Ayub 32:4-6
Konteks32:4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking 1 to Job, because the others 2 were older than he was. 32:5 But when Elihu saw 3 that the three men had no further reply, 4 he became very angry.
32:6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: 5
“I am young, 6 but you are elderly;
that is why I was fearful, 7
and afraid to explain 8 to you what I know.
[32:4] 1 tc This reading requires repointing the word בִּדְבָרִים (bidbarim, “with words”) to בְּדָבְּרָם (bÿdabbÿram, “while they spoke [with Job]”). If the MT is retained, it would mean “he waited for Job with words,” which while understandable is awkward.
[32:4] 2 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the other friends) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[32:5] 3 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.
[32:5] 4 tn Heb “that there was no reply in the mouth of the three men.”
[32:6] 5 tn Heb “answered and said.”
[32:6] 6 tn The text has “small in days.”
[32:6] 7 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).
[32:6] 8 tn The Piel infinitive with the preposition (מֵחַוֹּת, mekhavvot) means “from explaining.” The phrase is the complement: “explain” what Elihu feared.
