10:3 Is it good for you 1 to oppress, 2
to 3 despise the work of your hands,
while 4 you smile 5
on the schemes of the wicked?
34:5 For Job says, ‘I am innocent, 6
but God turns away my right.
40:27 Why do you say, Jacob,
Why do you say, Israel,
“The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, 7
My God is not concerned with my vindication”? 8
1 tn Or “Does it give you pleasure?” The expression could also mean, “Is it profitable for you?” or “Is it fitting for you?”
2 tn The construction uses כִּי (ki) with the imperfect verb – “that you oppress.” Technically, this clause serves as the subject, and “good” is the predicate adjective. In such cases one often uses an English infinitive to capture the point: “Is it good for you to oppress?” The LXX changes the meaning considerably: “Is it good for you if I am unrighteous, for you have disowned the work of your hands.”
3 tn Heb “that you despise.”
4 tn Now, in the second half of the verse, there is a change in the structure. The conjunction on the preposition followed by the perfect verb represents a circumstantial clause.
5 tn The Hiphil of the verb יָפַע (yafa’) means “shine.” In this context the expression “you shine upon” would mean “have a glowing expression,” be radiant, or smile.
6 tn Heb “righteous,” but in this context it means to be innocent or in the right.
7 tn Heb “my way is hidden from the Lord” (so NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
8 tn Heb “and from my God my justice passes away”; NRSV “my right is disregarded by my God.”