Job

Job front

Introduction to Job

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Job

1. Job is introduced (1:1–2:13)
   • Job is blameless and wealthy (1:1–5)
   • Yahweh allows Satan to test Job (1:6–2:10)
2. Three friends speak to Job (3:1–14:22)
   • Eliphaz, Bildad, and ZopharJob replies to each
3. They speak to him again (15:1–21:34)
   • Eliphaz, Bildad, and ZopharJob replies to each
4. They speak a third time (22:1–31:40)
   • Eliphaz and BildadJob replies to each
5. Elihu speaks to Job (32:1–37:24)
6. Yahweh answers Job out of the whirlwind (38:1–41:34)
7. Job is humbled before Yahweh (42:1–6)
8. Yahweh rebukes Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (42:7–9)
9. Yahweh prospers Job again (42:10–17)

What is the Book of Job about?

The Book of Job is about a man named Job who experienced disaster even though he was faithful to Yahweh. Job speaks with three friends and asks why Yahweh lets him experience trials and losses. The book teaches that we cannot understand all of Yahweh’s ways, and when we suffer, it is more important to trust Yahweh than it is to understand the reason for the suffering.

How should the title of this book be translated?

The Book of Job is named for Job, the main character in the book. His name is not related to the English word “job.” Translators might use the traditional title of “The Book of Job” or just “Job.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The Book About Job” or “The Book About a Man Named Job.”

Who wrote the Book of Job?

We do not know who wrote the Book of Job. Many people suggest that Moses composed or compiled the book, but it may have been written after the time of Moses.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Does sin cause suffering?

When a person sins against Yahweh, it can cause the person to experience suffering. People in the ancient Near East generally believed that a person suffered because they or their ancestors sinned against God. This is what many religions teach. However, the Book of Job shows that a person may suffer even if he or she has not sinned. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Were Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar really Job’s friends?

Job 2:11 refers to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar as the friends of Job. But they did not comfort Job. Instead, they tried to persuade Job to say something about God that Job believed was not true. So we might wonder if it is right to translate the word as “friends.” They did care about Job and they wanted to help him. However, what they said did not help Job because they did not understand the truth about God.

When did the events in the Book of Job take place?

We do not know when the events in the Book of Job took place. It seems to be set around the time of Abraham and Isaac in the Book of Genesis. However, some verses are similar to ones in the Books of Proverbs and Isaiah, which are set much later.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What style of writing is in the Book of Job?

The writer starts and ends the Book of Job by telling what happened to Job in narrative form. He wrote the other parts in poetry form. In the ancient Near East, writers often used poetry to discuss matters of wisdom.

Is the Book of Job difficult to translate?

The Book of Job has many uncommon words and phrases, making parts of it hard to understand translate. For this reason, translators may decide to translate this book after they have translated other books of the Bible. However, since the writer did not connect Job with a specific time or place in history, the translator may decide to translate this book before other Old Testament books.

Job 1

Job 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter introduces a story about a man named Job who lives during a time long before the author.

Special concepts in this chapter

Wealth

Job is very rich. During his time, a man’s wealth is measured by the number of animals he owns. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Feasts

Job is a very godly man and celebrates Yahweh’s provision by having feasts. It must be remembered that Job lives prior to the law of Moses, so his religious practices are different than the Hebrew people after Moses. The events of this book occur about the same time as the life of Abraham. Therefore, this book corresponds more with Genesis 12-50 than the rest of the Old Testament. (See:godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness and law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)

Job’s faith

Satan believes that Job’s faith is based on Yahweh’s blessings. He challenges Yahweh to remove these blessings from Job’s life because he thinks that Job will no longer trust in Yahweh if this happens. (See: faith, bless, blessed, blessing and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

Job 1:1

Possible locations are: (1) a place in ancient Edom east of the Jordan River in modern western Jordan or (2) a place east of the Euphrates River in modern Iran. (See: How to Translate Names)

The words “blameless” and “upright” share similar meanings and emphasize that Job was a righteous man. Alternate translation: “one who did what was right before God” (See: Doublet)

Alternate translation: “one who honored God”

Here evil is spoken of as if it were a place that a person could avoid going to, instead of the doing of evil actions. Alternate translation: “refused to do evil” (See: Metaphor)

Job 1:2

“7 sons and 3 daughters” (See: Numbers)

Job 1:3

“He had 7,000 sheep” (See: Numbers)

“3,000 camels” (See: Numbers)

“500 pairs of oxen” (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “the richest”

The refers to places that were east of Canaan. Alternate translation: “all the people who live in lands that were east of Canaan” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 1:4

The word “day” perhaps refers to the day when they celebrated the son’s birth. But it at least refers to the idea that the sons each took a turn in holding a feast. Alternate translation: “On each son’s birthday, the son would give” or “Each son in turn would give”

“he habitually gave … They habitually sent and called for “

The word “them” refers to the seven sons and the three daughters but does not include Job.

Job 1:5

Alternate translation: “he habitually gave … They habitually sent and called for … Job habitually sent … he habitually consecrated … He habitually rose early in the morning and offered … he habitually said”

Alternate translation: “When the feast was over” or “After the feast”

Alternate translation: “Job habitually sent someone to call them to come to him”

Here “consecrate” means to ask God to take away any ritual impurities that Job’s children might have brought upon themselves as they happily feasted together. Job did this by making sacrifices to God for them.

Their “hearts” represent their thoughts. Often such thoughts could come unintentionally, without the person wanting to think them. Alternate translation: “cursed God in their thoughts” (See: Metonymy)

Job 1:6

“At the time when” or “One day when.” This is not a specific day but apparently the gathering happened often.

This refers to angels, heavenly beings.

Alternate translation: “to stand together before Yahweh as he commanded them to do.”

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

Job 1:7

The phrases “wandering” and “going back and forth” refer to the activity of traveling all over the earth in order to emphasize its completeness. Alternate translation: “From going everywhere on the earth” (See: Parallelism and Merism)

Job 1:8

“Have you thought about my servant Job?” Here God is beginning to talk with Satan about Job. Alternate translation: “Consider my servant Job” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The words “blameless” and “upright” share similar meanings and emphasize that Job was a righteous man. See how you translated this in Job 1:1. Alternate translation: “one who did what was right before God” (See: Doublet)

“one who honors God.” See how you translated this in Job 1:1.

Job 1:9

“Does Job respect God for no reason?” Satan responds to God by presenting and answering his own question. He says that Job obeys God only because God blesses him. Alternate translation: “Job has a reason for obeying God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 1:10

Satan states the facts to support his argument. Alternate translation: “You have protected him, his family and everything he owns” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Just as a barrier such as a wall or a hedge surrounds and protects one’s land, God has surrounded Job with his protection. Alternate translation: “protected him and his house and all that is his” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “everything that he does”

Alternate translation: “he has more and more livestock in the land”

Job 1:11

Satan means that if God attacks Job, he will see how Job responds. Alternate translation: “But now, if you stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, you will see that he will curse you to your face”

Here “hand” refers to God’s power to act. “But now use your power” (See: Metonymy)

Here “touch” represents the action of harming or destroying. Alternate translation: “attack all that he has” or “destroy all that he has” (See: Metonymy)

“in your hearing.” This refers to a time when God is paying attention.

Job 1:12

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Pay attention to all that I am about to tell you”

Here “hand” represents someone’s power to control something. Alternate translation: “you have power over all that he has” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “against his life”

Alternate translation: “departed from Yahweh” or “left Yahweh”

Job 1:15

This refers to a people in a region in modern day Yemen. Here it represents a group of raiders or bandits. (See: How to Translate Names and Metonymy)

Here “fell” represents the idea of attacking. Alternate translation: “attacked them” (See: Metaphor)

Here striking represents killing. (See: Metonymy)

Here “edge” represents the part of swords that kill people, that is, either the point or the sharp edge. Also, all the swords of the Sabeans are spoken of as if they were only one sword. (See: Metaphor and Generic Noun Phrases)

Job 1:16

“he” refers to the first messenger

This refers to another messenger. Alternate translation: “another messenger also came” (See: Ellipsis)

See how you translated this in Job 1:15.

Job 1:17

Here “edge” represents the part of swords that kill people, that is, either the point or the sharp edge. Also, all the swords of the Chaldeans are spoken of as if they were only one sword. See how you translated this in Job 1:15. (See: Metaphor and Generic Noun Phrases)

Job 1:18

See how you translated this in Job 1:13.

Job 1:19

Alternate translation: “A tornado” or “A desert storm”

Alternate translation: “the structural supports of the house”

Alternate translation: “The house fell on your sons and daughters”

See how you translated this in Job 1:15.

Job 1:20

These were ritual mourning actions, symbolizing deep grief. (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 1:21

Alternate translation: “At my birth, I brought nothing into the world, and at my death I will return to the earth with nothing”

Job 1:22

Alternate translation: “Regarding all this that happened”

Alternate translation: “say that God had done wrong”

Job 2

Job 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter repeats the concepts of the previous chapter, but this time it is more severe. After losing his wealth, Job’s health is taken from him. His wife also begins to encourage Job to sin by cursing Yahweh. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and curse, cursed, cursing)

Job 2:1

This verse is almost exactly the same as Job 1:6 and can probably be translated in the same way.

See how you translated this in Job 1:6.

This is not a specific day. The gathering happened often. Alternate translation: “at the time when” or “one day when”

See how you translated this in Job 1:6.

See how you translated this in Job 1:6.

Job 2:2

This verse is exactly the same as Job 1:7 and can probably be translated in the same way.

Job 2:3

This verse is the same as Job 1:8, except for the addition of “He still holds fast to his integrity, although you misled me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

This rhetorical question actually makes a statement.See how you translated this in Job 1:8. Alternate translation: “Consider my servant Job.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The words “blameless” and “upright” share similar meanings and emphasize that Job was a righteous man. See how you translated a similar phrase in Job 1:1. Alternate translation: “one who did what was right before God” (See: Doublet)

See how you translated this in Job 1:1.

Alternate translation: “remains completely dedicated to doing what is good and right”

Alternate translation: “persuaded me without cause to attack him”

Here “destroy” represents “make poor.” Alternate translation: “to make him a poor man”

Job 2:4

“Skin” here is a metonym for Job’s life. Alternate translation: “A person will do anything to save his own life, even accept the loss of possessions and loved ones” (See: Metonymy)

Job 2:5

Satan means that if God attacks Job, he will see how Job responds. Alternate translation: “But now, if you stretch out your hand and touch his bones and his flesh, you will see that he will curse you to your face”

Here “hand” refers to God’s power to act. “But now use your power.” See how you translated this in Job 1:11. (See: Metonymy)

Here “touch” represents the action of harming. Alternate translation: “attack” (See: Metonymy)

This expression represents Job’s body. (See: Synecdoche)

See how you translated this in Job 1:11.

This refers to a time when God is paying attention. Alternate translation: “in your hearing” (See: Metaphor)

Job 2:7

See how you translated this in Job 1:12.

Alternate translation: “He caused Job to suffer greatly with painful boils”

large, itching and painful skin infections

Job 2:8

The scraping scratches the skin to lessen the itch.

This probably refers to a place where trash and garbage were dumped and perhaps burned. Sitting in such a place was a sign of deep mourning. Alternate translation: “sat on the trash heap” (See: Euphemism and Symbolic Action)

Job 2:9

This rhetorical question represents a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not still be holding fast to your integrity.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Reject God”

Job 2:10

Alternate translation: “You talk the way a stupid woman talks”

This rhetorical question represents a statement. Alternate translation: “We should certainly receive the bad from God as well as the good.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “benefit from all the good things”

This represents all the good things that God gives us. (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Alternate translation: “suffer all the bad things without complaining”

This represents all the bad things that God makes or allows us to experience. (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Here “lips” represents the act of speaking. Alternate translation: “sin by speaking against God” (See: Metonymy)

Job 2:11

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are men’s names. Teman was a city in Edom. Shuhites are the decedents of Abraham and Keturah. Naamah was a city in Canaan. (See: How to Translate Names)

Alternate translation: “agreed on a time”

Here the words “mourn with” and “comfort” share similar meanings. The friends try to comfort Job by mourning with him. Alternate translation: “to grieve with Job in order to help ease his suffering” (See: Doublet)

Job 2:12

This is an idiom that means “they looked intently” or “they looked carefully.” (See: Idiom)

This probably means that Job’s visitors did not recognize him at first, when they saw him at a distance. Job looked very different than usual because of his grief and because of the sores covering his body. Alternate translation: “they barely recognized him”

Here “raised their voices” is an idiom that means they became loud. Alternate translation: “They wept out loud” or “They wept loudly” (See: Idiom)

This was a sign of mourning. (See: Symbolic Action)

These were signs of mourning. (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 3

Job 3 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Job uses several rhetorical questions in this chapter. The purpose of these rhetorical questions is to show Job’s earnest desire. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 3:1

This idiom means he began to speak. (See: Idiom)

Job 3:3

Job speaks of that day and night as if they were people. Alternate translation: “I wish that I had never been born” (See: Personification)

This expression intensifies the statement of Job’s grief by going even further back in time from his birth to his conception. Alternate translation: “the night that said, ‘A boy has been conceived’ perish.” (See: Ellipsis)

Here the night is spoken of as if it were a person who could speak. The translator may choose, however, to translate it in a less metaphorical way. Alternate translation: “the night about which people said” (See: Personification)

This may be put into active form. Alternate translation: “his mother has conceived a male child”

Job 3:4

The expressions in these verses are all wishes that the day of Job’s birth would no longer exist. This may imply that the day, although in the past, still existed somehow. The UST translates them as expressions of sadness about what that day was like.

These two clauses describe the darkness of the day of Job’s birth, thus repeating Job’s regret that he had been born. (See: Parallelism)

This is a wish for that day to not exist any longer. Alternate translation: “may that day disappear” (See: Metaphor)

Job 3:5

Here darkness and the shadow of death are spoken of as if they were people who could claim something as their own possession. The word “it” refers to the day of Job’s birth. (See: Personification)

Here a shadow represents death itself. Alternate translation: “death like a shadow” (See: Metaphor)

Here a cloud is spoken of as if it were a person who could live over the day of Job’s birth. Alternate translation: “May a cloud cover it so no one can see it” (See: Metaphor)

This refers to things that block out the sun’s light and create darkness. Here “black” represents darkness. (See: Metaphor)

“terrify that day.” The day is spoken of as if it were a person who could be terrified by the darkness. (See: Personification)

Job 3:6

This darkness is again spoken of as if it were a person who could grasp and hold the night. Alternate translation: “may thick darkness make it disappear” (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “deep darkness” or “complete darkness”

The word “it” refers to the night of Job’s birth or conception. The night of Job’s conception is spoken of as if it were a person who should not rejoice. Alternate translation: “May that night vanish from the calendar” (See: Personification)

That night is spoken of as if it were a person who could walk. Alternate translation: “may no one count it in the number” (See: Personification)

Job 3:7

The night of Job’s birth is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “may no child be born on that night” (See: Personification)

Here that the night of Job’s birth is spoken of as if it were a time when it was still possible for someone to be happy. Alternate translation: “may no one hear the happy cry at the birth of a son” (See: Metaphor)

Here the voice stands for a person who is happy. Alternate translation: “may no one be happy in it ever again” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 3:8

Job is probably referring here to sorcerers and magicians, who he believes might be able to even provoke Leviathan in spreading chaos. Leviathan was an animal well known in Ancient Near Eastern mythology, which was thought to be responsible for all kinds of destruction, disorder, and chaos.

Job 3:9

This refers to the planets that are often visible just before dawn. Alternate translation: “May the stars that appear before that day’s first light be dark”

The day of Job’s birth is spoken of as if it were a person looking for something. Alternate translation: “May that day hope for light, but have none” (See: Personification)

The dawn is spoken of as if it had eyelids as a person has. Alternate translation: “nor see the first light of the dawn” (See: Personification)

Job 3:10

A woman’s womb is spoken of as if it were a container with doors. Alternate translation: “because that day did not close my mother’s womb” (See: Metaphor)

The day of Job’s birth is spoken of here as if it were a person who could hide something. (See: Personification)

Here “eyes” represents the person who sees with them. Alternate translation: “from me” (See: Metonymy)

Job 3:11

This passage contains four rhetorical questions, which Job asks in order to really make a series of statements.

“Why did I not die at birth?” Job poses this question in order to curse the day of his birth and to express his anguish. Alternate translation: “I wish I had died the day I was born” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job means to say that he should not have been born alive. Alternate translation: “I wish I had died when I came out of the womb.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This refers to dying. (See: Idiom)

Job 3:12

This perhaps refers to the lap of Job’s mother. His mother’s knees are spoken of as if they were people who could welcome a newborn baby. Alternate translation: “I wish there had been no lap to receive me.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Personification)

Job’s mother’s breasts are spoken of as if they also were people who could welcome a newborn baby. Alternate translation: “I wish there had been no breasts for me to nurse.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Personification)

Job 3:13

Job begins talking about what would have been true if he had never been born. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Job uses two sentences to think about what it would be like if he had never been born or had died at birth. (See: Parallelism and Euphemism)

Job imagines something that could have happened in the past but which did not happen, as noted above. Alternate translation: “I should have been lying down quietly” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Alternate translation: “asleep, resting peacefully”

Here the word “rest” means to sleep peacefully, but also that Job would not be experiencing the pain that he does. (See: Idiom)

Job 3:14

Alternate translation: “with kings and their advisers”

Job 3:15

This describes something that might have happened but did not happen. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

“I would be resting with princes.” In this phrase, the words “lying” and “resting” are a polite way of saying “no longer alive.” (See: Euphemism)

Job uses parallelism to emphasize what he is saying. (See: Parallelism)

Job 3:16

Alternate translation: “I would have died in my mother’s womb”

Alternate translation: “like babies who have never been born”

Alternate translation: “babies” or “very small children”

Job 3:17

Job changes his talk from dying to life after death.

Job uses parallelism to emphasize that the lowly will find rest from those causing them hardship. (See: Parallelism)

Job is talking about the place where people go after they stop living. Alternate translation: “In that place, evil people stop causing trouble” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 3:18

Here “voice” is a metonym for the power that the slave drivers have over the slaves. Alternate translation: “They are no longer under the control of the slave drivers” (See: Metonymy)

Job 3:19

This is a figure of speech which means “all people, both poor people and rich people.” (See: Merism)

A servant is no longer obligated to serve his master.

Job 3:20

Job’s two questions mean basically the same thing. He is wondering why those who face hardship continue to live. (See: Parallelism)

Here Job is wondering why people must stay alive and suffer. Alternate translation: “I do not understand why God gives life to a person who is suffering” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here light represents life. (See: Metaphor)

“why does God give life to a miserable person?” Alternate translation: “I do not understand why God gives life to a person who is very unhappy” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 3:21

This is the end of the question that Job begins asking with the words “Why is life given … bitter in soul” (verse 20).

Here death is spoken of as if it were an object coming toward someone. Alternate translation: “to a person who no longer wants to be alive, but is still alive” (See: Metaphor)

A person hoping to die is spoken of as if he were digging for buried treasure. Alternate translation: “to a person who wants to stop living more than he wants to look for hidden riches” (See: Metaphor)

Job 3:22

Here Job uses a question to make a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not understand why God allows a person to keep living when the person would be very happy to be buried in the ground” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The phrase “rejoices very much” means basically the same thing as “is glad.” Together, the two phrases emphasize the intensity of gladness. Alternate translation: “one who is extremely happy” (See: Doublet)

This is a polite way of referring to dying. Alternate translation: “when he is dead and can be buried” (See: Euphemism)

Here the grave represents death. (See: Metonymy)

Job 3:23

Job asks this question in order to make a statement. Alternate translation: “God should not give life to a man and then take away his future and confine him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here light represents life. Alternate translation: “Why does God keep a man alive” (See: Metaphor)

Here Job speaks of his future, which he does not know in advance, as if God had hidden it from him. (See: Metaphor)

Here being in difficulties and dangers is spoken of as if it were being confined within narrow limits. (See: Metaphor)

Job 3:24

Job expresses his anguish in two ways. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “Instead of eating, I mourn”

Moral qualities and emotions such as grief are often spoken of as if they were water. (See: Metaphor)

Job 3:25

These two phrases mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “what I feared most has happened to me” or “my worst fear has come true” (See: Parallelism)

Job 3:26

Job expresses his anguish in three separate phrases. Alternate translation: “I am very anxious” or “I am emotionally and physically tormented” (See: Parallelism)

Job 4

Job 4 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is the advice of Job’s friend, Eliphaz.

