Last week I finished preparing my textbook list for Rapid Hebrew Reading. This is a class that I will teach in the Fall Semester of 2008 (to read about this, scroll down to course number 149 on this page). The reading in this class covers forty-five chapters from the Hebrew Old Testament dealing with pericopes in historical narrative, legal material, prophecy and poetry. Because of the demands of this type of class, I was glad to add a unique Hebrew Bible that I am confident will assist in covering our objectives in this class. The new tool is Zondervan’s A Reader’s Hebrew Bible edited by A. Philip Brown II and Bryan W. Smith. In my estimation, this is a great source for stimulating reading the Hebrew Old Testament.

For those who are students of the Greek New Testament, you may be familiar with Zondervan’s A Reader’s Greek New Testament by Richard J. Goodrich and Albert L. Lukaszewski. A Reader’s Hebrew Bible follows this pattern. Zondervan’s release describes a number of the positive features of A Reader’s Hebrew Bible: “Ideal for Hebrew students and pastors, A Reader’s Hebrew Bible saves time and effort in studying the Hebrew Old Testament. By eliminating the need to look up definitions, the footnotes allow the user to read the Hebrew and Aramaic text more quickly, focusing on parsing and grammatical issues. A Reader’s Hebrew Bible offers the following features: • Complete text of the Hebrew and Aramaic Bible using the Leningrad Codex (minus critical apparatus) • Shaded Hebrew names that occur less than 100 times • Footnoted definitions of all Hebrew words occurring 100 times or less (twenty-five or less for Aramaic words) • Context-specific glosses • Stem-specific glossed definitions for verb forms (Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and so forth) • Ketib/Qere readings both noted in the text and differentiated appropriately • Marker ribbon.”

If you are concerned about keeping up with reading your Hebrew Old Testament, A Reader’s Hebrew Bible will be a great aid. And, if you are interested in getting a 43% discount, click here. When I think of the significance of this unique Hebrew Old Testament, I am reminded of a saying of my grandmother, “this is better than sliced bread.” Thanks to Philip Brown and Bryan Smith for providing something that is more eternally valuable than “sliced bread.”

Earlier this week, Tuesday, April 15, the ESV Bible Blog announced that the ESV Study Bible would be released in October 2008. If you go to the ESV Study Bible’s home page, the menu is set up so that you will be able to easily examine this study Bible’s features, formats, contributors, and endorsements.

