Job 37:13

37:13 Whether it is for punishment ¹  for his land,

or whether it is for mercy,

he causes it to find its mark. ² 

Job 6:12

6:12 Is my strength like that of stones? ³ 

or is my flesh made of bronze?

Job 27:4

27:4 my ⁴  lips will not speak wickedness,

and my tongue will whisper ⁵  no deceit.

[37:13]  ¹ tn Heb “rod,” i.e., a rod used for punishment.

[37:13]  ² tn This is interpretive; Heb “he makes find it.” The lightning could be what is intended here, for it finds its mark. But R. Gordis (Job, 429) suggests man is the subject – let him find what it is for, i.e., the fate appropriate for him.

[6:12]  ³ sn The questions imply negative answers. Job is saying that it would take great strength to hold up under these afflictions, but he is only flesh and bone. The sufferings have almost completely overwhelmed him. To endure all of this to the end he would need a strength he does not have.

[27:4]  ⁵ tn The verse begins with אִם (’im), the formula used for the content of the oath (“God lives…if I do/do not…”). Thus, the content of the oath proper is here in v. 4.

[27:4]  ⁶ tn The verb means “to utter; to mumble; to meditate.” The implication is that he will not communicate deceitful things, no matter how quiet or subtle.