Job 16:4

I also could speak ¹  like you, if ²  you were in my place; I could pile up ³  words against you and I could shake my head at you. ⁴ 

2Ki 19:21; Job 6:2-5,14; Job 11:2; Job 35:16; Ps 22:7; Ps 44:14; Ps 109:25; Pr 10:19; Ec 10:14; Jer 18:16; La 2:15; Mt 7:12; Mt 27:39,40; Ro 12:15; 1Co 12:26

¹ tn For the use of the cohortative in the apodosis of conditional sentences, see GKC 322 §109.f.

² tn The conjunction לוּ (lu) is used to introduce the optative, a condition that is incapable of fulfillment (see GKC 494-95 §159.l).

³ tn This verb אַחְבִּירָה (’akhbirah) is usually connected to חָבַר (khavar, “to bind”). There are several suggestions for this word. J. J. Finkelstein proposed a second root, a homonym, meaning “to make a sound,” and so here “to harangue” (“Hebrew habar and Semitic HBR,” JBL 75 [1956]: 328-31; see also O. Loretz, “HBR in Job 16:4,” CBQ 23 [1961]: 293-94, who renders it “I could make noisy speeches”). Other suggestions have been for new meanings based on cognate studies, such as “to make beautiful” (i.e., make polished speeches).

⁴ sn The action is a sign of mockery (see Ps 22:7[8]; Isa 37:22; Matt 27:39).