For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
Parallel translations
- WEB For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
- BSB For truly my words are free of falsehood; one perfect in knowledge is with you.
- 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 shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
- Job 37:16Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
- 1 Cor 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
- Ps 49:3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
- 2 Tim 3:16–17All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Job 21:34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
- Job 33:3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
- Prov 22:20–21Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
- Col 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
- Acts 24:22And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
- Job 22:6–30For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
- 2 Cor 2:17For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
- Luke 1:3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
- Job 13:4But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
- Job 21:27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
- Job 13:7Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk 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.