Job 35:16

35:16 So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; ¹ 

without knowledge he multiplies words.”

Job 36:3

36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, ² 

and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness. ³ 

Job 38:2

38:2 “Who is this ⁴  who darkens counsel ⁵ 

with words without knowledge?

[35:16]  ¹ tn The word הֶבֶל (hevel) means “vanity; futility; to no purpose.”

[36:3]  ² tn Heb “I will carry my knowledge to-from afar.” The expression means that he will give a wide range to knowledge, that he will speak comprehensively.

[36:3]  ³ tn This line gives the essence of all of Elihu’s speech – to give or ascribe righteousness to God against the charges of Job. Dhorme translates this “I will justify my Maker,” and that is workable if it carries the meaning of “declaring to be right.”

[38:2]  ³ tn The demonstrative pronoun is used here to emphasize the interrogative pronoun (see GKC 442 §136.c).

[38:2]  ⁴ sn The referent of “counsel” here is not the debate between Job and the friends, but the purposes of God (see Ps 33:10; Prov 19:21; Isa 19:17). Dhorme translates it “Providence.”