The Meaning of Job 32:18 Explained

Job 32:18

KJV: For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

YLT: For I have been full of words, Distressed me hath the spirit of my breast,

Darby: For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

ASV: For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For I am full  of matter,  the spirit  within  me constraineth  me. 

What does Job 32:18 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 32:18 mean?

For I am full of words compels me the spirit within me
כִּ֭י מָלֵ֣תִי מִלִּ֑ים הֱ֝צִיקַ֗תְנִי ר֣וּחַ בִּטְנִֽי

מָלֵ֣תִי  I  am  full 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
מִלִּ֑ים  of  words 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מִלָּה  
Sense: word, speech, utterance.
הֱ֝צִיקַ֗תְנִי  compels  me 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person feminine singular, first person common singular
Root: צוּק  
Sense: (Hiphil) to constrain, press, bring into straits, straiten, oppress.
ר֣וּחַ  the  spirit 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
בִּטְנִֽי  within  me 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בֶּטֶן  
Sense: belly, womb, body.