The Features page provides an overview of its content and features. Some interesting features include more than 25,000 notes that focus on interpreting the biblical text and 80,000 cross references to easily locate key terms, passages and biblical motifs. Also, while on this page, you can see sample portions of John 1 [show]John 1 The Word Became Flesh [1:1]In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2]He was in the beginning with God. [3]All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4]In him was life,(1) and the life was the light of men. [5]The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [6]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7]He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. [8]He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. [9]The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. [10]He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11]He came to his own,(2) and his own people(3) did not receive him. [12]But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13]who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. [14]And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15](John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") [16]And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17]For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18]No one has ever seen God; the only God,(4) who is at the Father's side,(5) he has made him known. The Testimony of John the Baptist [19]And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" [20]He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." [21]And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." [22]So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" [23]He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight(6) the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." [24](Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) [25]They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" [26]John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, [27]even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." [28]These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. Behold, the Lamb of God [29]The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [30]This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' [31]I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." [32]And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33]I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' [34]And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." Jesus Calls the First Disciples [35]The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, [36]and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" [37]The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38]Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" [39]He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.(7) [40]One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus(8) was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [41]He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). [42]He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter(9)). Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael [43]The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." [44]Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. [45]Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." [46]Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." [47]Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" [48]Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." [49]Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" [50]Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." [51]And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you,(10) you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:4] Or 'was not any thing made. That which has been made was life in him' 2. [1:11] Greek 'to his own things'; that is, to his own domain, or to his own people 3. [1:11] 'People' is implied in Greek 4. [1:18] Or 'the only One, who is God'; some manuscripts 'the only Son' 5. [1:18] Greek 'in the bosom of the Father' 6. [1:23] Or 'crying out, 'In the wilderness make straight' 7. [1:39] That is, about 4 P.M. 8. [1:40] Greek 'him' 9. [1:42] 'Cephas' and 'Peter' are from the word for 'rock' in Aramaic and Greek, respectively 10. [1:51] The Greek for 'you' is plural; twice in this verse
& John 18 [show]John 18 Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus [18:1]When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. [2]Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. [3]So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. [4]Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" [5]They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he."(1) Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. [6]When Jesus(2) said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. [7]So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." [8]Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." [9]This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one." [10]Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant(3) and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) [11]So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas [12]So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. [13]First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. [14]It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. Peter Denies Jesus [15]Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, [16]but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. [17]The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." [18]Now the servants(4) and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The High Priest Questions Jesus [19]The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. [20]Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. [21]Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said." [22]When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" [23]Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?" [24]Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Peter Denies Jesus Again [25]Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You also are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." [26]One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" [27]Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. Jesus Before Pilate [28]Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters.(5) It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. [29]So Pilate went outside to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" [30]They answered him, "If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you." [31]Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." [32]This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. My Kingdom Is Not of This World [33]So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" [34]Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" [35]Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" [36]Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." [37]Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." [38]Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him. [39]But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" [40]They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.(6) (ESV) Footnotes 1. [18:5] Greek 'I am'; also verses 6, 8 2. [18:6] Greek 'he' 3. [18:10] Greek 'bondservant'; twice in this verse 4. [18:18] Greek 'bondservants'; also verse 26 5. [18:28] Greek 'the praetorium' 6. [18:40] Or 'an insurrectionist'
and an illustration of Solomon’s Temple. The Formats page provides details about the printing and binding. When on this page, you can pre-order, with a 35% discount, the ESV Study Bible in eight first-edition formats. On the Contributors page, it is noted, “the ESV Study Bible was created by a team of 93 outstanding evangelical Bible scholars and teachers. They were chosen, first, because of their deep commitment to the truth, authority, and sufficiency of God’s Word; and, second, because of their expertise in teaching and understanding the Bible.” The final menu item is its Endorsements. Here you can see what a few evangelical leaders have to say about the ESV Study Bible. Dr. Albert Mohler’s response to this study Bible is worth noting: “Outstanding! The ESV Study Bible is a treasure—a beautiful volume, filled with a wealth of resources. It will be just as useful for the seminarian and long-time pastor as it will be accessible to the brand-new Christian” (for a range of blog responses, go to ESV Study Bible Blog Responses).

One final outstanding feature of the ESV Study Bible is that it “is the first study Bible ever to be published simultaneously in print form and online—and the online edition will be available free to all who purchase a copy of the print edition. The ESV Online Study Bible will provide additional unique features, including the ability to create personal online notes; to search and follow interactive links between notes, maps, articles, charts, timelines, illustrations, and cross-references; to listen to audio recordings of the ESV; and to access numerous additional resources not available in the print edition—all available for free.”

Judging from what I have been able to review, the ESV Study Bible will make a great contribution to the range of study Bibles (for my assessment of the ESV Literary Study and how I use translations, click here). After finishing my investigation of the ESV Study Bible, I returned to the Formats page to order my copy with a 35% discount. I look forward to receiving my copy of the ESV Study Bible in October and recommend that you go to ESV Study Bible and order your copy today so that you can also receive it when it is released.

A week ago, I received the much-anticipated ESV Literary Study Bible (ESVLSB), and I wanted to post some of my initial reactions to this new study Bible. As many of us know, this is not the first edition of the English Standard Version. Rather the ESV was first published in 2001 and, at that time, I received a copy of it. After a few years of dabbling with the ESV, I began to use it more consistently in 2004. While holding a Bible conference in 2005 at a church that used the ESV, I purchased ESV: The Reformation Study Bible. Subsequently, I began to use the ESV as my preferred literal or formal translation, though I use many other versions since all legitimate translations reflect a substantive preservation of the autographs. Since I teach Hebrew, I encourage my students that, after they have done their own complete original translation, they should consult three different types of translations to check their work. They should begin with a Bible that uses a formal equivalence translation philosophy, such as the ESV or NASB. Next, they should check a functional equivalence Bible, such as NLT or CEV, and then a Bible that is somewhere in between these two translation philosophies, such as NIV or NET Bible. These last two types of translation should assist them in refining their own English translation. Since I am committed to the original language texts that undergird all acceptable translation work, my commitment in the Old Testament is to Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and in the New Testament to the Greek New Testament (UBS4) (though my knowledge of Greek is not the same as when I did my doctoral work). However, because my knowledge of Hebrew is more a grammatical understanding, rather than an intuitive knowledge of the language, my own oral translations are more often than not coordinate with a rendering that is similar to the ESV.

