Job 32:20-22

32:20 I will speak, ¹  so that I may find relief;

I will open my lips, so that I may answer.

32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone, ² 

nor will I confer a title ³  on any man.

32:22 for I do not know how to give honorary titles, ⁴ 

if I did, ⁵  my Creator would quickly do away with me. ⁶ 

[32:20]  ¹ tn The cohortative expresses Elihu’s resolve to speak.

[32:21]  ² tn The idiom is “I will not lift up the face of a man.” Elihu is going to show no favoritism, but speak his mind.

[32:21]  ³ tn The verb means “to confer an honorary title; to give a mark of distinction,” but it is often translated with the verb “flatter.” Elihu will not take sides, he will not use pompous titles.

[32:22]  ⁴ tn The construction uses a perfect verb followed by the imperfect. This is a form of subordination equivalent to a complementary infinitive (see GKC 385-86 §120.c).

[32:22]  ⁵ tn The words “if I did” are supplied in the translation to make sense out of the two clauses.

[32:22]  ⁶ tn Heb “quickly carry me away.”