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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 12:11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/12-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/18_Job_12_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 12:11 - Job Responds to Zophar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?" /><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/12-11.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/12-11.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/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 11</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="/ad11.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/12-10.htm" title="Job 12:10">◄</a> Job 12:11 <a href="/job/12-12.htm" title="Job 12:12">►</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/12.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/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words And the mouth taste its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Does the ear not put words to the test, As the palate tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Does not the ear test words, As the palate tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Does not the ear test words, As the palate tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Does not the ear test words, As the palate tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Does the ear not put words to the test, Just as the palate tastes its food [distinguishing between the desirable and the undesirable]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Doesn’t the ear test words as the palate tastes food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Doesn&#8217t the ear test words as the palate tastes food? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We hear with our ears, taste with our tongues, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Doth not the ear try words, even as the palate tasteth its meat?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Doesn't the ear distinguish sounds and the tongue taste food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But just as your tongue enjoys tasting food, your ears enjoy hearing words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The ear scrutinizes speech just as the palate tastes food."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words, as the tongue tastes food? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Doesn't the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Doesn’t the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Does the ear not try words? And the palate taste food for itself?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Doth not the ear try words? And the palate taste food for itself?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall not the ear try words? and the palate shall taste food to it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Does not the ear perceive words, and the palate, when eating, perceive flavor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Does not the ear judge words as the mouth tastes food? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The ear hears the words, and the palate tastes food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The ear hears words and the palate tastes food<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the ear tries words, and the palate tastes meats.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/12-11.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=1829" 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/12.htm">Job Responds to Zophar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Does not</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: ’ō·zen (N-fs) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear.">the ear</a> <a href="/hebrew/974.htm" title="974: tiḇ·ḥān (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To examine, try. A primitive root; to test; generally and figuratively, to investigate.">test</a> <a href="/hebrew/4405.htm" title="4405: mil·lîn (N-fp) -- A word, speech, utterance. From malal">words</a> <a href="/hebrew/2441.htm" title="2441: wə·ḥêḵ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Probably from chanak in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself.">as the tongue</a> <a href="/hebrew/2938.htm" title="2938: yiṭ·‘am- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To taste, perceive. A primitive root; to taste; figuratively, to perceive.">tastes</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">its</a> <a href="/hebrew/400.htm" title="400: ’ō·ḵel (N-ms) -- Food. From 'akal; food.">food?</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.…<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/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="/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14</a></span><br />But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-21.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:21</a></span><br />but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a></span><br />For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-66.htm">Psalm 119:66</a></span><br />Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-15.htm">Proverbs 14:15</a></span><br />The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14-15</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. / The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9-10</a></span><br />And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-15.htm">Isaiah 7:15</a></span><br />By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Proverbs 15:14</a></span><br />A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-24.htm">John 7:24</a></span><br />Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-8.htm">Psalm 34:8</a></span><br />Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-21.htm">Proverbs 16:21</a></span><br />The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?</p><p class="hdg">Doth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-3.htm">Job 34:3</a></b></br> For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/10-15.htm">1 Corinthians 10:15</a></b></br> I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/1-10.htm">Philippians 1:10</a></b></br> That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;</p><p class="hdg">mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-30.htm">Job 6:30</a></b></br> Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/9-16.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/9-26.htm">Food</a> <a href="/job/10-22.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/job/6-7.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/job/9-20.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/job/6-30.htm">Palate</a> <a href="/job/6-30.htm">Taste</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-43.htm">Tasted</a> <a href="/titus/2-2.htm">Tastes</a> <a href="/job/34-3.htm">Tasteth</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Test</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-31.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/job/6-30.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Try</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/13-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/13-28.htm">Food</a> <a href="/job/20-27.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/job/13-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/job/20-13.htm">Palate</a> <a href="/job/27-2.htm">Taste</a> <a href="/job/21-25.htm">Tasted</a> <a href="/job/21-25.htm">Tastes</a> <a href="/job/21-25.htm">Tasteth</a> <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Test</a> <a href="/job/23-10.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/job/13-19.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/job/17-10.htm">Try</a> <a href="/job/12-20.