Nothing True, Part 4

Eliphaz continued his response to Job’s lament:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Job 4:6 (Tanakh/KJV)

Job 4:6 (NET)

Job 4:6 (NETS)

Job 4:6 (English Elpenor)

Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? Is not your piety your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope? Is your fear not based on a lack of sense, so too your hope and the innocence of your way? Is not thy fear [founded] in folly, thy hope also, and the mischief of thy way?

The first Hebrew word in this word string was הֲלֹ֣א (lō’). It was translated Is not in the Tanakh, KJV and NET. It was followed by יִ֖רְאָֽתְךָ (yir’â), which was translated thy fear in the Tanakh and KJV, and your piety in the NET. The translators of the Tanakh and KJV added this as well. The translators of the NET did not. The Septuagint corroborates the two words in the Masoretic text with many more: πότερον οὐχ φόβος σού ἐστιν; Is your fear not (NETS), Is not thy fear (English Elpenor).

A note (17) in the NET reads:

The word יִרְאָה (yirʾah, “fear”) in this passage refers to Job’s fear of the Lord, his reverential devotion to God. H. H. Rowley (Job [NCBC], 46) says that on the lips of Eliphaz the word almost means “your religion.” He refers to Moffatt’s translation, “Let your religion reassure you.”

The next Hebrew word in this word string was כִּסְלָתֶ֑ךָ (kislâ). It was translated thy confidence (Tanakh, KJV) and your confidence (NET). But the rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ; based on a lack of sense (NETS), [founded] in folly (English Elpenor). There is only one other occurrence of a form of כִּסְלָה (kislâ) in the Old Testament.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 85:8 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 85:8 (NET)

Psalm 84:9 (NETS)

Psalm 84:9 (English Elpenor)

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly (לְכִסְלָֽה). I will listen to what God the Lord says. For he will make peace with his people, his faithful followers. Yet they must not return to their foolish ways (kislâ, לכסלה). I will hear what the Lord God will speak with me, because he will speak peace to his people and to his devout and to those who turn to him their heart (πρὸς αὐτὸν καρδίαν). I will hear what the Lord God will say concerning me: for he shall speak peace to his people, and to his saints, and to those that turn their heart toward him (καρδίαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν).

Forms of כִּסְלָה (kislâ) can mean confidence, folly or stupidity. But here, too, the rabbis who translated the Septuagint diverged from the English translation of the Masoretic text. Was לְכִסְלָֽה (kislâ) the word they found in the Hebrew text they translated? Or perhaps more to the point, was the negative particle וְאַל (‘al), translated but letnot (Tanakh/KJV) or Yetmust not (NET), in the text they translated? Or was it added later? I won’t spend any more time on it here.

The note (18) on Job 4:6 in the NET reads:

The word כִּסְלָתֶךָ (kislatekha, “your confidence”) is rendered in the LXX by “founded in folly.” The word כֶּסֶל (kesel) is “confidence” (see 8:14) and elsewhere “folly.” Since it is parallel to “your hope” it must mean confidence here.

Both the word כִּסְלָה (kislâ) and the disparity in its translation between the Septuagint and the English translators of the Masoretic text remind me of the Lord’s word through Ezekiel.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Ezekiel 33:12-17 (Tanakh/KJV)

Ezekiel 33:12-17 (NET)

Ezekiel 33:12-17 (NETS)

Ezekiel 33:12-17 (English Elpenor)

