40:4 “Indeed, I am completely unworthy 1 – how could I reply to you?
I put 2 my hand over my mouth to silence myself. 3
40:5 I have spoken once, but I cannot answer;
twice, but I will say no more.” 4
40:6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
40:7 “Get ready for a difficult task 6 like a man.
I will question you and you will inform me!
40:8 Would you indeed annul 7 my justice?
Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right?
1 tn The word קַלֹּתִי (qalloti) means “to be light; to be of small account; to be unimportant.” From this comes the meaning “contemptible,” which in the causative stem would mean “to treat with contempt; to curse.” Dhorme tries to make the sentence a conditional clause and suggests this meaning: “If I have been thoughtless.” There is really no “if” in Job’s mind.
2 tn The perfect verb here should be classified as an instantaneous perfect; the action is simultaneous with the words.
3 tn The words “to silence myself” are supplied in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Heb “I will not add.”
5 sn The speech can be divided into three parts: the invitation to Job to assume the throne and rule the world (40:7-14), the description of Behemoth (40:15-24), and the description of Leviathan (41:1-34).
6 tn See note on “task” in 38:3.
7 tn The verb פָּרַר (parar) means “to annul; to break; to frustrate.” It was one thing for Job to claim his own integrity, but it was another matter altogether to nullify God’s righteousness in the process.