Job 34 · Verse 3

Job 34:3

For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
Job 34:3, King James Version

Job 34:3 in other translations

BSBFor the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
WEBFor the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
ASVFor the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
YLTFor the ear doth try words, And the palate tasteth to eat.
DARBYFor the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
BBEFor words are tested by the ear, as food is tasted by the mouth.
WebsterFor the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.

What does Job 34:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. palate--(See on Job 12:11; Job 33:2).

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 The ear trieth words - I do not think, with Calmet, that the inward ear, or judgment, is meant simply. The Asiatics valued themselves on the nice and harmonious collection of words, both in speaking and in writing; and perhaps it will be found here that Elihu labors as much for harmonious versification as for pious and weighty sentiments. To connect sense with sound was an object of general pursuit among the Hebrew, Arabic, and Persian poets; and so fond are the latter of euphony, that they often sacrifice both sense and sentiment to it; and some of the Greek poets are not exempt from this fault.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 34:1-9

Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened, whose heart is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and who is versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly to justify himself. He that say, I have cleansed my…

Read the full comment on Job 34:1-9 →

Job 34:3 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.

כִּי\־ki-forH3588
אֹ֭זֶן'O.zen[the] earH241
מִלִּ֣יןmi.LinwordsH4405
תִּבְחָ֑ןtiv.Chanit testsH974
וְ֝חֵ֗ךְve.Chekhand [the] palateH2441
יִטְעַ֥םyit.'Amit tastesH2938
לֶאֱכֹֽל\׃le.'e.Kholto eatH398

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

Cross references for Job 34:3

  • Job 12:11

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

  • 1 Corinthians 2:15

    But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

  • 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 33:2

    Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

  • Job 31:30

    Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

  • Job 6:30

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

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the ear.
6:30; 12:11; 1Co 2:15; Heb 5:14
mouth. Heb. palate.
31:30; 33:2; *marg:

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

Context

  • Job 34:2

    Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

  • Job 34:3

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

  • Job 34:4

    Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

Read all of Job 34

Job 34:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque el oído prueba las palabras, como el paladar gusta para comer.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car l’oreille éprouve les discours, comme le palais goûte les aliments.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn das Ohr prüft die Worte, wie der Gaumen die Speise kostet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Auris enim verba probat, et guttur escas gustu dijudicat.