Job 34:16

16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Job 34:16 Meaning and Commentary

Job 34:16

If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this
Not as calling his understanding in question, as if he, had none; for Job was a very understanding man; he had not lost his natural understanding by his afflictions, see ( Job 6:13 ) ; nor was he without an understanding of divine things, as his speeches and answers show; but rather it is taken for granted that he was a man of understanding: "if" or "seeing" thou hast understanding, art a man of knowledge and intelligence, therefore hearken and attend to what has been said or about to be said; though, as some Jewish interpreters F1 observe, the word is not a noun, but a verb, and is imperative, "understand thou now, hear this"; and then the sense is, "if" things are so as before related, ( Job 34:13-15 ) ; then now understand this, take it into thy heart and mind, and well weigh and consider it:

hearken to the voice of my words;
either the preceding or following ones.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Jarchi, Bar Tzemach, in loc. so Cocceius, Schmidt, and Schultens.

Job 34:16 In-Context

14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh would perish together, And man would turn again to dust.
16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--
18 Who says to a king, 'Vile!' Or to nobles, 'Wicked!'
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.