33:2 See now, I have opened 1 my mouth;
my tongue in my mouth has spoken. 2
5:16 Thus the poor have hope,
and iniquity 3 shuts its mouth. 4
34:3 For the ear assesses 5 words
as the mouth 6 tastes food.
1 tn The perfect verbs in this verse should be classified as perfects of resolve: “I have decided to open…speak.”
2 sn H. H. Rowley (Job [NCBC], 210) says, “The self-importance of Elihu is boundless, and he is the master of banality.” He adds that whoever wrote these speeches this way clearly intended to expose the character rather than exalt him.
3 tn Other translations render this “injustice” (NIV, NRSV, CEV) or “unrighteousness” (NASB).
4 tn The verse summarizes the result of God’s intervention in human affairs, according to Eliphaz’ idea that even-handed justice prevails. Ps 107:42 parallels v. 16b.
5 tn Or “examines; tests; tries; discerns.”
6 tn Or “palate”; the Hebrew term refers to the tongue or to the mouth in general.