Oh Elihu, who art thou?

So I was reading the book of Job today (at the time of originally writing this entry). I’ve read it numerous times. But as always, each time I read something no matter how many times I’ve already read it, I notice something new.

Who the heck is Elihu, and where did he come from?

Don’t worry, this won’t be heavily theological, but feel free to leave me any ideas or suggestions as to what you think of this.

In the story of Job–which everyone in the Western world seems to know about, even if they are unfamiliar with the Bible–he has all his possessions taken away, as well as his children and health. By the end of chapter 2 of the title book, he is paid a visit by his three friends
Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

They each give Job long discourses about why they believe he’s suffering like he is, to which Job responds and tells them what useless friends they are, and so on. Then all of a sudden, this new person enters the picture in chapter 32 after all this dialogue. Nowhere is Elihu mentioned anywhere in the book, until this moment.

Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.
He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
(Job 32:2-4)

What the heck?

Then, as the narrative goes on, the Lord Himself speaks and addresses Job’s questions, and then turns to Job’s friends:

After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. (Job 42:7).

Eliphaz and his two friends. Does the Lord’s anger not burn against Elihu?

So, I have observations of the text, and probbly more questions.

Who is Elihu? What on earth is this guy’s relationship to Job and these other three guys that he just shows up in the narrative this far into it, with no mention, say, at the beginning when it says Job’s other friends came to comfort him? It says he waited to speak, implying he was there already for some time. Why no mention?

Is he left out from the Lord’s anger because the Lord’s not angry at young people’s lack of wisdom compared to older people who should have more? Does age/maturity have anything to do with it?

Were Elihu’s words less offensive to God than the other three men?

I know, most of you read my blog expecting me to teach you something but this time you tell me. I’m curious what people think.