Ayub 16:13

16:13 his archers ¹  surround me.

Without pity ²  he pierces ³  my kidneys

and pours out my gall ⁴  on the ground.

Ayub 19:10

19:10 He tears me down ⁵  on every side until I perish; ⁶ 

he uproots ⁷  my hope ⁸  like one uproots ⁹  a tree.

Ayub 37:24

37:24 Therefore people fear him,

for he does not regard all the wise in heart.” ¹⁰ 

[16:13]  ¹ tn The meaning of “his archers” is supported for רַבָּיו (rabbayv) in view of Jer 50:29. The LXX, Syriac, Vulgate, Targum Job, followed by several translations and commentators prefer “arrows.” They see this as a more appropriate figure without raising the question of who the archers might be (see 6:4). The point is an unnecessary distinction, for the figure is an illustration of the affliction that God has brought on him.

[16:13]  ² tn Heb “and he does not pity,” but the clause is functioning adverbially in the line.

[16:13]  ³ tn The verb פָּלַח (palakh) in the Piel means “to pierce” (see Prov 7:23). A fuller comparison should be made with Lam 3:12-13.

[16:13]  ⁴ tn This word מְרֵרָתִי (mÿrerati, “my gall”) is found only here. It is close to the form in Job 13:26, “bitter things.” In Job 20:14 it may mean “poison.” The thought is also found in Lam 2:11.

[19:10]  ⁵ tn The metaphors are changed now to a demolished building and an uprooted tree. The verb is נָתַץ (natats, “to demolish”). Since it is Job himself who is the object, the meaning cannot be “demolish” (as of a house so that an inhabitant has to leave), but more of the attack or the battering.

[19:10]  ⁶ tn The text has הָלַךְ (halakh, “to leave”). But in view of Job 14:20, “perish” or “depart” would be a better meaning here.

[19:10]  ⁷ tn The verb נָסַע (nasa’) means “to travel” generally, but specifically it means “to pull up the tent pegs and move.” The Hiphil here means “uproot.” It is used of a vine in Ps 80:9. The idea here does not contradict Job 14:7, for there the tree still had roots and so could grow.

[19:10]  ⁸ tn The NEB has “my tent rope,” but that seems too contrived here. It is absurd to pull up a tent-rope like a tree.

[19:10]  ⁹ tn Heb “like a tree.” The words “one uproots” are supplied in the translation for clarity.

[37:24]  ¹⁰ sn The phrase “wise of heart” was used in Job 9:4 in a negative sense.