Bible Strands
Job 34:2
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Elihu continues his speech after Job 34:1, and in Job 34:2 he directly addresses the wise and learned men. He calls this specific audience to pay close attention to his forthcoming statements.
The words — The verse hinges on the verbs שִׁמְעוּ (shim.'U, hear) and הַאֲזִינוּ (ha.'a.Zi.nu, give ear), paired with the nouns חֲכָמִים (cha.kha.Mim, O wise [men]) and יֹדְעִים (yo.de.'Im, O [those who] know). These terms structure the passage as a formal summons for deliberate reception.
The thread — This appeal for careful listening parallels Proverbs 1:5, which urges the wise to gain instruction, and 1 Corinthians 10:15, which asks reasonable readers to judge the message themselves. It also aligns with 1 Corinthians 14:20, which contrasts immature thinking with mature discernment.
Why it lands — The text demands that the reader actively process the speaker's words rather than passively receive them. It requires the audience to apply their capacity for judgment to evaluate what is being said.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
- 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- 1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.