23:4 I would lay out my case 1 before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
32:14 Job 2 has not directed 3 his words to me,
and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. 4
33:5 Reply to me, if you can;
set your arguments 5 in order before me
and take your stand!
1 tn The word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) is normally “judgment; decision.” But in these contexts it refers to the legal case that Job will bring before God. With the verb עָרַךְ (’arakh, “to set in order; to lay out”) the whole image of drawing up a lawsuit is complete.
2 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Job) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn The verb עַרַךְ (’arakh) means “to arrange in order; to set forth; to direct; to marshal.” It is used in military contexts for setting the battle array; it is used in legal settings for preparing the briefs.
4 tn Heb “your words.”
5 tn The Hebrew text does not contain the term “arguments,” but this verb has been used already for preparing or arranging a defense.