Um debate sobre o conhecimento de Deus: composição e Interpretação de Jb 32-37

The «Elihu Speeches» (Jb 32-37) break into the book of Job like an apparently unknown and unexpected voice, in order to take up the principal lines of a debate begun by Job and his friends. The surprise element and the philological complexity of the speeches have elicited uncountable critical reactions, expressed in this article as dominant questions made to Job 32-37. It is in the range and opportunity of these questions that the project and the response of Biblical Rhetorical Analysis achieves a peculiar importance, remarkably set out in new horizons of understanding and of inquiry, that are guaranteed to be close to the biblical text and of its author. The decisive step is the study of the composition of the text, as the unequivocal ground for an objective and coherent understanding and interpretation. The interpretation is validated by critical observation, where the convincing unity of the Elihu Speeches and the vigour of the wisdom language are affirmed. These are the foundations of an author’s configuration and of the focus of his message, producing a fecundity that goes hand in hand with the opportunity for new debate.