21:13 They live out 1 their years in prosperity
and go down 2 to the grave 3 in peace.
32:7 I said to myself, ‘Age 4 should speak, 5
and length of years 6 should make wisdom known.’
36:26 “Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge! 7
The number of his years is unsearchable.
1 tc The Kethib has “they wear out” but the Qere and the versions have יְכַלּוּ (yÿkhallu, “bring to an end”). The verb כָּלָה (kalah) means “to finish; to complete,” and here with the object “their days,” it means that they bring their life to a (successful) conclusion. Both readings are acceptable in the context, with very little difference in the overall meaning (which according to Gordis is proof the Qere does not always correct the Kethib).
2 tc The MT has יֵחָתּוּ (yekhattu, “they are frightened [or broken]”), taking the verb from חָתַת (khatat, “be terrified”). But most would slightly repoint it to יֵחָתוּ (yekhatu), an Aramaism, “they go down,” from נָחַת (nakhat, “go down”). See Job 17:16.
3 tn The word רֶגַע (rega’) has been interpreted as “in a moment” or “in peace” (on the basis of Arabic raja`a, “return to rest”). Gordis thinks this is a case of talhin – both meanings present in the mind of the writer.
4 tn Heb “days.”
5 tn The imperfect here is to be classified as an obligatory imperfect.
6 tn Heb “abundance of years.”
7 tn The last part has the verbal construction, “and we do not know.” This clause is to be used adverbially: “beyond our understanding.”