Job 38:21
Count the Stars, If you are Able!
You have known, for at that time you are begetting2 and the number of days of yourself are multitudes!Footnote:
| Job. 38:21 | As an imperfect in the 2nd masculine Niphal the meaning would be "you are being brought forth, born" and thus "at that time you are being born" but that does not make much sense. Previous translations have altered this clause sorely: "you were born then" (ESV) "you were already born" (NIV) "thou wast then born" (KJV) "you were born then" (NASB) Other literal translations attest: "for then you are born" (Literal Standard Version) "for shalt thou then be born" (Smith's Literal) The form תולד (tolîd) is the Hiphil imperfect 2 ms of ילד, and strictly speaking means: “You are begetting” The form אז תולד cannot mean “you were born at that time,” since תִּוָּלֵד is a (mispointed) Hiphʹil imperfect/incomplete (“you will cause to bear”), not a passive or perfect (complete) form. The correct past-passive “you were born” is נלדת (Niphal perfect), as in אָז נֻלַּדְתָּ. |