Job 34:35
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַבֵּ֑ר
hath spoken
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֑ר
hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 7
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּ֝דְבָרָ֗יו
and his words
H1697
וּ֝דְבָרָ֗יו
and his words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 7
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom culture valued eloquent, persuasive speech. Yet Israelite tradition subordinated rhetorical skill to truth and divine revelation. Prophets often spoke simple, even offensive messages (Amos 7:14-15, "I was no prophet... but the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy"). Jesus's teaching astonished because He spoke "with authority" (Mark 1:22), not rhetorical polish. God's vindication of Job over more eloquent friends teaches content matters more than form.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we speak theologically with confidence while maintaining appropriate humility?
- What does God's vindication of Job teach about the relationship between suffering and speaking rightly about God?
- How does Christ as God's ultimate Word (John 1:1) redefine knowledge and wisdom?
Analysis & Commentary
Job hath spoken without knowledge (אִיּוֹב לֹא־בְדַעַת יְדַבֵּר, Iyyov lo-veda'at yedabber)—The noun da'at (דַּעַת, knowledge) indicates understanding, not mere information. Elihu accuses Job of speaking ignorantly. The phrase his words were without wisdom (וּדְבָרָיו לֹא בְהַשְׂכֵּיל, udevarav lo vehaskel) uses sekel (שֶׂכֶל, understanding, insight). This echoes Eliphaz's earlier accusation (Job 15:2-3). Yet God will vindicate Job's speech over the friends (42:7): "ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath." Elihu's judgment is premature and partially wrong.
This teaches discernment: sincere theological argumentation can reach wrong conclusions. Elihu isn't malicious, yet he misunderstands. Proverbs 18:13 warns: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." The gospel reveals knowledge's limits: "we know in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9). Ultimate knowledge comes through revelation of Christ (Colossians 2:3, "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"). We must speak with epistemic humility, acknowledging the limits of human understanding.