Job 34:32
That which I see not, teach thou me; If I haue done iniquitie, I will doe no more. Job 34:32 (KJV)
The verse is part of the larger dialogue between Job and his friends, a conversation in which the participants strive to understand suffering and the ways of God. Within this exchange the statement is voiced, expressing a deep desire for divine instruction and a willingness to cease any wrongdoing. The speaker, whether Elihu or Job, acknowledges that there may be matters beyond his perception and therefore asks God to teach him what he does not see.
A central theme of the passage is humility. The speaker admits the possibility of having committed iniquity and openly declares, “if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.” This admission reflects a posture of self‑examination, inviting the listener to consider personal faults and to seek correction. The request for God’s teaching underscores the belief that true wisdom and moral direction come from the Almighty alone.
The verse also functions as a rebuke against arrogance. By urging the other party to recognize any hidden sin, the speaker calls for accountability and a corrective response. The emphasis on repentance is clear: the promise to cease further wrongdoing follows the acknowledgment of past error.
It is worth noting, as one draft points out, that the wording of this sentence does not appear in the King James Version of Job 34:32, which reads, “For God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent.” The quoted sentence is therefore a mis‑attribution, yet it is frequently cited in study materials to illustrate the themes of humility, self‑examination, and the desire for divine instruction that run throughout the book of Job.
Overall, the passage—whether spoken by Elihu or by Job—highlights the importance of humility before God, the need for honest self‑assessment, and the commitment to turn away from sin once it has been revealed.