Special concepts in this chapter

Eliphaz’s advice

Eliphaz tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Eliphaz gives to Job is bad advice. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Eliphaz uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to form Eliphaz’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 4:1

Eliphaz is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

A Temanite belongs to the tribe of Teman. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 4:2

Eliphaz asks this question in order to make a statement. Alternate translation: “you will surely be impatient.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “will that annoy you?”

Eliphaz asks this question to say that no one who sees a friend suffering can remain silent. Alternate translation: “No one can restrain himself from speaking (to a friend in such a state as you find yourself)” or “I must speak to you, (seeing that you are in a state of grief).” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 4:3

This verse states a single idea in two different ways. (See: Parallelism)

Here “weak hands” represents people who need help. Alternate translation: “you have helped others when they needed help” (See: Metonymy)

Job 4:4

The writer uses parallelism in each of these verses to make one idea using two different statements to emphasize: (1) the support that Job has given others in the past, (2) the effect on him of his present troubles, and (3) his piety before God. (See: Parallelism)

Someone who has been encouraged is spoken of as if he were kept from falling down. (See: Metaphor)

Here becoming discouraged is spoken of as if it were falling down. (See: Metaphor)

Here discouragement is spoken of as if it were a person whose weak knees could not keep him upright. (See: Metaphor)

Job 4:5

Here trouble is spoken of as if it were an object that could come to a person. Alternate translation: “But now you suffer from disasters” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “you are discouraged”

Job 4:6

Alternate translation: “the fact that you honor God”

Eliphaz asks these questions in order to tell Job that it is because of his sin that he is suffering. Alternate translation: “Everyone thinks that you honor God; everyone thinks that you are an honest man. But these things must not be true, because you do not trust God any longer.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Eliphaz means Job’s fear of God. Alternate translation: “your fear of God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “your ways” represents “your conduct,” “how you behave.” (See: Metaphor)

Job 4:7

Eliphaz uses this question to prompt Job to search his life for sin (and God’s righteous judgment) as the cause of his loss. Alternate translation: “No one has ever perished when innocent.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This question also means to make a statement, and may be put into active form. Alternate translation: “No one has ever cut off an upright person” (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)

Here being cut off represents being destroyed. (See: Metaphor)

Job 4:8

Here the actions of plowing and sowing represent causing trouble for other people. The action of reaping represents suffering the trouble that one has himself caused. (See: Metaphor)

Job 4:9

The writer explains a single idea using two different statements. This is a form of Hebrew poetry used for emphasis, clarity, teaching, or all three. (See: Parallelism)

This may represent the action of God giving a command. (See: Metaphor)

This expression suggests the heavy breathing that a person sometimes does through his nose when he is very angry. (See: Metaphor)

The second builds on the first. They make the same point by using meanings that increase the result. “By the puff of God’s mouth they die; the rushing wind of his anger devastates them.” (See: Metaphor)

The second phrase builds on the first. They make the same point. “By the puff of God’s breath they die, the rushing wind of his anger devastates them.” (See: Active or Passive)

Here being consumed or eaten represents being killed. (See: Metaphor)

Job 4:10

The writer uses parallelism in these verses, conveying a single idea using different statements to emphasize God’s destruction of wicked people. (See: Parallelism)

Here a lion’s roar, his voice, and his teeth being broken are used as pictures of the wicked being destroyed. (See: Metaphor)

This may be put into active form. Alternate translation: “something breaks them” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 4:11

Eliphaz uses the picture of an old lion dying of hunger and of a lion’s family being scattered as metaphors for the wicked being destroyed.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “something scatters the cubs of the lioness” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 4:12

These phrases express the same idea in a different way. They convey the idea that Eliphaz heard a message whispered to him. This repetition is a form of Hebrew poetry used frequently for emphasis, teaching, or clarity. (See: Parallelism)

Job 4:13

Alternate translation: “dreams”

Alternate translation: “when people sleep very deeply”

Job 4:14

The writer uses parallelism in these verses, conveying a single idea using different statements to emphasize Eliphaz’s fear. (See: Parallelism)

Here fear and trembling are spoken of as if they were objects that could come to a person. Alternate translation: “I began to be afraid and to tremble” (See: Metaphor)

Job 4:15

This indicates great fear.

Alternate translation: “the hair on my body”

Job 4:16

The writer uses parallelism in verse 17, conveying a single idea using two different statements to emphasize a question about the purity of man before God. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “Something was before my eyes,” “I saw something”

Alternate translation: “then I heard”

Job 4:17

Eliphaz poses this question so that Job will consider, “Do I regard myself as more righteous than God?” or “Am I justified before God?” Alternate translation: “A mortal man cannot be more righteous than God.” or “A mortal man cannot be righteous before God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This question has the same purpose as the previous question. Alternate translation: “A man cannot be more pure than his Maker.” or “A man cannot be pure before his Maker.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “his Creator”

Job 4:19

This is a figurative way of describing human beings, who were created out of the dust of the earth and whose bodies are like houses, which are made of clay and have dirt foundations. (See: Metaphor)

Possible meanings for this metaphor are: (1) “who God destroys as easily as he crushes a moth” or (2) “whose lives are as short as the life of a moth.” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 4:20

These verses continue the earlier use of parallelism, here emphasizing in different ways the idea that people die suddenly without having achieved wisdom and without concern from others. (See: Parallelism)

This refers to the idea of something happening quickly. (See: Metaphor)

This may also be put into active form. Alternate translation: “they die” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 4:21

This may be put into active form. Alternate translation: “Have not their enemies plucked up their tent cords from among them?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here tent cords represent a tent. Sometimes a person’s home and family are pictured as his tent, which can also represent all his possessions. (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

Job 5

Job 5 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Job’s friend, Eliphaz.

Special concepts in this chapter

Eliphaz’s advice

Eliphaz tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Eliphaz gives to Job is bad advice. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Sickness and sin

In the ancient Near East, it was common to believe that a person’s illness was caused by sin. It was seen as the punishment of a god. While Yahweh may punish people because of their sin, not all sicknesses are caused by sin. (See: believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Eliphaz uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Eliphaz’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 5:1

Eliphaz poses this question to make the point that there is no one Job can turn to for help. Alternate translation: “Is there a holy one to whom you may turn?” or “There is no holy one to whom you can turn for help.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This refers to supernatural beings of some kind, whether angels or other spirits.

Job 5:2

Alternate translation: “jealousy kills anyone who acts ignorantly and impulsively”

any silly person (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Job 5:3

any foolish person (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Here a person is spoken of as if he were a plant, perhaps becoming more foolish over time. Alternate translation: “a foolish person becoming grounded in foolishness” (See: Metaphor)

This refers to the person’s family and all his property.

Job 5:4

These verses continue the earlier use of parallelism, here emphasizing in different ways the idea that the children of foolish people are never safe. (See: Parallelism)

Here, His refers to the foolish person or the foolish people in Job 5:2. Alternate translation: “Their children are never safe”

Here being crushed represents being oppressed, taken advantage of, at court. This idea may be put into active form. Alternate translation: “someone crushes them” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

The city gate, functioning as a court, was the place where disputes were resolved and where judgments were given.

Alternate translation: “There is no one to help the foolish people’s children out of their hardship”

Job 5:5

This perhaps refers to parts of a field where the worst crops grow, because of thorn plants present.

Here greedy people are spoken of as if they were thirsty, and the wealth of the foolish person is spoken of as if it were something that they could drink. (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:6

Here difficulties and trouble are spoken of as if they were plants. (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:7

It is as natural for people, once they are born, to have trouble as it is for sparks to fly up from a fire. (See: Simile)

Job 5:9

Alternate translation: “great things that cannot be understood, wonders that cannot be counted”

This refers to things that mankind cannot understand. (See: Metaphor)

Here the writer uses two independent words connected by “and” to emphasize the greatness of God’s actions. Alternate translation: “greatly profound things” (See: Hendiadys)

Alternate translation: “wonderful things” or “wonders”

Job 5:11

Humble people in distress are spoken of as if they were in a low position. When God rescues them, they receive honor. When this happens, they are spoken of as being raised up and put into a high position. Alternate translation: “God does this in order to rescue and honor the humble who have been suffering” (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:12

Here stopping the plans of crafty people is spoken of as if they were things that could be physically broken. (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:13

Here making wise people suffer for their own evil actions is spoken of as if it were catching them in traps. Their own actions are spoken of as if they were those traps. (See: Metaphor)

Here being evil in a clever way is spoken of as if it were being twisted. Alternate translation: “those who are cunning” or “those who are devious” or “those who are shrewd” (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:14

Here the cunning, wicked people whom God confuses are spoken of as if they unexpectedly are in the dark at noon, when the sun is at its highest position in the sky. They cannot do anything they wish to do, because they cannot see. Alternate translation: “Those who are cunning are in the dark, even at noontime” (See: Metaphor)

feel around like a blind person

the middle of the day, when the sun is highest and brightest

Job 5:15

Here the insulting and threatening things that people say are spoken of as if they were a sword in their mouths. Alternate translation: “But he saves the poor person from the threats of the mighty” or “But he saves the poor person when the mighty threaten or insult them” (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:16

People who say unjust things are spoken of as if they were the injustice itself, who must stop speaking. Alternate translation: “It is as though injustice shut her own mouth” (See: Personification)

Job 5:17

God is pictured as a parent correcting or instructing a child.

Alternate translation: “God really favors the man whom he corrects”

Alternate translation: “do not reject” or “do not consider worthless”

Alternate translation: “instruction” or “correction” or “discipline”

Job 5:18

Alternate translation: “For he wounds but binds up; he crushes but his hands heal”

Here “his hands” represents God. (See: Synecdoche)

Job 5:19

The use of increasing numbers such as “six” and “seven” represents the idea of many, many times. Alternate translation: “He will rescue you out of trouble over and over again; indeed, time after time, no evil will touch you” (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:20

Here rescuing is spoken of as if it were ransoming, buying back. Alternate translation: “In famine God will rescue you from danger” (See: Metaphor)

Here “hands” probably represents the people who attack with weapons, including swords. Alternate translation: “violent people” or “people who attack you” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 5:21

Here “destruction” refers to the danger of being destroyed by enemies. Alternate translation: “that any enemy will destroy you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 5:22

Here “laugh” represents that the person is not afraid. Alternate translation: “You will not be afraid of any danger of destruction or famine” (See: Symbolic Language)

This refers to wild animals. Alternate translation: “wild animals” (See: Metaphor)

Job 5:23

Here the stones in farmers’ fields are spoken of as if they were people that someone could have a covenant with. Alternate translation: “the stones in your fields will be like people who promise that they will not make any trouble for you” (See: Metaphor)

This refers to dangerous wild animals. (See: Idiom)

Job 5:24

Here “tent” represents a person’s family, household, and all his possessions. Alternate translation: “You will know that your family, servants, and everything you own are safe” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “when you visit where your flock stays at night, you will find all your sheep there”

Job 5:25

Here “seed” represents a person’s descendants. Alternate translation: “your descendants will be many” (See: Metaphor)

Here “offspring” are spoken of as if they were as many as blades of grass, and probably as thriving, too. Alternate translation: “your descendants will be as many and as alive as the grass that grows” (See: Simile)

Job 5:26

Alternate translation: “You will die at a very old age”

You may need to make explicit that the grain in this simile is fully ripe but not overly ripe. He would neither die young nor become weak in his old age. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Simile)

Job 5:27

The words “we” refers to Job’s friends but not to Job. Alternate translation: “Look, we have thought about this matter. Listen to what I am saying and know that it is true” (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Job 6

Job 6 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Eliphaz.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

Despite being upset about his circumstances, and desiring his own death, Job does not curse God. He would rather have God end his life than to curse him. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

Job uses many different metaphors in this chapter to express his pain or despair. He also is upset with the advice of his friends, who are supposed to help him during difficult times. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Eliphaz that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s response. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 6:2

Here the writer uses two different statements to convey a single idea, the burden of Job’s suffering. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if only I could weigh my anguish and all my calamities in the balance” (See: Parallelism and Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “on a scale”

Job 6:3

Job compares the burden of his suffering to the weight of wet sand; both can crush a person. Alternate translation: “For my anguish and calamities would be heavier than the sand on the seashore” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “I spoke recklessly” or “I spoke rashly”

Job 6:4

This is a metaphor for Job’s suffering. He compares his many troubles to arrows that God has shot his body with. Alternate translation: “It is as though the Almighty has shot arrows into my body” (See: Metaphor)

“my spirit drinks up the arrows’ poison.” This continues the metaphor of the arrows, by implying that they had tips of poison and that Job feels the pain in his spirit. He speaks of feeling this pain as if his spirit drank the poison. Alternate translation: “I feel the pain of their poison in my inner being” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of the terrible things that have happened to him as if they were soldiers that God had lined up to attack him all at once. Alternate translation: “God has caused all the terrible things that could happen to happen to me all at once” (See: Personification)

God causing many things to terrify Job is spoken of as if God’s terrors were soldiers lined up to attack Job. Alternate translation: “the terrors of God have arranged themselves like soldiers in an army” (See: Metaphor)

Job 6:5

Job poses these rhetorical questions to emphasize that he has a reason to complain. These question can be written as statements. Alternate translation: “Just as the wild donkey does not bray in despair when he has grass and as the ox does not low in hunger when he has fodder, I would not complain if I did not have a reason” (See: Rhetorical Question)

the sound a donkey makes

the sound an ox makes

animal food

Job 6:6

This could mean: (1) Job is comparing his displeasure for his circumstances to people’s dislike for bland food or (2) Job is comparing his displeasure for his friend’s advice to people’s dislike for bland food. (See: Metaphor)

Job uses these rhetorical questions to emphasize his own displeasure. These questions can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tasteless food cannot be eaten without salt, just as there is no taste in the white of an egg.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Can you eat that which has no taste” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 6:7

“Them” refers to bad tasting foods.

Job 6:9

This means for God to cause him to die. Alternate translation: “to crush me and let me die” (See: Euphemism)

The phrases “let loose his hand” is an idiom that means to act quickly. Also, the phrase “cut me off from this life” is a euphemism for killing him. Alternate translation: “that he would act quickly and cut short my life” or “that he would act quickly and end my life” (See: Idiom and Euphemism)

Job 6:10

Alternate translation: “I would leap for joy in unending pain” or “I would endure pain that does not diminish”

Alternate translation: “rejoice”

Alternate translation: “does not diminish”

This can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: “that I have always obeyed the Holy One”

Job 6:11

Job poses these questions to emphasize that he has no reason to continue living. These questions have the same meaning. They may be written as statements. Alternate translation: “I do not have enough strength to go on living; I have no reason to prolong my life” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Job 6:12

The writer uses parallel rhetorical questions in each of these verses to emphasize Job’s lack of strength to endure suffering. (See: Parallelism)

Job describes the weakness of his body by saying that he is not as strong as rocks and bronze to emphasize his lack of strength. These rhetorical questions may be written as statements. Alternate translation: “I am not as strong as the rocks. My flesh is not as strong as metal.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 6:13

Job uses this rhetorical question to emphasize his lack of wisdom and his weakness. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Also, the phrase “no help in myself” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “It is true that I have no strength left … me.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Idiom)

“my success has been taken from me.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “my wisdom is gone” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 6:14

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “A friend should be faithful to the person who feels he is about to faint” (See: Active or Passive)

This speaks of a person who feels hopeless and is overwhelmed by his troubles as if he were about to physically faint. Alternate translation: “who feels hopeless” (See: Metaphor)

“even if he stops fearing Almighty God.” This could mean: (1) the faint person does not fear God or (2) his friend does not fear God.

Job 6:15

Job speaks of his friends being unfaithful to him as being like a “wadi” which is a stream that can suddenly dry up. Also, Job refers to his friends ironically here as his “brothers.” Alternate translation: “But my friends are unfaithful to me. They are like a desert streambed” (See: Simile and Irony)

“like streams of water that dry up.” Job continues speaking of his friends being unfaithful as if they were streams that dry up. (See: Simile)

Job 6:16

These two phrases have the same meaning. They describe how the streambed is full of ice and snow in the winter. Alternate translation: “which look dark in the winter because they are covered with ice and are full of melted snow” (See: Parallelism and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This speaks of the snow melting and the water going into the streambed as if the snow were hiding in the streambed. Alternate translation: “because the snow melts and goes into them” (See: Personification)

Job 6:17

These two phrases have the same meaning. They describe how the streambed dries up in the hot season. Alternate translation: “When it is hot, the ice melts and the streambeds dry up” (See: Parallelism and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 6:18

Job is continuing his description of his friends being as unreliable as streams that dry up. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “The caravans turn aside from the routes to find water” or “The caravans change course looking for water”

A caravan is a large group of travelers riding camels across the desert.

Alternate translation: “wasteland” or “empty land”

Job 6:19

These are the names of places. The people of these places used caravans to trade things with people from other lands. (See: How to Translate Names)

Alternate translation: “while caravans from Sheba”

Alternate translation: “hoped for them” or “put their hope in them”

Job 6:20

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but they were disappointed” or “but they were not satisfied” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 6:21

In these verses, Job poses four questions to rebuke his friends and to emphasize that he did not ask for help from any of them. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job uses this phrase to introduce the main part of what he is saying.

Alternate translation: “you friends have not helped me at all”

This means that they see the trouble Job has and are afraid of being in the same situation. Alternate translation: “you are afraid that God might do similar things to you” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 6:23

These words are the last of a series of rhetorical questions that begins in verse 22. Job uses these questions to emphasize that he has not asked his friends to give him anything or to help him. “I never said to you, ‘Give … me’ or, ‘Offer … wealth’ or, ‘Save … hand’ or, ‘Ransom … oppressors’.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The word “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “having my adversary control me … having my oppressors control me” or “my adversary’s power … my oppressors’ power” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “Rescue me”

Job 6:24

These verbs “teach” and “make” are second person plural and are spoken to his friends. (See: Forms of You)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I will be silent” (See: Idiom)

Job 6:25

The exact meaning of the original language is uncertain. Some Bibles translate “How painful” as “How pleasant.” Alternate translation: “When a person speaks the truth, it harms no one. But your arguments are not true, so how do they actually rebuke me?”

Job is using this question to rebuke his friends and to emphasize that what they are saying does not apply to him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Your reasons for rebuking me do not apply to me even though you sternly correct me.” or “But your arguments against me are not true, so they do not actually rebuke me!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “your reasons” or “your claims”

Job 6:26

Job uses this rhetorical question to scold his friends. He compares his words to the wind to explain that his friends act like his words are empty and useless. Alternate translation: “You ignore my words! I am a desperate man, and you treat my words as if they are as useless as the wind.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Simile)

“You” is in second person plural form. (See: Forms of You)

Job 6:27

Alternate translation: “you would even gamble to win an orphan”

Here “you” and “your” are in second person plural form. (See: Forms of You)

This compares how the man would sell his friend to how a person sells merchandise or wares. Alternate translation: “bargain to sell your friend for money” (See: Simile)

Job 6:28

This word is used by Job to introduce new information.

The verb “to look” is in second person plural form. (See: Forms of You)

The word “your” refers to Job’s friends. Here his friends are represented by their faces to emphasize that they are looking at him. Alternate translation: “I would not lie to you while I am looking at you” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 6:29

Alternate translation: “Please be merciful to me” or “Stop speaking like this, I beg you”

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “treat me fairly” (See: Double Negatives)

Alternate translation: “Please relent.”

Job 6:30

“Do I say wicked things?” Job uses this question to rebuke his friends and to emphasize that he is not wicked. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not say wicked things.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here Job’s speech is represented by his “tongue.” Alternate translation: “in my speech” (See: Metonymy)

Job uses this question to rebuke his friends and to emphasize that he can tell the difference between right and wrong. Here Job refers to himself by his “mouth” to emphasize his speech. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know what is right to say and what is wrong to say.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Synecdoche)

Job 7

Job 7 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Eliphaz.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

Despite being upset about his circumstances, and desiring his own death, Job does not curse God. He would rather have God end his life than to curse him. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

Job uses many different metaphors in this chapter to express his pain or despair. He also is upset with the advice of his friends, who are supposed to help him during difficult times. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Eliphaz that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s response. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 7:1

Job poses this negative question to emphasize his awareness that all people experience hard work. It can be translated as a positive statement. Alternate translation: “There is hard labor for every person on earth.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This is a generalization that means for the time people are living on the earth. Alternate translation: “while he lives on the earth” (See: Hyperbole)

Job poses this negative question to emphasize his awareness that all people struggle in life. Alternate translation: “And their days are like the days of a hired man.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Simile)

“a day laborer.” This is a man who worked jobs one day at a time and was paid at the end of every day.

Job 7:2

Job compares his misery and trouble to that of the slave and hired man. (See: Simile)

“cool shade.” The implied information is that the shadows of evening provide coolness and shade from the sun (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “waits for his pay”

Job 7:3

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “so I endure months of misery; I get trouble-filled nights” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word misery, you could express the same idea with the adjective “miserable.” Alternate translation: “months when I am miserable” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 7:4

The implied information is that this is when Job would lie down to sleep at night. Alternate translation: “When I lie down to sleep” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job poses a question to no one else in particular. Alternate translation: “I ask” or “I wonder” (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

Job poses this question to emphasize his intense suffering during the hours he should be sleeping. Alternate translation: “I wish I could get up, but night continues.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“turning back and forth.” This indicates that Job has moved on his bed all night without any rest.

Job 7:5

The worms and clods of dust are pictured as covering Job as if they were clothing. Alternate translation: “My flesh is covered with worms and clods of dust” (See: Metaphor)

This represents his whole body. Alternate translation: “My body” (See: Synecdoche)

This could mean: (1) lumps or crusts of dirt or (2) scabs on the skin.

Alternate translation: “break out again”

Job 7:6

Job compares his lifetime to the quickness of a weaver’s shuttle. Alternate translation: “My life goes by very quickly” (See: Simile)

a person who makes cloth by crossing threads or yarn

a moving part that carries thread or yarn back and forth quickly in a loom when making cloth

Job 7:7

“remember.” The phrase “call to mind” does not mean God forgot. Job is asking God to consider or think about the shortness of Job’s life.

Job compares the shortness of his life to the shortness of a breath. Alternate translation: “my life is very short, like taking one breath” (See: Metaphor)

Here “my eye” represents Job’s whole person and his ability to see or experience things. Alternate translation: “I will never again experience good things” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 7:8

Many versions of the Bible translate this as “The eye which sees me will see me no more.” The words “of God” were added to this phrase because they are implied by the context. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here God is represented by his “eye” to emphasize what he looks at. Alternate translation: “God who watches me … God will look for me” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 7:9

Job is describing death as being like the clouds that disappear. (See: Simile)

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “As a cloud fades” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “he who dies will not return”

Job 7:10

The words “his place” represent those who live in his place. Alternate translation: “the people who live in his place” or “his family” (See: Metonymy)

Job 7:11

Job conveys a single idea using two different statements to emphasize the reason he will not remain silent. (See: Parallelism)

Here the mouth represents speech. Alternate translation: “I will not restrain my speech” (See: Metonymy)

“in the distress of my spirit” or “in the torment of my suffering.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word anguish, you could express the same idea with the adverb “distress.” Alternate translation: “while my spirit is distressed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here sorrow is spoken of as if it tasted bitter, and “soul” refers to the whole man. Alternate translation: “with anger and resentment” (See: Metaphor and Synecdoche)

Job 7:12

Job poses this question to express his anger at God. In comparing himself to the sea or a sea monster, Job suggests that God regards him as a hideous creature. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am not the sea or a sea monster that needs a guard to watch it.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metaphor)

Job 7:13

Here “bed” and “couch” are metonyms for “sleep.” In lying down to sleep, Job would hope to be comforted. The metonyms also have human attributes; they have the ability to comfort and ease a person. Alternate translation: “My bed, my couch, will be like someone who can comfort me” (See: Metonymy and Personification)

These phrases refer to the same thing. Alternate translation: “My bed … my bed”

Job 7:14

“you” here refers to God

Job 7:15

killing a person by squeezing the throat and stopping the breathing

Here Job uses the word “bones” to refer to his body. Alternate translation: “This body of mine” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 7:16

The writer continues to use parallelism in these verses, conveying a single idea using two different statements to emphasize the impact of Job’s misery on his sense of self worth. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “I despise my life”

Alternate translation: “to live forever”

Alternate translation: “my days are pointless” or “the days of my life are empty”

Job 7:17

Job asks a rhetorical question to say that he does not understand why God should pay attention to people. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here the mind represents thoughts and attention. To “set your mind on” means to give attention to. Alternate translation: “direct your attention to him” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Job 7:18

This is the end of the rhetorical question that Job begins asking with the words “What is man that” in verse 17. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “Tell me what man is that … mind on him, that you should observe … every moment.” or “I do not understand what man is that … mind on him, that you should observe … every moment.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “carefully examine him”

Job 7:19

Here Job conveys a single idea using two different rhetorical questions to emphasize his wish that God would stop watching him. Alternate translation: “Look away from me! Leave me alone long enough for me to swallow my own saliva!” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

liquid produced in people’s mouths that keeps the mouth moist and helps to swallow food

Job 7:20

Job poses these questions to argue against God treating him unfairly. Alternate translation: “Even if I have sinned, that would do nothing to you, as you watch over people. Tell me why you have made me your target, so that I am a burden for you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 7:21

Here Job uses two similar clauses within a rhetorical question to emphasize his point. Possible meanings are: (1) Job is asking why God does not forgive him. Alternate translation: “Tell me why you do not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity.” or (2) Job is asking God why he cannot just overlook his supposed wrongdoings. Alternate translation: “Tell me why you do not just bear with my transgression and iniquity.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “remove”

The phrase “lie down in the dust” is a metonym that represents dying. Alternate translation: “now I will die” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “I will not be here” or “I will be gone”

Job 8

Job 8 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is the advice of Job’s friend, Bildad.

Special concepts in this chapter

Bildad’s advice

Bildad tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Bildad gives to Job is bad advice. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Bildad uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Bildad’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 8:1

Verses 2 and 3 each consist of two different questions that have the same meaning. Bildad uses these questions to rebuke Job. (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

In this chapter, Bildad begins to speak about Job’s complaints.

“Bildad” is the name of a man who is a member of the tribe of Shuah. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 8:2

Bildad speaks of Job’s words as if they are as empty and insubstantial as the wind. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The words of your mouth are as insignificant as a mighty wind.” (See: Metaphor and Rhetorical Question)

Job 8:3

Here “God” and “the Almighty” both refer to Yahweh. If your readers would misunderstand these questions, you can express them as statements. Alternate translation: “God does not pervert justice; the Almighty does not pervert righteousness.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “approve of and do what is not just?…approve of and do what is not righteous?”

Job 8:4

Here “hand” represents the power or results of sin. Bildad implies that God killed Job’s children because of their sin. Alternate translation: “for God caused the consequences of your children’s sins to kill them” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 8:5

Bildad is saying what would have happened if Job had correctly spoken to God, but Bildad does not believe that Job really did this. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

These two phrases both refer to Job asking God for help or pleading with God for mercy. (See: Doublet)

Alternate translation: “earnestly asked God for help”

Job 8:6

Bildad says that God would treat Job well if he was pure, but Bildad does not believe that Job is pure. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Alternate translation: “If only you were pure and righteous” or “If only you would obey God and do what is right”

Here Yahweh is spoken of as if he woke from sleep to help Job. Alternate translation: “help you” or “do good things for you” (See: Metaphor)

This refers to giving back to Job the things he lost, including his family, wealth, and honor.

Job 8:7

Here lack of wealth is spoken of as being a “small beginning.” Alternate translation: “Even if you were poor early in your life, God would make you very wealthy later in your life” (See: Metaphor)

Job 8:8

Alternate translation: “study carefully what our ancestors discovered” or “consider the things our forefathers learned”

Job 8:9

The shortness of life is spoken of as if it were a shadow which quickly disappears. (See: Metaphor)

Job 8:10

Bildad uses these rhetorical questions to rebuke Job for not agreeing with Bildad and the ancestors. They can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “They will teach you and tell you and speak what they sincerely believe.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here the word “hearts” represents their inner beliefs. Alternate translation: “that they sincerely believe” (See: Metonymy)

Job 8:11

It is unclear if this verse is the teaching of Bildad, or if Bildad is quoting the sayings of the ancestors of Job 8:8-10.

Bildad uses these two parallel questions to emphasize the single point that people cannot live without God. Here the plants represent people and the water represents God. The questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “Papyrus plants cannot grow away from the marshes. Reeds cannot grow without water.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism and Metaphor)

a tall reed-like plant that grows in shallow water

Job 8:12

It is unclear if this verse is the teaching of Bildad, or if Bildad is quoting the sayings of the ancestors of Job 8:8-10.

It is implied that they wither when there is no water. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “Without water, they stop growing and wither faster than any other plant, even if no one cuts them down” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “dry up”

Job 8:13

It is unclear if this verse is the teaching of Bildad, or if Bildad is quoting the sayings of the ancestors of Job 8:8-10.

Here “the paths” represents a person’s future and the events that will happen to them. Alternate translation: “The same thing will happen to everyone who forgets God” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “the things the godless person desires will not happen”

Job 8:14

It is unclear if this verse is the teaching of Bildad, or if Bildad is quoting the sayings of the ancestors of Job 8:8-10. In this verse the pronoun “his” refers to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to readers to use the plural pronouns “they” and “their.” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that the godless person is trusting in something that cannot save him. (See: Parallelism)

Here Bildad compares the trust of the godless person to a spider’s web; the slightest force will break both. (See: Simile)

Job 8:15

In this verse the pronouns “he” and “him” refer to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to readers to use the plural pronouns “they” and “their.” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

This statement probably refers to a man relying on his property and wealth for security. If so, then “house” here represents the owner’s property and wealth. Alternate translation: “He thinks he will be safe because he is wealthy, but he will not be safe” (See: Metaphor)

This negative statement emphasizes the opposite. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “he will fall down” (See: Litotes)

This negative statement emphasizes the opposite. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “it will fall down” (See: Litotes)

Job 8:16

Here pronouns “he” and “his” refer to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to readers to use the plural pronouns “they” and “their.” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Here Bildad compares the godless person to a plant that is healthy. (See: Metaphor)

The meaning of the Hebrew text is unclear. This could mean: (1) he is healthy during the day or (2) he is watered before the sun rises.

Job 8:17

In this verse the pronoun “his” refers to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to readers to use the plural pronouns “they” and “their.” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

These two phrases have similar meaning, but the meaning is unclear. This could mean: (1) he appears to be well-rooted in the rocks, taking advantage of every opening or (2) his roots cannot find fertile ground and must try to find nutrients among the rocks. (See: Parallelism and Metaphor)

Job 8:18

In this verse the pronouns “his” and “him” refer to the godless person, who represents godless people in general. It may be helpful to readers to use the plural pronouns “they” and “their.” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if someone pulls him out of his place” or “if a gardener tears him out of the garden” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “the rocky ground” or “the garden”

The garden is spoken of as if it had human ability to speak. The garden immediately forgets that he existed. (See: Personification and Metaphor)

Job 8:19

Bildad is speaking with irony to express that there is not any real joy for the godless person. Alternate translation: “this is all the joy they will receive from their godless actions” (See: Irony)

Bildad continues the metaphor from Job 8:16-18. Other godless people are spoken of as plants who take the place of the first godless man when he dies. Alternate translation: “when one wicked man dies, another will take his place” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “grow”

Alternate translation: “the rocky ground” or “the garden”

Alternate translation: “in the place of the godless man”

Job 8:20

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “God will accept an innocent man”

Here “take the hand” refers to help or support. Alternate translation: “God will not support people who do evil things” (See: Metonymy)

Job 8:21

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize how happy Job would be if he were innocent. The word “he” refers to God and “your” refers to Job. Alternate translation: “God will make you very happy again if you are innocent” (See: Parallelism and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

God causing Job to laugh is spoken of as if God had poured laughter into Job’s mouth. Alternate translation: “cause you to continually laugh” (See: Metaphor)

The verb “fill” is understood from the previous clause. God causing him to shout for joy is spoken of as if God had poured joy into Job’s mouth. Alternate translation: “God will cause you to shout for joy” (See: Ellipsis and Metaphor)

Job 8:22

Here “shame” is spoken of as if it were clothing that God will cause Job’s enemies to wear. This means they will be very ashamed. Alternate translation: “God will cause those who hate you to be very ashamed” (See: Metaphor)

Here “tent” refers to the homes of the wicked. Alternate translation: “the houses of the wicked will be destroyed”

Alternate translation: “will not last” or “will be destroyed”

Job 9

Job 9 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Bildad.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness and Yahweh’s power

Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. Job does not think that he can make a claim against Yahweh because only God is perfectly wise and just. Yahweh is truly powerful and Job understands this. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and wise, wisdom and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

Job uses many different metaphors in this chapter to express himself or to describe Yahweh’s power. He is also upset with the advice of his friends, who are supposed to help him during difficult times. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Bildad that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s response. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 9:2

Alternate translation: “I know that what you say is true”

Here the word “this” refers to what Bildad said.

Alternate translation: “how can anyone be innocent before God?”

Job 9:3

dispute

“Once in a thousand times” here is an idiom that means “at all.” This could mean: (1) “he cannot give any answer to God” or (2) “God will not answer him at all” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “1,000 times”

Job 9:4

Here the heart represents the inner being or thoughts. Alternate translation: “wise in what he decides” (See: Metonymy)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word strength, you could express the same idea with the adjective “strong.” Alternate translation: “mighty in how strong he is” (See: Abstract Nouns)

To harden oneself means to be stubborn. Alternate translation: “resisted him” or “defied him” (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

Job 9:5

Alternate translation: “God removes the mountains”

Job 9:6

Alternate translation: “God shakes the earth”

Alternate translation: “makes its foundations tremble”

Job 9:7

Alternate translation: “who blocks the stars from view”

Job 9:8

God is spoken of as creating the heavens without any help, as if the heavens were fabric that he stretches out. (See: Reflexive Pronouns and Metaphor)

God is spoken of as calming the sea as if with his feet. Alternate translation: “puts his feet down on the waves of the sea” or “calms the waves of the sea” (See: Metaphor)

Job 9:9

These are the names of constellations, which are groups of stars that seem like they form a particular shape in the sky. (See: Translate Unknowns)

a famous hunter in Greek mythology

several bright stars that look like they are close together in the sky

groups of stars that seem like they form a particular shape in the sky

Job 9:10

The writer uses parallelism in each of these verses, conveying a single idea using double statements to emphasize that God is great, unseen, and sovereign. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “things that cannot be understood”

Job 9:11

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

Alternate translation: “he passes by” or “he moves on”

Job 9:12

These are rhetorical questions that expect an answer of “No one.” They can be reworded as statements. Alternate translation: “If he takes something away, no one can stop him. No one can ask him, ‘What are you doing?’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “If he takes someone away” or “If he wants to snatch something away”

Job 9:13

Here “bow beneath him” symbolizes submission or defeat. Alternate translation: “he crushes the helpers of Rahab” (See: Symbolic Action)

The word “Rahab” here refers to a monster of the sea. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 9:14

Job poses two similar questions to emphasize his reluctance to confront God. They can be reworded as a statement. Alternate translation: “So I certainly could not answer him or choose words to reason with him.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Job 9:17

Job compares his troubles from God to the effects of a tempest. Alternate translation: “He injures me as if with a tempest” (See: Metaphor)

a powerful or violent storm

Alternate translation: “gives me many wounds” or “wounds me again and again”

Alternate translation: “even though I have not given him cause to do so” or “even though I am innocent”

Job 9:18

This is an idiom that means “to be able to breathe again” or (See: Idiom)

This verse pictures God as filling up Job’s life with things that make him bitter. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word bitterness, you could express the same idea with the adjective “bitter.” Alternate translation: “he fills me up with bitter things” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Job 9:19

Alternate translation: “If there is a contest of strength”

Alternate translation: “look and you will see that he is mighty” or “pay attention to what I am about to tell you: he is mighty”

Alternate translation: “he is the strong one”

This question expects an answer of “No one” to make the point that no one is able to bring God to court. This can be reworded as a statement. Alternate translation: “no one can summon him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 9:20

This verse expresses the same idea twice for emphasis. (See: Parallelism)

Here “I am in the right” means I am the one who has done right things. Alternate translation: “Although I have done right things” or “Even though I am innocent” (See: Idiom and Nominal Adjectives)

Here “mouth” represents Job’s words. Alternate translation: “my own words would accuse me” or “what I say would condemn me” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “faultless”

Here “my words” are spoken of as if they could take action. Alternate translation: “God would use what I say to prove me guilty” (See: Metaphor)

The word here has the meaning of “twisted” or “crooked.”

Job 9:21

Alternate translation: “I am faultless”

Alternate translation: “what happens to me”

Job 9:22

Alternate translation: “It is all the same” or “It does not matter”

Here “blameless” and “wicked” are two extremes for a merism that include everything in between. Alternate translation: “he brings everyone to an end, whether they are blameless or wicked” (See: Merism)

Job 9:23

The word “whip” here is a metaphor for any kind of disaster. Alternate translation: “When a disaster suddenly happens and people die” (See: Metaphor)

The word “despair” is an abstract noun that can be translated by the verb “despair.” Here it is a metonym for the innocent who are despairing. Alternate translation: “the innocent who are despairing” or “the innocent who have lost all hope” (See: Metonymy)

This is a nominalized adjective. Alternate translation: “innocent people”. (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Job 9:24

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gives the earth” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “the earth” is used to represent the people on the earth. Alternate translation: “The people of the world are” (See: Metonymy)

Here “hand” is a metonym for “control.” Alternate translation: “into the control of” (See: Metonymy)

This idiom means God keeps the judges of the earth from being able to judge the difference between right and wrong. Alternate translation: “God makes its judges blind” or “God keeps its judges from judging rightly” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “If it is not God who does these things, then who does them?”

Job 9:25

Job compares how quickly his days are passing by to a fast runner. Alternate translation: “My days pass swiftly” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “runner” or “running man”

This pictures the days of Job’s life as being able to run away like a person. (See: Personification)

This pictures the days of Job’s life as being able to see like a person. (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “no good thing”

Job 9:26

Job compares how quickly his days are passing by to the speed of fast boats. Alternate translation: “They pass quickly by like papyrus reed boats” (See: Simile)

“boats made out of reeds.” Papyrus reed is a hollow grass that grows along the banks of rivers.

Job compares how quickly his days are passing by to a large bird diving toward its prey. Alternate translation: “as fast as the eagle that flies down quickly to catch its food” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “rushes down”

Job 9:27

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word complaint, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “complain.” Alternate translation: “I would stop complaining” or “I would stop complaining against God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

It can be stated clearly whom Job was complaining against. Alternate translation: “my complaints against God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job’s sad face is spoken of here as if it was something that could be removed. Alternate translation: “I would stop looking unhappy and smile” (See: Metaphor)

Job 9:28

Verses 28 and 29 express the consequences if Job does what he says in verse 27. This can be expressed by adding the word “then.” Alternate translation: “Then I would be afraid of all my sorrows” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word sorrows, you could express the same idea with a verb. Alternate translation: “of everything that hurts me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 9:29

“I will be accused and punished.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will condemn me” (See: Active or Passive)

Job uses this question to emphasize that he does not think it is of any use trying to get God’s attention. The implied information about what Job is trying can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “It is of no use to try to get God’s attention.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 9:30

Alternate translation: “If I bathed my body in pure, clean water”

the water that comes from melted snow

white flakes of frozen water that fall from clouds in places where the air temperature is cold

Some other versions of the Bible translate this with the meaning of “cleaned my hands with very strong soap.” Alternate translation: “made my hands exceedingly clean”

Job 9:31

Alternate translation: “throw me into a pit”

Job’s clothing is spoken of as if it would have a negative response to Job after God plunged him into a ditch. Alternate translation: “I would be too filthy for my own clothing” (See: Personification)

Job 9:32

Job implies that God has charged him of doing wrong, and he wants to respond to those charges. Alternate translation: “answer his charges against me” or “defend myself” or “argue my innocence with him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

“come together to trial.” Here “court” is a place where people can come and a judge will settle disputes. “Coming together in court” is a metonym for going against each other in a court of law. Alternate translation: “confront each other before a judge” (See: Metonymy)

Job 9:33

This means there is no judge who is greater than God who could decide what is right between him and Job.

