Job 34:16

16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

Job 34:16 in Other Translations

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

16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

16 “Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say.

16 "So, Job, use your head; this is all pretty obvious.

16 If you [have] understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Job 34:16 In-Context

14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,

15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?

18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

Cross References

• 1. S ver 10
• 2. S Job 32:10