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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 34:16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/34-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/18_Job_34_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 34:16 - Elihu Confirms God's Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/34-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/34-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/34-15.htm" title="Job 34:15">◄</a> Job 34:16 <a href="/job/34-17.htm" title="Job 34:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/34.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If now <i>thou hast</i> understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“If <i>you have</i> understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“But if <i>you have</i> understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But if you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But if <i>you have</i> understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“But if <i>you have</i> understanding, hear this; Give ear to the sound of my speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If <i>you now have</i> understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If now thou hast understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So be smart and listen! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If you understand, listen to this. Open your ears to my words!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now listen to me, if you are wise. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If you have understanding, listen to this! Pay attention to what I have to say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And if [there is] understanding, hear this, "" Give ear to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And if there is understanding, hear this, Give ear to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If now understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, if you have understanding, hear what is said, and heed the sound of my eloquence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now you —understand, hear this! Listen to the words I speak! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If now you have understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you understand, hear these things and give ear to the voice of my words<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If now thou hast understanding, hear this; Hearken to the voice of my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take heed lest he rebuke <i>thee</i>: hear this, hearken to the voice of words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/34-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=5269" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm">Elihu Confirms God's Justice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/998.htm" title="998: bî·nāh (N-fs) -- An understanding. From biyn; understanding.">you have understanding,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘āh- (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this;</a> <a href="/hebrew/238.htm" title="238: ha·’ă·zî·nāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from 'ozen; to broaden out the ear, i.e. to listen.">listen to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: lə·qō·wl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4405.htm" title="4405: mil·lāy (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- A word, speech, utterance. From malal">my words.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Proverbs 1:5</a></span><br />let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-2.htm">Proverbs 2:2</a></span><br />if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Proverbs 8:5</a></span><br />O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-15.htm">Proverbs 18:15</a></span><br />The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></span><br />“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">Matthew 15:10</a></span><br />Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-9.htm">Mark 4:9</a></span><br />Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-18.htm">Mark 8:18</a></span><br />‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-8.htm">Luke 8:8</a></span><br />Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprang up and produced a crop—a hundredfold.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If now you have understanding, hear this: listen to the voice of my words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-3.htm">Job 12:3</a></b></br> But I have understanding as well as you; I <i>am</i> not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-2.htm">Job 13:2-6</a></b></br> What ye know, <i>the same</i> do I know also: I <i>am</i> not inferior unto you… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/34-10.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/34-10.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/job/34-10.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/job/34-10.htm">Note</a> <a href="/job/33-15.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/job/34-10.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/job/33-8.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/job/34-10.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/job/34-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/35-13.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/34-28.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/job/34-34.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/job/34-25.htm">Note</a> <a href="/job/37-2.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/job/34-34.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/job/36-11.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/job/34-34.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/job/34-35.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Job 34</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-1.htm">Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-10.htm">God omnipotent cannot be unjust</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-31.htm">Man must humble himself unto God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-34.htm">Elihu reproves Job</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If you have understanding,</b><br>This phrase challenges the listener to possess discernment and wisdom, a recurring theme in the Book of Job. Understanding in the biblical context often refers to a deep, God-given insight rather than mere intellectual knowledge. <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a> states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This suggests that true understanding is rooted in a relationship with God.<p><b>hear this;</b><br>The call to "hear" is a common biblical exhortation, emphasizing the importance of attentiveness to divine wisdom. In <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, the Shema begins with "Hear, O Israel," underscoring the necessity of listening to God's commandments. In the context of Job, Elihu is urging Job and his friends to pay attention to his argument, which he believes is divinely inspired.<p><b>listen to my words.</b><br>Listening in the biblical sense implies obedience and action. <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a> advises believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." Elihu's words are presented as a corrective to Job's previous speeches and the arguments of his friends. The emphasis on listening highlights the cultural importance of oral tradition and the spoken word in ancient times, where written texts were less accessible. Elihu positions himself as a mediator of divine wisdom, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elihu.htm">Elihu</a></b><br>A young man who speaks to Job and his friends. He is portrayed as a passionate and somewhat impatient speaker who believes he has a fresh perspective on Job's suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the Book of Job, a man who experiences immense suffering and seeks to understand the reasons behind it.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often suggesting that it is a result of sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and source of wisdom, whose understanding and purposes are beyond human comprehension.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>The dialogue takes place in the land of Uz, where Job and his friends engage in deep discussions about suffering, justice, and divine wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_listen.htm">The Call to Listen</a></b><br>Elihu's words remind us of the importance of being attentive to wisdom and understanding. In our spiritual journey, we must prioritize listening to God's word and the counsel of the wise.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_before_speaking.htm">Understanding Before Speaking</a></b><br>Before we offer our opinions or judgments, especially in matters of faith and suffering, we should seek understanding. This requires humility and patience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_youth_in_wisdom.htm">The Role of Youth in Wisdom</a></b><br>Elihu, as a younger man, demonstrates that wisdom is not confined to age. Young believers should be encouraged to seek and share wisdom, while older believers should remain open to learning from them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_wisdom_vs._human_understanding.htm">Divine Wisdom vs. Human Understanding</a></b><br>Elihu's speech highlights the limitations of human understanding compared to divine wisdom. We should trust in God's greater plan, even when we do not fully comprehend it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_engagement_with_scripture.htm">Active Engagement with Scripture</a></b><br>Just as Elihu calls for active listening, we should engage actively with Scripture, seeking to understand and apply it in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 34</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_king_jehoahaz_biblically.htm">Is God responsible for causing suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_acts_16_31-34_contradict_individual_accountability.htm">In Acts 16:31-34, does the jailer's entire household receiving salvation contradict the principle of individual accountability taught elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_injustice_to_persist.htm">In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_bible_teachings_cover_empathy.htm">What biblical teachings address empathy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If now thou hast understanding, hear this</span>. The appeal is not to Job, but to any wise and intelligent man among the many hearers who were present (see the comment on vers. 1, 2). Hearken to the voice of my words (comp. vers. 2, 10). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/34-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have understanding,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֥ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(bî·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_998.htm">Strong's 998: </a> </span><span class="str2">An understanding</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hear</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁמְעָה־</span> <span class="translit">(šim·‘āh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this;</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹּ֑את</span> <span class="translit">(zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">listen to</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ă·zî·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_238.htm">Strong's 238: </a> </span><span class="str2">To broaden out the ear, to listen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my words.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלָּֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mil·lāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4405.htm">Strong's 4405: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a discourse, a topic</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/34-16.htm">OT Poetry: Job 34:16 If now you have understanding hear this (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/34-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 34:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 34:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/34-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 34:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 34:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>