If I summoned him and he answered me: Job continues by imagining how it would be if he could call God to appear in a lawsuit. Summoned translates the Hebrew “called” with the sense to notify to appear in court. In translation it may be necessary to fill out the legal context of summoned by saying, for example, “If I asked him to come to court and argue his case” or “If I said ‘You must appear before a judge with me….’ ” Answered me refers not to defending himself, but simply to accepting the summons or call to appear in court.

I would not believe that he was listening to my voice: because the possibility of this happening is out of the question for Job, he would not believe God was hearing the call to appear in court. This may sometimes be rendered “I would not believe God heard my voice” or “I would not believe God paid attention to what I said.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .