Job 34:32
That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Original Language Analysis
אֶ֭חֱזֶה
That which I see
H2372
אֶ֭חֱזֶה
That which I see
Strong's:
H2372
Word #:
2 of 9
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
הֹרֵ֑נִי
teach
H3384
הֹרֵ֑נִי
teach
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 9
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
פָּ֝עַ֗לְתִּי
thou me if I have done
H6466
פָּ֝עַ֗לְתִּי
thou me if I have done
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
7 of 9
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
Cross References
Psalms 32:8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.Psalms 19:12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.Proverbs 28:13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite piety emphasized self-examination and covenant loyalty. Sacrificial system included provisions for unintentional sins (Leviticus 4-5). Yet Job's case reveals limits of this framework—his suffering isn't corrective for sin. The psalm tradition developed this prayer for divine illumination (Psalms 19, 51, 139). NT builds on this: Spirit-enabled self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-31) and confidence that God's illumination leads to cleansing, not condemnation (1 John 1:7-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How can we practice spiritual self-examination without falling into introspection or scrupulosity?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in revealing sin?
- How does confidence in God's forgiveness enable honest self-examination?
Analysis & Commentary
That which I see not teach thou me (בִּלְעֲדֵי אֶחֱזֶה אַתָּה הֹרֵנִי, bil'adei echezeh attah horeni)—The phrase "that which I see not" uses chazah (חָזָה, "to see, perceive") with negative. This is prayer for illumination—teach me what I cannot perceive. The verb yarah (יָרָה, Hiphil "to teach, instruct") is used of God teaching Torah (Deuteronomy 33:10). The phrase if I have done iniquity, I will do no more (אִם־עָוֶל פָּעַלְתִּי לֹא אֹסִיף) uses avel (עָוֶל, iniquity, injustice) and yasaph (יָסַף, "to add, continue"). Elihu models repentance: asking God to reveal unknown sin, committing to cease.
This prayer echoes Psalm 19:12: "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults," and Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God... see if there be any wicked way in me." The reformed conscience knows sin's deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13, Jeremiah 17:9)—we cannot fully perceive our own evil. We need divine illumination (Ephesians 1:18, Hebrews 4:12-13). The gospel provides both: the Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8) and Christ cleanses from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).