Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
The verse stands in the speeches of Elihu in chapters 32 to 37, which form the third of the four parts of the book of Job. That third part comes after the debate between Job and his three friends in chapters 4 to 31 and before the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud. Within that structure it belongs to the section containing Elihu's argument and reproof of Job. It is part of Elihu's admirable discourse, which did not help Job much.
The comparison is to new wine sealed in a container with no vent or outlet. With no vent or outlet, pressure builds until it is ready to burst its containers, even new bottles. The image expresses pent-up feelings and words under pressure to come out. It expresses inward urgency and a strong need to speak.
The verse stands in the speeches of Elihu in chapters 32 to 37, which form the third of the four parts of the book of Job. That third part comes after the debate between Job and his three friends in chapters 4 to 31 and before the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud. Within that structure it belongs to the section containing Elihu's argument and reproof of Job. It is part of Elihu's admirable discourse, which did not help Job much.
The comparison is to new wine sealed in a container with no vent or outlet. With no vent or outlet, pressure builds until it is ready to burst its containers, even new bottles. The image expresses pent-up feelings and words under pressure to come out. It expresses inward urgency and a strong need to speak.