Job 8:13

8:13 Such is the destiny ¹  of all who forget God;

the hope of the godless ²  perishes,

Job 15:34

15:34 For the company of the godless is barren, ³ 

and fire ⁴  consumes the tents of those who accept bribes. ⁵ 

Job 17:8

17:8 Upright men are appalled ⁶  at this;

the innocent man is troubled ⁷  with the godless.

Job 20:5

20:5 that the elation of the wicked is brief, ⁸ 

the joy of the godless ⁹  lasts but a moment. ¹⁰ 

Job 36:13

36:13 The godless at heart ¹¹  nourish anger, ¹² 

they do not cry out even when he binds them.

[8:13]  ¹ tn The word אָרְחוֹת (’orkhot) means “ways” or “paths” in the sense of tracks of destiny or fate. The word דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, “way, road, path”) is used in a similar way (Isa 40:27; Ps 37:5). However, many commentators emend the text to read אַחֲרִית (’akharit, “end”) in harmony with the LXX. But Prov 1:19 (if not emended as well) confirms the primary meaning here without changing the text (see D. J. A. Clines, Job [WBC], 199).

[8:13]  ² tn The word חָנֵף (khanef) is often translated “hypocrite.” But the root verb means “to be profane,” and this would be done by idolatry or bloodshed. It describes an irreligious person, a godless person. In Dan 11:32 the word seems to mean “make someone pagan.” The word in this verse is parallel to “those who forget God.”

[15:34]  ³ tn The LXX renders this line: “for death is the witness of an ungodly man. “Death” represents “barren/sterile,” and “witness” represents “assembly.”

[15:34]  ⁴ sn This may refer to the fire that struck Job (cf. 1:16).

[15:34]  ⁵ tn Heb “the tents of bribery.” The word “bribery” can mean a “gift,” but most often in the sense of a bribe in court. It indicates that the wealth and the possessions that the wicked man has gained may have been gained unjustly.

[17:8]  ⁵ tn This verb שָׁמַם (shamam, “appalled”) is the one found in Isa 52:14, translated there “astonished.”

[17:8]  ⁶ tn The verb means “to rouse oneself to excitement.” It naturally means “to be agitated; to be stirred up.”

[20:5]  ⁷ tn The expression in the text is “quite near.” This indicates that it is easily attained, and that its end is near.

[20:5]  ⁸ tn For the discussion of חָנֵף (khanef, “godless”) see Job 8:13.

[20:5]  ⁹ tn The phrase is “until a moment,” meaning it is short-lived. But see J. Barr, “Hebrew ’ad, especially at Job 1:18 and Neh 7:3,” JSS 27 (1982): 177-88.

[36:13]  ⁹ tn The expression “godless [or hypocrite] in heart” is an intensification of the description. It conveys that they are intentionally godless. See Matt 23:28.

[36:13]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “they put anger.” This is usually interpreted to mean they lay up anger, or put anger in their hearts.