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1Then Job replied:
2“How you have helped the powerless![#tn The interrogative clause is used here as an exclamation, and sarcastic at that. Job is saying “you have in no way helped the powerless.” The verb uses the singular form, for Job is replying to Bildad.; #tn The “powerless” is expressed here by the negative before the word for “strength; power” – “him who has no power” (see GKC 482 §152.u, v).]
How you have saved the person who has no strength!
3How you have advised the one without wisdom,
and abundantly revealed your insight!
4To whom did you utter these words?[#tn The verse begins with the preposition and the interrogative: אֶת־מִי (’et-mi, “with who[se help]?”). Others take it as the accusative particle introducing the indirect object: “for whom did you utter…” (see GKC 371 §117.gg). Both are possible.]
And whose spirit has come forth from your mouth?
5“The dead tremble –[#tn The text has הָרְפָאִים (harÿfa’im, “the shades”), referring to the “dead,” or the elite among the dead (see Isa 14:9; 26:14; Ps 88:10 [11]). For further discussion, start with A. R. Johnson, The Vitality of the Individual, 88ff.; #tn The verb is a Polal from חִיל (khil) which means “to tremble.” It shows that even these spirits cannot escape the terror.]
those beneath the waters
and all that live in them.
6The underworld is naked before God;[#tn Heb “Sheol.”; #tn Heb “before him.”]
the place of destruction lies uncovered.
7He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;[#sn The Hebrew word is צָפוֹן (tsafon). Some see here a reference to Mount Zaphon of the Ugaritic texts, the mountain that Baal made his home. The Hebrew writers often equate and contrast Mount Zion with this proud mountain of the north. Of course, the word just means north, and so in addition to any connotations for pagan mythology, it may just represent the northern skies – the stars. Since the parallel line speaks of the earth, that is probably all that was intended in this particular context.; #sn There is an allusion to the creation account, for this word is תֹּהוּ (tohu), translated “without form” in Gen 1:2.]
he suspends the earth on nothing.
8He locks the waters in his clouds,
and the clouds do not burst with the weight of them.
9He conceals the face of the full moon,[#tn The verb means “to hold; to seize,” here in the sense of shutting up, enshrouding, or concealing.; #tc The MT has כִסֵּה (khisseh), which is a problematic vocalization. Most certainly כֵּסֶה (keseh), alternative for כֶּסֶא (kese’, “full moon”) is intended here. The MT is close to the form of “throne,” which would be כִּסֵּא (kisse’, cf. NLT “he shrouds his throne with his clouds”). But here God is covering the face of the moon by hiding it behind clouds.]
shrouding it with his clouds.
10He marks out the horizon on the surface of the waters[#tn The expression חֹק־חָג (khoq-khag) means “he has drawn a limit as a circle.” According to some the form should have been חָק־חוּג (khaq-khug, “He has traced a circle”). But others argues that the text is acceptable as is, and can be interpreted as “a limit he has circled.” The Hebrew verbal roots are חָקַק (khaqaq, “to engrave; to sketch out; to trace”) and חוּג (khug, “describe a circle”) respectively.]
as a boundary between light and darkness.
11The pillars of the heavens tremble[#sn H. H. Rowley (Job [NCBC], 173) says these are the great mountains, perceived to hold up the sky.]
and are amazed at his rebuke.
12By his power he stills the sea;[#tn The verb רָגַע (raga’) has developed a Semitic polarity, i.e., having totally opposite meanings. It can mean “to disturb; to stir up” or “to calm; to still.” Gordis thinks both meanings have been invoked here. But it seems more likely that “calm” fits the context better.]
by his wisdom he cut Rahab the great sea monster to pieces.
13By his breath the skies became fair;[#tn Or “wind”; or perhaps “Spirit.” The same Hebrew word, רוּחַ (ruakh), may be translated as “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit/Spirit” depending on the context.]
his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
14Indeed, these are but the outer fringes of his ways![#tn Heb “the ends of his ways,” meaning “the fringes.”]
How faint is the whisper we hear of him!
But who can understand the thunder of his power?”