TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 26

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1Then Iyov said in reply:

אוַיַּעַן אִיּוֹב וַיֹּאמַר׃

2You would help without having the strength; You would deliver with arms that have no power.

meh a-ZAR-ta l'-lo KHO-akh ho-SHA-ta z'-RO-a lo OZ

במֶה־עָזַרְתָּ לְלֹא־כֹחַ הוֹשַׁעְתָּ זְרוֹעַ לֹא־עֹז׃

 26:2   You would deliver with arms that have no power

Iyov acknowledges that while Bildad’s intentions are good, in reality his words are of no assistance, since they do not provide any comfort. Though Bildad and Iyov’s other friends are trying to help, Iyov finds their statements very hurtful. It is often difficult to find the right words to comfort a grieving friend. In Jewish practice, a traditional formula is said when trying to comfort a mourner: “May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.” Since Hashem is the only One who can truly understand the suffering of the individual, and the only One who can really bring comfort, we call upon Him to comfort the mourner. The Hebrew word for ‘Omnipresent’ is hamakom (המקום), which literally means ‘the place.’ We pray that Hashem comforts the mourner, and that the mourner recognize God’s presence even in the difficult place in which he currently finds himself.

3Without having the wisdom, you offer advice And freely give your counsel.

גמַה־יָּעַצְתָּ לְלֹא חָכְמָה וְתוּשִׁיָּה לָרֹב הוֹדָעְתָּ׃

4To whom have you addressed words? Whose breath issued from you?

דאֶת־מִי הִגַּדְתָּ מִלִּין וְנִשְׁמַת־מִי יָצְאָה מִמֶּךָּ׃

5The shades tremble Beneath the waters and their denizens.

ההָרְפָאִים יְחוֹלָלוּ מִתַּחַת מַיִם וְשֹׁכְנֵיהֶם׃

6Sheol is naked before Him; Abaddon has no cover.

ועָרוֹם שְׁאוֹל נֶגְדּוֹ וְאֵין כְּסוּת לָאֲבַדּוֹן׃

7He it is who stretched out Zaphon over chaos, Who suspended earth over emptiness.

זנֹטֶה צָפוֹן עַל־תֹּהוּ תֹּלֶה אֶרֶץ עַל־בְּלִי־מָה׃

8He wrapped up the waters in His clouds; Yet no cloud burst under their weight.

חצֹרֵר־מַיִם בְּעָבָיו וְלֹא־נִבְקַע עָנָן תַּחְתָּם׃

9He shuts off the view of His throne, Spreading His cloud over it.

טמְאַחֵז פְּנֵי־כִסֵּה פַּרְשֵׁז עָלָיו עֲנָנוֹ׃

10He drew a boundary on the surface of the waters, At the extreme where light and darkness meet.

יחֹק־חָג עַל־פְּנֵי־מָיִם עַד־תַּכְלִית אוֹר עִם־חֹשֶׁךְ׃

11The pillars of heaven tremble, Astounded at His blast.

יאעַמּוּדֵי שָׁמַיִם יְרוֹפָפוּ וְיִתְמְהוּ מִגַּעֲרָתוֹ׃

12By His power He stilled the sea; By His skill He struck down Rahab.

יבבְּכֹחוֹ רָגַע הַיָּם ובתובנתו [וּבִתְבוּנָתוֹ] מָחַץ רָהַב׃

13By His wind the heavens were calmed; His hand pierced the Elusive Serpent.

יגבְּרוּחוֹ שָׁמַיִם שִׁפְרָה חֹלֲלָה יָדוֹ נָחָשׁ בָּרִיחַ׃

14These are but glimpses of His rule, The mere whisper that we perceive of Him; Who can absorb the thunder of His mighty deeds?

ידהֶן־אֵלֶּה קְצוֹת דרכו [דְּרָכָיו] וּמַה־שֵּׁמֶץ דָּבָר נִשְׁמַע־בּוֹ וְרַעַם גבורתו [גְּבוּרוֹתָיו] מִי יִתְבּוֹנָן׃