1 Then began Elihu and said:

2 Hear, ye wise men, my words,

And ye experienced ones, give ear to me!

3 For the ear trieth words,

As the palate tasteth by eating.

4 Let us find out what is right,

Let us explore among ourselves what is good.

After his first speech Elihu has made a brief pause; now since Job is silent, he begins anew. ויען ויאמר, lxx correctly, here as in all other instances where the phrase occurs: ὑπολαβὼν λέγει, taking up the word he said. The wise and the knowing (Arab. ‛ulamâ), whose attention he bespeaks, are not Job and the three (Umbr., Hahn), who are indeed a party, and as such a subject for the arbitrative appearance of Elihu; also not every one capable of forming a judgment (Hirz.); but those in the circle of spectators and listeners which, as is assumed, has assembled round the disputants (Schlottm.). In Job 33:4 Elihu does not expressly mean his own ear, but that of the persons addressed: he establishes his summons to prove what he says by the general thought brought over from Job 12:11, and as there (comp. Job 5:7; Job 11:12), clothed in the form of the emblematic proverb, - that as there is a bodily, so there is also a mental organ of sense which tries its perceptions. לאכל is not intended as expressing a purpose (ad vescendum), but as a gerundive (vescendo). The phrase בּחר משׁפּט, occurring only here, signifies neither to institute a search for the purpose of decision (Schult. and others), since בחר does not signify to decide upon anything, nor to investigate a cause (Hahn), which would be נבחנה, but to test and choose what is right, δοκιμάζειν καὶ τὸ καλὸν κατέχειν, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, after which the parallel runs: cognoscamus inter nos (i.e., in common) quid bonum.

Job 34:10 Parallel Commentaries

understanding. Heb. heart

Job 34:2,3,34 Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you that have knowledge...

Proverbs 6:32 But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does it destroys his own soul.

Proverbs 15:32 He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.

*marg:

far

Job 8:3 Does God pervert judgment? or does the Almighty pervert justice?

Job 36:23 Who has enjoined him his way? or who can say, You have worked iniquity?

Job 37:23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice...

Genesis 18:25 That be far from you to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked...

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

2 Chronicles 19:7 Why now let the fear of the LORD be on you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons...

Psalm 92:15 To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are you, O LORD, when I plead with you: yet let me talk with you of your judgments: Why does the way of the wicked prosper?...

Romans 3:4,5 God forbid: yes, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings...

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: