Job 23:4-5

23:4 I would lay out my case ¹  before him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

23:5 I would know with what words ²  he would answer me,

and understand what he would say to me.

Job 32:14

32:14 Job ³  has not directed ⁴  his words to me,

and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. ⁵ 

Psalms 50:21

50:21 When you did these things, I was silent, ⁶ 

so you thought I was exactly like you. ⁷ 

But now I will condemn ⁸  you

and state my case against you! ⁹ 

[23:4]  ¹ tn The word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) is normally “judgment; decision.” But in these contexts it refers to the legal case that Job will bring before God. With the verb עָרַךְ (’arakh, “to set in order; to lay out”) the whole image of drawing up a lawsuit is complete.

[23:5]  ² tn Heb “the words he would answer me.”

[32:14]  ³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Job) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[32:14]  ⁴ tn The verb עַרַךְ (’arakh) means “to arrange in order; to set forth; to direct; to marshal.” It is used in military contexts for setting the battle array; it is used in legal settings for preparing the briefs.

[32:14]  ⁵ tn Heb “your words.”

[50:21]  ⁶ tn Heb “these things you did and I was silent.” Some interpret the second clause (“and I was silent”) as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer, “[When you do these things], should I keep silent?” (cf. NEB). See GKC 335 §112.cc.

[50:21]  ⁷ tn The Hebrew infinitive construct (הֱיוֹת, heyot) appears to function like the infinitive absolute here, adding emphasis to the following finite verbal form (אֶהְיֶה, ’ehyeh). See GKC 339-40 §113.a. Some prefer to emend הֱיוֹת (heyot) to the infinitive absolute form הָיוֹ (hayo).

[50:21]  ⁸ tn Or “rebuke” (see v. 8).

[50:21]  ⁹ tn Heb “and I will set in order [my case against you] to your eyes.” The cohortative form expresses the Lord’s resolve to accuse and judge the wicked.