Job 34:37

34:37 For he adds transgression to his sin;

in our midst he claps his hands,

and multiplies his words against God.”

Job 35:16

35:16 So Job opens his mouth to no purpose;

without knowledge he multiplies words.”


tn Although frequently translated “rebellion,” the basic meaning of this Hebrew term is “transgression.”

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.

tn The word הֶבֶל (hevel) means “vanity; futility; to no purpose.”