Job 32:10 — Word Study
WLCלָכֵ֣ן אָ֭מַרְתִּי שִׁמְעָה־ לִּ֑י אֲחַוֶּ֖ה דֵּעִ֣י אַף־ אָֽנִי׃
BSAThereforekên [so, thus, in agreement] I sayʼâmar■ [declare, speak] Listenshâmaʻ [hearken, give attention] Iʼănîy tooʼaph [also, in addition] will declarechâvâh▸ [explain, show] what I knowdêaʻ [my knowledge, opinion, understanding]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לָכֵ֣ן | therefore | Preposition, adverb |
| אָ֭מַרְתִּי | I say | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| שִׁמְעָה־ | listen ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| לִּ֑י | to me | Preposition, suffix |
| אֲחַוֶּ֖ה | I will tell | Verb, Piel, imperfect first person common singular |
| דֵּעִ֣י | knowledge my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אַף־ | also | Particle |
| אָֽנִי׃ | I | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’ |
| KJV | Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. |
| ASV | Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion. |
| YLT | Therefore I have said: Hearken to me, I do shew my opinion — even I. |
| WEB | Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’ |
| BBE | So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge. |
Where they part company is שִׁמְעָה־ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by an imperative and a future action phrase, indicating Job's assertive stance.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 32:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Response to His Friendsgenerated
Job 32:10 is part of Job's response to his friends, where he asserts his right to speak and share his understanding after listening to their arguments. This moment highlights Job's confidence in his knowledge and perspective, as he prepares to declare what he knows after patiently listening to their reasoning.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 | Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲחַוֶּ֖ה, 'a.cha.Vehgenerated
The verb חָוָה (*chavah*) means to declare or show, indicating an intention to explain something clearly. It is in the Piel form, suggesting an intensive action of making known what is understood.
This word emphasizes Job's role as a speaker who is not just sharing opinions but is ready to provide insight based on his knowledge and experience.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses declare for the Hebrew word אֲחַוֶּ֖ה.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אָ֭מַרְתִּי (*'amar'ti*) governs the entire verse, which consists of a command to listen followed by Job's intention to declare his knowledge. The structure emphasizes Job's assertiveness in sharing his perspective.
The sentence is built with a series of clauses, where the imperative form שִׁמְעָה־ commands attention, leading into Job's declaration of intent.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לָכֵ֣ן as διὸ (*dio*), which conveys a similar meaning of 'therefore' or 'for this reason'. This choice reflects the logical flow of Job's argument.
The LXX uses ἀκούσατέ for שִׁמְעָה־, which carries the same imperative sense of listening, reinforcing the call for attention.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 32:10 shows Job asserting his right to speak after listening to his friends. He calls for their attention and expresses his intention to share what he knows, indicating his confidence in his understanding.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing his readiness to share his insights and understanding based on his experiences and knowledge.
Job wants to ensure that his perspective is heard, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding in their discussions.
This verse highlights Job's confidence and assertiveness, showing that he is not afraid to speak up after listening to others.
Job's approach teaches the value of patience in listening and the importance of sharing one's knowledge and perspective in discussions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations do I feel confident to share my knowledge or opinions?
- How can I practice being a better listener before I speak?
- What insights do I have that I feel are important to share with others?
- How do I respond when others share their perspectives that differ from mine?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 32:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTherefore I said, hearken to me,.... Thou O Job, and every one of you his friends, for the word is singular; though I am but a young man, yet if I have the Spirit of God, and am under the inspiration
Read John Gill on Job 32 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTherefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. Rather, I say. Opinion - rather, knowledge [ dee`iy (H1843)].
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 32 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI said within myself, and now I say it with my mouth. Hearken to me; thou, Job, especially, who art more nearly concerned, (to whom therefore he speaketh in the singular number,) and thy friends with thee.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 32 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 32:10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.Ver. 10. Therefore I said, Heaken to me] This he speaks by way of apostrophe to Job, with whom he would fain ingratiate, that he might the better prevail to convince him of his coarse dealing with God, whose cause he wholly pleadeth. Elihu had hoped to have learned much by this conference held by such heads, Nunquam a te nisi doctior redeo; but, finding it otherwise, he grows to a Semper ego auditor tantum? Hearken to me another while, that God may hearken to you. Hearken, I say, all of you; but thou, Job, especially; for with thee lieth my main business, Tu nominatim et notanter. I also will show mine opinion] He…
Read John Trapp on Job 32 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) Therefore I said.—Equivalent to, Therefore I say. It is what he says now, as the result of former convictions.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 32 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6–10. Elihu, being a youth, shrank from interfering in a dispute in which aged men were engaged; but he perceived that wisdom did not always accompany grey hairs; it is a gift of God, and, conscious of possessing it, he desires now to be heard.
