KJV ORIGINAL
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Wisdom comes with old age, and understanding grows through many years of life.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Job is saying that elderly people have wisdom and understanding because they've lived long and experienced much.
📚 Historical Context
Job is responding to his three friends who have been lecturing him about God and suffering, despite being younger and less experienced than he is. In ancient Near Eastern culture, age was deeply respected as a source of wisdom, and elders were considered the keepers of knowledge and understanding. Job is pointing out the irony that his younger friends are trying to teach him, when traditionally wisdom was expected to come from those with more life experience.
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