Ayub 16:2

16:2 “I have heard many things like these before.

What miserable comforters ¹  are you all!

Ayub 33:14

Elihu Disagrees With Job’s View of God

33:14 “For God speaks, the first time in one way,

the second time in another,

though a person does not perceive ²  it.

Ayub 36:4

36:4 For in truth, my words are not false;

it is one complete ³  in knowledge

who is with you.

Ayub 38:26

38:26 to cause it to rain on an uninhabited land, ⁴ 

a desert where there are no human beings, ⁵ 

Ayub 41:23

41:23 The folds ⁶  of its flesh are tightly joined;

they are firm on it, immovable. ⁷ 

[16:2]  ¹ tn The expression uses the Piel participle in construct: מְנַחֲמֵי עָמָל (mÿnahame ’amal, “comforters of trouble”), i.e., comforters who increase trouble instead of relieving it. D. W. Thomas translates this “breathers out of trouble” (“A Note on the Hebrew Root naham,” ExpTim 44 [1932/33]: 192).

[33:14]  ² tn The Syriac and the Vulgate have “and he does not repeat it,” a reading of the text as it is, according to E. Dhorme (Job, 403). But his argument is based on another root with this meaning – a root which does not exist (see L. Dennefeld, RB 48 [1939]: 175). The verse is saying that God does speak to man.

[36:4]  ³ tn The word is תְּמִים (tÿmim), often translated “perfect.” It is the same word used of Job in 2:3. Elihu is either a complete stranger to modesty or is confident regarding the knowledge that he believes God has revealed to him for this situation. See the note on the heading before 32:1.

[38:26]  ⁴ tn Heb “on a land, no man.”

[38:26]  ⁵ tn Heb “a desert, no man in it.”

[41:23]  ⁶ tn Heb “fallings.”

[41:23]  ⁷ tn The last clause says “it cannot be moved.” But this part will function adverbially in the sentence.