42:3 you asked, 1
‘Who is this who darkens counsel
without knowledge?’
But 2 I have declared without understanding 3
things too wonderful for me to know. 4
139:6 Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension;
it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. 5
1 tn The expression “you asked” is added here to clarify the presence of the line to follow. Many commentators delete it as a gloss from Job 38:2. If it is retained, then Job has to be recalling God’s question before he answers it.
2 tn The word לָכֵן (lakhen) is simply “but,” as in Job 31:37.
3 tn Heb “and I do not understand.” The expression serves here in an adverbial capacity. It also could be subordinated as a complement: “I have declared [things that] I do not understand.”
4 tn The last clause is “and I do not know.” This is also subordinated to become a dependent clause.
5 tn Heb “too amazing [is this] knowledge for me, it is elevated, I cannot attain to it.”