Job 8:9

8:9 For we were born yesterday ¹  and do not have knowledge,

since our days on earth are but a shadow. ² 

Job 10:7

10:7 although you know ³  that I am not guilty,

and that there is no one who can deliver ⁴ 

out of your hand?

Job 11:8

11:8 It is higher ⁵  than the heavens – what can you do?

It is deeper than Sheol ⁶  – what can you know?

Job 34:25

34:25 Therefore, he knows their deeds,

he overthrows them ⁷  in the night ⁸ 

and they are crushed.

Job 36:26

The Work and Wisdom of God

36:26 “Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge! ⁹ 

The number of his years is unsearchable.

[8:9]  ¹ tn The Hebrew has “we are of yesterday,” the adverb functioning as a predicate. Bildad’s point is that they have not had time to acquire great knowledge because they are recent.

[8:9]  ² tn E. Dhorme (Job, 116) observes that the shadow is the symbol of ephemeral things (14:2; 17:7; Ps 144:4). The shadow passes away quickly (116).

[10:7]  ³ tn Heb עַל־דַּעְתְּךָ (’al da’tÿkha, “upon your knowledge”). The use of the preposition means basically “in addition to your knowledge,” or “in spite of your knowledge,” i.e., “notwithstanding” or “although” (see GKC 383 §119.aa, n. 2).

[10:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “and there is no deliverer.”

[11:8]  ⁵ tn The Hebrew says “heights of heaven, what can you do?” A. B. Davidson suggested this was an exclamation and should be left that way. But most commentators will repoint גָּבְהֵי שָׁמַיִם (govhe shamayim, “heights of heaven”) to גְּבֹהָה מִשָּׁמַיִם (gÿvohah mishamayim, “higher than the heavens”) to match the parallel expression. The LXX may have rearranged the text: “heaven is high.”

[11:8]  ⁶ tn Or “deeper than hell.” The word “Sheol” always poses problems for translation. Here because it is the opposite of heaven in this merism, “hell” would be a legitimate translation. It refers to the realm of the dead – the grave and beyond. The language is excessive; but the point is that God’s wisdom is immeasurable – and Job is powerless before it.

[34:25]  ⁷ tn The direct object “them” is implied and has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[34:25]  ⁸ tn The Hebrew term “night” is an accusative of time.

[36:26]  ⁹ tn The last part has the verbal construction, “and we do not know.” This clause is to be used adverbially: “beyond our understanding.”