Job 34:16-18

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Job 34:16 tn The phrase “you have” is not in the Hebrew text, but is implied.
2. Job 34:16 tn Heb “the sound of my words.”
3. Job 34:17 tn The force of הַאַף (haʾaf) is “Is it truly the case?” The point is being made that if Job were right God could not be judging the world.
4. Job 34:17 tn The verb חָבַשׁ (khavash) has the basic idea of “to bind,” as in binding on the yoke, and then in the sense of subduing people under authority (cf. Assyrian absanu). The imperfect verb here is best expressed with the potential nuance.
5. Job 34:17 tn The two words could be taken separately, but they seem to form a fine nominal hendiadys, because the issue is God’s justice. So the word for power becomes the modifier.
6. Job 34:18 tc Heb “Does one say,” although some smooth it out to say “Is it fit to say?” For the reading “who says,” the form has to be repointed to הַאֹמֵר (haʾomer) meaning, “who is the one saying.” This reading is supported by the LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac. Also it seems to flow better with the following verse. It would be saying that God is over the rulers and can rebuke them. The former view is saying that no one rebukes kings, much less Job rebuking God.
7. Job 34:18 tn The word בְּלִיָּעַל (b^eliyyaʿal) means both “worthless” and “wicked.” It is common in proverbial literature, and in later writings it became a description of Satan. It is usually found with “son of.”