When I first read about the ESV Literary Study Bible, I had some favorable expectations because of the two editors, Dr. Leland Ryken, Clyde S. Kilby professor of English at Wheaton College, and his son, Dr. Philip Graham Ryken, senior pastor at the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. For those who have taken any of my classes related to Old Testament poetic literature, Dr. Leland Ryken’s name should bring to mind favorable memories since I require my students in these types of classes to read a few of the books that he has written. One of my favorites is Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible.

Over this past week, I have been reading segments from Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes. My initial reactions have been positive. While this is a study Bible, it is not the same as other study Bibles that I have used (for example, NAS Ryrie Study Bible, NIV: Study Bible, The MacArthur Study Bible, and ESV: The Reformation Study Bible). Like other study Bibles, ESVLSB contains a commentary on the biblical text; however, what is different is that ESVLSB places its comments as headnotes rather footnotes. In addition, the headnotes do not focus on the types of comments other study Bibles have, but rather on giving the reader reflective notes about the genre of a given text and its structural unity, as well as developing other significant rhetorical features. Furthermore, ESVLSB provides an introduction to each book that focus on the following kinds of issues: general information about the book, genre, key motifs, stylistic and rhetorical features, issues that relate to human experience, the development of a book’s message as well as how a specific book’s message relates to the overall message of the Bible. Another beneficial feature is the “Glossary of Terms and Genres” at the end of book on pages 1883-1900. One final positive item is that you can currently receive a 40% discount if you order this study Bible from Westminster Books.

