Job 34:34

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Intelligent people will tell me, every wise man who hears me will say,

Berean Standard Bible:

Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

American Standard Version:

Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let men^{H582} of understanding^{H3824} tell^{H559} me, and let a wise^{H2450} man^{H1397} hearken^{H8085} unto me.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 34:34

Job 34:34 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Job explores the themes of suffering, faith, and the nature of divine justice. It tells the story of Job, a righteous man who is tested by God through immense suffering, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health.

The verse itself is part of a speech by Elihu, one of Job's friends who comes to offer his perspective on Job's situation. Elihu is a younger and more impetuous character who enters the dialogue after Job's three older friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, have finished speaking. Elihu presents himself as someone who can provide insight that the others have failed to offer, claiming to speak with divine inspiration.

In Job 34:34, Elihu is calling for discerning individuals—those of understanding and wisdom—to engage with his argument. He is essentially inviting a reasoned debate, suggesting that his points are worthy of consideration by the wise. The historical context of this verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern tradition of wisdom and debate, where sages and thinkers would engage in intellectual discourse to uncover truths about life, morality, and the divine.

The verse underscores the importance of wisdom and understanding in navigating the complexities of human suffering and the ways of God. Elihu's challenge to the wise is a call to grapple with the profound questions raised by Job's plight, questions that continue to resonate with readers seeking to understand the nature of God and the problem of evil in the world.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3824
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵבָב
   Transliteration: lêbâb
   Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
   Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2450
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָכָם
   Transliteration: châkâm
   Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
   Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).
   
5. Strong's Number: H1397
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֶּבֶר
   Transliteration: geber
   Pronunciation: gheh'-ber
   Description: from גָּבַר; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply; every one, man, [idiom] mighty.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.