Job 31:36

31:36 Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder,

I would bind it on me like a crown;

Job 39:10

39:10 Can you bind the wild ox to a furrow with its rope,

will it till the valleys, following after you?


tn The clause begins with the positive oath formula, אִם־לֹא (’im-lo’).

tn The word “proudly” is not in the Hebrew text, but is implied (note the following line).

tn This verb is only found in Prov 6:21. But E. Dhorme (Job, 470) suggests that (with metathesis) we have a derivative מַעֲדַנּוֹת (maadannot, “bonds; ties”) in 38:31.

tn Some commentators think that the addition of the “wild ox” here is a copyist’s error, making the stich too long. They therefore delete it. Also, binding an animal to the furrow with ropes is unusual. So with a slight emendation Kissane came up with “Will you bind him with a halter of cord?” While the MT is unusual, the sense is understandable, and no changes, even slight ones, are absolutely necessary.