13:3 But I wish to speak 1 to the Almighty, 2
and I desire to argue 3 my case 4 with God.
41:21 “Present your argument,” says the Lord.
“Produce your evidence,” 5 says Jacob’s king. 6
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).
5 tn Heb “strong [words],” see HALOT 870 s.v. *עֲצֻמוֹת.
6 sn Apparently this challenge is addressed to the pagan idol gods, see vv. 23-24.