Let me make three observations about the books that I have examined. First, the introductory items discussed for the book of Job are good: the book at a glance, genres, keys to enjoying and understanding the book of Job, how to avoid misinterpreting the book, unifying frameworks, inferred literary intentions, theological themes, and the book of Job as a chapter in the master story of the Bible. IMNSHO, ESVLSB has the correct understanding of the Elihu speeches (read each of the five introductory notes that precede Job 32-37 ESV [show]Job 32-37 Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends [32:1]So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. [2]Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. [3]He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. [4]Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. [5]And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. [6]And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. [7]I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' [8]But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. [9]It is not the old(1) who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. [10]Therefore I say, 'Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.' [11]"Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. [12]I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words. [13]Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.' [14]He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches. [15]"They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say. [16]And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? [17]I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion. [18]For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. [19]Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. [20]I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. [21]I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. [22]For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job [33:1]"But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words. [2]Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks. [3]My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely. [4]The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. [5]Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. [6]Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay. [7]Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you. [8]"Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words. [9]You say, 'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. [10]Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy, [11]he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.' [12]"Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. [13]Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's(2) words'?(3) [14]For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. [15]In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, [16]then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, [17]that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; [18]he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. [19]"Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, [20]so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food. [21]His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. [22]His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death. [23]If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, [24]and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; [25]let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; [26]then man(4) prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. [27]He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me. [28]He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.' [29]"Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, [30]to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life. [31]Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. [32]If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. [33]If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." Elihu Asserts God's Justice [34:1]Then Elihu answered and said: [2]"Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; [3]for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. [4]Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. [5]For Job has said, 'I am in the right, and God has taken away my right; [6]in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' [7]What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, [8]who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? [9]For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.' [10]"Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. [11]For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. [12]Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. [13]Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him(5) the whole world? [14]If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, [15]all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. [16]"If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. [17]Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, [18]who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man,' [19]who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? [20]In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. [21]"For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. [22]There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. [23]For God(6) has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. [24]He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place. [25]Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. [26]He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see, [27]because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways, [28]so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted-- [29]When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?-- [30]that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people. [31]"For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more; [32]teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'? [33]Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.(7) [34]Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say: [35]'Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.' [36]Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men. [37]For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God." Elihu Condemns Job [35:1]And Elihu answered and said: [2]"Do you think this to be just? Do you say, 'It is my right before God,' [3]that you ask, 'What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?' [4]I will answer you and your friends with you. [5]Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. [6]If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? [7]If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? [8]Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man. [9]"Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.(8) [10]But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, [11]who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?' [12]There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. [13]Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it. [14]How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! [15]And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not take much note of transgression,(9) [16]Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge." Elihu Extols God's Greatness [36:1]And Elihu continued, and said: [2]"Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf. [3]I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. [4]For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. [5]"Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. [6]He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. [7]He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted. [8]And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, [9]then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. [10]He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. [11]If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. [12]But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge. [13]"The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. [14]They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. [15]He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. [16]He also allured you out of distress into a broad place where there was no cramping, and what was set on your table was full of fatness. [17]"But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you. [18]Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. [19]Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength? [20]Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place. [21]Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction. [22]Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? [23]Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, 'You have done wrong'? [24]"Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. [25]All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. [26]Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. [27]For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, [28]which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. [29]Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? [30]Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea. [31]For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. [32]He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. [33]Its crashing declares his presence;(10) the cattle also declare that he rises. Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty [37:1]"At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place. [2]Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. [3]Under the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the earth. [4]After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings(11) when his voice is heard. [5]God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. [6]For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,' likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. [7]He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it. [8]Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens. [9]From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. [10]By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. [11]He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. [12]They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. [13]Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. [14]"Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. [15]Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? [16]Do you know the balancings(12) of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, [17]you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? [18]Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? [19]Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. [20]Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up? [21]"And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. [22]Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. [23]The Almighty--we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. [24]Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit."(13) Footnotes 1. [32:9] Hebrew 'many' [in years] 2. [33:13] Hebrew 'his' 3. [33:13] Or 'He will not answer for any of his own words' 4. [33:26] Hebrew 'he' 5. [34:13] Hebrew lacks 'on him' 6. [34:23] Hebrew 'he' 7. [34:33] The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29-33 is uncertain 8. [35:9] Or 'the many' 9. [35:15] Theodotion, Symmachus (compare Vulgate); the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain 10. [36:33] Hebrew 'declares concerning him' 11. [37:4] Hebrew 'them' 12. [37:16] Or 'hoverings' 13. [37:24] Hebrew 'in heart'
