Job 34:3

KJV

For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the ear {H241} trieth {H974} words {H4405}, as the mouth {H2441} tasteth {H2938} meat {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the ear tests words, just as the palate tastes food.

Berean Standard Bible

For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

American Standard Version

For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 34:3, spoken by Elihu, introduces a profound analogy that underscores the critical importance of discernment in evaluating spoken words and arguments. Just as the physical senses are naturally equipped to test the quality of food, so the human intellect, through attentive listening, is designed to scrutinize and distinguish truth from falsehood, wisdom from folly. This verse serves as Elihu's methodological preamble, asserting the necessity of careful, active assessment in the ongoing theological debate between Job and his friends, setting the stage for his own extensive discourse aimed at bringing clarity and a fresh perspective.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 34:3 is situated within Elihu's lengthy and impassioned speeches, spanning [Job chapters 32-37](/job/32 "Job 32-37 - Elihu's Speeches"). Elihu, a younger man who has patiently waited for the three older friends and Job to exhaust their arguments, finally erupts in indignation, believing both sides have failed to grasp the full truth of God's ways. This verse, appearing early in his first discourse, serves as his foundational principle for engaging in the debate. He is not merely entering the conversation but establishing a standard for how such weighty matters should be discussed and understood. He critiques Job for claiming innocence and implying God's injustice, and the friends for failing to provide a convincing theological framework for Job's suffering. Elihu's assertion here is a call for intellectual and spiritual rigor, demanding that his audience, and indeed, the participants themselves, apply careful judgment to every word uttered, including his own.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job itself is a masterpiece of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, often set in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era. In such cultures, oral tradition and public discourse were paramount. Wisdom was not merely theoretical but practical, often conveyed through proverbs, parables, and extended dialogues. The act of "tasting meat" was a common, relatable experience, immediately conveying a sense of direct, sensory evaluation for quality and suitability. Similarly, "the ear" was understood as the primary organ for receiving instruction, wisdom, and divine revelation. The analogy thus draws upon universal human experiences to illustrate a sophisticated intellectual and spiritual process. The setting of the debate, though informal, carries the weight of a judicial or philosophical inquiry, where the soundness of arguments was paramount for establishing truth and maintaining social and theological order.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent not only in Elihu's discourse but throughout the broader wisdom tradition of the Bible. Firstly, it champions **Discernment and Evaluation**, emphasizing that understanding truth requires active engagement rather than passive reception. This is crucial in the Book of Job, where the characters grapple with profound theological questions and diverse interpretations of suffering and divine justice. Secondly, it highlights **Critical Listening**, positing that true hearing involves weighing, sifting, and judging the content of words, not just registering sounds. This aligns with the biblical call to "incline your ear to wisdom" as seen in [Proverbs 2:2](/proverbs/2-2 "Proverbs 2:2 - Incline Your Ear to Wisdom"), implying an active posture of seeking understanding. Thirdly, the verse underscores **The Pursuit of Wisdom**, suggesting that the ability to "try words" is fundamental to acquiring genuine insight and avoiding error. Elihu believes that by applying this principle, one can move beyond superficial arguments to a deeper comprehension of God's intricate dealings with humanity, a pursuit that resonates with the overarching quest for divine wisdom found throughout the wisdom books, such as in [Proverbs 4:7](/proverbs/4-7 "Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is the Principal Thing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trieth (Hebrew, _bāḥan'_):** This verb carries a strong connotation of rigorous testing, proving, or examining. It is often used in the context of refining metals to distinguish pure ore from dross (e.g., [Psalm 66:10](/psalm/66-10 "Psalm 66:10 - God Tests Us")). It implies a thorough and discerning investigation, not a casual or superficial glance. When applied to "words," it suggests a process of intellectual and spiritual scrutiny, where arguments are put to the test to determine their authenticity, soundness, and truthfulness, much like a metallurgist tests the purity of gold.
* **Tasteth (Hebrew, _ṭaʿam'_):** This word refers to the act of discerning flavor, implying an immediate, intuitive, and often visceral judgment of quality or suitability. While it can denote a simple act of tasting, in this context, it speaks to the mouth's innate ability to distinguish between what is palatable, nourishing, or even harmful. The parallel with the ear "trying words" suggests that just as the mouth instinctively evaluates food, the ear (representing the mind/intellect) should instinctively and actively evaluate the "flavor" or quality of words, discerning their truthfulness and value.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the ear trieth words":** This clause establishes the primary assertion: the ear, as the gateway to the mind, is not a passive receptacle but an active instrument of evaluation. The verb "trieth" (בָּחַן, _bāḥan_) denotes a rigorous process of testing and proving. It implies that when words are heard, they are to be subjected to scrutiny, examined for their veracity, consistency, and depth, much like a refiner tests metal for purity. This is a call for intellectual and spiritual discernment, urging the listener to engage critically with what is being communicated.
* **"as the mouth tasteth meat":** This clause provides the vivid, relatable analogy that clarifies the first. Just as the mouth instinctively and immediately discerns the quality, flavor, and suitability of food—whether it is good, bad, nourishing, or spoiled—so too should the ear (and the mind it serves) discern the quality and truthfulness of words. The comparison highlights the natural, inherent capacity for discernment and the necessity of applying this capacity to verbal communication. It suggests that just as one would never blindly consume unknown food, one should never passively accept every word heard.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Job 34:3 is **Simile**, explicitly stated by the use of "as" ("as the mouth tasteth meat"). This simile draws a clear and relatable comparison between two distinct sensory experiences: the ear's evaluation of words and the mouth's evaluation of food. This makes an abstract concept (intellectual discernment) concrete and accessible. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses express a similar idea in different ways, reinforcing the central message. "The ear trieth words" is paralleled by "the mouth tasteth meat," with both phrases highlighting an active process of sensory evaluation and judgment. The verse also implicitly uses **Metonymy**, where "ear" stands for the faculty of hearing and understanding, and "mouth" for the faculty of tasting and discerning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 34:3 offers profound theological insights into the nature of truth, wisdom, and human responsibility in understanding God's revelation. It posits that discernment is not merely an intellectual exercise but a divinely endowed capacity and a spiritual discipline. In a world saturated with competing narratives and claims, the ability to "try words" becomes paramount for spiritual health and growth. This verse underscores that God expects His people to engage critically with what they hear, not to be naive or gullible, but to actively seek out and adhere to truth. It implies a moral obligation to evaluate teachings, prophecies, and counsel against a standard of truth, ultimately God's revealed Word. This active sifting process is essential for cultivating genuine wisdom and avoiding the pitfalls of deception and error, leading to a deeper apprehension of God's character and purposes.

