35:9 “People 1 cry out
because of the excess of oppression; 2
they cry out for help
because of the power 3 of the mighty. 4
35:10 But no one says, ‘Where is God, my Creator,
who gives songs in the night, 5
1 tn The word “people” is supplied, because the sentence only has the masculine plural verb.
2 tn The final noun is an abstract plural, “oppression.” There is no reason to change it to “oppressors” to fit the early versions. The expression is literally “multitude of oppression.”
3 tn Heb “the arm,” a metaphor for strength or power.
4 tn Or “of the many” (see HALOT 1172 s.v. I רַב 6.a).
5 tn There have been several attempts to emend the line, none of which are particularly helpful or interesting. H. H. Rowley (Job [NCBC], 225) says, “It is a pity to rob Elihu of a poetic line when he creates one.”