Ayub 30:13

30:13 They destroy ¹  my path;

they succeed in destroying me ² 

without anyone assisting ³  them.

Ayub 34:9

34:9 For he says, ‘It does not profit a man

when he makes his delight with God.’ ⁴ 

[30:13]  ¹ tn This verb נָתְסוּ (natÿsu) is found nowhere else. It is probably a variant of the verb in Job 19:10. R. Gordis (Job, 333-34) notes the Arabic noun natsun (“thorns”), suggesting a denominative idea “they have placed thorns in my path.” Most take it to mean they ruin the way of escape.

[30:13]  ² tc The MT has “they further my misfortune.” The line is difficult, with slight textual problems. The verb יֹעִילוּ (yo’ilu) means “to profit,” and so “to succeed” or “to set forward.” Good sense can be made from the MT as it stands, and many suggested changes are suspect.

[30:13]  ³ tn The sense of “restraining” for “helping” was proposed by Dillmann and supported by G. R. Driver (see AJSL 52 [1935/36]: 163).

[34:9]  ⁴ tn Gordis, however, takes this expression in the sense of “being in favor with God.”