Job 23:9

23:9 In the north when he is at work,

I do not see him;

when he turns to the south,

I see no trace of him.

Ecclesiastes 8:6-7

8:6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,

for the oppression of the king is severe upon his victim.

8:7 Surely no one knows the future,

and no one can tell another person what will happen.

Isaiah 45:15

45:15 Yes, you are a God who keeps hidden,

O God of Israel, deliverer!

Romans 11:33

11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!


sn The text has “the left hand,” the Semitic idiom for directions. One faces the rising sun, and so left is north, right is south.

tc The form בַּעֲשֹׂתוֹ (baasoto) would be the temporal clause using the infinitive construct with a pronoun (subject genitive). This would be “when he works.” Several follow the Syriac with “I seek him.” The LXX has “[when] he turns.” R. Gordis (Job, 261) notes that there is no need to emend the text; he shows a link to the Arabic cognate ghasa, “to cover.” To him this is a perfect parallel to יַעְטֹף (yatof, “covers himself”).

tn The verb is the apocopated form of the imperfect. The object is supplied.

tn The MT has “he turns,” but the Syriac and Vulgate have “I turn.”

tn Heb “evil”; or “misery.”

tn Heb “the man.”

tn Heb “upon him.”

tn Heb “what will be.”

tn Heb “Who can tell him what will be?”