Here “lay his hand upon” means having power or authority over. Alternate translation: “take hold of both of us” or “have authority over both of us” (See: Idiom)

Job 9:34

These verses continue the previous argument that no one is greater than God who could act as a judge between God and Job.

Here “God’s rod” is a metonym for God punishing or correcting Job. Alternate translation: “stop God from punishing me” (See: Metonymy)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word terror, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “terrify.” Alternate translation: “keep him from terrifying and frightening me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 9:35

Alternate translation: “Then I would speak”

Alternate translation: “because this is how things are now”

Job 10

Job 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Bildad.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse Yahweh. Instead, he defends himself to Yahweh, while trusting in his decision. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to defend himself. He does not believe that he committed a sin deserving severe punishment. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 10:1

Alternate translation: “I am tired of living”

The abstract nouns “expression” and “complaint” can be translated as the verbs “express” and “complain.” Alternate translation: “I will freely express what I have to complain about” or “I will argue freely” (See: Abstract Nouns)

How Job feels is compared to a bitter taste. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word bitterness, you could express the same idea with the adverb “bitterly.” Alternate translation: “My inner being will speak bitterly” or “I will bitterly speak out” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Job 10:3

This question expects a “no” answer and can be changed into a statement. Alternate translation: “It is not good that you should oppress me, that you should despise the work of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here God is represented by his “hands.” Alternate translation: “what you have created” (See: Synecdoche)

Here the idiom “smiling on” represents God’s approval. Alternate translation: “approve the plans of the wicked” (See: Idiom)

Job 10:4

These two questions have nearly the same meaning. These questions expect a negative answer to emphasize that God does not see or understand things the same way a man does. They can be expressed as statements. Alternate translation: “You do not have eyes of flesh, and you do not see like a man sees.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Job 10:5

Job begins to ask a rhetorical question. He is saying that God lives forever but people live only for a short time, so God should not worry about Job’s sins. (See: Rhetorical Question)

These two phrases have nearly the same meaning. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “the number of your days”

Alternate translation: “the number of your years”

Job 10:6

Job continues the rhetorical question he began in verse 5. (See: https://git.door43.org/Door43-Catalog/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md)

Alternate translation: “look to see if I have committed iniquity”

Job 10:7

This is the end of the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Are your days” in verse 5.

This is the end of the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Are your days” in verse 5. The whole question can be translated as a statement. “Your days are not like the days of mankind, and your years are not like the years of people, so you should not inquire after my iniquity and search after my sin, because you know I am not guilty and there is no one who can rescue me from your hand.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “your hand” represents God’s power. Alternate translation: “from your power” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 10:8

Here “hands” represent God and his creative action. Alternate translation: “You” (See: Synecdoche)

Job is using a metaphor of a potter forming clay to describe how God carefully created him. (See: Metaphor)

“shaped and formed me.” The words “framed” and “fashioned” are similar in meaning. (See: Doublet)

Job 10:9

Alternate translation: “Remember”

Alternate translation: “turn me back into dust again”

Job 10:10

In these verses, Job uses the language of poetry to describe how God formed him in the womb. (See: Poetry)

This is a question that expects a positive answer. Alternate translation: “You poured me out like milk and curdled me like cheese.” or “You formed me in the womb like poured milk becomes cheese.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Simile)

Here “you” refers to God.

Here “me” refers to Job.

Job 10:11

God putting skin and flesh on Job’s body is spoken of as if God was putting clothing on him. Alternate translation: “You have put skin and flesh on my body” (See: Metaphor)

“wove me together.” God putting Job’s body together in the womb is spoken of as if God was knitting or weaving a piece of cloth. Alternate translation: “put me together” (See: Metaphor)

the parts of the body that connect muscles to bones or other body parts and are like tough, white bands or cords

Job 10:12

The abstract nouns “life” and “faithfulness” can be stated as “live” and “faithful.” Alternate translation: “You have been faithful to your covenant and allowed me to live” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “your care”

Here Job is represented by his “spirit.” Alternate translation: “guarded me” or “watched carefully over me” or “kept me safe” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 10:14

Alternate translation: “you would watch me”

Job 10:15

Alternate translation: “If I do evil things”

Alternate translation: “how terrible will it be for me”

This idiom means to be sure or confident. Alternate translation: “hold my head up” or “be confident” or “be sure about myself” (See: Idiom)

Another possible meaning, followed by some versions, is, “I am full of disgrace and am completely full of my own suffering,” where the disgrace is bad but the suffering is even worse.

Alternate translation: “I am totally ashamed” or “No one respects me anymore”

shame

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word affliction, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “afflict.” Alternate translation: “see how God is afflicting me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 10:16

This could mean: (1) this is a hypothetical situation that has not happened or (2) this is a description of a situation that happens repeatedly. Alternate translation: “When my head is lifted up, you stalk me like a lion” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

This idiom means to become self-confident or proud. Alternate translation: “If I become proud” (See: Idiom and Reflexive Pronouns)

Possible meanings of this simile are: (1) God hunts Job like a lion hunts its prey or (2) Job is like a lion being hunted by God. (See: Simile)

This phrase expresses irony in how God displays his marvelous power by acting to harm Job. (See: Irony and Reflexive Pronouns)

Job 10:17

Job’s troubles from God are spoken of as if they were people who were witnesses against him. (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word anger, you could express the same idea with the adjective “angry.” Alternate translation: “are more and more angry with me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

God sending troubles against Job is spoken of as if God was constantly sending new armies against him. (See: Metaphor)

Job 10:18

Here being brought out of the womb represents being born into this world. Alternate translation: “brought me out of my mother’s womb” or “brought me into this world” (See: Metaphor)

Giving up one’s spirit represents dying. Alternate translation: “died” (See: Metaphor)

Job uses “eye” here to refer to the whole person. He wishes he could have died at birth, before anyone saw him. Alternate translation: “before any person had ever seen me” or “before I was born” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 10:19

Alternate translation: “I had never lived”

Alternate translation: “My body would have been carried”

Job 10:20

Here “my days” represent the length of Job’s life. This question expects a positive answer, to emphasize that Job only expects to live a few more days. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I only have a few days left to live.” or “My life will soon end.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 10:21

Here the place where the spirits of dead people go is spoken of as if it was a land. Alternate translation: “the place” (See: Metaphor)

The phrase “shadow of death” intensifies the idea of “darkness.” Both phrases describe where the spirits of dead people go. (See: Doublet)

See how you translated this in Job 3:5.

Job 10:22

The darkness of the place where the spirits of dead people go is compared to the darkness of midnight. (See: Simile)

This negative phrase can be expressed in positive form. Alternate translation: “full of confusion” or “where all is confused” (See: Litotes)

The light of the place where the spirits of dead people go is compared to midnight. Alternate translation: “where there is no light” (See: Simile)

Job 11

Job 11 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is the advice of Job’s friend, Zophar.

Special concepts in this chapter

Zophar’s advice

Zophar tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Zophar gives to Job is bad advice. He even questions the character of God. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Zophar uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Zophar’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 11:1

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11. Alternate translation: “Zophar from the region of Naamah” (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 11:2

Zophar is asking a question in the negative to emphasize that Job’s words must be challenged. Alternate translation: “We must answer all of these words!” or “Someone should respond to all these words!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Zophar uses this question to emphasize that they should not believe what Job was saying. Alternate translation: “This man is so full of talk, but the people should not believe him!” or “Your many words alone do not mean you are innocent!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 11:3

Zophar uses this question to rebuke Job. Alternate translation: “Just because you have spoken many words, this does not mean that others must keep silent.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Zophar uses this question to rebuke Job. You may need to make explicit what it is that Job is mocking. Alternate translation: “You have mocked us for what we have said. Now we will make you feel ashamed!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 11:4

Alternate translation: “My understanding is correct”

The eyes represent sight, which is a metaphor for God’s evaluation of Job. This could mean: (1) that Job is saying that God judges him as blameless. Alternate translation: “You say that I am blameless” or (2) that Job believes he has been blameless and that God should judge him as blameless. Alternate translation: “You should recognize that I am blameless” (See: Metaphor)

Job 11:5

The words “open his lips” are a metonym that means speak. These two phrases mean the same thing and are used together to emphasize Zophar’s desire that God would speak harshly against Job. (See: Metonymy and Parallelism)

Job 11:6

What the “secrets of wisdom” are can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “that he would show you that you are suffering because of your sin” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Demanding from Job represents punishing Job. Alternate translation: “God is punishing you less than you deserve” (See: Metaphor)

Job 11:7

These two parallel questions are asking the same thing. The writer uses the form of a question to add emphasis. Alternate translation: “You cannot understand God by searching for him, and you will never completely understand the Almighty!” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Job 11:8

This refers to understanding God. Alternate translation: “To understand God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The impossibility of understanding God is spoken of as if it were impossible to go to these extremely far away places. Alternate translation: “is as inaccessible as the highest places in heaven … is more inaccessible than the deepest places in Sheol” (See: Parallelism and Simile)

Zophar uses this question to show that a person cannot do anything to understand God fully. Alternate translation: “you cannot do anything.” or “you cannot understand him fully.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Zophar uses this question to show that a person cannot do anything to know God fully. Alternate translation: “you cannot know God fully.” or “you cannot know all there is to know.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 11:9

This could mean: (1) God’s greatness or (2) the greatness of God’s wisdom.

God’s greatness or wisdom is spoken of as if it could be measured in distance. (See: Metaphor)

Job 11:10

Alternate translation: “If God … shuts anyone up in prison”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word judgment, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “judge.” Alternate translation: “if God calls anyone to go to him so that God might judge him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

This question emphasizes that no one can stop God. Alternate translation: “no one can stop him!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 11:11

This emphasizes that God does notice sin. Alternate translation: “he surely notices it!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 11:12

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word understanding, you could express the same idea with the verb “understand.” Alternate translation: “But foolish people do not understand” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Since a wild donkey can never give birth to a man, this means that foolish people will never get understanding. Alternate translation: “only if a wild donkey could give birth to a man could foolish people get understanding” or “it is as impossible for a foolish person to get understanding as it is for a donkey to give birth to a man” (See: Irony)

Job 11:13

The heart represents thoughts and attitudes. Setting it right represents correcting it. Alternate translation: “even if you had corrected your attitude” (See: Metaphor)

This is a symbolic action representing asking God for help. Alternate translation: “had made an appeal and prayed to God” (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 11:14

The hand represents what a person does. Alternate translation: “even if you had done some evil things in the past” (See: Metonymy)

Putting sin behind represents stopping sinning. Alternate translation: “but that then you stopped doing evil things” (See: Metaphor)

Unrighteousness living represents people doing unrighteous things. Alternate translation: “and you did not allow the members of your household to do unrighteous things” (See: Personification)

Job 11:15

“Lifting up your face” represents the attitude of a person who is confident and brave. (See: Metonymy and Idiom)

Job 11:16

Zophar is comparing misery with water that flows downstream and it is gone. Alternate translation: “You would remember it, but the misery will be gone, like waters that have flowed away” (See: Simile)

Job 11:17

Zophar repeats the same idea for emphasis. (See: Parallelism)

Brightness represents being prosperous and happy. Alternate translation: “Your life would be prosperous and happy like the noonday” (See: Metaphor)

Darkness represents troubles and sadness. Alternate translation: “Though there were dark troubles and sadness” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

The morning represents light, which represents prosperity and happiness. Alternate translation: “it would be prosperous and happy like the morning” (See: Metaphor)

Job 11:18

Zophar repeats the same idea for emphasis and describes the possibility. (See: Parallelism and Hypothetical Situations)

“Take your rest” here is an idiom for “rest.” The phrase “in safety” can be expressed with the word “safely.” Alternate translation: “would rest safely” (See: Idiom and Abstract Nouns)

Job 11:19

Zophar repeats the same idea for emphasis and describes the possibility. (See: Parallelism and Hypothetical Situations)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word rest, you could express the same idea with the verb “rest.” Alternate translation: “you would lie down and rest” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 11:20

Their eyes represent their understanding. Alternate translation: “the understanding of the wicked people will fail” or “the wicked people will not be able to understand” (See: Metaphor)

Job 12

Job 12 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Zophar.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. His friends, on the other hand, judge Job’s case, which Job recognizes to be Yahweh’s authority. These three friends therefore try to take God’s place. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and judge, judgment)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

Job uses many different metaphors in this chapter to express his pain or despair. He is also upset with the advice of his friends, who are supposed to help him during difficult times. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Zophar that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s response. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 12:2

Job mocks how they are acting and shows how ridiculous they sound. Alternate translation: “Surely you are such important people that wisdom cannot exist without you” or “You all act like you are the only wise people and that when you die, wisdom will disappear” (See: Irony)

Alternate translation: “Surely”

This is plural in verses 2 and 3. (See: Forms of You)

Alternate translation: “you are the important people who know everything”

Job 12:3

Job used this question to express a truth that should be obvious to his listeners. It can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “Certainly there is no one who does not know such things as these.” or “Certainly everyone knows these things.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 12:4

The relationship between these phrases can be made clear with the words “even though.” Alternate translation: “I am something for my neighbor to laugh at—even though I am one who called on God and he answered me!” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

The relationship between these phrases can be made clear with the words “even though.” Alternate translation: “Even though I am a just and blameless man, people now laugh at me” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

Job 12:5

The abstract nouns “thought,” “ease,” “contempt,” and “misfortune” can be expressed with other phrases. Alternate translation: “A person who lives an easy life despises a person who suffers” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Bringing misfortune represents causing it to happen. Alternate translation: “causes more bad things to happen” (See: Metaphor)

The foot slipping represents being in danger or trouble. Alternate translation: “to those who are already in trouble” (See: Metaphor)

Job 12:6

Their tents prospering represents the robbers prospering in their tents. Alternate translation: “Robbers live in prosperity in their own tents” (See: Metonymy)

Here “their own hands” is a metonym for strength, and “their gods” is a metaphor for their pride. Alternate translation: “they are extremely proud of their own abilities” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Job 12:7

Job is saying that the beasts and the birds understand God better than Job’s friends do. (See: Irony)

All occurrences of “you” are plural. (See: Forms of You)

The command in the first part of the sentence functions as a hypothetical condition. Alternate translation: “But if you were to ask the beasts, they would teach you” (See: Imperatives — Other Uses and Hypothetical Situations)

The command in the first part of the sentence functions as a hypothetical condition. Alternate translation: if you were to ask the birds of the heavens, they would tell you” (See: Imperatives — Other Uses and Hypothetical Situations)

Job 12:8

Job is saying that the beasts, the birds, the earth, and the fish understand God better than Job’s friends do. (See: Irony)

The command in the first part of the sentence functions as a hypothetical condition. Alternate translation: “Or if you were to speak to the earth, it would teach you” (See: Imperatives — Other Uses and Hypothetical Situations)

The command “Ask the fish of the sea” is understood from the previous sentences. It functions as a hypothetical condition. Alternate translation: “and if you were to ask the fish of the sea, they would declare to you” (See: Ellipsis and Imperatives — Other Uses and Hypothetical Situations)

Job 12:9

This question emphasizes the point that all the animals know that Yahweh has done this. This question can be worded as a statement. Alternate translation: “Every animal among all these knows … this.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh’s hand represents his power. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has done this by his power” (See: Metonymy)

Job 12:10

Yahweh’s hand represents his control or power. Alternate translation: “God controls the life of every living thing and gives breath to all mankind” (See: Metonymy)

Here “breath” represents life or the ability to live. (See: Metonymy)

Job 12:11

Job uses this question to emphasize that people listen to what others say and judge whether it is good or not. The ear and palate are metonyms for hearing and tasting. Alternate translation: “We hear what people say and test it just as we taste food and test it.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metonymy and Simile)

Job 12:12

“Aged men have wisdom.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wisdom, you could express the same idea with “wise.” The word “men” refers to people in general. Alternate translation: “Old people are wise” (See: Abstract Nouns and When Masculine Words Include Women)

This represents people gaining understanding when they live a long time. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word understanding, you could express the same idea with the phrase “understand much.” Alternate translation: “people gain understanding when they live a long time” or “people who live a long time understand much” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 12:13

Verse 13 says that God is wise and mighty. The rest of this chapter shows that this is true by telling about the wise and mighty things that God does.

The abstract nouns “wisdom” and “might” can be expressed with the adjectives “wise” and “mighty.” Alternate translation: “God is wise and mighty” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 12:14

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one can rebuild it” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word release, you could express the same idea with the verb “free.” Alternate translation: “if God shuts someone in, no one can free him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 12:15

Possible meanings are that withholding waters represents: (1) preventing the rain from falling. Alternate translation: “if he stops the rain from falling the land dries up” or (2) preventing running water from flowing. Alternate translation: “if he stops the water from flowing, the land dries up” (See: Metaphor)

Possible meanings are that sending them out is a metaphor meaning: (1) causing the rain to fall. Alternate translation: “if he causes a lot of rain to fall, it floods the land” or (2) causing the waters to flow. Alternate translation: “if he makes a lot of water flow, it floods the land” (See: Metaphor)

Job 12:16

The abstract nouns “strength” and “wisdom” can be expressed with the words “strong” and “wise.” Alternate translation: “God is strong and wise” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Being in God’s power represents God ruling over them. Alternate translation: “people who believe a lie and people who lie to others are both in his power” or “God rules over both people who believe lies and people who lie to others”

Job 12:17

Leading counselors away barefoot represents taking away their wisdom and authority. (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word sorrow, you could express the same idea with the words “sad” or “grieve” Alternate translation: “and they feel very sad” or “and they grieve” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “he makes judges become foolish”

Job 12:18

Possible meanings are that: (1) this is a metonym for causing kings to no longer have authority. Alternate translation: “He takes away the authority of kings” or (2) this is a metonym for setting people free from the chains that kings have put on them. Alternate translation: “He takes off the bonds that kings have put on people” (See: Metonymy)

This cloth is probably what a slave wears. To put these cloths on kings represents making the kings slaves. Alternate translation: “he makes kings wear the clothing of slaves” or “he makes them slaves” (See: Metonymy)

Job 12:19

Leading priests away barefoot represents taking away their authority. (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word sorrow, you could express the same idea with the words “sad” or “grieve” Alternate translation: “and they feel sad” or “and they grieve” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “defeats powerful people”

Job 12:20

Removing their speech represents making them unable to speak. Alternate translation: “He makes those who were trusted unable to speak” or “He silences people whom others trusted” (See: Metonymy)

Taking away their understanding represents making them unable to understand or make good decisions. Alternate translation: “makes the elders unable to understand” or “makes the elders unable to make good decisions” (See: Metonymy)

This could mean: (1) the older people or (2) the leaders.

Job 12:21

Pouring contempt on princes is a metaphor for causing people to feel contempt for them. Alternate translation: “He causes people to greatly disrespect those who rule” (See: Metaphor)

The belt is a symbol of strength. Unfastening a strong person’s belt represents taking away his strength and making him weak. Alternate translation: “makes the strong people weak” (See: Metaphor)

Job 12:22

Revealing things represents making them known. “Deep things from darkness” represent secrets that people do not know. Alternate translation: “He makes known secrets that people do not know” (See: Metaphor)

Bringing things out into the light represents making them known, and here “shadows” is a metonym for the things that are hidden in the shadows, which in turn are a metaphor for truths that God has hidden from people. Alternate translation: “makes known things that no one can see” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Job 12:23

Alternate translation: “He makes nations larger” or “He makes nations have more land”

God leading nations represents God causing enemy nations to lead them. The word “them” represents nations, which here represents the people of those nations. Alternate translation: “he also causes their enemies to lead them along as prisoners” (See: Metonymy)

Job 12:24

Taking away their understanding represents causing them to be unable to understand. Alternate translation: “He causes the leaders of the people of the earth to be unable to understand” (See: Metaphor)

Wandering in a wilderness where there is no path represents being in a difficult situation and not knowing what to do. Alternate translation: “to be unsure of what to do like a person wandering in a wasteland with no path” (See: Metaphor)

Job 12:25

Being in the dark without light represents lacking knowledge. Alternate translation: “They struggle to make decisions without knowledge as people struggle to walk in the dark without light” (See: Metaphor)

Staggering or wandering like a drunk man represents living without purpose. Alternate translation: “he makes them live without purpose like a drunk person who staggers as he walks” or “they wander aimlessly like a drunk person who staggers back and forth” (See: Simile)

Job 13

Job 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Zophar. It also contains Job’s claim of righteousness to Yahweh. (See: righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. His friends, on the other hand, judge Job’s case, which Job recognizes to be Yahweh’s authority. These three friends therefore try to take God’s place. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and judge, judgment)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Zophar that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s response. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 13:1

Job continues to speak to his friends.