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth [Table]. “And you, son of man, say to your people, ‘The righteousness of the righteous will not deliver him if he rebels. As for the wicked, his wickedness will not make him stumble if he turns from it. The righteous will not be able to live by his righteousness if he sins.’ Say to the sons of your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in whatever day he err, and the lawlessness of the impious shall not harm him on whatever day he turn back from his lawlessness, and the righteous shall not be able to be saved [Table]. Say to the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him, in the day wherein he errs: and the iniquity of the ungodly shall not harm him, in the day wherein he turns from his iniquity, but the righteous [erring] shall not be able to deliver himself.
When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust (בָטַ֥ח) to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it [Table]. Suppose I tell the righteous that he will certainly live, but he becomes confident (bāṭaḥ, בטח) in his righteousness and commits iniquity. None of his righteous deeds will be remembered; because of the iniquity he has committed he will die. When I say to the righteous, “He trusts (πέποιθεν) in his righteousness,” and should he commit lawlessness, none of his righteous acts shall be recalled in his injustice that he has committed; in it he shall die [Table]. When I say to the righteous, [Thou shalt live; and] he trusts (πέποιθεν) in his righteousness, and shall commit iniquity, none of his righteousnesses shall be remembered; in his unrighteousness which he has wrought, in it shall he die.
Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right [Table]; Suppose I say to the wicked, ‘You must certainly die,’ but he turns from his sin and does what is just and right. And when I say to the impious, “By death you shall be put to death, and you shall turn back from your sin,” and should he perform judgment and righteousness [Table] And when I say to the ungodly, Thou shalt surely die; and he shall turn from his sin, and do judgment and justice,
If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die [Table]. He returns what was taken in pledge, pays back what he has stolen, and follows the statutes that give life, committing no iniquity. He will certainly live—he will not die. and restore a pledge and give back robbery, walk in the ordinances of life so as not to do what is wrong, by life he shall live, and he shall not die [Table]; and return the pledge, and repay that which he has robbed, [and] walk in the ordinances of life, so as to do no wrong; he shall surely live, and shall not die.
None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live [Table]. None of the sins he has committed will be counted against him. He has done what is just and right; he will certainly live. none of his sins that he has committed shall be recalled, for he has performed judgment and righteousness; in them he shall live [Table]. None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered: because he has wrought judgment and righteousness; by them shall he live.
Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal [Table]. “Yet your people say, ‘The behavior of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their behavior that is not right. And the sons of your people shall say, “The way of the Lord is not right,” and this way of theirs is not right [Table]. Yet the children of thy people will say, The way of the Lord is not straight: whereas this their way is not straight.

Though Eliphaz had probably never heard Ezekiel the rabbis who translated the Septuagint certainly had. I wonder if they didn’t hear Eliphaz’s reasoning as something like: Job is suffering, therefore Job sinned; apart from repentance Job’s fear of the Lord is folly because Job’s former righteousness will not save him from his present sinfulness.

The next word in the Hebrew word string of Job 4:6 in the Masoretic text was תִּ֜קְוָֽתְךָ֗ (tiqvâ). It was translated thy hope (Tanakh, KJV) and your hope (NET). It was rendered καὶ ἐλπίς σου in the Septuagint, so too your hope (NETS), thy hope also (English Elpenor).

This was followed by וְתֹ֣ם (tōm), which was translated and the uprightness (Tanakh/KJV) or and your blameless (NET). In the Septuagint it was καὶ ἀκακία (BLB), and the innocence (NETS), or καὶ κακία (Elpenor), and the mischief (English Elpenor). The occurrence of ἀκακία (NETS: innocence) in the BLB tends to corroborate וְתֹ֣ם (tōm) in the Masoretic text.

So what happened in the Elpenor version of the Septuagint? Was it a copyist error, dropping the initial ἀ, changing ἀκακία to κακία? It could be. I’m also beginning to wonder if the translators of the Elpenor version simply chose to expose Eliphaz’s sarcasm, to make his accusation more explicit for the Greek reader.

The final Hebrew word in the word string that is Job 4:6 in the Masoretic text was דְּרָכֶֽיךָ (dereḵ). It was translated of thy ways (Tanakh, KJV) and ways (NET). In the Septuagint it was τῆς ὁδοῦ σου, of your way (NETS) and of thy way (English Elpenor). Is not your fear of God your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?1 is how I first read it. A note (19) in the NET reads:

Eliphaz is not being sarcastic to Job. He knows that Job is a God-fearing man who lives out his faith in life. But he also knows that Job should apply to himself the same things he tells others.

This is more or less how I heard Eliphaz when I read an English translation of the Masoretic text only. David conveyed a similar concept regarding וּכְתֻמִּ֣י (tōm).

