Ayub 32:8

32:8 But it is a spirit in people,

the breath ¹  of the Almighty,

that makes them understand.

Ayub 32:18

32:18 For I am full of words,

and the spirit within me ²  constrains me. ³ 

[32:8]  ¹ tn This is the word נְשָׁמָה (nÿshamah, “breath”); according to Gen 2:7 it was breathed into Adam to make him a living person (“soul”). With that divine impartation came this spiritual understanding. Some commentators identify the רוּחַ (ruakh) in the first line as the Spirit of God; this “breath” would then be the human spirit. Whether Elihu knew that much, however, is hard to prove.

[32:18]  ² tn Heb “the spirit of my belly.”

[32:18]  ³ tn The verb צוּק (tsuq) means “to constrain; to urge; to press.” It is used in Judg 14:17; 16:16 with the sense of wearing someone down with repeated entreaties. Elihu cannot withhold himself any longer.