Job 34:37

34:37 For he adds transgression ¹  to his sin;

in our midst he claps his hands, ² 

and multiplies his words against God.”

Job 35:16

35:16 So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; ³ 

without knowledge he multiplies words.”

[34:37]  ¹ tn Although frequently translated “rebellion,” the basic meaning of this Hebrew term is “transgression.”

[34:37]  ² tc If this reading stands, it would mean that Job shows contempt, meaning that he mocks them and accuses God. It is a bold touch, but workable. Of the many suggested emendations, Dhorme alters some of the vowels and obtains a reading “and casts doubt among us,” and then takes “transgression” from the first colon for the complement. Some commentators simply delete the line.

[35:16]  ³ tn The word הֶבֶל (hevel) means “vanity; futility; to no purpose.”