Job 38:2

Who is this? It is not clear whether God is referring to Job or to Elihu. In favor of interpreting the statement as referring to Elihu are the following: (1) It seems inconsistent for God to say in this instance that Job had darkened counsel by “words without knowledge” and then in ch. 42:7 for Him to say that the friends had not spoken right “as my servant Job hath.” (2) Elihu spoke immediately before God appeared, and it would not be inconsistent that God should wave aside his arguments, along with those of the other friends, before addressing Job. In favor of considering the statement as referring to Job are the following: (1) The speech is directed to Job (see chs. 38:1; 40:1, 6; 42:7). (2) Job appears to apply the comment to himself (ch. 42:3).