Job 14:2

14:2 He grows up ¹  like a flower and then withers away; ² 

he flees like a shadow, and does not remain. ³ 

Job 30:20

30:20 I cry out to you, ⁴  but you do not answer me;

I stand up, ⁵  and you only look at me. ⁶ 

Job 34:24

34:24 He shatters the great without inquiry, ⁷ 

and sets up others in their place.

Job 37:14

37:14 “Pay attention to this, Job!

Stand still and consider the wonders God works.

[14:2]  ¹ tn Heb יָצָא (yatsa’, “comes forth”). The perfect verb expresses characteristic action and so is translated by the present tense (see GKC 329 §111.s).

[14:2]  ² tn The verb וַיִּמָּל (vayyimmal) is from the root מָלַל (malal, “to languish; to wither”) and not from a different root מָלַל (malal, “to cut off”).

[14:2]  ³ tn The verb is “and he does not stand.” Here the verb means “to stay fixed; to abide.” The shadow does not stay fixed, but continues to advance toward darkness.

[30:20]  ⁴ sn The implication from the sentence is that this is a cry to God for help. The sudden change from third person (v. 19) to second person (v. 20) is indicative of the intense emotion of the sufferer.

[30:20]  ⁵ sn The verb is simple, but the interpretation difficult. In this verse it probably means he stands up in prayer (Jer 15:1), but it could mean that he makes his case to God. Others suggest a more figurative sense, like the English expression “stand pat,” meaning “remain silent” (see Job 29:8).

[30:20]  ⁶ tn If the idea of prayer is meant, then a pejorative sense to the verb is required. Some supply a negative and translate “you do not pay heed to me.” This is supported by one Hebrew ms and the Vulgate. The Syriac has the whole colon read with God as the subject, “you stand and look at me.”

[34:24]  ⁷ tn Heb “[with] no investigation.”