Job 10:3

10:3 Is it good for you ¹  to oppress, ² 

to ³  despise the work of your hands,

while ⁴  you smile ⁵ 

on the schemes of the wicked?

Job 34:5

34:5 For Job says, ‘I am innocent, ⁶ 

but God turns away my right.

Isaiah 40:27

40:27 Why do you say, Jacob,

Why do you say, Israel,

“The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, ⁷ 

My God is not concerned with my vindication”? ⁸ 

[10:3]  ¹ tn Or “Does it give you pleasure?” The expression could also mean, “Is it profitable for you?” or “Is it fitting for you?”

[10:3]  ² tn The construction uses כִּי (ki) with the imperfect verb – “that you oppress.” Technically, this clause serves as the subject, and “good” is the predicate adjective. In such cases one often uses an English infinitive to capture the point: “Is it good for you to oppress?” The LXX changes the meaning considerably: “Is it good for you if I am unrighteous, for you have disowned the work of your hands.”

[10:3]  ³ tn Heb “that you despise.”

[10:3]  ⁴ tn Now, in the second half of the verse, there is a change in the structure. The conjunction on the preposition followed by the perfect verb represents a circumstantial clause.

[10:3]  ⁵ tn The Hiphil of the verb יָפַע (yafa’) means “shine.” In this context the expression “you shine upon” would mean “have a glowing expression,” be radiant, or smile.

[34:5]  ⁶ tn Heb “righteous,” but in this context it means to be innocent or in the right.

[40:27]  ⁷ tn Heb “my way is hidden from the Lord” (so NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).

[40:27]  ⁸ tn Heb “and from my God my justice passes away”; NRSV “my right is disregarded by my God.”