Text -- Job 13:3 (NET)

13:3 But I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Job 13:3

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).