The Meaning of Job 32:21 Explained

Job 32:21

KJV: Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

YLT: Let me not, I pray you, accept the face of any, Nor unto man give flattering titles,

Darby: Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither will I give flattery to man.

ASV: Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let me not, I pray you, accept  any man's  person,  neither let me give flattering titles  unto man. 

What does Job 32:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 32:1-22 - Elihu Enters
The controversy between Job and his counselors is now at an end. They have failed in making out their case; but before God Himself takes up the argument there is another side of the case to be presented by the fervid life of a younger generation. The name Elihu means, "My God is He." He had preserved a respectful silence while his elders were speaking; but he was so conscious of the uprising of the divine that he could refrain no longer.
Elihu was greatly indignant, first with Job for not justifying God, Job 32:2; and then with his friends for their inability to cope with him, Job 32:5. But in addition to these criticisms, he has some positive contribution to make to the debate, and must needs make it. Silence is golden, but there is a time to speak. Be sure in inbreathe the Spirit of God as one long imprisoned in a close chamber inhales the breath of the salt sea. Do not speak, as John Woolman says, beyond the divine openings. [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 32

1  Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends
6  Because wisdom comes not from age, he excuses the boldness of his youth
11  He reproves them for not satisfying Job
16  His zeal to speak

What do the individual words in Job 32:21 mean?

Not I pray let me show partiality person to anyone and any man nor let me flatter
אַל־ נָ֭א אֶשָּׂ֣א פְנֵי־ אִ֑ישׁ וְאֶל־ אָ֝דָ֗ם לֹ֣א אֲכַנֶּֽה

נָ֭א  I  pray 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
אֶשָּׂ֣א  let  me  show  partiality 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
פְנֵי־  person 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
אִ֑ישׁ  to  anyone 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
אָ֝דָ֗ם  any  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדָם 
Sense: man, mankind.
לֹ֣א  nor 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אֲכַנֶּֽה  let  me  flatter 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: כָּנָה  
Sense: to title, surname, be surnamed, give an epithet or cognomen, give a flattering title.