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Job referred to himself as his eye since it is with his eyes that he saw these things. Alternate translation: “I have seen all this” (See: Synecdoche)

Job referred to himself as his ear since it is with his ears that he heard these things. Alternate translation: “I have heard and understood it” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 13:2

Alternate translation: “What you know, I also know” or “I know as much as you”

Job 13:3

Job continues to speak to his friends.

Job’s friends are judging him, but they not speaking the truth. Job would rather argue with God alone about his complaint.

Job 13:4

Putting whitewash or plaster on the truth represents ignoring the truth. Alternate translation: “you hide the truth with lies” or “you lie and ignore the truth” (See: Metaphor)

Being a physician represents being a person who comforts others. Being of no value means that they do not know how to do what they should. Alternate translation: “you are all like physicians who do not know how to heal people” or “you all come to comfort me, but you do not know how, like unskilled physicians” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:5

This expression means “be quiet” or “stop talking.” (See: Idiom)

They thought that they were saying wise things, but Job was saying that they would be wiser if they would stop talking. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wisdom, you could express the same idea with another word such as “wise.” Alternate translation: “If you were to do that, you would be wise” or “If you were to stop talking, you would appear wise” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 13:6

Job continues to speak to his friends.

Here “lips” represent the person who is speaking. Alternate translation: “listen to what I myself plead for” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 13:7

Job uses these two questions to rebuke his friends for speaking unrighteously. Alternate translation: “You think that you are speaking for God, but you are speaking unrighteously. You are speaking deceitfully.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism and Irony)

Alternate translation: “lie” or “tell lies”

Job 13:8

Showing kindness to God represents helping God or defending God against Job’s complaints. Job uses these questions to rebuke his friends for thinking that they can defend God. Alternate translation: “You think that God need you to defend him? You think that you can argue for God like attorneys in court.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism and Irony)

Job 13:9

Job continues to speak to his friends.

Here “searches you out” is a metaphor meaning “examines you.” Job uses this question to warn his friends that if God were to examine them, he would say that what they are doing is wrong. Alternate translation: “When God examines you, it will not be good for you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job uses this question to warn his friends that God knows the truth about them. Alternate translation: “You might be able to deceive men, but you cannot deceive God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 13:10

Alternate translation: “rebuke you”

“if you secretly show favor to another.” Showing partiality refers to saying only good things about someone so that the judge will say that the person is good. Doing this in secret means pretending to speak fairly, but really favoring one person over another.

Job 13:11

Job continues to speak to his friends.

Job uses these questions to rebuke his friends. This could mean: (1) Job is saying that they should fear God. Alternate translation: “His majesty should make you afraid, and his dread should fall on you.” or (2) Job is saying that they will fear God. Alternate translation: “His majesty will make you afraid, and his dread will fall on you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Dread falling on people represents them becoming terribly afraid. Alternate translation: “and you not be terribly afraid” or “and you not be terrified” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:12

Ashes represent things that are worthless and do not last. Alternate translation: “Your memorable sayings are worthless like ashes” or “Your memorable sayings will be forgotten like ashes that are blown away” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of what they say as if it were a wall made of clay around a city; it cannot defend the people because clay breaks easily. Alternate translation: “What you say in defense is as useless as a wall of clay” (See: Metaphor)

Possible meanings are that this refers to: (1) what they say to defend themselves or (2) what they say to defend God.

Job 13:13

Job continues to speak to his friends.

This is an idiom meaning “Be quiet” or “Stop talking” (See: Idiom)

This is an idiom that means “stop bothering me” or “stop hindering me” (See: Idiom)

Things coming on a person represents things happening to a person. This expression starting with “let” means that he does not care what might happen to him. Alternate translation: “let whatever may happen to me happen” or “I do not care what may happen to me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:14

“Flesh” here is a metonym for life. “Teeth” and “hands” are metonyms for his own control. These two phrases together emphasize that Job is willing to risk his life by arguing his case with God. Alternate translation: “I am ready to risk my life” (See: Metonymy and Parallelism)

Job 13:16

Job finishes speaking to his friends and begins to address God directly.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word deliverance, you could express the same idea with the verb “deliver.” Alternate translation: “This is the reason that God will deliver me” or “This is why God will save me from my troubles” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 13:17

Job begins directing his speech directly to God.

These two lines mean basically the same thing and intensify Job’s request for God to listen to him. (See: Parallelism)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word declaration, you could express the same idea with the verb “declare.” The ears represent listening. Alternate translation: “listen to my declaration” or “listen to what I declare” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metonymy)

Job 13:18

Job continues speaking to God.

This emphasizes what follows. “Listen now” or “Please pay special attention”

Setting his defense in order represents deciding what he will say to defend himself. Alternate translation: “I have thought through how I will defend myself” or “I have decided how I will explain myself” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:19

Job uses this question to express his belief that since he is right, no one would argue against him. Alternate translation: “I do not believe that anyone would argue against me in court.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “If you came to argue against me”

“You” here means God himself.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if you were to prove me wrong” (See: Active or Passive)

Giving up one’s life is a metaphor for dying. Alternate translation: “die” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:20

Job continues speaking to God.

“Face” represents the person. Alternate translation: “from you” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 13:21

An oppressive hand is a metonym for doing things that oppress someone. Withdrawing the hand is a metaphor for stopping doing those things. Alternate translation: “stop oppressing me” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

The phrase “your terrors” refers to what causes people to be terrified of God. Alternate translation: “do not terrify me” (See: Metonymy)

Job 13:23

Job continues speaking to God.

Job 13:24

Job asks this question to complain about how God is treating him. He probably hopes for an answer. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hiding one’s face from someone represents refusing to look at him or ignoring him. Alternate translation: “you refuse to look at me” or “you ignore me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:25

Job uses these questions to tell God that since Job is so insignificant and weak, it is useless to persecute him. “Leaf” and “stubble” are metaphors describing Job’s weakness, insignificance and frailty. Alternate translation: “You persecute me, but I am weak like a leaf blown by the wind and insignificant like dry stubble.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism and Metaphor)

Job 13:26

Job finishes presenting his case to God.

“Bitter things” represents accusations. Alternate translation: “For you write down accusations against me” (See: Metaphor)

Inheriting the iniquities of his youth is a metaphor. This could mean: (1) being guilty for the sins of his youth. Alternate translation: “you say that I am still guilty for the sins of my youth” or (2) being punished for the sins of his youth. Alternate translation: “you punish me for the sins of my youth” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word youth, you could express the same idea with the word “young.” Alternate translation: “the sins I committed when I was young” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 13:27

Doing this represents punishing Job and keeping him from living freely as if Job had committed a crime and was a prisoner. Alternate translation: “It is as though you put my feet in the stocks” (See: Metaphor)

This could mean: (1) a frame that holds a prisoner’s feet in place so that he cannot move at all or (2) chains around a prisoner’s feet that make it hard for him to walk. These are used as a form of punishment.

“Paths” represent the things Job does. Alternate translation: “everything I do” (See: Metaphor)

The soles of his feet represent the person who walks. Alternate translation: “you examine the ground where I have walked” (See: Synecdoche)

Examining this ground represents examining all that Job has done. Alternate translation: “it is as though you examine the ground where I have walked” or “you examine everything I do like a person examining someone’s footprints on the ground” (See: Metaphor)

Job 13:28

Job compares his life to something that is decaying. He is slowly dying. (See: Simile)

Job compares himself to clothes that are full of holes because the moths have eaten parts of it. (See: Simile)

Job 14

Job 14 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s claim of righteousness being presented to Yahweh. It also has an abrupt shift in tone. Rather than being hopeful, Job laments. (See: righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness and lament, lamentation)

Special concepts in this chapter

Resurrection

The events of Job occurred long before the Old Testament was written. Therefore, he likely had very little direct revelation about Yahweh. The resurrection of the dead was apparently not well-known during Job’s day. (See: reveal, revealed, revelation)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in his appeal to Yahweh. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 14:1

This refers to all people, both men and women; all are born into this world. (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

This is an exaggeration to emphasize that people live only a short time. Alternate translation: “lives only a very short time” (See: Hyperbole)

Being “full of trouble” represents experiencing much trouble. Alternate translation: “has many troubles” or “suffers much” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 14:2

Like the life of a flower, a person’s life is short and is easily killed. (See: Simile)

A person’s short life is compared to a shadow that disappears quickly. (See: Simile)

Job 14:3

Job implies that he does not want God to pay so much attention to him. Alternate translation: “You do not look at any of these.” or “You do not pay so much attention to these. Please do not pay so much attention to me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here looking at some one represents paying attention to him in order to judge him. Alternate translation: “pay attention to” or “look for faults in”

Job uses this question to show his surprise that God judges him even though Job is so insignificant like the flowers. Alternate translation: “But you judge me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 14:4

Job uses this question to persuade God to apply what he knows about unclean things to Job. Alternate translation: “No one can bring something clean out of something unclean” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 14:5

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “You determine a man’s days” or “You decide how long a man lives” (See: Active or Passive)

The number of man’s months being with God represents God deciding the number of months that the man will live. “You decide how many months he will live” (See: Metonymy)

Passing a limit represents living past a time that God has set for a person to die. Alternate translation: “you have appointed the time that he will die, and he cannot live longer than that” (See: Metaphor)

Job 14:6

a man who is hired to do a job and goes home afterwards

Job 14:7

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word hope, you could express the same idea with the verb “hope.” The hope is explained in verses 7-9. Alternate translation: “We can hope that a tree will live again” (See: Abstract Nouns and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “it might start growing again”

Disappearing represents dying. Alternate translation: “so that its young shoot will not die” (See: Metaphor)

Job 14:8

Alternate translation: “Even if”

the part of the tree that remains sticking out of the ground after someone has cut down most of the tree

Job 14:9

This describes the dead stump as if it could smell water to represent water being near it. Alternate translation: “even if only a little water is near it” (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “it will start growing”

The tree sending out branches represents branches growing on the tree. Alternate translation: “branches will start growing on it like a plant” (See: Personification)

Job 14:10

Job uses this question to emphasize that when a person dies, he is not present. Alternate translation: “no one knows where he is.” or “he is gone.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 14:11

Job begins to use word pictures to describe how it is that “man dies; he becomes weak” (verse 10).

Water that has dried up from a lake or a river cannot return, and once a person dies or grows old, he cannot become young again. (See: Simile)

Job 14:12

Job finishes comparing growing old and dying with water drying up (verse 11).

Lying down represents dying. Alternate translation: “so people die” (See: Metaphor)

Rising again represents living again. Alternate translation: “do not live again” (See: Metaphor)

Job 14:13

This is an exclamation showing what Job wants very much but does not really expect to happen. Alternate translation: “I wish that you would hide me” (See: Exclamations)

Alternate translation: “keep me locked up” or “keep me hidden”

Call someone to mind is an idiom meaning to think about him. Alternate translation: “think about me” or “remember me” (See: Idiom)

Job 14:14

The implicit answer is “no.” Alternate translation: “If a man dies, he will not live again.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

What “so” refers to is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “If he would live again” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “to wait all my time there even though I would be weary”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word release, you could express the same idea with the verb “release.” Alternate translation: “until I should be released” or “until you release me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 14:15

Alternate translation: “I would do what you wanted me to do”

The noun “desire” can be expressed with the verbs “desire” or “want.” Alternate translation: “You would desire” or “You would want” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here God’s hands represent him making things. Job refers to himself as the work of God’s hands. Alternate translation: “for me, whom you have made” (See: Metonymy and First, Second or Third Person)

Job 14:16

These two verbs together express a single action. Alternate translation: “attentively care for” (See: Hendiadys)

Footsteps represent his life or what he does. Alternate translation: “my life” or “the things I do” (See: Metonymy)

Keeping track of Job’s sin represents thinking about his sin. Alternate translation: “you would not look at my sin” or “you would not think about my sin” (See: Metaphor)

Job 14:17

These three lines express the same thought and are used together to emphasize his confidence that God would forgive him. (See: Parallelism)

Sealing transgression in a bag represents hiding it and refusing to think about it. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “You would refuse to think about my transgression like someone who hides something in a bag” (See: Metaphor)

Covering up someone’s iniquity so that it cannot be seen represents refusing to think about it. Alternate translation: “you would hide my iniquity” or “you would ignore my iniquity” (See: Metaphor)

Job 14:18

“Come to nothing” here is an idiom meaning be completely destroyed. This phrase expands on the word “fall” and emphasizes complete destruction. Alternate translation: “mountains completely fall apart” (See: Doublet)

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “rocks tumble down from their place” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 14:19

If it is easier in your language, you can put this phrase at the beginning of verse 18 and adjust the text accordingly. Alternate translation: “You destroy the hope of man, just like … dust of the earth” (See: Simile)

Destroying hope represents causing the things people hope for not to happen. Alternate translation: “You prevent the hope of man from happening” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word hopes, you could express the same idea with the verb “hope.” Alternate translation: “the things that man hopes for” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 14:20

The word “him” refers to any person. Alternate translation: “You always defeat man” or “You always defeat people”

Passing away represents dying. Alternate translation: “he dies” (See: Euphemism)

This could mean: (1) the pain just before dying makes his face contract or (2) when a person dies, God makes the person’s face look different.

This represents causing him to die. (See: Metaphor)

Job 14:21

Being brought low represents being shamed. Alternate translation: “if they are disgraced” or “if people shame them” (See: Metaphor)

Job 15

Job 15 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Job’s friend, Eliphaz. His words in this chapter are much stronger than when he previously spoke.

Special concepts in this chapter

Eliphaz’s advice

Eliphaz tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Eliphaz gives to Job is bad advice. He tries to convince Job that he is sinning and has been punished by Yahweh. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Eliphaz uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Eliphaz’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 15:1

This is the name of a man. People from Teman are known as Temanites. See how you translated this in Job 2:11. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 15:2

Eliphaz uses this rhetorical question to rebuke Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “A wise man should not answer with useless knowledge nor fill himself with the east wind.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The wind represents emptiness. This phrase speaks of a person speaking empty and meaningless words as if that person were full of the wind. Alternate translation: “fill himself with empty words” or “only have meaningless words” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “hot air” or “the desert wind”

Job 15:3

Eliphaz uses this rhetorical question to rebuke Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “He should not reason with unprofitable talk nor with speeches with which he can do no good.” or “He should not argue using unprofitable talk or make speeches that accomplish nothing good.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 15:4

This could mean: (1) “because of what you say and do, other people no longer respect God” or (2) “you are no longer respecting God.”

make smaller

This could mean: (1) “you make it difficult for others to devote themselves to God” or (2) “you are no longer devoting yourself to God.”

block someone’s path

Alternate translation: “meditation on” or “concern for”

Job 15:5

This describes “iniquity” as if it were a teacher and Job’s mouth is described as if it is learning. This means that his speech is greatly influenced by his iniquity. Alternate translation: “your iniquity is like a teacher and your mouth is like its student” or “it is because of your sin that you speak the way you do” (See: Personification and Metaphor)

This speaks of Job, but refers to his “mouth” to place emphasis on what he says. Alternate translation: “you to speak” or “you to say what you say” (See: Synecdoche)

This refers to the way a crafty man speaks as his “tongue.” Alternate translation: “to speak in the way of a crafty man” (See: Metonymy)

man who harms others by lying to them

Job 15:6

This refers to Job and Eliphaz by their “mouths” to place emphasis on what they say. Alternate translation: “You are condemned by what you say, not by what I say” or “You condemn yourself by what you say, it is not I who condemns you” (See: Synecdoche)

This speaks of Job, but refers to his “lips” to place emphasis on what he says. Alternate translation: “your own words” or “you testify” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 15:7

Each verse is a parallelism that contains two rhetorical questions. (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

The implicit answer here is “no.” This rhetorical question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are not the first man that was born.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The implicit answer here is “no.” This rhetorical question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “You were not brought into existence before the hills.” or “God did not bring you into existence before he brought the hills into existence.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Did God bring you” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 15:8

The implicit answer here is “no.” This rhetorical question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have not heard the secret knowledge of God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This rhetorical question emphasizes that he cannot limit wisdom to himself. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You cannot limit wisdom to yourself.” or “You are not the only wise person.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 15:9

The implicit answer here is “nothing.” If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nothing that you know that we do not know.” or “Everything you know, we also know.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This speaks of the men having understanding as if it were something “inside” them. Alternate translation: “Everything you understand, we also understand.” or “We understand everything that you understand.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 15:10

Eliphaz speaks of him and the other men having learned wisdom from older men and wisdom that had been passed down from men of previous generations as if these older men were physically present with them. Alternate translation: “We acquired wisdom from old gray-haired people, from people who were born before your father was” (See: Metaphor)

Job 15:11

This rhetorical question is an accusation, with the implicit answer to the question being “yes.” If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You must think that the consolations of God are too small for you, the words that are gentle toward you”

Alternate translation: “comforts” or “sympathies”

Job 15:12

Here the “heart” represents a person’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Why do your emotions take you away?” or “Why do you allow your emotions to guide your decisions?” (See: Metonymy and Idiom)

This probably refers to Job appearing angry, specifically the appearance of his eyes. Alternate translation: “Why do your eyes look angry” or “Why are you angry” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 15:13

Here the “spirit” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “turn yourself” (See: Synecdoche)

This describes him speaking. Alternate translation: “so you say harsh things against him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 15:14

These two questions are basically the same and are used together to emphasize that a man cannot be perfect. (See: Parallelism)

This rhetorical question is asked to emphasize that a man cannot be completely “clean.” If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “A man, he cannot be completely clean.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if the person were physically clean. (See: Metaphor)

This rhetorical question is asked to emphasize that a man cannot be completely “righteous.” If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “A man who is born from a woman cannot be completely righteous.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 15:15

This word is used here to draw Job’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”

Alternate translation: “his angels”

Something that God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: Metaphor)

Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in his judgment” (See: Metaphor)

Job 15:16

These two words basically mean the same thing and emphasize how wicked humans are. (See: Doublet)

This describes iniquity as if it were water you can drink. It compares how the evil man desires to commit sin to how readily he desires to drink cool water. Alternate translation: “who love iniquity as much as they love a cup of fresh water” or “who commit evil deeds as often as they drink water” (See: Metaphor)

Job 15:17

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I will explain to you” or “I will make it clear to you” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “I will declare”

Job 15:18

Eliphaz emphasizes that their ancestors purposefully taught them these things. Alternate translation: “their ancestors taught openly” (See: Litotes)

Job 15:19

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to whom alone God gave the land” (See: Active or Passive)

This means that no foreigner lived among them, specifically so that they would not be influenced by pagan religions. Alternate translation: “no one from another country came and caused them to think wrongly about God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 15:20

“suffers a lot of pain.” This is either physical or emotional pain.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “all the years that God has laid up” (See: Active or Passive)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “that are prepared” or “that are set aside” (See: Idiom)

Job 15:21

Alternate translation: “He constantly hears sounds that terrify him”

Job 15:22

Eliphaz continues describing the wicked man he began to describe in Job 15:20.

Here “darkness” is a metaphor for trouble or misfortune. Alternate translation: “escape misfortune” (See: Idiom)

Here “the sword” is a metonym that represents an enemy who is waiting to kill the evil man. This could mean: (1) he is worried that someone will murder him. Alternate translation: “he worries that someone is about to murder him” or (2) it is certain that he is going to be murdered. Alternate translation: “someone is waiting to murder him” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 15:23

Here “bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “for food” (See: Synecdoche)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the day of disaster” or “the moment of his death” (See: Idiom)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “is coming soon” (See: Idiom)

Job 15:24

The words “distress” and “anguish” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of the emotion. Here these feelings are spoken of as if they were an enemy who is attacking the wicked man. (See: Doublet and Personification)

Alternate translation: “overpower” or “defeat”

This compares how his distress and anguish overpower him to how a king, who is ready for battle, would prevail against him. Alternate translation: “just like a king, who is ready for a battle, would prevail against him” (See: Simile)

Job 15:25

“he has shook his fist against God.” This is a sign of aggression. (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 15:26

This speaks of the wicked man acting aggressively against God as if he were running towards him to attack him. Alternate translation: “attacks God” or “acts violently against God” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “with his strong shield”

Job 15:27

“This” refers to the wicked man running at God from the previous verse.

