What Does Job 36:21 Mean in the King James?
Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The hidden hinge is direction: before iniquity becomes action, “regard not” tells you not to turn toward it.
THE MEANING
This warning meets you where affliction makes a harmful path seem preferable. It says that turning toward iniquity is a choice, even under pressure. The command to take heed comes before that turn hardens into a chosen course.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Affliction leaves me no choice in what I turn toward.
THE ROOT
תֵּפֶן
tefen
GROWS FROM
פנה
panah
to turn or face toward
English “regard” can sound like a judgment held in the mind, but תֵּפֶן names a turning toward. The verse locates the danger in the direction attention faces.
ALSO GROWS
panim: face or presence
פָּנִים
The face turns toward what it attends to, making the verb’s sense of regard a direction.
pinnah: corner
פִּנָּה
A corner is where a direction turns; this branch carries the root’s sense of turning into space.
הִשָּׁמֶר
hishamer
GROWS FROM
שמר
shamar
to guard, keep, or watch over
“take heed” in this verse is hishamer. The opening command is active keeping, not a passing glance. This root names both the watchman and what is entrusted to a watch, placing attention at the threshold before the turn.
ALSO GROWS
shomer: keeper or watchman
שֹׁמֵר
The watchman stays alert to what approaches, echoing the verse’s call to watch before turning.
mishmeret: guard duty, charge, or watch
מִשְׁמֶרֶת
A charge is something kept under watch; heed here carries that sustained care.
THE PATTERN
The direction of attention shapes the path a person chooses, especially under pressure.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.THE THREAD
That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.The same Hebrew word אָוֶן (ʾāwen, wrongdoing or trouble) appears here for “iniquity.” Job 34:32 gives that word a stark counterpart: wrongdoing can be named, then stopped.
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