The Meaning of Job 32:11 Explained

Job 32:11

KJV: Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

YLT: Lo, I have waited for your words, I give ear unto your reasons, Till ye search out sayings.

Darby: Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to say.

ASV: Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Behold, I waited  for your words;  I gave ear  to your reasons,  whilst ye searched out  what to say. 

What does Job 32:11 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 32:11 mean?

Indeed I waited for your words I listened to your reasonings while you searched out what to say
הֵ֤ן הוֹחַ֨לְתִּי לְֽדִבְרֵיכֶ֗ם אָ֭זִין עַד־ תְּב֥וּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם עַֽד־ תַּחְקְר֥וּן מִלִּֽין

הֵ֤ן  Indeed 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הֵן  
Sense: behold, lo, though hypothetical part.
הוֹחַ֨לְתִּי  I  waited 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: יָחַל  
Sense: to wait, hope, expect.
לְֽדִבְרֵיכֶ֗ם  for  your  words 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
אָ֭זִין  I  listened 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: אָזַן  
Sense: to hear, listen.
תְּב֥וּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם  your  reasonings 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: תְּבוּנָה 
Sense: understanding, intelligence.
עַֽד־  while 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
תַּחְקְר֥וּן  you  searched  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural, Paragogic nun
Root: חָקַר  
Sense: to search, search for, search out, examine, investigate.
מִלִּֽין  what  to  say 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מִלָּה  
Sense: word, speech, utterance.