This wicked man is described as fat and weak, while believing himself to be strong enough to defeat God. Alternate translation: “he is weak with a fat face and fat loins” (See: Irony)

Job 15:28

Alternate translation: “which are abandoned”

piles of useless things

Job 15:29

These two litotes express that he will be the opposite of rich, that he will be poor. Alternate translation: “he will be poor; all his money will disappear” (See: Litotes)

Job 15:30

Darkness here represents death. Alternate translation: “out of the darkness of death” (See: Metonymy)

Here the flame represents God’s judgment and the drying up of his stalks represents either the fact that his possessions disappear, or that he will die. Alternate translation: “God will take everything he owns away, like a fire dries out the moist branches of a tree” (See: Metaphor)

Here God’s “breath” represents his judgement. Alternate translation: “God’s breath” or “God’s judgment” (See: Metonymy)

This refers to him dying. Alternate translation: “he will die” (See: Euphemism)

Job 15:31

This is implied that this is what will happen if he trusts in useless things. Alternate translation: “for if he trusts in them, uselessness will be his reward” (See: Ellipsis)

Job 15:32

This speaks of the man looking pale and dead as if he were a dried out stalk or tree branch. Alternate translation: “he will look dead, just like the branch of a dead tree does not look green” (See: Metaphor)

Job 15:33

These two lines give a similar image, which is repeated to emphasize that this will surely happen. (See: Parallelism)

This speaks of the wicked man growing weak and dying as if he were a grapevine dropping unripe grapes. Alternate translation: “Just like a grapevine drops its unripe grapes, so the wicked man will drop his strength” (See: Metaphor)

This speaks of the wicked man growing weak and dying as if he were an olive tree dropping its flowers. Alternate translation: “just like an olive tree loses its flowers, so the wicked man will lose his strength” (See: Metaphor)

Job 15:34

Alternate translation: “the group of godless people”

The phrase “tents of bribery” means that the wicked people bought these tents with the money they made by bribery. Alternate translation: “the tents they bought with their bribes will be burned by fire” (See: Possession)

Job 15:35

The same thought is repeated three times to emphasize how much evil these people produce. This speaks of a person planning to do evil things and doing them as if the person were conceiving and giving birth to these things as a woman conceives and gives birth to a child. Alternate translation: “They plan to cause mischief and do evil things; they are always planning to deceive others” (See: Parallelism and Metaphor)

Here the “womb” is used to refer to the person to emphasize conception, as it is in the womb that conception takes place. Alternate translation: “they conceive” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 16

Job 16 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Eliphaz.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s response

Job expresses shock and disgust at the advice Eliphaz gives to him. He even mocks Eliphaz. He describes the difficulties of his circumstances but never curses Yahweh. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Advocate

Job describes the need for someone to intercede for him in heaven. This person would be his advocate and provide a witness for him. Although this is probably not intended as a prophecy, it closely parallels the way Jesus intercedes for people in heaven. (See: intercede, intercession, heaven, sky, heavens, heavenly and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence and prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Job 16:2

Alternate translation: “instead of comforting me, you all make me more miserable”

Job 16:3

Job uses this rhetorical question to express that he wishes that they would stop speaking useless words. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “How I wish your useless words would end!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job uses this rhetorical question to rebuke Eliphaz. Here the word “you” is singular and refers to Eliphaz, who just finished speaking to Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Eliphaz, you should stop answering me like this!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 16:4

Job speaks of thinking of useless things to say as if his words were random items that he collected and joined together. Alternate translation: “I could think of things to say” (See: Metaphor)

This is an action that shows disapproval. (See: Symbolic Action)

The word “mockery” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “to mock you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 16:5

The words “mouth” and “lips” are metonyms for the words or messages that a person speaks using his mouth and lips. Here Job is speaking sarcastically and means the opposite of what he says. Alternate translation: “My words would surely not be encouraging to you! They would surely not lighten your grief” or “By speaking to you as you spoke to me earlier, I would not encourage you or lighten your grief!” (See: Metonymy and Irony)

Here Job’s “mouth” represents what he says. Alternate translation: “with what I say” (See: Metonymy)

This is a metonym for the words or message that he speaks. Alternate translation: “my comforting words” (See: Metonymy)

This speaks of grief as if it were a heavy physical burden. Alternate translation: “will lessen your grief” or “will help you feel less grief” (See: Metaphor)

Job 16:6

Job has experienced great loss of family and health that is unexplained and therefore causes him “great sorrow and emotional pain.”

Job uses this rhetorical question to express that keeping quiet does not lessen his grief. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “it does not help me at all.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 16:7

Job now turns his complaining to God.

Alternate translation: “destroyed all my family”

Job 16:8

This means that Job’s body has shriveled and become wrinkled. Alternate translation: “You have made my body shrivel up” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job describes the shriveling of his body as if it were an accuser against him. Alternate translation: “and people think that shows me to be a sinner” (See: Personification)

Job describes the thinness of his body as if it were accuser against him. Alternate translation: “They see how thin my body is, and they think that proves that I am guilty” (See: Personification)

Here Job is referred to by his “face.” Alternate translation: “against me” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 16:9

This speaks of God causing Job pain as if God were a wild animal and Job were his prey that he was killing. Alternate translation: “Because God is very angry with me, it is as though he were a wild animal that tore my body apart with his teeth because he was my enemy” (See: Metaphor)

Job refers to God as his “enemy” as he describes how he has caused him great pain.

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “glares at me” (See: Idiom)

Job 16:10

To “gape” means to stare in amazement with open mouth.

Job 16:11

These two lines mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize Job’s feeling of having been betrayed by God. (See: Parallelism)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “puts me under the control of” (See: Idiom)

Here a person’s “hands” refer to his “control.” Alternate translation: “delivers me to the control” (See: Metonymy)

Job 16:12

Job speaks of his pain and despair as if he himself were something that was broken into pieces. Alternate translation: “but then it felt as though he broke me apart” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of God causing him pain and despair as if he were something that God had taken and smashed into pieces. Alternate translation: “it is as though he has taken me by the neck and smashed me to pieces” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of himself being the focus of God’s attacks as if God has set him up as a target to shoot arrows at. Alternate translation: “it is as though he set me up like a target” (See: Metaphor)

Job 16:13

Job speaks of himself being the focus of God’s attacks as if God has set him up as a target and God had archers surrounding him to attack him. Alternate translation: “It is as though his archers have me surrounded” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of the pain he is feeling by comparing it to God piercing his body with arrows. Here “God” represents the arrows that he shoots. Alternate translation: “It feels like God’s arrows have pierced my kidneys and my liver, spilling my bile on the ground. He does not spare me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 16:14

Job speaks of the pain that he feels by comparing himself to a wall that God smashes through. Alternate translation: “I feel like a wall that God smashes through” or “I feel like a wall that God breaks through” (See: Metaphor)

Job describes God as a soldier that attacks him. Alternate translation: “it is like he is a warrior who runs at me to attack me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 16:15

Job speaks of wearing clothing made of sackcloth as if the cloth were attached to his body. People often wore sackcloth to express mourning or great grief. Alternate translation: “Because I am mourning, I have sewn together sackcloth to wear as my clothing” or “I wear clothing that I made from sackcloth, because I am mourning” (See: Metaphor)

Job’s “horn” represents the power and authority he had before but now is no more. Alternate translation: “I sit here in the dirt, very depressed” (See: Metaphor)

Job 16:16

Here Job’s eyes are represented by his “eyelids.” Job speaks of his eyes’ dark appearance as if his eyes looked like the eyes of a dead person. Alternate translation: “there are dark circles around my eyes” or “my eyes are dark, like the eyes of a dead person” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

Job 16:17

“Hands” refers to a person’s ability and activity. Alternate translation: “I have not acted violently” (See: Metonymy)

Job 16:18

Jobs speaks to the “earth” directly even though it cannot hear him, to add strength to his statement. The earth is personified as purposefully covering up his blood after he dies. Alternate translation: “I wish my blood would not soak into the ground but that it would remain on top of the ground as proof of how I died” (See: Apostrophe and Personification)

Job speaks of himself dying as if he would be murdered. Here his “blood” is a metonym referring to his death. Alternate translation: “Earth, when I die, do not hide how I died unfairly” or “Let it not be hidden how I died unfairly” (See: Metonymy)

Job speaks of wanting everyone to know what happened to him as if his “cry” were a person that never stopped testifying to what happened to him and never rested. Alternate translation: “let everyone hear about what has happened to me” (See: Personification)

Job 16:19

Job uses this word to draw attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “listen”

Alternate translation: “testifies that I am righteous”

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “in heaven” or “in heaven on high” (See: Idiom)

Job 16:20

Alternate translation: “scorn” or “ridicule”

Job describes how strongly he feels his sorrow. Here he exaggerates how he often cries by saying that tears pour from his eyes. Alternate translation: “my eyes are full of tears while I cry out” (See: Hyperbole)

Job 16:21

“for me.” Here Job refers to himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

“as a man does for his neighbor.” Job describes how he wants that one in heaven to plead for him. (See: Simile)

Job 16:22

Here Job is referring to himself dying. Alternate translation: “I will die and go to a place” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 17

Job 17 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Eliphaz, but it is more directly addressed to Yahweh.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s grief

Job expresses grief or great sadness in this chapter. He awaits the justice and intercession of Yahweh as he awaits his own death. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and intercede, intercession)

Advocate

Job describes the need for someone to intercede for him in heaven. This person would be his advocate and provide a witness for him. Although this is probably not intended as a prophecy, it closely parallels the way Jesus intercedes for people in heaven. (See: heaven, sky, heavens, heavenly and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence and prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Job 17:1

Job refers to himself by his “spirit” to emphasize his inner emotions. He speaks of not having any strength left as if he were something that has been used up. Alternate translation: “I am consumed” or “I have lost all of my strength” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “my time is over” or “I am going to die soon”

This phrase describes “the grave” as if it is a person who will receive Job as a guest. Alternate translation: “soon I will be dead and buried” (See: Personification)

Job 17:2

Alternate translation: “Those who are around me are mocking me”

Alternate translation: “Certainly” or “There is no doubt that”

Job refers to himself by his “eyes” to emphasize what he sees. Alternate translation: “I must always see” or “I must always hear” (See: Synecdoche)

“their insults.” The word “provocation” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “them provoking me” or “them, trying to make me angry” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 17:3

Job begins to speak to God. Here he speaks of his situation as if he were in prison. He is asking God to provide a pledge so that he may be released. Alternate translation: “God, give now a pledge so that I may be released from this prison” or “pay for my release from prison” (See: Metaphor)

Job uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is no one else to help him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “there is no one else who will help me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 17:4

The word “their” refers to his friends. They are referred to by their “hearts” to emphasize their emotions. Alternate translation: “have kept them” or “have kept my friends” (See: Synecdoche)

Alternate translation: “you will not allow them to triumph over me”

Job 17:5

Alternate translation: “Anyone who”

Alternate translation: “falsely accuses his friends in order to get a profit” or “betrays his friends to receive a reward”

The person’s children are referred to here by their “eyes.” This phrase describes the children suffering because of what their father or mother did. Alternate translation: “his children will suffer for it” (See: Synecdoche and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 17:6

This means that people speak of him in a mocking way and use his name as an insult. Alternate translation: “because of him, people use my name as an insult” or “because of them, people use my name as a byword” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

“people spit in my face.” In this culture spitting on someone was a great insult. If spitting has a different meaning in your culture you can write this differently. Alternate translation: “people insult me greatly, by spitting in my face” (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 17:7

Job speaks of his vision as his “eyes.” Alternate translation: “My vision has become weak because I am so sad” or “I am almost blind because of my sorrow” (See: Metonymy)

Shadows have no thickness and are infinitely thin. That is an exaggeration of how thin Job’s body parts are. Alternate translation: “all my body parts are very thin” (See: Simile and Hyperbole)

This is a generalization used to emphasize that his whole body is thin, but refers specifically to his arms and legs. Alternate translation: “my arms and legs” (See: Hyperbole)

Job 17:8

Alternate translation: “will be shocked” or “will be horrified”

Alternate translation: “by what has happened to me”

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “will be distressed because of” or “will be very angry with” (See: Idiom)

Job 17:9

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “will continue to live in a righteous way” (See: Idiom)

This speaks of a person being innocent as having clean hands. Alternate translation: “he who does what is right” or “he who is innocent” (See: Metaphor)

This does not refer only to physical strength but also to the strength of a person’s will and emotions.

Job 17:10

Job is speaking to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.

Job invites his friends to debate what he has said. Alternate translation: “come on now, argue with me again” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 17:11

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “My time is past” or “My life is over” (See: Idiom)

Here Job’s “heart” represents his inner being. Alternate translation: “my plans will never happen, nor will the things that I have desired most” (See: Metonymy)

Job 17:12

These two phrases refer to the same people, namely Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. The second phrase emphasizes their unfriendly attitude. (See: Doublet)

This speaks of the people claiming that night is day as if they actually changed night into day. Alternate translation: “claim it is daytime when it is night” or “say the opposite of what is true, just as night is the opposite of day” (See: Metaphor)

It is implied that the mockers claim that it is light when it is close to dark. Alternate translation: “they claim that light is near to darkness” or “they claim that when it is becoming dark, that it is getting light” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 17:13

The instances of “if” here have the meaning of “since”; Job is speaking as if all these things were true. “Since the only home … and since I have spread” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Here Job speaks of being prepared to die as having laid his bed in the darkness. Alternate translation: “have prepared myself to go and sleep among the dead” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “have made my bed”

Job 17:14

The word “if” here has the meaning of “since”; Job is speaking as if this were true. “since I have said” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

These two lines are a variation to each other and are used together to emphasize how desperate Job is. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “the grave”

Job speaks of the closeness he will soon have with his grave by comparing it to the closeness a man has with his father. Alternate translation: “You are as close to me as my father” or “When I am buried, you will be as close to me as a father” (See: Metaphor)

“the maggot.” Worms are the small creatures that eat dead bodies.

Job speaks of the closeness he will soon have with the worms in his grave by comparing it to the closeness a man has with his mother and sisters. Alternate translation: “You are as close to me as my mother or my sister” or “You will be as close to me as a mother or sister” (See: Metaphor)

Job 17:15

The implicit answer is “nowhere,” because he has no hope. This rhetorical question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have no hope.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This rhetorical question is used to emphasize that no one expects him to have any hope. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can see any hope for me.” or “No one expects me to have any more hope.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 17:16

The implicit answer is “no.” If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Hope will not go down with me … dust.” or “I will no longer hope when I go down … dust.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Sheol does not really have gates, but it is a metaphor for Job entering Sheol. Alternate translation: “when I go into Sheol” (See: Metaphor)

“when I and the things that I hope for” or “when I and my hopes.” The word “we” refers to Job and his hope.

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “die and are buried” or “go to the grave” (See: Idiom)

Job 18

Job 18 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is the advice of Job’s friend, Bildad. His words in this chapter are much stronger than when he previously spoke, and he is even angry at Job.

Special concepts in this chapter

Bildad’s advice

Bildad tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Bildad gives to Job is bad advice. He tries to convince Job that he is sinning and has been punished by Yahweh. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Job 18:1

Bildad the Shuhite is speaking to Job. (See: Poetry and Parallelism)

“Bildad” is the name of a man who is a member of the tribe of Shuah. See how you translated this in Job 8:1.

Job 18:2

This rhetorical question means that Job has been talking for too long. Alternate translation: “Stop talking!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Be reasonable, and” or “Think about these things, and”

Job 18:3

Bildad uses this rhetorical questions to emphasize to Job that he should not consider his friends as animals who cannot think or speak. It can be written as a statement in active form. Alternate translation: “We should not be regarded as beasts, as stupid in your sight.” or “You should not regard us as beasts or think of us as stupid.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)

The word “we” probably refers to Bildad and Job’s other friends and so is exclusive. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Regarding, looking, is a metonym here for thinking well or badly of someone. (See: Metonymy)

Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your judgment” or “in your thinking” (See: Metaphor)

The word “your” here is plural. Bildad is using sarcasm to tell Job that Job should not think of himself as a great man. Alternate translation: “your sight, you who wrongly think you are great” (See: First, Second or Third Person and Irony)

Job 18:4

Here Bildad is stating that it is because of Job’s anger and disobedience that he has been injured, not because of God’s anger as Job has previously claimed. The word “tear” here means to “injure.” Alternate translation: “You who have caused your own injuries because of your anger” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This rhetorical question suggests that letting Job, whom they consider a guilty man, go free would be like changing the whole world. Bildad uses these huge exaggerations here to emphasize how outrageous he thinks this is. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “asking God to let you, a guilty man, go free is as silly as asking for God to forsake the earth for your sake or for God to move the rocks out of their places to please you!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Hyperbole)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “should everyone leave the earth” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The word “rocks” here refers to large rocks, such as those in the mountains. Alternate translation: “should God remove the rocks from their places” or “should God move mountains around” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 18:5

Bildad speaks of a wicked person dying as if his lamp were being blown out. Alternate translation: “What will happen is that the lives of wicked people like you end as quickly as we can put out a light or extinguish the flame of a fire” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “will go out” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 18:6

Bildad continues to speak of the wicked person dying. He speaks of the wicked man’s life as if it were the light in his tent. Alternate translation: It will be like the light in his tent has turned to darkness, like the lamp above him has gone out” (See: Metaphor)

Job 18:7

This speaks of the wicked person suddenly experiencing disaster as if he no longer had strength to walk. Alternate translation: “It will be like he no longer has the strength to walk” (See: Metaphor)

“his own advice makes him fall down.” This speaks of the wicked person undergoing disaster as if he fell down. Alternate translation: “his own plans will lead him into disaster” (See: Metaphor)

Job 18:8

“His own feet will lead him into a net.” Bildad uses this image to say that the way that a wicked person lives his life leads him to sudden disaster. Alternate translation: “It will be as though he led himself into a net, as if he walked right into a pitfall” (See: Metaphor)

cords or ropes that people weave together to create a mesh. People used nets to catch animals.

a pit that has branches and leaves over it so that an animal will walk onto the branches and leaves and fall into the pit

Job 18:9

These four phrases speak of the wicked man experiencing disaster as if he were caught in a trap. Alternate translation: “It will be as though a trap will take him … a snare will” (See: Metaphor)

People used this kind of trap to catch birds. The trap snapped shut and held on to the foot of the bird.

