“But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”
But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand, asserting that wisdom does not derive solely from age but from the spirit—divine gift—that God provides, suggesting that wisdom might be possessed by the young if they have received divine spirit. The spirit in a man suggests divine gift rather than mere accumulated experience. The breath of the Almighty suggests divine inspiration. The verse challenges the assumption that age automatically brings wisdom.
Church Fathers on Job 32:8
But, as I see, there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. He would be right in saying this, did he not arrogate to himself this same wisdom above all others. For it is no slight condemnation for a man to boast within himself of that advantage which is given to him in common with others, to know whence he has received a good gift, and to know not how to use the good he has received. For there are four marks by which every kind of pride…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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