Job 34:16

16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Job 34:16 In-Context

14 If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

15 All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

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

17 Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?--

18 [Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked;