Job 31:1

Job Vindicates Himself

31:1 “I made a covenant with ¹  my eyes;

how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin? ² 

Job 41:4

41:4 Will it make a pact ³  with you,

so you could take it ⁴  as your slave for life?

[31:1]  ¹ tn The idea of cutting a covenant for something may suggest a covenant that is imposed, except that this construction elsewhere argues against it (see 2 Chr 29:10).

[31:1]  ² tn This half-verse is the effect of the covenant. The interrogative מָה (mah) may have the force of the negative, and so be translated “not to pay attention.”

[41:4]  ³ tn Heb “will he cut a covenant.”

[41:4]  ⁴ tn The imperfect verb serves to express what the covenant pact would cover, namely, “that you take.”