For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
Job 34:3 stands in chapters 32-37, which hold Elihu's argument and reproof to Job. Within the larger portion running from chapter 20 to chapter 37 it is grouped with chapters 32 and 33. It comes after the colloquies between Job and his three friends on the cause and object of human suffering in chapters 3-31 close in chapter 31. It is distinct from the narrative of uprightness, trial and patience in chapters 1-2, from the address of God with Job's confession and penitence, and from the close of the narrative in chapter 42:7-17. Elihu enters as a younger man claiming superior wisdom to correct Job. He follows the same line as the other friends, seeking to convince Job that Job himself is not very great while God is everything, and Job makes no answer to this plea.
The saying compares the ear's testing of words with the mouth's tasting of food. Just as the mouth tests what it eats, the ear tests what it hears. Words can be heard and evaluated for their quality, exactly as food is tasted. The comparison means words are to be carefully examined as food is tasted. The book of Job itself should therefore be read through as a whole to grasp its connection and force.
Job 34:3 stands in chapters 32-37, which hold Elihu's argument and reproof to Job. Within the larger portion running from chapter 20 to chapter 37 it is grouped with chapters 32 and 33. It comes after the colloquies between Job and his three friends on the cause and object of human suffering in chapters 3-31 close in chapter 31. It is distinct from the narrative of uprightness, trial and patience in chapters 1-2, from the address of God with Job's confession and penitence, and from the close of the narrative in chapter 42:7-17. Elihu enters as a younger man claiming superior wisdom to correct Job. He follows the same line as the other friends, seeking to convince Job that Job himself is not very great while God is everything, and Job makes no answer to this plea.
The saying compares the ear's testing of words with the mouth's tasting of food. Just as the mouth tests what it eats, the ear tests what it hears. Words can be heard and evaluated for their quality, exactly as food is tasted. The comparison means words are to be carefully examined as food is tasted. The book of Job itself should therefore be read through as a whole to grasp its connection and force.