Elihu
Also in Русский · Українська
Also known as Elihu the Buzite · Elihu son of Barachel · Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite · The young man Elihu
Elihu, the young spokesman in the book of Job, was first explicitly identified as a prophetic type in the verified publications of 1929. He was said to picture God's anointed messengers, including Christ Jesus as Head and the members of his body. This identification was repeated in 1930, 1934, and 1935, while a 1939 statement particularly emphasized the faithful members of Christ's body. In 1942 the application became more organizationally specific: Elihu represented the Society acting for the anointed remnant. In 1943 he was associated with the faithful and wise servant class, its Head, and the Watchtower Society representing the remnant. In 1957 the identification was narrowed to the spiritual governing body of the anointed remnant. This interpretation was repeated in 1960, 1961, and 1966. Two articles published in September 1966 distinguished the prophetic drama's first-century application from its modern application: the September 1 article suggested that Elihu corresponded to the governing body of the newly established Christian congregation at Pentecost in 33 C.E., whereas the September 15 article reaffirmed his identification with the modern governing body associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and its publishing work. No explicit prophetic type-and-antitype identification was verified in the Russell period (1877–1916), the Franz period (1977–1991), or the Governing Body period (1992–2000). Publications in those later periods mainly discussed Elihu as a historical example of wise counsel, humility, courage, and defense of God's righteousness, without explicitly announcing the abandonment or replacement of the former prophetic identification.
- Job 32:1-22
- Job 33:1-33
- Job 34:1-37
- Job 35:1-16
- Job 36:1-33
- Job 37:1-24
Key moments
- 1929–1939 Introduced Elihu pictured God's anointed messengers and witnesses, including Christ Jesus as Head and the faithful members of his body. These anointed servants proclaimed Jehovah's message, vindicated his name, and directed people toward God's provision for salvation. The explanation was repeatedly published between 1929 and 1935. A 1939 statement specifically emphasized the faithful members of Christ's body without explicitly rejecting the broader identification.
- 1942–1943 Refined Elihu was identified more specifically with the Society representing the anointed remnant and with the faithful and wise servant class under Christ as Head. The interpretation emphasized the organized instrument through which the remnant defended Jehovah's name, corrected mistaken views, and provided spiritual instruction.
- 1957–1966 Narrowed Elihu was specifically identified with the spiritual governing body of the anointed remnant rather than the entire anointed class. This governing body was presented as the corrective and directing spokesman associated with the faithful and discreet slave. Publications in 1960 and 1961 repeated this identification, and in September 1966 the modern Elihu governing unit was explicitly connected with the Watchtower magazine and its role in providing doctrinal guidance.
- 2015 Dropped Elihu was named among people formerly treated as prophetic types. Such comparisons were no longer drawn without Scriptural support; Elihu instead illustrated wisdom for younger elders.
Russell
Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916
No statement filed for this period.
Rutherford
Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942
-
Elihu pictured God's anointed messengers and witnesses, including Christ Jesus as Head and the faithful members of his body. These anointed servants proclaimed Jehovah's message, vindicated his name, and directed people toward God's provision for salvation. The explanation was repeatedly published between 1929 and 1935. A 1939 statement specifically emphasized the faithful members of Christ's body without explicitly rejecting the broader identification.
8 quotes
Elihu, the young man, well pictures or represents God's anointed messengers who magnify the name of Jehovah and, as God's messengers, speak his message of truth to those who will hear.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1929 The conclusion is therefore irresistible that in the picture Elihu represented God's anointed witnesses. Elihu therefore pictured Christ Jesus the Head and also the members of his body.
The Watchtower, August 1, 1929 All those who have been brought into the body of Christ and anointed with the holy spirit of God are authorized or commissioned in the name of the Lord to speak his message concerning reconciliation of man to God. (2 Cor. 5: 20) The conclusion is therefore irresistible that Elihu in the picture represented God’s anointed witnesses. Elihu therefore pictured Christ Jesus the Head and also the members of his body.
Life, 1929 The conclusion is therefore irresistible that Elihu in the picture represented God’s anointed witnesses. Elihu therefore pictured Christ Jesus the Head and also the members of His body.
The Golden Age, February 5, 1930 Elihu, the young man, well pictures or represents God’s anointed messengers who magnify the name of Jehovah and, as God’s messengers, speak his message of truth to those who will hear.
The Watchtower, February 1, 1934 In the thirty-third chapter Elihu speaks, and thus pictures the servant of God speaking the message showing God’s purpose to bless mankind.
