King James Version

What Does Job 34:2 Mean?

Job 34:2 in the King James Version says “Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.” — study this verse from Job chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.”

Job 34:2 · KJV

Context

1

Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

2

Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

3

For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. mouth: Heb. palate

4

Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hear my words, O ye wise men (שִׁמְעוּ חֲכָמִים מִלָּי, shim'u chakamim millay)—Shama (hear) implies obedient attention, not mere auditory reception. Elihu addresses chakamim (wise men), using Job's three friends' self-perception ironically—they claimed wisdom yet failed to answer Job. And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge (וְיֹדְעִים הַאֲזִינוּ לִי, v'yod'im ha'azinu li)—Yada (know) and azan (give ear, listen carefully) create synonymous parallelism emphasizing attentiveness.

Elihu's rhetorical strategy mirrors wisdom literature's pedagogical style: addressing the wise to instruct them further (Proverbs 9:9). The irony is deliberate—those claiming knowledge need instruction. This pattern appears in New Testament wisdom teaching: 'If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know' (1 Corinthians 8:2). True wisdom recognizes its limits and remains teachable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Elihu speaks in the wisdom tradition that valued reasoned discourse and careful argumentation. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom culture (reflected in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Egyptian instructions, Mesopotamian wisdom) emphasized learning through dialogue. Elihu's appeal to 'wise men' and 'those with knowledge' frames his speech as wisdom discourse rather than prophetic oracle or legal brief.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Elihu's call for the wise to listen challenge intellectual pride in theological discussion?
  2. What distinguishes genuine wisdom from the false confidence Job's friends displayed?
  3. How should biblical humility inform how we engage complex theological questions like suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
שִׁמְע֣וּ1 of 6

“Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

חֲכָמִ֣ים2 of 6

“O ye wise”

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

מִלָּ֑י3 of 6

“my words”

H4405

a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic

וְ֝יֹדְעִ֗ים4 of 6

“unto me ye that have knowledge”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ5 of 6

“men and give ear”

H238

to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen

לִֽי׃6 of 6
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 34:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 34:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 1:51 Corinthians 14:201 Corinthians 10:15

Test Your Knowledge

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