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 7:8-10 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 7:8-10 (NET)

Psalm 7:9-11 (NETS)

Psalm 7:9-11 (English Elpenor)

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity (וּכְתֻמִּ֣י) that is in me. The Lord judges the nations. Vindicate me, Lord, because I am innocent, because I am blameless (tōm, וכתמי), O Exalted One.2 The Lord will judge peoples; do me justice, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the innocence (ἀκακίαν) in me. The Lord shall judge the nations: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my innocence (ἀκακίαν) that is in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end. But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives. Do let evil of sinners be brought to an end, and you shall direct the righteous. God is one who tests hearts and kidneys. Oh let the wickedness of sinners come to an end; and [then] thou shalt direct the righteous, O God that searchest the hearts and reins.
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright (יִשְׁרֵי) in heart. The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright (yāšār, ישרי). Righteous is my help from God, he who saves the upright (τοὺς εὐθεῖς) in heart. My help is righteous, [coming] from God who saves the upright (τοὺς εὐθεῖς) in heart.

I may understand this prayer somewhat differently from David, maybe not. But I’m not a king surrounded by hostile armies. The wickedness of the wicked which concerns me most of the time is that which yet resides in my flesh. Another prayer of David’s follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 26:9-11 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 26:9-11 (NET)

Psalm 25:9-11 (NETS)

Psalm 25:9-11 (English Elpenor)

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people, Do not destroy my soul together with the impious and my life with men of blood, Destroy not my soul together with the ungodly, nor my life with bloody men:
In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. who are always ready to do wrong or offer a bribe. in whose hands are acts of lawlessness; their right hand was filled with gifts. in whose hands [are] iniquities, [and] their right hand is filled with bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity (בְּתֻמִּ֥י): redeem me, and be merciful unto me. But I have integrity (tōm, בתמי). Rescue me and have mercy on me! But as for me, I walked in my guilessness [sic] (ἐν ἀκακίᾳ μου); redeem me, and have mercy on me. But I have walked in my innocence (ἐν ἀκακίᾳ μου): redeem me, and have mercy upon me.

Despite his integrity, guilelessness or innocence, or perhaps because of it, David asked for redemption and mercy. I’ll consider one more example.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 41:12 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 41:12 (NET)

Psalm 40:13 (NETS)

Psalm 40:13 (English Elpenor)

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity (בְּ֖תֻמִּי), and settest me before thy face for ever. As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity (tōm, בתמי); you allow me permanent access to your presence. But me you supported on account of my innocence (διὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν) and secured me before you forever. But thou didst help me because of [mine] innocence (διὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν), and hast established me before thee for ever.

This comes closest to explaining how Job’s blameless ways might be his hope.3 Still, I can’t help wondering if modern translators haven’t reached too far to bolster Eliphaz’s integrity, guilelessness and innocence, especially if you have spoken nothing true in my presence4 is the more reliable understanding of the Lord’s critique of Eliphaz’s words. At any rate, if one thinks Eliphaz was sincere rather than sarcastic, one is more likely to hear what follows as a banal or ill-timed restatement of principle rather than a barely veiled accusation.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Job 4:7, 8 (Tanakh/KJV)

Job 4:7, 8 (NET)

Job 4:7, 8 (NETS)

Job 4:7, 8 (English Elpenor)

Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent (נָקִ֣י)? or where were the righteous cut off? Call to mind now: Who, being innocent (nāqî, נקי), ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed? “Think now, who, being pure (καθαρὸς), perished, or when did the true perish root and all? Remember then who has perished, being pure (καθαρὸς)? or when were the true-hearted utterly destroyed?
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same. For instance, I saw those who plow wrongs, and those who sow them reap torments for themselves. Accordingly as I have seen men ploughing barren places, and they that sow them will reap sorrows for themselves.

I’ll pick this up in another essay.

Tables comparing Job 4:6; Psalm 85:8; 7:8; 7:9; 7:10; 26:9; 26:10; 26:11; 41:12; Job 4:7 and 4:8 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Job 4:6; Psalm 85:8 (84:9); 7:8 (7:9); 7:9 (7:10); 7:10 (7:11); 26:9 (25:9); 26:10 (25:10); 26:11 (25:11); 41:12 (40:13); Job 4:7 and 4:8 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Job 4:6 (Tanakh)

Job 4:6 (KJV)

Job 4:6 (NET)

Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? Is not your piety your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope?

