The Meaning of Job 32:8 Explained

Job 32:8

KJV: But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

YLT: Surely a spirit is in man, And the breath of the Mighty One Doth cause them to understand.

Darby: But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

ASV: But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  [there is] a spirit  in man:  and the inspiration  of the Almighty  giveth them understanding. 

What does Job 32:8 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 32:8 mean?

Surely a spirit [there is] in man and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding
אָ֭כֵן רֽוּחַ־ הִ֣יא בֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁ וְנִשְׁמַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י תְּבִינֵֽם

אָ֭כֵן  Surely 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אָכֵן 
Sense: surely, truly, indeed.
רֽוּחַ־  a  spirit 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
הִ֣יא  [there  is] 
Parse: Pronoun, third person feminine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
בֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁ  in  man 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
וְנִשְׁמַ֖ת  and  the  breath 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: נְשָׁמָה  
Sense: breath, spirit.
שַׁדַּ֣י  of  the  Almighty 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שַׁדַּי  
Sense: almighty, most powerful.
תְּבִינֵֽם  gives  him  understanding 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person feminine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.