Job 32:18
 Job 32:18 
New International Version (©2011)
For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;

New Living Translation (©2007)
For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"For I am full of words; The spirit within me constrains me.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak.

International Standard Version (©2012)
because I'm filled with things to say, and my spirit within me compels me to speak.

NET Bible (©2006)
For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
I'm full of words. The Spirit within me forces me [to speak].

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
For I am full of words, the spirit within me constrains me.

American King James Version
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constrains me.

American Standard Version
For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.

Douay-Rheims Bible

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

English Revised Version
For I am full of words; the spirit within me constraineth me.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

World English Bible
For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

Young's Literal Translation
For I have been full of words, Distressed me hath the spirit of my breast,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

32:15-22 If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men. Could we set the wrath Lord always before us, in his mercies and his terrors, we should not be moved from doing our duty in whatever we are called to do.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - For I am full of matter; literally, I am full of words; i.e. I have very much to say. The spirit within me constraineth me; literally, the spirit of my belly; i.e. "my inward feelings and emotions." Compare Zophar's statements in Job 20:2, 3; and Job's own declarations in ch. 13, that he must speak (vers. 13, 19). There is a state of internal excitement, when reticence becomes impossible.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For I am full of matter,.... Or "full of words" (y); not of mere words, such that have nothing solid and substantial in them; this is the character of a fool, Ecclesiastes 10:14; nor was Elihu a loquacious talkative man, as Job is charged to be, a man full of talk, Job 11:2; but he was full of words, which had fulness of matter in them, which were to the purpose, and contained strong reasonings and solid arguments; his mind was full of them, and he could easily fill his mouth with them, and was not easy until he had uttered them: so an able minister of the word may be said to be full of words, of the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus, of useful doctrines, when the word of Christ dwells richly in him, and he has a rich treasure in an earthen vessel, is full of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ; has a large knowledge of Gospel truths, a real experience of them in the heart, great gifts to express them to others, and is full of power and of the Spirit of God to declare them, as this good man was:

the spirit within me constraineth me, or "the spirit of my belly" (z); alluding to wind pent up therein, which, unless expelled, gives great uneasiness and pain: he either means the Spirit of God within him, as in Job 32:8, by whom the prophets were inspired and spoke, by whom ordinary ministers of the word are qualified for their work, and by whom they are led into all truth, and who presses and obliges them to speak what they know; there is a necessity upon them to preach the Gospel wholly and faithfully, and a woe unto them if they do not: or else his own spirit, influenced and actuated by the Spirit of God; as the spirit of the Apostle Paul was stirred up in him to speak, when he saw the idolatry and superstition of the people of Athens, Acts 17:16; so love to God and Christ, and the souls of men, the honour of God, and interest of religion, constrain the ministers of Christ to speak in his name, notwithstanding all the opposition made unto them, and reproach cast upon them.

(y) "plenus sum sermonibus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Beza, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (z) "spiritus ventris mei", Beza, Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius, Schultens.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. "I am full of words," whereas the friends have not a word more to say.

the spirit—(Job 32:8; 33:4; Jer 20:9; Ac 18:5).


Job 32:18 Parallel Commentaries

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Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends
17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion. 18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constrains me. 19Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. …

Job 4:2 "If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can keep from speaking?
Job 32:17 I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.
Job 32:19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.
Jeremiah 6:11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in. "Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years.
Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.