18:19 He has neither children nor descendants 1 among his people,
no survivor in those places he once stayed. 2
32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone, 3
nor will I confer a title 4 on any man.
1 tn The two words נִין (nin, “offspring”) and נֶכֶד (nekhed, “posterity”) are always together and form an alliteration. This is hard to capture in English, but some have tried: Moffatt had “son and scion,” and Tur-Sinai had “breed or brood.” But the words are best simply translated as “lineage and posterity” or as in the NIV “offspring or descendants.”
2 tn Heb “in his sojournings.” The verb גּוּר (gur) means “to reside; to sojourn” temporarily, without land rights. Even this word has been selected to stress the temporary nature of his stay on earth.
3 tn The idiom is “I will not lift up the face of a man.” Elihu is going to show no favoritism, but speak his mind.
4 tn The verb means “to confer an honorary title; to give a mark of distinction,” but it is often translated with the verb “flatter.” Elihu will not take sides, he will not use pompous titles.