Job 32:4-6
New English Translation
4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking[a] to Job, because the others[b] were older than he was. 5 But when Elihu saw[c] that the three men had no further reply,[d] he became very angry.
Elihu Claims Wisdom
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up:[e]
“I am young,[f] but you are elderly;
that is why I was fearful,[g]
and afraid to explain[h] to you what I know.
Footnotes
- Job 32:4 tc This reading requires repointing the word בִּדְבָרִים (bidevarim, “with words”) to בְּדַבְּרָם (bedabberam, “while they spoke [with Job]”). If the MT is retained, it would mean “he waited for Job with words,” which while understandable is awkward.
- Job 32:4 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the other friends) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Job 32:5 tn The first clause beginning with a vav (ו) consecutive and the preterite can be subordinated to the next similar verb as a temporal clause.
- Job 32:5 tn Heb “that there was no reply in the mouth of the three men.”
- Job 32:6 tn Heb “answered and said.”
- Job 32:6 tn The text has “small in days.”
- Job 32:6 tn The verb זָחַלְתִּי (zakhalti) is found only here in the OT, but it is found in a ninth century Aramaic inscription as well as in Biblical Aramaic. It has the meaning “to be timid” (see H. H. Rowley, Job [NCBC], 208).
- Job 32:6 tn The Piel infinitive with the preposition (מֵחַוֹּת, mekhavvot) means “from explaining.” The phrase is the complement: “explain” what Elihu feared.
Job 32:4-6
New King James Version
4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited [a]to speak to Job. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am (A)young in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.
Footnotes
- Job 32:4 Vg. till Job had spoken
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.