Here the “heel” refers to the whole foot. Alternate translation: “will take hold of his foot” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 18:10

These four phrases speak of the wicked man experiencing disaster as if he were caught in a trap. Alternate translation: “It will be as though a noose is … and a trap for him in the way” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Someone has hidden a noose on the ground in order to catch him” (See: Active or Passive)

a rope with a loop that grabs hold of an animal’s leg when the animal steps in the middle of the loop

The understood verbal phrase “is hidden” may be supplied. Alternate translation: “a trap is hidden on the path to catch him” or “someone will hide a trap to catch him in the way” (See: Ellipsis)

Job 18:11

Alternate translation: “Terrors all around will make him afraid”

This speaks of the things that terrify the wicked person as if they were enemies who chased him. Alternate translation: “it will be as if the terrors will chase him all around” (See: Personification)

Job 18:12

This speaks of the wicked man becoming poor and hungry as if his wealth were something that turned into something else. Alternate translation: “Instead of being wealthy, he will become poor and hungry” (See: Metaphor)

The phrase “ready at his side” is an idiom that means that something is continually present. Alternate translation: “he will continually experience disaster” or “he will not be able to avoid calamity” (See: Idiom)

Job 18:13

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Also, this speaks of a disease destroying his body as if it were an animal that had attacked him and was eating him. Alternate translation: “Disease will eat away at his skin” or “Disease will destroy his skin” (See: Active or Passive and Metaphor)

Here a disease that kills many people is referred to as “the firstborn of death.” This speaks of that disease destroying his body as if it were an animal that had attacked him and was eating him. Alternate translation: “a deadly disease will destroy the different parts of his body” (See: Metaphor)

Job 18:14

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Disaster rips him out of his tent, where he is safe” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it marches him off” or “it forces him to go” (See: Active or Passive)

This is a reference to “King Death,” a pagan god who was believed to rule over death. Alternate translation: “the one who rules over the dead” or “the king of death” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 18:15

Alternate translation: “People who are not his family”

People used sulfur to get rid of any diseases from a dying person. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “after they spread sulfur all over his home” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 18:16

This speaks of the wicked man dying and having no descendants as if he were a tree whose roots dried up and branches withered, producing no fruit. Alternate translation: “He will die and leave no descendants, he will be like a tree whose roots have dried up and whose branches have all withered” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “his branches will wither” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 18:17

These phrases have the same meaning and are used together to emphasize the fact that nobody will remember him after he dies. (See: Parallelism)

This speaks of the “memory” of the wicked man as if it were a person who died. Alternate translation: “No one on the earth will remember him” (See: Metaphor)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “no one walking along the street will even remember his name” (See: Idiom)

Job 18:18

These phrases together emphasize the fact that the wicked person will be sent to Sheol, the place of the dead. (See: Parallelism)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will drive the wicked person from light into darkness” (See: Active or Passive)

The word “light” refers to life, and the word “darkness” refers to death. Alternate translation: “from the light of life to the darkness of death” (See: Metonymy)

This speaks of God making him leave earth and go where dead people go as if he were chasing him. Alternate translation: “God will make him leave this world” or “God will send him to the place where dead people go” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will chase him” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 18:19

Together these two phrases emphasize that he will have no family or descendants left. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “grandson” or “grandchild”

Alternate translation: “relatives”

Job 18:20

The phrases “in the west” and “in the east” are together a merism that refers to all people living everywhere. This is an exaggeration as not everyone on the earth will hear about what happened to a specific wicked person. Alternate translation: “Everyone in the whole world will be horrified and frightened when they see what happens to the wicked person” or “Many people who live in the east and in the west will be horrified and frightened when they see what happens to the wicked person” (See: Merism and Hyperbole)

Alternate translation: “someday”

Job 18:21

These two phrases have the same meaning and refer to the same people. Here these people are referred to by the places where they live. Alternate translation: “unrighteous people, those who do not know God” (See: Parallelism and Metonymy)

Job 19

Job 19 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Bildad.

Verses 25-27 are very important to this book. They show the great depth of Job’s faith in Yahweh after his most difficult time. (See: faith)

Job 19:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism

Job speaks to his three friends.

Job 19:2

Job uses this question to complain about how his friends are treating him. Alternate translation: “Stop making me suffer and breaking me into pieces with words.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job uses this image to say that their words make him feel very sad and hopeless. Alternate translation: “torment me with your words” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:3

The phrase “These ten times” refers to the way that the friends have completely rebuked Job. Alternate translation: “You have completely reproached me” or “You have reproached me many times” (See: Idiom)

Job is rebuking them for this. This can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: “You should be ashamed that you have treated me so harshly”

Alternate translation: “have despised me” or “have publicly ridiculed me”

Job 19:4

Alternate translation: “have sinned by accident” or “mistakenly sinned”

Job implies that his friends are not responsible for continuing to rebuke him since he is the one who made the error. Alternate translation: “my error is my own responsibility, so you should not continue to rebuke me” or “my error did not hurt you, so you should not continue to rebuke me” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “my sin” or “my mistake”

Job 19:5

Alternate translation: “If you think you are better than I am” or “Since you act as though you are better than I am”

How his friends would do this can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “claim that my humiliation is proof against me” or “use my humiliation as evidence that I am guilty” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word humiliation, you could express the same idea with the verb “humiliate.” Alternate translation: “claim that what has happened to humiliate me proves that I am guilty” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 19:6

Job speaks as if God were a hunter that has trapped Job in his net. This metaphor represents God taking control of Job and Job’s feeling of helplessness. Alternate translation: “has trapped me” or “has taken control of me” or “has control of what happens to me, so that I am helpless” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:7

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I cry out”

This is a cry for help. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Violence! Help!” or “Help! I am being attacked!” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “I shout for help” or “I cry for help”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word justice, you could express the same idea with a phrase that makes the meaning clear. Alternate translation: “but no one protects me from those who do me wrong” (See: Abstract Nouns and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 19:8

Job uses these images to describe how God has made him feel helpless and hopeless. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “God has put a wall on the road that I am walking on” or “He has blocked the way so I cannot keep going”

Job 19:9

Job uses these images to say that God has taken his good reputation, wealth, and dignity away from him. (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of his glory as if it were a robe that God has taken away. Alternate translation: “He has taken away my glory” (See: Metaphor)

The crown refers to Job’s dignity or honor. Alternate translation: “he has taken away my dignity and honor” or “it is as though he has taken my crown off my head” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:10

Job speaks of God ruining him as if Job were building that God is smashing down. Alternate translation: “He has ruined me in every way” or “He has attacked me in every way” (See: Metaphor)

The metaphor “being gone” represents being completely destroyed. Alternate translation: “I am completely destroyed” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of God causing Job not to have hope as if Job’s hope were a tree that God has pulled with its roots out of the ground. Alternate translation: “he has completely taken away all my hope” or “because of what he has done, I can no longer hope for anything good” (See: Simile)

This simile is also an ellipsis. You may need to supply the omitted words. Alternate translation: “the way a man pulls a tree up by its roots” (See: Simile and Ellipsis)

Job 19:11

Job speaks of God’s wrath as if it were a fire. Alternate translation: “God has also lit a fire of anger against me” or “God has also become very angry with me” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “he thinks of me as an enemy”

Job 19:12

Job speaks of God attacking him as if Job was a city and God was sending an army to attack it. Alternate translation: “God sends his army to attack me” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of God attacking him as if Job was a city and God’s army was piling up dirt against the city wall in order to climb over the wall and attack the city. Alternate translation: “the soldiers pile up dirt in order to climb over my wall” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of God attacking him as if Job was in his tent and God’s army was camping around him and preparing to attack him. Alternate translation: “they camp around my tent and prepare to attack me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:13

Being “far from” someone represents being unwilling to relate to him or help him. Alternate translation: “God has caused my brothers to stay away from me” or “God caused my brothers to refuse to help me” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “my acquaintances have alienated themselves from me” or “my friends treat me like a stranger” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 19:14

Alternate translation: “My relatives have left me without help”

Alternate translation: “my intimate friends”

“have abandoned me” or “have neglected me.” This means that they refuse to treat him according to how he and they had related to each other in the past. It implies that they abandoned him.

Job 19:15

Alternate translation: “consider me”

Job describes how people now think of him as an outsider. Here sight represents judgement or evaluation. Alternate translation: “they think of me as a foreigner” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:16

“but he does not respond to me” or “but he does not come to me.” The answer is a response to Job’s call.

The phrase “my mouth” is a metonym which refers to Job speaking. Alternate translation: “even though I speak to him and plead with him” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “plead with him”

Job 19:17

Here “breath” represents the smell of his breath. If something is offensive to someone, it means that he hates it. Alternate translation: “My wife hates the smell of my breath” (See: Metonymy)

Job refers to his brothers and sisters this way to imply that they are people who should love him. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “my own brothers who should love me” or “my brothers and sisters who should love me” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 19:18

Alternate translation: “hate me” or “detest me”

Alternate translation: “they ridicule me” or “they make fun of me”

Job 19:19

“All my closest friends” or “All of my friends with whom I shared my secrets.” This refers to his closest friends.

Alternate translation: “think I am disgusting”

Alternate translation: “have betrayed me”

Job 19:20

“I am just skin and bones” or “My skin sticks to my bones.” Job speaks of his bones, skin, and flesh to describe his appearance. He was extremely thin, and people could easily see the shape of his bones. Some languages have idioms for this.

This idiom means that he is barely surviving, that he almost does not survive. Alternate translation: “I am barely alive” or “I hardly survive” (See: Idiom)

Job 19:21

Alternate translation: “Have compassion on me”

Here “touched me” is a metonym for “hit me.” And, “hand” represents God’s power. Causing Job to suffer is spoken of as if Yahweh were physically hitting him with his hand. Alternate translation: “because God has afflicted me” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Job 19:22

Job uses this question to complain about how his friends are treating him. Alternate translation: “Do not persecute me … God does!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job uses this question to complain about how his friends are treating him. Alternate translation: “You have consumed my flesh enough!” or “Stop consuming my flesh!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job speaks of his friends speaking so cruelly to him as if they were wild beasts eating up another animal. Alternate translation: “Stop violently slandering me.” or “Stop attacking me with your words.” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:23

This exclamation tells what Job wishes for. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I wish that someone would write down my words” (See: Exclamations and Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “what I am saying”

This exclamation tells what Job wishes for. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I wish that someone would write them in a book” (See: Exclamations and Active or Passive)

Job 19:24

This exclamation tells what Job wishes for. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I wish that someone would use an iron pen and lead to carve them in the rock forever” (See: Exclamations and Active or Passive)

“an iron chisel.” This was a tool used for writing. It was made of iron so that people could carve words in rock.

Lead is a soft metal. We do not know how people used lead when carving rock. They may have filled the letters of the inscription with lead in order to make the inscription last longer.

Job 19:25

“My Defender.” Here “Redeemer” refers to a person who will rescue Job by proving Job’s innocence, restoring his honor, and giving him justice.

This refers to standing to speak in court. This could mean: (1) the Redeemer will be the last one to speak in the court. Alternate translation: “he will judge whether or not I am guilty” or (2) the Redeemer will stand in this final court to defend Job. Alternate translation: “at last he will defend me in court” (See: Metonymy)

Job 19:26

Possible meanings are that this refers to: (1) his body being destroyed by disease or (2) his body decaying after he has died.

His flesh represents his body, and “in my flesh” represents being alive. Alternate translation: “while I live in my body, I will see God” (See: Metonymy)

Job 19:27

The synecdoche “my own eyes” represents Job. The phrases “my eyes” and “and not someone else” emphasize that Job himself will actually see God. It is not that someone else will see God and tell Job about him. (See: Synecdoche)

People thought of the heart as being where the emotions are. So the heart failing represents him having very many emotions. Alternate translation: “I am very emotional about it” or “My emotions overwhelm me as I think about that” (See: Metaphor)

This could mean: (1) Job feels very hopeful, thankful, and happy or (2) Job feels exhausted waiting to see his Redeemer. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 19:28

This is an exclamation. This could mean: (1) that they will certainly persecute Job or (2) that they will persecute him severely. (See: Exclamations)

The “root” represents the source. Alternate translation: “He is the source of all his troubles” or “He has all these troubles because of what he has done” (See: Metaphor)

Job 19:29

Possible meanings are that the sword represents: (1) God judging them. Alternate translation: “then be afraid that God will judge you” or (2) God killing them. Alternate translation: “then be afraid that God will kill you” (See: Metonymy)

The abstract nouns “wrath” and “punishment” can be expressed with the adjective “angry” and the verb “punish.” This could mean: (1) God’s anger results in punishment. Alternate translation: “because God will be angry with you and punish you” or (2) the anger of Job’s friends results in punishment. Alternate translation: “because if you are so angry with me, God will punish you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “causes” or “results in”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word judgment, you could express the same idea with the verb “judge.” Alternate translation: “God judges people” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 20

Job 20 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is the advice of Job’s friend, Zophar. His words in this chapter are much stronger than when he previously spoke, and he is even angry at Job. He claims that Job took advantage of the poor and is being punished for it.

Special concepts in this chapter

Zophar’s advice

Zophar tells Job to curse Yahweh. The advice Zophar gives to Job is bad advice. He tries to convince Job that he is sinning and has been punished by Yahweh. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

There are many metaphors used in this chapter. Zophar uses them to explain the temporary nature of life and riches. He also uses them to describe God’s punishment of Job. (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:1

Zophar replies to Job.

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11. Since this is the second time that Zophar speaks, some translations omit “the Naamathite” here.

Job 20:2

The idea of Zophar’s thoughts making him do something represents his strong desire to do something. Alternate translation: “I want very much to answer you quickly” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word worry, you could express the same idea with the adjective “worried.” The reason for the worry can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “because I am very worried about you” or “because I am very worried because of what you said” (See: Abstract Nouns and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 20:3

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word rebuke, you could express the same idea with the verb “rebuke.” Alternate translation: “I hear you rebuke me, and what you say dishonors me” or “You insult me by how you rebuke me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “spirit” probably refers to a thought or idea. Alternate translation: “a thought from my understanding answers me”

This “spirit” or thought is spoken of as if it were a person that could answer Zophar. Alternate translation: “I have a thought from my understanding, and now I know what I wanted to know” (See: Personification)

The content of the answer can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “a thought from my understanding answers me about how I can reply to you” or “I have a thought from my understanding, and now I know how I can reply to you” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The abstract nouns “spirit” and “understanding” can be expressed with the verbs “think” and “understand.” Alternate translation: “because I understand things, I have thought, and now I know how I can reply to you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 20:4

Zophar begins a rhetorical question to cause Job to think deeply about what he will now say.

Job 20:5

Zophar finishes the rhetorical question he began in verse 4.

Zophar uses a rhetorical question to cause Job to think deeply about what he will now say. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “Surely you know … man on earth; the triumph … for a moment.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word triumph, you could express the same idea with the verbs “triumph” or “celebrate.” Alternate translation: “the wicked man triumphs only a short time” or “the wicked person celebrates for only a little while” (See: Abstract Nouns)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word joy, you could express the same idea with the verb “rejoice” or the adjective “happy.” The word “moment” is an exaggeration to emphasize that the time is very short. Alternate translation: “a godless man rejoices for only a moment” or “the godless man is happy for only a very short time” (See: Abstract Nouns and Hyperbole)

Job 20:6

“Though the wicked person’s height reaches up to the heavens.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word height, you could express the same idea with the adjective “tall.” Alternate translation: “Though he is as tall as the heavens” (See: Abstract Nouns)

The wicked man’s height represents either his reputation or his pride. Also, here “reaches up to the heavens” represents being very great. Alternate translation: “Though his reputation is great” or “Though his pride is great” (See: Metaphor)

“and though his head is as high as the clouds.” This also represents his reputation or pride being great. This means the same as the previous phrase. (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

Job 20:7

Feces mixes in with the ground and disappears. The reference to feces may also imply that the wicked person is worthless. Alternate translation: “will perish permanently like his feces, which completely disappears in the ground” (See: Simile)

If people are embarrassed about the word feces, translators may refer to something else that disappears completely. Alternate translation: “will disappear permanently like dust that the wind blows away” (See: Simile)

Job 20:8

Alternate translation: “The wicked person will”

Here “fly away” and “be chased away” represent disappearing. They may also imply being forgotten, since dreams and visions disappear when people forget them. Alternate translation: “He will disappear like a dream … he will be forgotten like a vision of the night” (See: Parallelism and Simile)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will find him” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 20:9

The eye represents a person. Alternate translation: “Anyone who saw him” or “The people who saw him” (See: Synecdoche)

The phrase “his place” represents those who live in his place. Alternate translation: “the people who live in his place” or “his family” (See: Metonymy)

Job 20:10

Alternate translation: “The wicked person’s children”

Here the word “hands” refers to the wicked man’s children. When he dies, his children will have to return everything that he took from others. (See: Metonymy)

Job 20:11

The word “bones” represents his body. Being “full of youthful strength” represents being strong like a young person. Alternate translation: “His body is strong like a young person’s body” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

The word “it” refers to his youthful strength. The metonym “lie down … in the dust” represents dying. The strength dying is a metaphor for disappearing. Alternate translation: “but his youthful strength will die with him” or “but his youthful strength will disappear when he dies” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Job 20:12

Here “wickedness is sweet” represents a person enjoying doing wicked things. Alternate translation: “Although doing wicked things is pleasurable like tasting sweet food in the mouth” (See: Metaphor)

Zophar speaks of wickedness as if it were sweet food that a person puts under his tongue so it will stay in his mouth and he can taste it for a long time. (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:13

Zophar speaks of wickedness as if it were sweet food that a person puts under his tongue so it will stay in his mouth and he can taste it for a long time. (See: https://git.door43.org/Door43-Catalog/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md)

Job 20:14

When food turns bitter in the stomach, it causes pain and a bitter taste. This is a metaphor for a person experiencing the painful consequences of doing wicked things. Alternate translation: “those wicked things become like food that has turned bitter in the stomach” or “the consequences of those wicked things are painful like food that becomes sour in the stomach” (See: Metaphor)

This image is even worse than sour food in the stomach. This is a metaphor for a person experiencing the terrible consequences of doing wicked things. Alternate translation: “the consequences of doing those wicked things are painful like the poison of asps inside him” (See: Metaphor)

poisonous snakes

Job 20:15

Zophar speaks of gaining and losing wealth as if it were food that a person eats and vomits. Alternate translation: “The wicked person becomes very wealthy, but he loses his wealth like a person who vomits up his food. God causes him to lose it all” (See: Metaphor)

Here, swallows down riche could mean: (1) accumulating riches and storing them selfishly. Alternate translation: “The wicked man gains much wealth and keeps it all for himself” or (2) accumulating riches in wicked ways. Alternate translation: “The wicked man steals many riches” (See: Metaphor)

Here “cast them out of his stomach” is a metonym for causing the man to vomit them. This is a metaphor for causing the man to lose his riches. (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

throw

Job 20:16

Here “suck the poison of asps” represents doing evil things. Both are very dangerous. Alternate translation: “Doing evil things is like sucking the poison of asps” or “He will do evil things and endanger his life like a person who sucks the poison of asps” (See: Metaphor)

poisonous snakes

The viper is a poisonous snake. Its tongue represents its poisonous bite. Alternate translation: “the viper’s poisonous bite will kill him” or “the viper will bite him and he will die” (See: Metonymy)

The viper represents the man’s wickedness. Alternate translation: “his wickedness will kill him like a viper’s bite” (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:17

“Streams” and “torrents” are metaphors that represent abundance. “Honey” and “butter” are metonyms that represent the good things that God gives people. Alternate translation: “the abundance of good things that God gives his people” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Job 20:18

Normally “the fruit of his labor” simply refers to the results of his labor. In this case it refers to the things the wicked man had stolen. Alternate translation: “the things he had worked to get” or “the things he had stolen” (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “to eat” the fruit of his labor represents enjoying the things he had stolen. Alternate translation: “will not be able to enjoy them” (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:21

This can be reworded with only one of the negatives. Alternate translation: “He devoured everything, and there is nothing left” or “There is nothing left because he devoured everything” (See: Double Negatives)

Here “devour” represents taking things for himself. Alternate translation: “There is nothing left that he did not take for himself” or “He took everything for himself, and there is nothing left” (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:22

Alternate translation: “he will suddenly experience trouble”

Here “hand” represents power, and “hand … will come against him” represents people attacking him. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word poverty, you could express the same idea with the adjective “poor.” Alternate translation: “everyone who is in poverty will attack him” or “everyone who is poor will attack him” (See: Metonymy and Abstract Nouns)

Job 20:23

Here “fill his stomach” is a metonym meaning eat a lot. (See: Metonymy)

The “fierceness of his wrath” represents God’s anger and punishment. Throwing the punishment on him represents punishing him severely. Alternate translation: “God will be angry and throw down his punishment on him” or “God will be angry and punish him severely” (See: Metaphor)

“God will cause it to rain down on him.” Here “rain it down on him” represents causing much punishment to happen to the man. Alternate translation: “God will punish him severely” (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:24

The iron weapon represents the person carrying it. Alternate translation: “will flee from the person carrying an iron weapon” (See: Metonymy)

The bow represents the person who shoots an arrow with it. Alternate translation: “someone with a bronze bow will shoot him” (See: Metonymy)

Job 20:25

This is a large and important part of the body. If someone shoots through it with an arrow, the person who is shot will die.

