Job 34:34-37
New English Translation
34 Men of understanding say to me—
any wise man listening to me says—
35 that[a] Job speaks without knowledge
and his words are without understanding.[b]
36 But[c] Job will be tested to the end,
because his answers are like those of wicked men.
37 For he adds transgression[d] to his sin;
in our midst he claps his hands,[e]
and multiplies his words against God.”
Footnotes
- Job 34:35 tn Adding “that” in the translation clarifies Elihu’s indirect citation of the wise individuals’ words.
- Job 34:35 tn The Hiphil infinitive construct is here functioning as a substantive. The word means “prudence; understanding.”
- Job 34:36 tc The MT reads אָבִי (ʾavi, “my father”), which makes no sense. Some follow the KJV and emend the word to make a verb “I desire” or use the noun “my desire of it.” Others follow an Arabic word meaning “entreat, I pray” (cf. ESV, “Would that Job were tried”). The LXX and the Syriac versions have “but” and “surely” respectively. Since this is the only ms support, albeit weak, it may be the best choice. In this sense Elihu would be saying that because of Job’s attitude God will continue to test him.
- Job 34:37 tn Although frequently translated “rebellion,” the basic meaning of this Hebrew term is “transgression.”
- Job 34:37 tc If this reading stands, it would mean that Job shows contempt, meaning that he mocks them and accuses God. It is a bold touch, but workable. Of the many suggested emendations, Dhorme alters some of the vowels and obtains a reading “and casts doubt among us,” and then takes “transgression” from the first colon for the complement. Some commentators simply delete the line.
Job 34:34-37
Lexham English Bible
34 Those who have sense[a] say to me,
and the wise man hearing me says:
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge,
and his words are without insight.
36 Would that Job were tested up to the end
because his answers are like those from men of mischief,
37 for he adds transgression to his sin;
he claps hands among us,
and he multiplies his words against God.’”
Footnotes
- Job 34:34 Literally “Men of heart”
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