Job 40:4 | NET2full | STEP | “ Indeed , I am completely unworthy — how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself.

‏ Job 40:4

4 “Indeed, I am completely unworthy ^{▼▼tn The word קַלֹּתִי (qalloti) means “to be light; to be of small account; to be unimportant.” From this comes the meaning “contemptible,” which in the causative stem would mean “to treat with contempt; to curse.” Dhorme tries to make the sentence a conditional clause and suggests this meaning: “If I have been thoughtless.” There is really no “if” in Job’s mind.} —how could I reply to you?
I put ^{▼▼tn The perfect verb here should be classified as an instantaneous perfect; the action is simultaneous with the words.} my hand over my mouth to silence myself. ^{▼▼tn The words “to silence myself” are supplied in the translation for clarity.}