Job 13:3

But I wish to speak ¹  to the Almighty, ²  and I desire to argue ³  my case ⁴  with God.

Job 9:3,14,15; Job 9:34,35; Job 11:5; Job 13:22; Job 23:3-7; Job 31:35; Isa 1:18-20; Isa 41:21; Jer 12:1,2; Mic 6:2

¹ tn The verb is simply the Piel imperfect אֲדַבֵּר (’adabber, “I speak”). It should be classified as a desiderative imperfect, saying, “I desire to speak.” This is reinforced with the verb “to wish, desire” in the second half of the verse.

² tn The Hebrew title for God here is אֶל־שַׁדַּי (’el shadday, “El Shaddai”).

³ tn The infinitive absolute functions here as the direct object of the verb “desire” (see GKC 340 §113.b).

⁴ tn The infinitive הוֹכֵחַ (hokheakh) is from the verb יָכַח (yakhakh), which means “to argue, plead, debate.” It has the legal sense here of arguing a case (cf. 5:17).