* [1 Thessalonians 5:21](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Prove All Things")
* [Hebrews 5:14](/hebrews/5-14 "Hebrews 5:14 - Discernment of Good and Evil")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless wisdom of Job 34:3 resonates powerfully in our contemporary world, which is awash with information, opinions, and competing narratives from myriad sources—social media, news outlets, spiritual leaders, and personal acquaintances. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of active, critical, and prayerful discernment in all areas of life. It challenges us to move beyond passive reception to thoughtful engagement, to question, to evaluate, and to seek the underlying truth or falsehood of what we encounter. Spiritually, this means not blindly accepting every teaching or prophecy but diligently comparing it against the unchanging standard of God's Word, relying on the Holy Spirit for illumination. Practically, it means developing the habit of asking "Is this true? Is this wise? Is this beneficial? Does this align with God's character?" before internalizing or acting upon information. By consistently "trying words," we grow in spiritual maturity, protect ourselves from deception, and are better equipped to make wise decisions that honor God and lead to flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need to apply the principle of "trying words"?**
* **What practical steps can you take to become a more discerning listener and evaluator of information, especially spiritual teachings?**
* **How does the analogy of "tasting meat" help you understand the urgency and naturalness of discernment?**
* **What role does prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit play in your ability to discern truth from error?**

### FAQ

**Is Elihu's speech considered inspired Scripture, given his critical view of Job and his friends?**

Answer: Yes, Elihu's speeches, including [Job 34:3](/job/34-3 "Job 34:3 - The Ear Trieth Words"), are considered part of the inspired Word of God, even though they represent a human perspective within a larger divine narrative. The inspiration of Scripture applies to the entire book as a whole, meaning that God providentially guided its composition to convey truth, even through the words of characters who may not have fully grasped divine wisdom themselves. Elihu's words are included to provide a fuller picture of the theological debate and to contribute to the overall message of the Book of Job, which ultimately points to God's sovereignty and inscrutable wisdom, as revealed in [Job chapters 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - The Lord's Speeches"). His insights, like the one in [Job 34:3](/job/34-3 "Job 34:3 - The Ear Trieth Words"), often contain profound truths, even if his overall assessment of Job's situation might be incomplete or flawed from a divine perspective.

**How does this verse apply to modern media consumption and social media?**

Answer: The principle of "the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat" is profoundly relevant to modern media consumption and social media. In an age of information overload, misinformation, and echo chambers, this verse calls for active, critical engagement rather than passive absorption. Just as one wouldn't blindly eat spoiled food, we should not uncritically consume every piece of news, opinion, or "truth" presented online. It encourages us to question sources, verify facts, consider different perspectives, and discern underlying biases or agendas. Spiritually, it means applying discernment to online sermons, articles, and discussions, ensuring they align with biblical truth, as advised in [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits"). This active "testing" protects us from deception and helps us cultivate wisdom in a complex digital landscape.

**Does this verse imply we should always be skeptical of what we hear?**

Answer: Not necessarily skepticism in a cynical sense, but rather a healthy, discerning posture. The verse encourages a critical evaluation, not an automatic rejection. True discernment involves an open mind willing to receive truth, combined with a discerning spirit that can identify falsehood or error. It's about being judicious, not jaded. We are called to "prove all things" and "hold fast that which is good" ([1 Thessalonians 5:21](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Prove All Things")), which implies a process of testing to affirm truth, not just to dismiss. The goal is to embrace wisdom and truth, which often requires sifting through various claims.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 34:3, with its emphasis on discerning truth and wisdom, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. He is not merely a speaker of truth, but the very personification of it, declaring, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). In Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). While Elihu calls for human ears to "try words," Jesus' words are the ultimate standard by which all other words are to be tested. His teachings, parables, and life demonstrate perfect wisdom and truth, providing the "meat" that truly nourishes the soul ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sends, empowers believers with the spiritual discernment necessary to understand and apply divine truth, for "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God... but he that is spiritual judgeth all things" ([1 Corinthians 2:14-15](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14-15 - Spiritual Discernment")). Thus, the call to discern words is ultimately a call to discern the voice of the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and to be led by His Spirit into all truth ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"), [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 12:11

Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

1 Corinthians 2:15

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Job 33:2

Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

Job 31:30

Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

Job 6:30

Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?