job 31 and 32

Read Job 31 and 32 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions for each man’s speech are like the divisions in the Psalms that we studied in 2014. There is an understood {s} division at the end of each numbered line, with an {n} marking where a new line begins within a numbered line.

Job 31:1-39 {s} Division at the end of each numbered line; with these {n} divisions within lines:
Job 31:7a, If my step has turned from the way, {n}
Job 31:34a, Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, {n}
Job 31:35a, Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, {n}
Job 31:40 {p} Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. {p}

Job 32:1a, So these three men ceased answering Job, {n}
Job 32:1b, Because he was righteous in his own eyes. {p}
Job 32:2a, Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, {n}
Job 32:2b, Against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. {s}
Job 32:3a, Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, {n}
Job 32:3b, Because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. {s}
Job 32:4, Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. {s}
Job 32:5, When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused. {p}

Job 32:6-22 {s} Division at the end of each numbered line; with these {n} divisions within lines:
Job 32:6a, So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: {n}
Job 32:6b, “I am young in years, and you are very old; {n}

Job’s final discourse from Job 29:1-31:40 forms its own chiastic structure:

1a) Job 29:1-30:15, Righteousness worthy of honor;

1a) Job 29:1-6, Job’s former prosperity;
1b) Job 29:7-25, Job held in reverence because of his righteousness + wisdom;
2b) Job 30:1-15a, Job held in derision because of his calamity;
2a) Job 30:15b, And my prosperity has passed like a cloud.

1b) Job 30:16-19, My soul is poured out / The days of affliction take hold of me;

1c) Job 30:20, I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;

1d) Job 30:21-22, With the strength of Your hand You oppose me;

central axis) Job 30:23, For I know that You will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living;

2d) Job 30:24-25, Would He stretch out His hand against a heap of ruins;

2c) Job 30:26, When I looked for good, evil came;

2b) Job 30:27-31, My heart is in turmoil / The days of affliction confront me;

2a) Job 31:1-32:40, Wickedness worthy of judgment.

1a) Job 31:1-10, Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?
1b) Job 31:11-12, Iniquity deserving of judgment;
central axis) Job 31:13-34, If I have done wickedly, let judgment come upon me;
2b) Job 31:35-36, Oh, that the Almighty would answer me!
2a) Job 31:37-40, I would declare to Him the number of my steps.