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Job 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/12-1.htm">Job maintains himself against his friends that reprove him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/12-7.htm">He acknowledges the doctrine of God's omnipotence</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/12.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/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Does not the ear test words</b><br>This phrase suggests discernment and wisdom in listening. In the context of Job, it reflects Job's response to his friends, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of their counsel. Biblically, the ear is often associated with understanding and obedience (<a href="/proverbs/2-2.htm">Proverbs 2:2</a>, <a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a>). The idea of testing words aligns with the call for discernment found in 1 <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4:1</a>, where believers are urged to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This phrase underscores the importance of not accepting words at face value but examining them for truth and alignment with God's wisdom.<p><b>as the tongue tastes its food?</b><br>This comparison highlights the natural and necessary process of discernment. Just as the tongue instinctively discerns flavors, the ear should discern truth from falsehood. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, meals were communal and significant, often involving discussions and teachings. The metaphor suggests that just as tasting is essential for physical nourishment, discerning words is crucial for spiritual and moral guidance. This concept is echoed in <a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14</a>, where mature believers are described as having their senses trained to discern good and evil. The analogy also points to the necessity of spiritual maturity and the development of discernment skills, akin to how one develops a palate for different tastes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. Job is engaged in a dialogue with his friends, defending his integrity and questioning the nature of his suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer comfort but end up debating with him about the reasons for his suffering, often suggesting it is due to sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/dialogue.htm">Dialogue</a></b><br>The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which forms the bulk of the Book of Job, exploring themes of suffering, justice, and divine wisdom.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>The genre of the Book of Job, which includes other books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, focusing on questions of human existence and the nature of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_listening.htm">Discernment in Listening</a></b><br>Just as we are careful about what we eat, we should be discerning about the words we hear. This involves evaluating teachings, advice, and opinions against the truth of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_wisdom.htm">The Role of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom is essential in discerning truth from falsehood. Seeking God's wisdom through prayer and study of His Word equips us to test words effectively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_hearts_and_minds.htm">Guarding Our Hearts and Minds</a></b><br>We must be vigilant about what we allow into our hearts and minds, ensuring that it aligns with biblical truth and edifies our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_maturity.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Maturity</a></b><br>Spiritual maturity involves developing the ability to discern truth, which comes from a deep relationship with God and understanding of His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Engaging with a community of believers provides accountability and support in discerning truth, as we can test and discuss teachings together.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_faith-testing_events.htm">If God wants us to trust Him, why does He allow events that make people lose faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_23_10-12_align_with_modern_ethics.htm">In Job 23:10-12, does the idea of a divinely sanctioned test align with modern ethical standards, or does it raise moral questions about God's justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_16_11_suggest_god_delivers_innocents.htm">In Job 16:11, why would a just God 'deliver' the innocent to the ungodly, contradicting passages that promise divine protection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_ahinoam_of_jezreel.htm">Can Satan listen to our prayers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Doth not the ear try words?</span>--Bildad had appealed to the wisdom of authority and tradition, but Job reminds him that it is given to the wise man not to accept everything he has received, but to discriminate. He allows that wisdom is the prerogative of age, but reminds him that the Ancient of Days must needs be wise indeed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Doth not the ear try words?</span> <span class="cmt_word">and the month taste his meat?</span> rather, as the <span class="accented">palate tasteth its meat?</span> (<span class="accented">see</span> the Revised Version). In other words, "Is it not as much the business of the ear to discriminate between wise and unwise words, as of the palate to determine between pleasant and unpleasant tastes?" The bearing of the verse on the general argument is not clear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/12-11.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">Does not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ear</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֭זֶן</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·zen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_241.htm">Strong's 241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Broadness, the ear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">test</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּבְחָ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(tiḇ·ḥān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_974.htm">Strong's 974: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to investigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלִּ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(mil·lîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<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 /><br /><span class="word">as the tongue</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2441.htm">Strong's 2441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Palate, roof of the mouth, gums</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tastes</span><br /><span class="heb">יִטְעַם־</span> <span class="translit">(yiṭ·‘am-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2938.htm">Strong's 2938: </a> </span><span class="str2">To taste, to perceive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its</span><br /><span class="heb">לֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">food?</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֣כֶל</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḵel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_400.htm">Strong's 400: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/12-11.htm">OT Poetry: Job 12:11 Doesn't the ear try words even as (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/12-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 12:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 12:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/12-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 12:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 12:12" /></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>