Job 36:1-4
New English Translation
Elihu’s Fourth Speech[a]
36 Elihu said further:[b]
2 “Be patient[c] with me a little longer
and I will instruct you,
for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.[d]
3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively,[e]
and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.[f]
4 For in truth, my words are not false;
it is one complete[g] in knowledge
who is with you.
Footnotes
- Job 36:1 sn This very lengthy speech can be broken down into the following sections: the discipline of suffering (36:2-25), the work and wisdom of God (36:26-37:24).
- Job 36:1 tn The use of וַיֹּסֶף (vayyosef) is with the hendiadys construction: “and he added and said,” meaning “and he said again, further.”
- Job 36:2 tn The verb כָּתַּר (kattar) is the Piel imperative; in Hebrew the word means “to surround” and is related to the noun for crown. But in Syriac it means “to wait.” This section of the book of Job will have a few Aramaic words.
- Job 36:2 tn The Hebrew text simply has “for yet for God words.”
- Job 36:3 tn Heb “I will carry my knowledge to-from afar.” The expression means that he will give a wide range to knowledge, that he will speak comprehensively.
- Job 36:3 tn This line gives the essence of all of Elihu’s speech—to give or ascribe righteousness to God against the charges of Job. Dhorme translates this “I will justify my Maker,” and that is workable if it carries the meaning of “declaring to be right.”
- Job 36:4 tn The word is תְּמִים (temim), often translated “perfect.” It is the same word used of Job in 2:3. Elihu is either a complete stranger to modesty or is confident regarding the knowledge that he believes God has revealed to him for this situation. See the note on the heading before 32:1.
Job 36:1-4
New Living Translation
36 Elihu continued speaking:
2 “Let me go on, and I will show you the truth.
For I have not finished defending God!
3 I will present profound arguments
for the righteousness of my Creator.
4 I am telling you nothing but the truth,
for I am a man of great knowledge.
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