| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the adversative pivot veulam {וְֽאוּלָ֗ם | wə-ʾûlām} ‘but nevertheless’ establishing a sharp counterpoint. The fronted pronoun atem {אַתֶּ֥ם | ʾat-tem} ‘you’ introduces a direct rebuke. A verbless clause implies “are,” and the coordinated participles link toflei-shaqer {טֹֽפְלֵי־שָׁ֑קֶר | ṭōp̄lê-šāqer} ‘smearers of falsehood’ and rofei elil {רֹפְאֵ֖י אֱלִ֣ל | rōp̄əʾê ʾĕlîl} ‘healers of worthlessness’ as twofold metaphors: deceptive coating and failed healing. The inclusive tag kulləḵem {כֻּלְּכֶֽם | kulləḵem} ‘all of you’ reinforces total culpability. English supplies the copula and retains vivid metaphors (“smearers,” “physicians”) to preserve Job’s forceful indictment. |