Ayub 9:35

9:35 Then ¹  would I speak and not fear him,

but it is not so with me. ² 

Ayub 32:20

32:20 I will speak, ³  so that I may find relief;

I will open my lips, so that I may answer.

Ayub 37:20

37:20 Should he be informed that I want ⁴  to speak?

If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!

[9:35]  ¹ tn There is no conjunction with this cohortative; but the implication from the context is that if God’s rod were withdrawn, if the terror were removed, then Job would speak up without fear.

[9:35]  ² tn The last half of the verse is rather cryptic: “but not so I with me.” NIV renders it “but as it now stands with me, I cannot.” This is very smooth and interpretive. Others transpose the two halves of the verse to read, “Since it is not so, I with myself // will commune and not fear him.” Job would be saying that since he cannot contend with God on equal terms, and since there is no arbiter, he will come on his own terms. English versions have handled this differently: “for I know I am not what I am thought to be” (NEB); “since this is not the case with me” (NAB); “I do not see myself like that at all” (JB).

[32:20]  ³ tn The cohortative expresses Elihu’s resolve to speak.

[37:20]  ⁴ tn This imperfect works well as a desiderative imperfect.