Job 4:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Job 4:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πότερον οὐχ ὁ φόβος σού ἐστιν ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καὶ ἡ ἐλπίς σου καὶ ἡ ἀκακία τῆς ὁδοῦ σου πότερον οὐχ ὁ φόβος σού ἐστιν ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καὶ ἡ ἐλπίς σου καὶ ἡ κακία τῆς ὁδοῦ σου

Job 4:6 (NETS)

Job 4:6 (English Elpenor)

Is your fear not based on a lack of sense, so too your hope and the innocence of your way? Is not thy fear [founded] in folly, thy hope also, and the mischief of thy way?

Psalm 85:8 (Tanakh)

Psalm 85:8 (KJV)

Psalm 85:8 (NET)

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. I will listen to what God the Lord says. For he will make peace with his people, his faithful followers. Yet they must not return to their foolish ways.

Psalm 85:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 84:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀκούσομαι τί λαλήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ κύριος ὁ θεός ὅτι λαλήσει εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ὁσίους αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐπιστρέφοντας πρὸς αὐτὸν καρδίαν ἀκούσομαι τί λαλήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ Κύριος ὁ Θεός, ὅτι λαλήσει εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ὁσίους αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐπιστρέφοντας καρδίαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν

Psalm 84:9 (NETS)

Psalm 84:9 (English Elpenor)

I will hear what the Lord God will speak with me, because he will speak peace to his people and to his devout and to those who turn to him their heart. I will hear what the Lord God will say concerning me: for he shall speak peace to his people, and to his saints, and to those that turn their heart toward him.

Psalm 7:8 (Tanakh)

Psalm 7:8 (KJV)

Psalm 7:8 (NET)

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. The Lord judges the nations. Vindicate me, Lord, because I am innocent, because I am blameless, O Exalted One.

Psalm 7:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 7:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

κύριος κρινεῖ λαούς κρῖνόν με κύριε κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην μου καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν μου ἐπ᾽ ἐμοί Κύριος κρινεῖ λαούς. κρῖνόν με, Κύριε, κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην μου καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν μου ἐπ᾿ ἐμοί

Psalm 7:9 (NETS)

Psalm 7:9 (English Elpenor)

The Lord will judge peoples; do me justice, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the innocence in me. The Lord shall judge the nations: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my innocence that is in me.

Psalm 7:9 (Tanakh)

Psalm 7:9 (KJV)

Psalm 7:9 (NET)

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end. But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives.

Psalm 7:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 7:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

συντελεσθήτω δὴ πονηρία ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ κατευθυνεῖς δίκαιον ἐτάζων καρδίας καὶ νεφροὺς ὁ θεός συντελεσθήτω δὴ πονηρία ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ κατευθυνεῖς δίκαιον, ἐτάζων καρδίας καὶ νεφροὺς ὁ Θεός

Psalm 7:10 (NETS)

Psalm 7:10 (English Elpenor)

Do let evil of sinners be brought to an end, and you shall direct the righteous. God is one who tests hearts and kidneys. Oh let the wickedness of sinners come to an end; and [then] thou shalt direct the righteous, O God that searchest the hearts and reins.

Psalm 7:10 (Tanakh)

Psalm 7:10 (KJV)

Psalm 7:10 (NET)

My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright.

Psalm 7:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 7:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

δικαία ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ σῴζοντος τοὺς εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ δικαία ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ σῴζοντος τοὺς εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ

Psalm 7:11 (NETS)

Psalm 7:11 (English Elpenor)

Righteous is my help from God, he who saves the upright in heart. My help is righteous, [coming] from God who saves the upright in heart.

Psalm 26:9 (Tanakh)

Psalm 26:9 (KJV)

Psalm 26:9 (NET)

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people,

Psalm 26:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 25:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

μὴ συναπολέσῃς μετὰ ἀσεβῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου καὶ μετὰ ἀνδρῶν αἱμάτων τὴν ζωήν μου μὴ συναπολέσῃς μετὰ ἀσεβῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου καὶ μετὰ ἀνδρῶν αἱμάτων τὴν ζωήν μου

Psalm 25:9 (NETS)

Psalm 25:9 (English Elpenor)

Do not destroy my soul together with the impious and my life with men of blood, Destroy not my soul together with the ungodly, nor my life with bloody men:

Psalm 26:10 (Tanakh)

Psalm 26:10 (KJV)

Psalm 26:10 (NET)

In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. who are always ready to do wrong or offer a bribe.

