard Bible
But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

NET Bible
If you have any words, reply to me; speak, for I want to justify you.

New Heart English Bible
If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

Webster's Bible Translation
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

World English Bible
If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If there are words—answer me, "" Speak, for I have a desire to justify you.

Young's Literal Translation
If there are words -- answer me, Speak, for I have a desire to justify thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
If there be words, turn back to me: speak, for I desired to justify thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if thou hast any thing to say, answer me, speak : for I would have thee to appear just.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet, if you have anything to say, answer me and speak, for I want you to be treated justly.

New American Bible
If you have anything to say, then answer me. Speak out! I should like to see you justified.

New Revised Standard Version
If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If you have anything to say, answer me; for I desire that you may be justified.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If you have words, bring them to me, because it is desired that you be innocent
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If thou hast words, answer me: speak, for I desire thee to be justified.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Rebukes Job
31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 32But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you. 33But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”…

Cross References
Proverbs 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Proverbs 18:2
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

Proverbs 15:23
A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Matthew 10:19-20
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Luke 12:11-12
When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. / For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.


Treasury of Scripture

If you have anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify you.

Job 15:4,5
Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God…

Job 21:27
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

Job 22:5-9
Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? …

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Job 33
1. Elihu offers himself instead of God to reason with Job
8. He excuses God from giving man an account of his ways, by his greatness
14. God calls man to repentance by visions, by afflictions, and by his ministry
31. He incites Job to attention














But if you have something to say
This phrase invites dialogue and emphasizes the importance of communication. In the context of the Book of Job, Elihu, the speaker, is encouraging Job to present his case. The Hebrew root for "say" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies not just speaking, but declaring or making known one's thoughts. This reflects the biblical principle that God values honest communication and transparency, as seen throughout Scripture where God invites His people to reason with Him (Isaiah 1:18).

answer me
The call to "answer" (עָנָה, 'anah) is more than a request for a response; it is an invitation to engage in meaningful dialogue. In ancient Near Eastern culture, dialogue was a means of resolving disputes and seeking truth. Elihu's request for an answer underscores the biblical theme of accountability and the pursuit of truth, reminding us that God desires a relationship where we are open to His questions and willing to respond.

speak up
The phrase "speak up" (דַּבֵּר, dabar) is a command to articulate one's thoughts clearly and boldly. In the Hebrew context, speaking was often associated with authority and the power to influence. This encouragement to speak boldly reflects the biblical understanding that our words have weight and significance, as seen in Proverbs 18:21, which speaks of the power of the tongue.

for I want to vindicate you
The desire to "vindicate" (צָדַק, tsadaq) is central to Elihu's intention. The Hebrew root implies making someone righteous or justifying them. In the broader biblical narrative, vindication is often associated with God's justice and righteousness. Elihu's statement reflects a desire to see Job justified, aligning with the Christian belief that God is our ultimate vindicator, as seen in Romans 8:33, where it is God who justifies. This phrase reassures us of God's desire for our righteousness and His willingness to defend and uphold us.

(32) I desire to justify thee.--He wishes to justify Job before his friends, that is, to maintain that his afflictions are not on account of past sin, but as a preservative against possible future defection. This being so, he considers that Job's case may justly be defended, and Job himself vindicated against his friends.

Verse 32. - If thou hast anything to say, answer me. Nevertheless, i.e., if there is really anything that thou wouldst fain urge on thine own behalf at this point, speak - I am ready to hear - for I dare to justify thee; i.e. "I am anxious, if possible, or so far as possible, to defend and justify thy conduct." Then, probably, Elihu made a pause, to allow of Job's speaking; but, as the patriarch kept silence, he continued.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you have
יֵשׁ־ (yêš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

something to say,
מִלִּ֥ין (mil·lîn)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4405: A word, a discourse, a topic

answer me;
הֲשִׁיבֵ֑נִי (hă·šî·ḇê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

speak up,
דַּ֝בֵּ֗ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I would like
חָפַ֥צְתִּי (ḥā·p̄aṣ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire

to vindicate you.
צַדְּקֶֽךָּ׃ (ṣad·də·qe·kā)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous


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OT Poetry: Job 33:32 If you have anything to say answer (Jb)
Job 33:31
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