Job 32:4-5

32:4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking ¹  to Job, because the others ²  were older than he was. 32:5 But when Elihu saw ³  that the three men had no further reply, ⁴  he became very angry.

[32:4]  ¹ tc This reading requires repointing the word בִּדְבָרִים (bidbarim, “with words”) to בְּדָבְּרָם (bÿdabbÿram, “while they spoke [with Job]”). If the MT is retained, it would mean “he waited for Job with words,” which while understandable is awkward.

[32:4]  ² tn Heb “they”; the referent (the other friends) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[32:5]  ³ tn The first clause beginning with a vav (ו) consecutive and the preterite can be subordinated to the next similar verb as a temporal clause.

[32:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “that there was no reply in the mouth of the three men.”