Job 36:18-19

36:18 Be careful that ¹  no one entices you with riches;

do not let a large bribe ²  turn you aside.

36:19 Would your wealth ³  sustain you,

so that you would not be in distress, ⁴ 

even all your mighty efforts? ⁵ 

[36:18]  ¹ tn The first expression is idiomatic: the text says, “because wrath lest it entice you” – thus, beware.

[36:18]  ² tn The word is כֹּפֶר (kofer), often translated “ransom,” but frequently in the sense of a bribe.

[36:19]  ³ tn The form in the MT is “your cry (for help).” See J. E. Hartley (Job [NICOT], 472-73) and E. Dhorme (Job, 547-48) on the difficulties.

[36:19]  ⁴ tn This part has only two words לֹא בְצָר (lo’ bÿtsar, “not in distress”). The negated phrase serves to explain the first colon.

[36:19]  ⁵ tc For the many suggestions and the reasoning here, see the commentaries.