It is a common assumption that wisdom and deep understanding naturally accompany a long life, vast experience, or membership in a large group of scholars. However, this expectation is often misplaced. Attaining true wisdom is not guaranteed simply because many people study together, nor is a clear understanding of justice assured by old age [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, תקות אנוש]. Even among those who dedicate themselves entirely to the pursuit of knowledge, not everyone will successfully achieve it [מצודת דוד].
The reason for this lies in the very nature of wisdom. It is not merely a collection of human experiences that the masses can gather over time. Instead, it relies on a person's natural readiness [תקות אנוש] and a unique intellectual spirit that rests upon them [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. True wisdom, which includes understanding the complex balance of good and evil, is primarily received directly from God rather than generated solely by human intellect [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, attaining this knowledge depends heavily on the spiritual level of a person's soul. In the context of the ongoing debate, Job's friends lacked this necessary spiritual elevation, which is why true wisdom remained out of their reach [אלשיך].
The illusion that old age automatically brings profound insight is thoroughly dismantled. Understanding involves the ability to draw logical conclusions and deduce deeper truths from basic facts. Naturally, one might expect that older individuals, having spent decades investigating, studying, and accumulating life experience, would easily reach this level of clarity [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. Yet, the reality is that the elderly are not always the ones who truly grasp justice [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The ability to judge wisely is entirely independent of a person's age.
These ideas serve as a critical foundation for the speaker, Elihu. By establishing that wisdom comes from a divine spirit rather than mere age, he justifies his decision to intervene in the argument. He demonstrates how it is completely possible for a younger person to accurately explain the workings of divine providence, even when speaking to men who are much older and more experienced than he is [תקות אנוש].