Job 36:2-4

Context

36:2 “Be patient¹ with me a little longer

and I will instruct you,

for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.²

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

and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.⁴

36:4 For in truth, my words are not false;

it is one complete⁵ in knowledge

who is with you.

[36:2] ¹tn The verb כָּתַּר (kattar) is the Piel imperative; in Hebrew the word means “to surround” and is related to the noun for crown. But in Syriac it means “to wait.” This section of the book of Job will have a few Aramaic words.

[36:2] ²tn The Hebrew text simply has “for yet for God words.”

[36:3] ³tn 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] ⁴tn 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.”

[36:4] ⁵tn The word is תְּמִים (tÿmim), often translated “perfect.” It is the same word used of Job in 2:3. Elihu is either a complete stranger to modesty or is confident regarding the knowledge that he believes God has revealed to him for this situation. See the note on the heading before 32:1.