40:4 “Indeed, I am completely unworthy 1 – how could I reply to you?
I put 2 my hand over my mouth to silence myself. 3
1 tn The word קַלֹּתִי (qalloti) means “to be light; to be of small account; to be unimportant.” From this comes the meaning “contemptible,” which in the causative stem would mean “to treat with contempt; to curse.” Dhorme tries to make the sentence a conditional clause and suggests this meaning: “If I have been thoughtless.” There is really no “if” in Job’s mind.
2 tn The perfect verb here should be classified as an instantaneous perfect; the action is simultaneous with the words.
3 tn The words “to silence myself” are supplied in the translation for clarity.