). The introduction for each segment of the God speeches in Job 38-42 ESV [show]Job 38-42 The LORD Answers Job [38:1]Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: [2]"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? [3]Dress for action(1) like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. [4]"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. [5]Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? [6]On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, [7]when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? [8]"Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, [9]when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, [10]and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, [11]and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'? [12]"Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, [13]that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? [14]It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. [15]From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. [16]"Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? [17]Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? [18]Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. [19]"Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, [20]that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? [21]You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! [22]"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, [23]which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? [24]What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? [25]"Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, [26]to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, [27]to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? [28]"Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? [29]From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? [30]The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. [31]"Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? [32]Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth(2) in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? [33]Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? [34]"Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? [35]Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? [36]Who has put wisdom in the inward parts(3) or given understanding to the mind?(4) [37]Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, [38]when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together? [39]"Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, [40]when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? [41]Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food? [39:1]"Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the does? [2]Can you number the months that they fulfill, and do you know the time when they give birth, [3]when they crouch, bring forth their offspring, and are delivered of their young? [4]Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open; they go out and do not return to them. [5]"Who has let the wild donkey go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey, [6]to whom I have given the arid plain for his home and the salt land for his dwelling place? [7]He scorns the tumult of the city; he hears not the shouts of the driver. [8]He ranges the mountains as his pasture, and he searches after every green thing. [9]"Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your manger? [10]Can you bind him in the furrow with ropes, or will he harrow the valleys after you? [11]Will you depend on him because his strength is great, and will you leave to him your labor? [12]Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain and gather it to your threshing floor? [13]"The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?(5) [14]For she leaves her eggs to the earth and lets them be warmed on the ground, [15]forgetting that a foot may crush them and that the wild beast may trample them. [16]She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers; though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear, [17]because God has made her forget wisdom and given her no share in understanding. [18]When she rouses herself to flee,(6) she laughs at the horse and his rider. [19]"Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? [20]Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying. [21]He paws(7) in the valley and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons. [22]He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword. [23]Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear, and the javelin. [24]With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet. [25]When the trumpet sounds, he says 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. [26]"Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south? [27]Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? [28]On the rock he dwells and makes his home, on the rocky crag and stronghold. [29]From there he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it from far away. [30]His young ones suck up blood, and where the slain are, there is he." [40:1]And the LORD said to Job: [2]"Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." Job Promises Silence [3]Then Job answered the LORD and said: [4]"Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. [5]I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further." The LORD Challenges Job [6]Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: [7]"Dress for action(8) like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. [8]Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? [9]Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? [10]"Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. [11]Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him. [12]Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand. [13]Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below.(9) [14]Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you. [15]"Behold, Behemoth,(10) which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. [16]Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. [17]He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. [18]His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron. [19]"He is the first of the works(11) of God; let him who made him bring near his sword! [20]For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play. [21]Under the lotus plants he lies, in the shelter of the reeds and in the marsh. [22]For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him. [23]Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth. [24]Can one take him by his eyes,(12) or pierce his nose with a snare? [41:1](13) "Can you draw out Leviathan(14) with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? [2]Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? [3]Will he make many pleas to you? Will he speak to you soft words? [4]Will he make a covenant with you to take him for your servant forever? [5]Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you put him on a leash for your girls? [6]Will traders bargain over him? Will they divide him up among the merchants? [7]Can you fill his skin with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? [8]Lay your hands on him; remember the battle--you will not do it again! [9](15) Behold, the hope of a man is false; he is laid low even at the sight of him. [10]No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me? [11]Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. [12]"I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame. [13]Who can strip off his outer garment? Who would come near him with a bridle? [14]Who can open the doors of his face? Around his teeth is terror. [15]His back is made of(16) rows of shields, shut up closely as with a seal. [16]One is so near to another that no air can come between them. [17]They are joined one to another; they clasp each other and cannot be separated. [18]His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. [19]Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. [20]Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. [21]His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth. [22]In his neck abides strength, and terror dances before him. [23]The folds of his flesh stick together, firmly cast on him and immovable. [24]His heart is hard as a stone, hard as the lower millstone. [25]When he raises himself up the mighty(17) are afraid; at the crashing they are beside themselves. [26]Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail, nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin. [27]He counts iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. [28]The arrow cannot make him flee; for him sling stones are turned to stubble. [29]Clubs are counted as stubble; he laughs at the rattle of javelins. [30]His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire. [31]He makes the deep boil like a pot; he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. [32]Behind him he leaves a shining wake; one would think the deep to be white-haired. [33]On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear. [34]He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride." Job's Confession and Repentance [42:1]Then Job answered the LORD and said: [2]"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. [3]'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. [4]'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.' [5]I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; [6]therefore I despise myself, and repent(18) in dust and ashes." The LORD Rebukes Job's Friends [7]After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. [8]Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." [9]So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job's prayer. The LORD Restores Job's Fortunes [10]And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. [11]Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil(19) that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money(20) and a ring of gold. [12]And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. [13]He had also seven sons and three daughters. [14]And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. [15]And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. [16]And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. [17]And Job died, an old man, and full of days. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [38:3] Hebrew 'Gird up your loins' 2. [38:32] Probably the name of a constellation 3. [38:36] Or 'in the ibis' 4. [38:36] Or 'rooster' 5. [39:13] The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain 6. [39:18] The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain 7. [39:21] Hebrew 'They paw' 8. [40:7] Hebrew 'Gird up your loins' 9. [40:13] Hebrew 'in the hidden place' 10. [40:15] A large animal, exact identity unknown 11. [40:19] Hebrew 'ways' 12. [40:24] Or 'in his sight' 13. [41:1] Ch 40:25 in Hebrew 14. [41:1] A large sea animal, exact identity unknown 15. [41:9] Ch 41:1 in Hebrew 16. [41:15] Or 'His pride is in his' 17. [41:25] Or 'gods' 18. [42:6] Or 'and am comforted' 19. [42:11] Or 'disaster' 20. [42:11] Hebrew 'a qesitah'; a unit of money of unknown value
is insightful. Further, after a four-page introduction to the Psalms, ESVLSB provides a one-paragraph introduction to each psalm, which identifies a psalm’s subject, genre, key rhetorical features, and structural arrangement. I have wished for years that someone would see the need to develop this type of approach for the Psalms and I am glad to see this has finally arrived in the ESVLSB. Third, ESVLSB’s notes on Ecclesiastes are insightful. Anyone who sees that Ecclesiastes has some value for normative theology will appreciate this note on page 970: “The book of Ecclesiastes has been aptly called the most contemporary or modern book in the Bible.”

Since my objective is only to give my preliminary impressions of Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes, you’ll want to read what others have said for a more thorough review of ESVLSB. Endorsements for this study Bible may be found at Between Two Worlds and Dispatches from the Post Evangelical Wilderness. You may also want to read a couple of interviews with both Dr. Leland Ryken and Dr. Philip Graham Ryken at Mongergism.com and at Westminster Bookstore Blog. Initially, I thank God for tools, like ESVLSB, that divine providence has made available for us to effectively study Scripture. Since I still have 63 other books in ESVLSB to read, these are only my initial thoughts. Since ESVLSB’s notes for Job, Psalms and Ecclesiastes are a delight to read, I anticipate that my trek through the remainder of this study Bible will be equally profitable.