Job 34 · Verse 16

Job 34:16

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Job 34:16, King James Version

Job 34:16 in other translations

BSBIf you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
WEB“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
ASVIf now thou hast understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.
YLTAnd if there is understanding, hear this, Give ear to the voice of my words.
DARBYIf now thou hast understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
BBEIf you are wise, take note of this; give ear to the voice of my words.
WebsterIf now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

What does Job 34:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. In Job 34:2, Elihu had spoken to all in general, now he calls Job's special attention.

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

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 34:16-30
Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Job 34:16 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.

וְאִם\־ve.'im-and ifH518
בִּ֥ינָהBi.nahunderstandingH998
שִׁמְעָה\־shim.'ah-hear !H8085
זֹּ֑אתZotthisH2063
הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינָהha.'a.Zi.nahgive ear !H238
לְק֣וֹלle.Kolto [the] sound ofH6963
מִלָּֽי\׃mi.Laiwords myH4405

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

Cross references for Job 34:16

  • Job 13:2-6

    What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. …

  • Job 12:3

    But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
12:3; 13:2-6

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

Context

  • Job 34:15

    All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

  • Job 34:16

    If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

  • Job 34:17

    Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

Read all of Job 34

Job 34:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Si pues hay en ti entendimiento, oye esto: escucha la voz de mis palabras.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Si tu as de l’intelligence, écoute ceci; prête l’oreille à la voix de mes paroles.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und wenn du doch dieses einsehen und hören, der Stimme meiner Worte Gehör schenken wolltest!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si habes ergo intellectum, audi quod dicitur, et ausculta vocem eloquii mei: