| Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 34:16-30 Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 16. - If now thou hast understanding, hear this. The appeal is not to Job, but to any wise and intelligent man among the many hearers who were present (see the comment on vers. 1, 2). Hearken to the voice of my words (comp. vers. 2, 10).
Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIf 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 (a) 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; 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. (a) Jarchi, Bar Tzemach, in loc. so Cocceius, Schmidt, and Schultens.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary16. In Job 34:2, Elihu had spoken to all in general, now he calls Job's special attention.
Job 34:16 Parallel Commentaries Job 34:16 NIV
Job 34:16 NLT
Job 34:16 ESV
Job 34:16 NASB
Job 34:16 KJV Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible | 
