Ayub 42:3-4

42:3 you asked, ¹ 

‘Who is this who darkens counsel

without knowledge?’

But ²  I have declared without understanding ³ 

things too wonderful for me to know. ⁴ 

42:4 You said, ⁵ 

‘Pay attention, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you will answer me.’

[42:3]  ¹ tn The expression “you asked” is added here to clarify the presence of the line to follow. Many commentators delete it as a gloss from Job 38:2. If it is retained, then Job has to be recalling God’s question before he answers it.

[42:3]  ² tn The word לָכֵן (lakhen) is simply “but,” as in Job 31:37.

[42:3]  ³ tn Heb “and I do not understand.” The expression serves here in an adverbial capacity. It also could be subordinated as a complement: “I have declared [things that] I do not understand.”

[42:3]  ⁴ tn The last clause is “and I do not know.” This is also subordinated to become a dependent clause.

[42:4]  ⁵ tn This phrase, “you said,” is supplied in the translation to introduce the recollection of God’s words.