34:10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. 1
Far be it from 2 God to do wickedness,
from the Almighty to do evil.
34:37 For he adds transgression 3 to his sin;
in our midst he claps his hands, 4
and multiplies his words against God.”
1 tn Heb “men of heart.” The “heart” is used for the capacity to understand and make the proper choice. It is often translated “mind.”
2 tn For this construction, see Job 27:5.
3 tn Although frequently translated “rebellion,” the basic meaning of this Hebrew term is “transgression.”
4 tc If this reading stands, it would mean that Job shows contempt, meaning that he mocks them and accuses God. It is a bold touch, but workable. Of the many suggested emendations, Dhorme alters some of the vowels and obtains a reading “and casts doubt among us,” and then takes “transgression” from the first colon for the complement. Some commentators simply delete the line.