Read Cambridge on Job 32 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10. Show mine opinion — The original will bear a more modest rendering, I will declare my knowledge, even I.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 32 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’
Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.’
Tyndale line
Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion.
Therefore I say, Heare me, and I will shew also mine opinion.
Strictly literal
Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew what I know.
Therefore I have said: Hearken to me, I do shew my opinion — even I.
Therefore I have said: Listen to me, I show my opinion—even I.
Therefore do I say, Hearken to me: I also will show forth what I know myself.
Therefore I say to you, 'Listen to me; I will also tell you my knowledge.'
From the Latin
Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will shew you my wisdom.
Simplified
That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.
So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
לָכֵ֣ן אָ֭מַרְתִּי שִׁמְעָה־ לִּ֑י אֲחַוֶּ֖ה דֵּעִ֣י אַף־ אָֽנִי׃ is preserved in the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint matches 5 of the 8 words, indicating a strong correspondence between the two texts.
לָכֵ֣ן אָ֭מַרְתִּי שִׁמְעָה־ לִּ֑י אֲחַוֶּ֖ה דֵּעִ֣י אַף־ אָֽנִי׃
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 32:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'
כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest
right
veritable, true
pl. concr. honest (men)
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
כֵּן adv. so
base
H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so
3651 ken kane
from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as
adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)
rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and
relation; often with other particles):--+ after that
(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be
(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like
(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,
straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,
thus, true, well, X you.
see HEBREW for 03559
כֵּן (ken) — right.
adv
adj
1) right, just, honest, true, veritable
1a) right, just, honest
1b) correct
1c) true, veritable
[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.
adv
forasmuch as, since
כֵּן (ken) — so.
adv
1) so, therefore, thus
1a) thus, so
1b) just so
1c) therefore
1d) so...as (paired with adv)
1e) then
1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)
1g) (with prep)
1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)
1g2) hitherto
1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)
1g4) afterwards
1g5) in such case
Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)
Prep | Adv — Preposition · adverbHR/D
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
חָוָה (chavah) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to declare or show. It is a primitive root related to the concepts of living and explaining. The entries indicate it is used in the Piel form, suggesting a more intensive action, and it has an Aramaic equivalent. There is a note that it appears poetically and in later texts.
[חָוָה] vb. only Pi. (poet. & late), tell, declare
base
H2331 חָוָה
2331 chavah khaw-vah'
a primitive root; (compare 2324, 2421); properly, to live; by
implication (intensively) to declare or show:--show.
see HEBREW for 02324
see HEBREW for 02421
חָוָה (cha.vah) — to explain.
1) (Piel) to tell, declare, show, make known
2) (CLBL) to breath
Aramaic equivalent: cha.vah (חֲוָה "to show" H2324)
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singularHVpi1cs
See TALE.
דֵּעַ (dea`) refers to knowledge or opinion, encompassing both general knowledge and specific judgments, including God's knowledge. It is derived from another Hebrew word, יָדַע (yada`), which also relates to knowledge. The term appears in contexts that emphasize understanding and discernment.
[דֵּעַ] n.[m.] knowledge, opinion (late)
base
H1843 דֵּעַ
1843 dea` day'-ah
from 3045; knowledge:--knowledge, opinion.
see HEBREW for 03045
דֵּעַ (de.a) — knowledge.
1) knowledge, opinion
1a) God's knowledge
1b) judgment, opinion
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word אַף (aph) is a conjunction that indicates addition, often implying something greater. It can mean 'also,' 'yea,' or 'though,' and is used to connect ideas in a sentence. The entries highlight its use as both an adverb and conjunction, with a focus on its additive nature.
אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
base
H637 אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
637 'aph af
a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or
conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though:--also, +
although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, + how much less
(more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.
אַף (aph) — also.
conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater)
1) also, yea, though, so much the more
adv
2) furthermore, indeed
Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
DirObjM — ParticleHTj
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs