Beschreibung:
Job 30:24 is a notorious crux interpretum. Understandings of this verse which are typically offered cannot be anchored in the text and appear to be too simplistic for the Jobian context. If it is recognized that a scribal confusion might have occurred because of the possible ligature ות = ה a cogent text can be obtained, which can be paraphrased: "God would not destroy completely (cause the death of) a person, if that person sees in such calamity his deliverance." This deep insight serves as the logical foundation for the concluding "protestation of innocence" in Chapter 30. Job, who has been ruined and who sees in death his salvation, must be considered a man of fortitude, integrity, and honesty and his words unquestionably believable and acceptable. His drive for restitution, according to the Doctrine of Retribution, should be heard.