32:20 I will speak, 1 so that I may find relief;
I will open my lips, so that I may answer.
32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone, 2
nor will I confer a title 3 on any man.
32:22 for I do not know how to give honorary titles, 4
if I did, 5 my Creator would quickly do away with me. 6
1 tn The cohortative expresses Elihu’s resolve to speak.
2 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.
3 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.
4 tn The construction uses a perfect verb followed by the imperfect. This is a form of subordination equivalent to a complementary infinitive (see GKC 385-86 §120.c).
5 tn The words “if I did” are supplied in the translation to make sense out of the two clauses.
6 tn Heb “quickly carry me away.”