Favored People, 1934 The conclusion is therefore irresistible that Elihu in the picture represented God’s anointed witnesses. Elihu therefore pictured Christ Jesus the Head and also the members of his body.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1935 Elihu, who pictured the faithful members of the body of Christ, with authority from God said: “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person; neither let me give flattering titles unto man.”
The Watchtower, November 15, 1939
Knorr
Nathan H. Knorr · 1942–1977
-
Elihu was identified more specifically with the Society representing the anointed remnant and with the faithful and wise servant class under Christ as Head. The interpretation emphasized the organized instrument through which the remnant defended Jehovah's name, corrected mistaken views, and provided spiritual instruction.
3 quotes
He was bold, fearless and impartial in witnessing for Jehovah. In all this Elihu faithfully foreshadowed the Society representing the remnant at this time. “So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.” (32:1) The three tools of the “prince of the demons” had failed to accomplish Satan’s design to torture Job into cursing Jehovah God and renouncing him to his face.
The New World, 1942 The Society representing the remnant is pictured in the drama as a separate character, Elihu, because the remnant are a distinct part of the entire Job class from Abel onward and the Society performs a special part in connection therewith.
The New World, 1942 He pictures the “faithful and wise servant” class, particularly its Head, and the Watchtower Society that represents the remnant. Following Elihu’s words Jehovah speaks out of the whirlwind, emphasizing man’s insignificance by directing attention to His mighty works of creation, and enlightening Job concerning the two organizations, God’s and the Devil’s, and the great issue at stake.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1943 -
Elihu was specifically identified with the spiritual governing body of the anointed remnant rather than the entire anointed class. This governing body was presented as the corrective and directing spokesman associated with the faithful and discreet slave. Publications in 1960 and 1961 repeated this identification, and in September 1966 the modern Elihu governing unit was explicitly connected with the Watchtower magazine and its role in providing doctrinal guidance.
5 quotes
Therefore as a character in the prophetic drama of Job, Elihu seems well to prefigure the spiritual governing body of the anointed remnant of Christ’s body.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1957 This “slave” class has a governing body rendering counsel and direction as prefigured by Elihu when he gave counsel to ancient Job.
The Watchtower, July 15, 1960 In prophetic fulfillment, Elihu pictures the governing body in Jehovah’s New World society on earth today. Through this zealous spokesman, Jehovah has brought correction and admonition to his witnesses on earth, building them up in right doctrine, cleansing them from sanctimonious religious practices and making clear their responsibility to proclaim his glorious kingdom by Christ.—Job 36:1-6, 11, 12; Ps. 145:10-13.
The Watchtower, August 15, 1961 The Elihu governing unit has been responsible since 1879 for publishing the Watchtower magazine.
The Watchtower, September 15, 1966 When the Elihu of today gained the right estimation of matters it used its instrument, the Watchtower magazine, to counsel the anointed ones progressively.
The Watchtower, September 15, 1966 -
In a separate application of the prophetic drama of Job to the life of Jesus Christ as the Greater Job, Elihu was suggested to correspond to the governing body of the newly established Christian congregation at Pentecost in 33 C.E. Peter and the other apostles, empowered by holy spirit, vindicated Jehovah and Jesus against their religious opponents. This was a first-century contextual application, distinct from the standing modern identification of Elihu with the governing body of the anointed remnant.
1 quote
It could have been the governing body of the newly established young Christian congregation on the day of Pentecost of 33 C.E., fifty days from Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
The Watchtower, September 1, 1966
Franz
Frederick W. Franz · 1977–1992
No statement filed for this period.
Governing Body
1992–
-
Elihu was named among people formerly treated as prophetic types. Such comparisons were no longer drawn without Scriptural support; Elihu instead illustrated wisdom for younger elders.
1 quote
in recent years we have not drawn such comparisons
The Watchtower, March 15, 2015, pp. 17–18, Questions From Readers -
Elihu’s example was applied to all Christians giving counsel, especially elders: listen carefully, preserve the recipient’s dignity, and encourage with Scripture. The former identification with a modern Governing Body was not reinstated.
1 quote
all of us can learn to give effective counsel […] following the good example of Elihu.
The Watchtower, December 2025, pp. 8–13, The Book of Job Can Help You When You Give Counsel, pars. 9–16
Thank you!
Your suggestion has been sent. New topics are added as they are researched.