Job 32:18

Context

32:18 For I am full of words,

and the spirit within me¹ constrains me.²

Job 32:20

Context

32:20 I will speak,³ so that I may find relief;

I will open my lips, so that I may answer.

[32:18] ¹tn Heb “the spirit of my belly.”

[32:18] ²tn The verb צוּק (tsuq) means “to constrain; to urge; to press.” It is used in Judg 14:17; 16:16 with the sense of wearing someone down with repeated entreaties. Elihu cannot withhold himself any longer.

[32:20] ³tn The cohortative expresses Elihu’s resolve to speak.