Psalm 26:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 25:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὧν ἐν χερσὶν ἀνομίαι ἡ δεξιὰ αὐτῶν ἐπλήσθη δώρων ὧν ἐν χερσὶν ἀνομίαι, ἡ δεξιὰ αὐτῶν ἐπλήσθη δώρων

Psalm 25:10 (NETS)

Psalm 25:10 (English Elpenor)

in whose hands are acts of lawlessness; their right hand was filled with gifts. in whose hands [are] iniquities, [and] their right hand is filled with bribes.

Psalm 26:11 (Tanakh)

Psalm 26:11 (KJV)

Psalm 26:11 (NET)

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. But I have integrity. Rescue me and have mercy on me!

Psalm 26:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 25:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐγὼ δὲ ἐν ἀκακίᾳ μου ἐπορεύθην λύτρωσαί με καὶ ἐλέησόν με ἐγὼ δὲ ἐν ἀκακίᾳ μου ἐπορεύθην· λύτρωσαί με καὶ ἐλέησόν με

Psalm 25:11 (NETS)

Psalm 25:11 (English Elpenor)

But as for me, I walked in my guilessness; redeem me, and have mercy on me. But I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy upon me.

Psalm 41:12 (Tanakh)

Psalm 41:12 (KJV)

Psalm 41:12 (NET)

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence.

Psalm 41:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 40:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐμοῦ δὲ διὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν ἀντελάβου καὶ ἐβεβαίωσάς με ἐνώπιόν σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐμοῦ δὲ διὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν ἀντελάβου, καὶ ἐβεβαίωσάς με ἐνώπιόν σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα

Psalm 40:13 (NETS)

Psalm 40:13 (English Elpenor)

But me you supported on account of my innocence and secured me before you forever. But thou didst help me because of [mine] innocence, and hast established me before thee for ever.

Job 4:7 (Tanakh)

Job 4:7 (KJV)

Job 4:7 (NET)

Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed?

Job 4:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Job 4:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

μνήσθητι οὖν τίς καθαρὸς ὢν ἀπώλετο ἢ πότε ἀληθινοὶ ὁλόρριζοι ἀπώλοντο μνήσθητι οὖν, τίς καθαρὸς ὢν ἀπώλετο ἢ πότε ἀληθινοὶ ὁλόρριζοι ἀπώλοντο

Job 4:7 (NETS)

Job 4:7 (English Elpenor)

“Think now, who, being pure, perished, or when did the true perish root and all? Remember then who has perished, being pure? or when were the true-hearted utterly destroyed?

Job 4:8 (Tanakh)

Job 4:8 (KJV)

Job 4:8 (NET)

Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.

Job 4:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Job 4:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καθ᾽ ὃν τρόπον εἶδον τοὺς ἀροτριῶντας τὰ ἄτοπα οἱ δὲ σπείροντες αὐτὰ ὀδύνας θεριοῦσιν ἑαυτοῖς καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον εἶδον τοὺς ἀροτριῶντας τὰ ἄτοπα, οἱ δὲ σπείροντες αὐτὰ ὀδύνας θεριοῦσιν ἑαυτοῖς

Job 4:8 (NETS)

Job 4:8 (English Elpenor)

For instance, I saw those who plow wrongs, and those who sow them reap torments for themselves. Accordingly as I have seen men ploughing barren places, and they that sow them will reap sorrows for themselves.

1 Job 4:6 (NASB)

2 NET note 26: The Hebrew form עָלָי (ʿalay) has been traditionally understood as the preposition עַל (ʿal, “over”) with a first person suffix. But this is syntactically awkward and meaningless. The form is probably a divine title derived from the verbal root עָלָה (ʿalah, “ascend”). This relatively rare title appears elsewhere in the OT (see HALOT 824-25 s.v. I עַל, though this text is not listed) and in Ugaritic as an epithet for Baal (see G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 98). See M. Dahood, Psalms (AB), 1:44-45, and P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50 (WBC), 98.

3 Job 4:6b (NET)

4 Job 42:7b (NETS) Table