Ayub 11:4

11:4 For you have said, ‘My teaching ¹  is flawless,

and I am pure in your sight.’

Ayub 13:5

13:5 If only you would keep completely silent! ² 

For you, that would be wisdom. ³ 

Ayub 15:35

15:35 They conceive ⁴  trouble and bring forth evil;

their belly ⁵  prepares deception.”

Ayub 25:6

25:6 how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot ⁶  –

a son of man, who is only a worm!”

Ayub 29:19

29:19 My roots reach the water,

and the dew lies on my branches all night long.

Ayub 39:23

39:23 On it the quiver rattles;

the lance and javelin ⁷  flash.

[11:4]  ¹ tn The word translated “teaching” is related etymologically to the Hebrew word “receive,” but that does not restrict the teaching to what is received.

[13:5]  ² tn The construction is the imperfect verb in the wish formula preceded by the infinitive that intensifies it. The Hiphil is not directly causative here, but internally – “keep silent.”

[13:5]  ³ tn The text literally reads, “and it would be for you for wisdom,” or “that it would become your wisdom.” Job is rather sarcastic here, indicating if they shut up they would prove themselves to be wise (see Prov 17:28).

[15:35]  ⁴ tn Infinitives absolute are used in this verse in the place of finite verbs. They lend a greater vividness to the description, stressing the basic meaning of the words.

[15:35]  ⁵ tn At the start of the speech Eliphaz said Job’s belly was filled with the wind; now it is there that he prepares deception. This inclusio frames the speech.

[25:6]  ⁶ tn The text just has “maggot” and in the second half “worm.” Something has to be added to make it a bit clearer. The terms “maggot” and “worm” describe man in his lowest and most ignominious shape.

[39:23]  ⁷ tn This may be the scimitar (see G. Molin, “What is a kidon?” JSS 1 [1956]: 334-37).