Biblical Hebrew Forum

["K Randolph" <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Dear Bryan:
Thanks for your complete message.

On Mon, Apr 14, 2008 at 4:42 PM, B. M. Rocine <brocine AT twcny.rr.com> wrote:

> B-Haveray,
>
> The key part of both Job 42:7 and 8 reads _l'o dibbartem 'elay nekonah
> ke`abdi 'iyyob_.
>
> I suggest this harmonizes fine with 38:2 (YHWH said) "Who is this that
> darkens counsel with ignorant words?"  and 40:2.   The idea in 42:7, 8
> is not that Job spoke right words, because he did not (see below); he
> did, however, speak sincerely.
>
> Notice in 42:7 and 8 _'elay_, "TO ME."  Perhaps _nakonah_ is best
> understood as an adverbial meaning "sincerely" as _ke`abdi 'iyyob_ is
> adverbial to _dibbartem_.  See Ps 5:10 where _nekonah_ is best
> understood as sincerity.  Translation of Job 42:7, 8: "You have not
> spoken to me sincerely like my servant Job."
>
> That sounds almost like that theological teaching that it doesn't matter
what one believes, as long as he is sincere in it. No, this is not a claim
that this is what YOU are teaching.

You are right that NKWNH is central to our understanding of this passage. I
take it, however, as from the same root as KWN, meaning established, as in
true, trustworthy. That also fits the only other use in Psalm 5:10.


> It is inconceivable to me to think that Job, when confronted by YHWH,
> would not feel very sorry for many of the things he has said.  For
> instance, he has said that God has wronged him:
>
> Job 19:6-12  then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around
> me.  7 "Though I cry, 'I've been wronged!' I get no response; though I
> call for help, there is no justice.  8 He has blocked my way so I cannot
> pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness.  9 He has stripped me of my
> honor and removed the crown from my head.  10 He tears me down on every
> side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree.  11 His anger burns
> against me; he counts me among his enemies.  12 His troops advance in
> force; they build a siege ramp against me and encamp around my tent.
>
> I'm sorry, but I see this passage differently, mainly based on verse 6,
"Know his anger for God has dealt twisted with me, and he caused his fence
to encircle me. Behold, I cry 'Unfair' and I am not answered, I cry for help
and there is no judgement for me. He fenced around my traveling way that I
do not cross over, he has placed darkness upon my path. …"

Even here, though Job darkens council with words, he does not accuse God of
wrongdoing, rather more a cry of "Why, God?" because he doesn't understand.


> He has also accused God of hiding from him unfairly.
>
>
> Job 23:3-9  If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his
> dwelling!  4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with
> arguments.  5 I would find out what he would answer me, and consider
> what he would say.  6 Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would
> not press charges against me.  7 There an upright man could present his
> case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.  8 "But
> if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find
> him.  9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns
> to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
>
> Again I see this differently, Job is crying out for answers that he is yet
to receive. But he has not said that God was wrong in what he did.


> We may cite many other impudent challenges to God as Job tries to bring
> God out from hiding.
>
>
> Job 6:4
>
> "For the Most Powerful's arrows are with me which my spirit drinks their
poison, God sets me up in my perversions."


> Job 7:15-21
>
> Job 9:16-19
>
> Job 9:23-24
>
> Job 9:30-35
>
> Job 10:3-9
>
> Actually starts at verse 2, and this is an extended question, not a
statement. In the same manner as Genesis 18:23–25.


> Job 13:18-25
>


> Job 16:7-14
>
> Job 17:6-8
>
> Job 19:22
>
> Job 24:22 - 25:1
>
> 25:1 is the next passage.


> Job 31:35-40
>
> By this last passage, it was all about Job. God was almost totally out of
the picture.


> Given these accusations of malpractice, I have a problem thinking that
> Job did not find himself in need of regret/repentance.
>
> I just looked up all of these passages, and I don't see Job accusing God
of wrongdoing. Not in any of the passages. I see his questions, and lack of
answers so far, but there's a difference between saying that God has dealt
with him in a way that was unexpected, even appearing twisted, and accusing
God of wrongdoing. It was still in the spirit of Job 1:22, though by this
time a tattered spirit.

It was Elihue who said that Job accused God of removing his justice. Was he
correct? I question that.


> Shalom,
> Bryan
>
> B. M. Rocine
> Living Word Church
> 5101 Court St. Rd.
> Syracuse, NY 13206
>

In closing, the meaning given in the dictionary for "repent: verb [
intrans. ]feel
or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin, [
trans. ] view
or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse" While I
agree that there was a certain amount of regret in Job's return, I don't see
repentance as part of it because Job had not done what he had been accused
of doing, nor had he accused God of wronging him. But he did need to turn
back from a focus on himself and his suffering, to focussing on God and his
lordship.

Karl W. Randolph.