Job 12 · Verse 11

Job 12:11

Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Job 12:11, King James Version

Job 12:11 in other translations

BSBDoes not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?
WEBDoesn’t the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?
ASVDoth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?
YLTDoth not the ear try words? And the palate taste food for itself?
DARBYDoth not the ear try words, as the palate tasteth food?
BBEAre not words tested by the ear, even as food is tasted by the mouth?
WebsterDoth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste its food?

What does Job 12:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. As the mouth by tasting meats selects what pleases it, so the ear tries the words of others and retains what is convincing. Each chooses according to his taste. The connection with Job 12:12 is in reference to Bildad's appeal to the "ancients" (Job 8:8). You are right in appealing to them, since "with them was wisdom," &c. But you select such proverbs of theirs as suit your views; so I may borrow from the same such as suit mine.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Doth not the ear try words? - All these are common-place sayings. Ye have advanced nothing new; ye have cast no light upon the dispensations of Providence.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 12:6-11

Job appeals to facts. The most audacious robbers, oppressors, and impious wretches, often prosper. Yet this is not by fortune or chance; the Lord orders these things. Worldly prosperity is of small value in his sight: he has better things for his children. Job resolves all into the absolute proprietorship which God has in all the creatures. He demands from his friends liberty to judge of what they had said; he…

Read the full comment on Job 12:6-11 →

Job 12:11 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הֲלֹא\־ha.lo'-¿ notH3808
אֹ֭זֶן'O.zenan earH241
מִלִּ֣יןmi.LinwordsH4405
תִּבְחָ֑ןtiv.Chandoes it testH974
וְ֝חֵ֗ךְve.Chekhand a palateH2441
אֹ֣כֶל'O.khelfoodH400
יִטְעַם\־yit.'am-it tastesH2938
לֽוֹ\׃lo<for> itself

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 12:11

  • Job 34:3

    For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

  • Hebrews 5:14

    But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

  • Job 6:30

    Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

  • 1 Peter 2:3

    If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

  • Philippians 1:10

    That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

  • 1 Corinthians 10:15

    I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Doth.
34:3; 1Co 10:15; Php 1:10; *marg:
Heb 5:14; 1Pe 2:3
mouth. Heb. palate.
6:30

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 12:10

    In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

  • Job 12:11

    Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

  • Job 12:12

    With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

Read all of Job 12

Job 12:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Ciertamente el oído distingue las palabras, y el paladar gusta las viandas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		L’oreille n’éprouve-t-elle pas les discours, comme le palais goûte les aliments?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Soll nicht das Ohr die Worte prüfen, wie der Gaumen für sich die Speise kostet?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nonne auris verba dijudicat? et fauces comedentis, saporem?