¹ tn Or “decree.”

² sn This decree was a formal decree from the Roman Senate.

¹ tn Heb “Woe [to] those who decree evil decrees.”

¹ tn Or “is issuing the decree.”

¹ tn Aram “from me was placed a decree.”

² tn Or “statutes” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV); NIV “decrees”; NLT “laws.”

¹ tn Or “decree” (NASB, NIV); or “word” (NAB, NRSV).

¹ tn Aram “establish a written interdict and inscribe a written decree.”

¹ tn Aram “from me there was placed a decree.”

¹ tn Heb “when he set his decree on the sea.”

¹ tn Heb “gives a word.” Perhaps this refers to a divine royal decree or battle cry.

² tn Heb “let it be written” (so KJV, ASV); NASB “let it be decreed.”

³ tn Or “decreed” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV); TEV “and about his proclamation against her.”

¹ tn Heb “from me is placed a decree.” So also in v. 21.

³ tn Heb “commanded” or “decreed.” If a reference to prophetic oracles is understood, then “decreed” is preferable. If understood as a reference to the warnings in the covenant, then “threatened” is a preferable rendering.

² tn Or “I will relate the decree. The Lord said to me” (in accordance with the Masoretic accentuation).

⁴ tn The word חֹק (khoq) has the meanings of “decree, decision, and limit” (cf. Job 28:26; 38:10).

³ sn The “rod” is a symbol of the power of God to decree whatever judgments and afflictions fall upon people.

² tn Heb “the oracle of the Lord.” The phrase refers to a formal oracle or decree from the Lord.

¹ tn The text has “my decree,” which means “the decree [plan] for/against me.” The suffix is objective, equivalent to a dative of disadvantage. The Syriac and the Vulgate actually have “his decree.” R. Gordis (Job, 262) suggests taking it in the same sense as in Job 14:5: “my limit.”.