Job 40:4-5

40:4 “Indeed, I am completely unworthy ¹  – how could I reply to you?

I put ²  my hand over my mouth to silence myself. ³ 

40:5 I have spoken once, but I cannot answer;

twice, but I will say no more.” ⁴ 

[40:4]  ¹ tn The word קַלֹּתִי (qalloti) means “to be light; to be of small account; to be unimportant.” From this comes the meaning “contemptible,” which in the causative stem would mean “to treat with contempt; to curse.” Dhorme tries to make the sentence a conditional clause and suggests this meaning: “If I have been thoughtless.” There is really no “if” in Job’s mind.

[40:4]  ² tn The perfect verb here should be classified as an instantaneous perfect; the action is simultaneous with the words.

[40:4]  ³ tn The words “to silence myself” are supplied in the translation for clarity.

[40:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “I will not add.”