Eliphaz speaks first, perhaps because he is the oldest of the three. His question reflects respect and caution in the context of Middle Eastern courtesy. Job has been cursing his origin, and now the poet must initiate a line of discussion in sharp contrast to the content of chapter 3. Parallelism occurs as line a ventures a word is matched in line b by keep from speaking. Like Revised Standard Version most translations understand line a to be a condition. However, Bible en français courant translates it as a negative statement followed by a reason, “I don’t dare speak to you because you are so depressed,” giving alternative interpretations in a footnote. The impersonal one must often be shifted to “I” as in Good News Translation and others. New Jerusalem Bible prefers an editorial “we,” which would represent all three friends. Ventures a word translates the Hebrew “shall one try a word” and reveals Eliphaz’s hesitation to open up the dialogue with the suffering Job. Many languages have idiomatic expressions for ventures a word; for example, “Will you become sad if I say two words to you?” or “… if my mouth speaks a word for your ears?” Eliphaz and Job would both know a number of proverbial sayings which would apply to their situation. For example, Proverbs 10.19b “he who restrains his lips is prudent.” On the other hand, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Prov 25.11).

Will you be offended translates the Hebrew “would you be weary.” Some understand the verb to mean “being impatient or unable to endure.” The New Jewish Version (New Jerusalem Bible) has “Will it be too much?” and New English Bible “Will you lose patience?” The question is similar to the English “Would you mind if I say something now?” or “I hope you won’t mind if I say something now.” In some languages this thought may be expressed idiomatically: “Will it make you turn away?” or “Will it make you throw my words behind you?”

Who can keep from speaking? translates a verb meaning to refrain or hold back. It is used in Jeremiah 20.9, where the prophet describes holding God’s message in himself as a burning fire in his heart. Eliphaz’s compassion for Job, as well as the revelation he will describe, make it impossible for him to keep quiet. The rhetorical question may need to be shifted to a negative statement; for example, “I can’t keep from speaking” or “I am not able to remain silent.”

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 .