For truly my words are free of falsehood; one perfect in knowledge is with you.
Parallel translations
- WEB For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
- KJV For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
- NKJV For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
- NASB “For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
- NLT I am telling you nothing but the truth, for I am a man of great knowledge.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Elihu insists his words are not false and that one perfect in knowledge is present. His confidence borders on overstatement.
Overview
Elihu asserts the truthfulness of his words, claiming to speak with sound and complete knowledge. While he speaks much truth about God, his self-assurance reveals the limits of human wisdom, for only God is perfect in knowledge (Job 37:16 uses similar language of God). The verse cautions against overconfidence and points us to the One who is true wisdom incarnate, Jesus Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Prov 8:7–8For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
- Job 37:16Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
- 1 Cor 14:20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- Ps 49:3My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
- 2 Tim 3:16–17All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
- Job 21:34So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.”
- Job 33:3My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.
- Prov 22:20–21Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
- Col 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
- Acts 24:22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
- Job 22:6–30For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing.
- 2 Cor 2:17For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
- Luke 1:3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
- Job 13:4You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
- Job 21:27Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
- Job 13:7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 36:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.