Iyov 34:16

16 If now thou hast binah, hear this: pay heed to the kol (voice) of my words.

Iyov 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.

Iyov 34:16 In-Context

14 If He should so determine, if He gather unto Himself His Ruach and His Neshamah,

15 All basar would perish together, and adam would return unto aphar.

16 If now thou hast binah, hear this: pay heed to the kol (voice) of my words.

17 Shall even one that hateth mishpat (right) govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is Tzaddik and Kabir (the Mighty One)?

18 Is it fit to say to a melech, Thou art beli’ya’al? And to nobles, Ye are rasha.