Job 31:23

For the calamity from God was a terror to me, ¹  and by reason of his majesty ²  I was powerless.

Ge 39:9; Job 13:11; Job 20:23; Job 21:20; Job 40:9; Job 42:5,6; Ps 76:7; Ps 119:120; Isa 13:6; Joe 1:15; 2Co 5:11

¹ tc The LXX has “For the terror of God restrained me.” Several commentators changed it to “came upon me.” Driver had “The fear of God was burdensome.” I. Eitan suggested “The terror of God was mighty upon me” (“Two unknown verbs: etymological studies,” JBL 42 [1923]: 22-28). But the MT makes clear sense as it stands.

² tn The form is וּמִשְּׂאֵתוֹ (umissÿ’eto); the preposition is causal. The form, from the verb נָשָׂא (nasa’, “to raise; to lift high”), refers to God’s exalted person, his majesty (see Job 13:11).