He will suddenly become very afraid. Alternate translation: “he is terrified” (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:26

“Complete darkness” here is a metaphor for destruction. Alternate translation: “Destruction is reserved for his treasures” or “His treasures will be destroyed” (See: Metaphor)

Here “devour” is a metaphor meaning destroy. Alternate translation: “a fire that is not fanned will destroy him” (See: Metaphor)

The phrase “not fanned” implies that no human will start the fire. Rather, God will cause the fire. Alternate translation: “a fire that is not started by humans will destroy him” or “God will cause a fire to destroy him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “consume” is a metaphor meaning destroy. Alternate translation: “the fire will destroy” (See: Metaphor)

Job 20:27

Possible meanings are: (1) those who live in the heavens and the earth or (2) Zophar is describing the heavens and the earth as if they are humans who will testify in court against the wicked person. (See: Metonymy and Personification)

Job 20:28

This concludes Zophar’s speech to Job.

disappear

Here “flow away” represents being taken away from him. Alternate translation: “his goods will be taken away from him, like goods that float away in a flood, on” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “his possessions”

Here “wrath” represents punishment. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wrath, you could express the same idea with the verb punish. Alternate translation: “the day when God punishes people” (See: Metonymy)

Job 20:29

Here “portion from God” represents what God has decided should happen to someone. It is spoken of as if it were something that God would give him. Alternate translation: “This is what God has decided should happen to the wicked man” (See: Metaphor)

This represents what God has decided should happen to someone. It is spoken of as if it were something that God would give him as an inheritance. Alternate translation: “what God has planned to give to him” or “what God has planned should happen to him” (See: Metaphor)

Job 21

Job 21 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Zophar. It is also a response to all three of his friends in general.

Special concepts in this chapter

Ancestor’s sin

In the ancient Near East, it was common to believe that a person could be punished because of the sins of their fathers and ancestors. It was seen as the punishment of a god. While a father’s sin may have consequences for their children, Yahweh does not punish people because of their father’s sin. (See: believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Zophar that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:1

Job begins to answer Zophar’s accusations.

Job 21:3

Alternate translation: “Allow me” or “Be patient with me”

“you can continue mocking me.” Job is using sarcasm to imply that his friends would ignore what he would say and continue to mock him. (See: Irony)

Job 21:4

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job uses questions to emphasize that he thinks it is fair for him to complain to God. Alternate translation: “I am not complaining to a person. I have the right to be impatient” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:5

“cover your mouth with your hand.” Possible meanings are that: (1) this is a response to being astonished. Alternate translation: “cover your mouth with your hand” or (2) this is a symbol that the person will not speak. Alternate translation: “do not say anything” (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 21:6

Alternate translation: “fear causes my body to tremble” or “I shake with fear”

Job 21:7

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job uses this question to show that his friends are wrong to think evil men always suffer. Alternate translation: “Wicked people indeed continue to live, become old, and become wealthier.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:8

This two clauses mean the same thing and emphasize that this is true. (See: Parallelism)

These phrases mean the same thing because “eyes” refers to sight. Wicked people get to watch their descendants grow strong and wealthy. (See: Parallelism and Metonymy)

Job 21:9

Here “houses” refers to the family members that lives in them. Alternate translation: “Their families” (See: Metonymy)

This refers to God’s punishment. (See: Metonymy)

Job 21:10

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Alternate translation: “she does not miscarry” or “her calf is born healthy and strong”

Job 21:11

Job compares these children to lambs to emphasize that they run, play, and are happy. (See: Simile)

Job 21:12

a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken (See: Translate Unknowns)

Job 21:13

Job continues speaking with his friends.

Alternate translation: “their lifetime”

This is a polite way of saying that they die. Alternate translation: “they die peacefully” (See: Euphemism)

Job 21:14

This refers to how God wants people to behave.

Job 21:15

The wicked people use these questions to mock God. Alternate translation: “We do not believe that this Almighty God is worthy of our worship. He can do nothing for us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:16

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Here “hands” refers to their power or control. Job uses this question to challenge his friends. Alternate translation: “Look, these wicked people claim that they make themselves prosper!” (See: Metonymy and Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:17

Job uses this question to emphasize that it seems to him that God does not punish the wicked very often. Alternate translation: “It is not often … their calamity comes upon them.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job compares extinguishing the lamp to a person dying. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God causes them to die suddenly” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job compares the life of the wicked to a lamp that is burning. (See: Metaphor)

Job uses this second question to emphasize that it seems to him that God does not punish the wicked very often. Alternate translation: “It is not often … in his anger.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:18

Job uses this third question to emphasize that it seems to him that God does not punish the wicked very often. Alternate translation: “It is not often … the storm carries away.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The death of the wicked is spoken of as if they were worthless less chaff and stubble that blows away. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God takes them away like the wind blows away the chaff” (See: Simile and Active or Passive)

Job 21:19

Job continues speaking to his friends.

These words are added by most versions in order to make it clear that the Job is quoting his friends in the next statement.

Guilt is spoken of as something that can be stored for later use. Here “to pay” refers to punishment for sin. Alternate translation: “God keeps a record of a person’s sins, then he punishes the person’s children for his wicked deeds” (See: Metaphor)

Job now begins to state his own opinion. It may be helpful to state this explicitly using an indirect quotation. “But I say that he should pay it himself,…know his guilt’” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 21:20

Here “eyes” refers to the person. Alternate translation: “Let him see” (See: Synecdoche)

Here the wrath of God is spoken of as if it were a drink that a person can taste, and tasting is a metonym for experiencing the drink. Job wants the wicked person to experience God’s punishment. (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Job 21:21

Job uses this question to show that punishing the evil man’s children is not effective. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “For the wicked man does not care what happens to his family after he has died!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)

This is a polite way of saying that he dies. (See: Euphemism)

This refers to the length of his life.

Job 21:22

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job asks this question to emphasize that God knows everything. Alternate translation: “Obviously, no one can teach anything to God since he even judges those in heaven.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This could mean: (1) “those who are in heaven” or (2) “powerful people.”

Job 21:23

Job contrasts this man who dies in health and peace to the man who dies in sorrow and pain in Job 21:25. You can make this explicit. Alternate translation: “If there are two men, one may die in his full strength” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 21:24

Both of these phrases mean that the person is very healthy. (See: Parallelism)

The word for “milk” may mean “fat.” Either rendering means he is well-fed. Alternate translation: “His body if full of fat” (See: Idiom)

This idiom means his body is youthful and healthy. (See: Idiom)

Job 21:25

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job contrasts this man to the man who dies in peace in Job 21:23.

Here sorrow is spoken of as if it tasted bitter, and “soul” refers to the whole man. Alternate translation: “with anger and resentment” or “after living a sad life” (See: Metaphor and Synecdoche)

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “has experienced only bad things”

Job 21:26

This is a polite way to say that they died. Alternate translation: “They both die and people bury them” (See: Euphemism)

Worms are associated with decay of dead bodies. Alternate translation: “the worms in the dirt eat their dead bodies” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 21:27

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job uses this phrase to call attention to the statement that follows. Alternate translation: “Listen”

Job 21:28

Job believes his friends will ask these question to scold him. Both questions mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “See, the house of the evil ruler is gone. The tent of the wicked man has disappeared.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Job 21:29

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job uses these questions to rebuke his friends for not learning from people who travel. Alternate translation: “You should listen to those who have traveled to distant places.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:30

Job finishes asking a rhetorical question that begins with the words “Do you not know” in verse 29.

Job uses these questions to rebuke his friends for not learning from people who travel. “Those who have traveled to distant places will tell you … from the day of wrath.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God keeps the wicked man from the day of calamity … God leads him away from the day of wrath” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 21:31

Job continues speaking to his friends.

Job uses this question to contradict his friends’ belief that the wicked are always judged. Alternate translation: “No one condemns the wicked man to his face.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This means no one will go directly to the wicked person and condemn him personally. (See: Idiom)

Job uses this question to contradict his friends’ belief that the wicked are always judged. Alternate translation: “No one repays him for the bad things that he has done.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 21:32

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will carry him” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 21:33

Job imagines that the dead person will even enjoy the dirt that is put on him. This means the wicked person will even have a good death and a nice burial after a fulfilling life. “Clods” refer to the earth that covers the grave. Alternate translation: “He will enjoy being covered with the dirt of the valley” or “He will enjoy being buried in the dirt of the valley” (See: Synecdoche)

Job emphasizes that a large crowd of people will be in the funeral procession of this imaginary wicked man to honor him. Alternate translation: “a huge number of people go to the grave site; some go in front of the procession and some come behind” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Job 21:34

This concludes Job’s speech to his friends.

Job uses a question to scold his friends. Alternate translation: “You cannot comfort me with nonsense. All of your answers are false.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 22

Job 22 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Job’s friend, Eliphaz. His words in this chapter are much stronger than when he previously spoke.

Special concepts in this chapter

Repentance

Eliphaz tries to get Job to repent in this chapter. Eliphaz assumes that he is righteous, while assuming Job is not. (See: repent, repentance and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Eliphaz uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Eliphaz’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:1

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 22:2

Both questions mean basically the same thing. Eliphaz uses questions to emphasize that a person’s actions and wisdom do not benefit God. Alternate translation: “A man cannot be useful to God. A wise man cannot be useful to him.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:3

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Eliphaz uses questions to emphasize that Job’s actions do not help God. Alternate translation: “The Almighty does not receive any pleasure if you are righteous. He does not gain anything if you make your ways blameless.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:4

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Eliphaz uses questions to scold Job and accuse him of committing terrible sins. Alternate translation: “It is certainly not because you have been devoted to him that God rebukes you and takes you to judgment!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:5

Eliphaz uses questions to scold Job and accuse him of committing terrible sins. Alternate translation: “As you know, he judges you because your wickedness is great and you keep on sinning!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:6

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

This refers to a lender taking something from the borrower to ensure that the borrower pays him back.

Eliphaz is accusing Job of taking clothes as security from poor people who borrowed from him.

Job 22:7

Here “bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “withheld food” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 22:8

Eliphaz is accusing Job of taking land from poor people and not allowing them to live on it. He is emphasizing this point by restating it twice. (See: Parallelism)

Eliphaz is exaggerating the amount of land that Job owned in order to portray Job as greedy. Alternate translation: “possessed a great amount of land” (See: Hyperbole)

Job 22:9

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Alternate translation: “You made widows go away with nothing”

women whose husbands have died

Here “arms” refer to power. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you even oppressed orphans” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

Job 22:10

These are metaphors for trouble and danger. Alternate translation: “you are always in danger … you become afraid for no reason” (See: Metaphor)

Job 22:11

Each of these metaphors means troubles and dangers are all around Job because of his sin. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “a flood”

Job 22:12

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Eliphaz uses this question to say that God sees Job’s sin and will judge him. Alternate translation: “God is in the heights of heaven and sees everything that happens on earth.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Eliphaz implies that God is higher than the stars. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Look at how high the stars are. God is even higher than the stars!” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 22:13

Eliphaz uses these questions to imply that Job has said these things against God. Alternate translation: “God does not know what happens on earth. He sits in dark clouds and cannot see to judge us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:14

Here “vault” refers to the barrier that ancient people believed separated the earth from heaven. Alternate translation: “he lives too far away in heaven to see what happens here” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 22:15

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Job 22:16

Dying is compared to God snatching them away. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those who died” or “those whom God took away” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

The death of wicked people is compared to buildings that had their foundations washed away by a flood. (See: Simile)

Job 22:17

Eliphaz quotes a question wicked people use to mock God. Alternate translation: “The Almighty cannot do anything to us!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 22:18

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Alternate translation: “Yet God filled”

The idiom “far from me” means Eliphaz rejects them. Alternate translation: “but I will not listen to their wicked plans” (See: Idiom)

Job 22:19

Alternate translation: “know what will happen to the wicked”

Alternate translation: “mock the wicked people”

Job 22:20

Alternate translation: “The righteous say”

Here “those who rose up” refers to the wicked people. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Surely God has destroyed the wicked people who harmed us” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 22:21

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Eliphaz uses this word to introduce something important he is about to say.

Job 22:22

Here “from his mouth” represents what God has spoken. Alternate translation: “the instruction that God has spoken” (See: Metonymy)

God’s words are compared to treasures that Job could keep in a storeroom. Alternate translation: “treasure his commands” (See: Idiom)

Here “heart” refers to Job’s thoughts. Alternate translation: “your mind” (See: Metonymy)

Job 22:23

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

Eliphaz compares Job’s restoration to the rebuilding of a house that has fallen. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he will heal you and make you prosper again” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Unrighteousness is pictured as a person who is living in Job’s tent who must be removed. Alternate translation: “if you and everyone in your house stops sinning” (See: Metaphor)

Job 22:24

To lay a treasure in the dust is to treat it as unimportant. Alternate translation: “Consider your riches as unimportant as dust” (See: Idiom)

To put gold in the stream is to treat it as no more valuable than stones. Alternate translation: “the gold of Ophir is as worthless as stones in a stream” (See: Idiom)

This is the name of a region famous for its gold. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 22:25

This means God will be more valuable to Job than any treasure. (See: Metaphor)

Job 22:26

Eliphaz continues speaking to Job.

This means Job will no longer be ashamed but will trust in God. Alternate translation: “you will be able to approach God confidently” (See: Idiom)

Job 22:28

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will cause you to succeed” (See: Active or Passive)

God’s blessing is compared to a light on all of Job’s paths. Alternate translation: “it will be like a light shining on the road in front of you” (See: Metaphor)

Job 22:29

This concludes Eliphaz’s speech to Job.

Here “lowered eyes” refers to humility. Alternate translation: “the humble person” (See: Idiom)

Job 22:30

Job being innocent is spoken of as if his hands were physically clean. The phrase “who will be rescued” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will rescue even the person who is not innocent because you do what is right” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Some versions of the Bible read, “He rescues the innocent person; so he will rescue you when your hands are clean”

Job 23

Job 23 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Eliphaz.

Special concepts in this chapter

Court

This chapter uses an extended metaphor of a court case to describe Job’s “case,” which he seeks to bring to Yahweh, who is a judge. Cultures without a legal system will have difficulty translating this chapter. (See: Metaphor)

Job 23:2

Here “Even today” emphasizes that his friends arguments have not changed Job’s situation at all. Alternate translation: “In spite of what you have said, my complaint is still bitter”

Job speaks of his unanswered complaint against God as if it was a bitter taste in his mouth. Alternate translation: “my unanswered complaint is as bad as bitter food in my mouth” (See: Idiom)

This could mean: (1) “I can barely lift my hand because of my groaning” or (2) “God’s hand continues to make me suffer in spite of my groaning” where “hand” refers to God’s power to punish. (See: Metonymy)

Job 23:3

Job continues speaking.

These two lines mean the same thing and emphasize Job’s desire to meet with God. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “I might find God”

Job 23:4

These two lines mean the same thing and emphasize Job’s desire to explain his situation to God. (See: Parallelism)

Here “fill my mouth” refers to speaking. Alternate translation: “I would speak all of my arguments” (See: Metonymy)

Job 23:5

These two lines mean basically the same thing and emphasize Job’s desire to hear God’s answer. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “the answer that he would give me”

Job 23:6

Job continues speaking.

Alternate translation: “Would God”

Job 23:7

This refers to the place where God is.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “my judge would acquit me forever” or “God, who is my judge, would say that I am innocent once and for all” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 23:8

Job continues speaking. He begins using a merism to say that he has looked everywhere. (See: Merism)

Job 23:9

This is the end of the merism that begins with the words “eastward … westward” in verse 8. By mentioning these four directions, Job emphasizes that he has looked everywhere. (See: Merism)

Job speaks of God as if he is a person who hides.

Job 23:10

Job continues speaking.

Job’s actions are spoken of as if he is walking on a path. Alternate translation: “God knows what I do” (See: Metaphor)

Job believes that the test will prove that he is as pure as refined gold. Alternate translation: “he will see that I am as pure as gold when anything not pure has been burned away” (See: Simile)

Job 23:11

Here “My foot” refers to Job. Alternate translation: “I have followed the path he has shown me” (See: Synecdoche)

Job’s obedience is spoken of as if he is walking in a path that God showed him. Alternate translation: “I have done what he told me to do” (See: Metaphor)

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “followed it exactly”

Job 23:12

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “I have always obeyed”

This phrase refers to the message that God spoke. Alternate translation: “that he spoke” (See: Metonymy)

Here God is represented by his “mouth.” Alternate translation: “what he said” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 23:13

Job continues speaking.

Job uses this question to emphasize that there is no one like God and no one can force him to change. Alternate translation: “But there is no one like him, and nobody can make him change his mind.” or “But he alone is God, and no one can influence him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “He does whatever he wants to do”

Job 23:14

Alternate translation: “he is doing to me what he said he would do”

Alternate translation: “he has many similar plans for me”

Job 23:15

Each of these verses has the form of a parallelism to emphasize the main point Job makes there. (See: Parallelism)

Job continues speaking.

Job 23:16

These two lines mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Job is very afraid of God. (See: Parallelism)

A person whose heart is weak is a person who is timid or fearful. Alternate translation: “made me afraid” (See: Idiom)

Job 23:17

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) “The thick darkness in front of me has not made me silent” or (2) “Darkness has not stopped me” or “God has stopped me, not the darkness.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Active or Passive)

Here Job refers to himself by his “face.” Alternate translation: “my sadness” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 24

Job 24 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Eliphaz. It is a continuation of the previous chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter

Court

This chapter uses an extended metaphor of a court case to describe Job’s “case,” which he seeks to bring to Yahweh, who is a judge. Cultures without a legal system will have difficulty translating this chapter. (See: Metaphor)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Job uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Eliphaz that he is wrong. These questions help to build Job’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 24:1

Job continues speaking.

Job uses this question to express his frustration that God has not judged evil. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I do not understand why God does not set a time when he will judge wicked people.” or “The Almighty should set a time when he will judge wicked people.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)

Job uses this question to express his frustration that the righteous have not seen God judge evil. Alternate translation: “It seems that those who obey him never get to see him judge the wicked.” or “God should show the day he will judge the wicked to those who know him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 24:2

Job continues speaking.

These are stones or other objects to mark the boundary between the lands owned by different people.

land with grass for animals to eat

Job 24:3

Alternate translation: “They steal”

Alternate translation: “orphans” or “children whose parents have died”

Alternate translation: “they take widows’ oxen to guarantee that the widows will pay back the money that they loaned to those widows”

a woman whose husband has died

A lender would take something from a borrower to ensure that the borrower pays him back.

Job 24:4

Alternate translation: “out of their way” or “off the road”

The word “all” is an exaggeration to show that many poor people are afraid of these wicked people. (See: Hyperbole)

Job 24:5

Job continues speaking.

These poor people are spoken of as if they are wild donkeys who do not know where they will find food. Alternate translation: “these poor people go out to search for food as if they were wild donkeys in the wilderness” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “donkeys that no one owns or cares for”

Job 24:6

These two lines describe the same thing and are used together to emphasize that these people are so hungry that they are forced to steal food at night. (See: Parallelism)

Job 24:7

These two lines describe the same thing and are used together to emphasize that these people do not have enough clothing to keep warm. (See: Parallelism)

Job 24:8

Job continues speaking.

Alternate translation: “They become wet when it rains in the mountains”

Job 24:9

Here “breast” refers to the mother. This implies that these orphans are still very young. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “young orphans out of their mothers’ arms” or “fatherless infants from their mothers” (See: Synecdoche and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This generally refers to children without parents. Here, however, it is used for children who have mothers but do not have fathers.

Alternate translation: “take poor people’s children to guarantee that the poor people will pay back money that they borrowed from the wicked people”

A lender would take something from a borrower to ensure that the borrower pays him back. See how you translated this in Job 24:3.

Job 24:10

Alternate translation: “walk around”

The words “without clothing” mean the same thing as “naked.” Alternate translation: “completely naked” or “naked because they have no clothing” (See: Doublet)

This means their work will provide food for others but not for themselves.

Job 24:11

Job continues speaking.

they squeezed olives in order to extract olive oil from them

Here “walls” refers to the whole house. Alternate translation: “in the houses of those evil men” (See: Synecdoche)

It may be helpful to state that they do this to produce juice to make wine. Alternate translation: “they tread on grapes to make juice for wine” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “they suffer from thirst” or “they are thirsty”

Job 24:13

Job continues speaking.

Here, light could mean: (1) visible light or (2) spiritual light, which refers to God or living righteously. Alternate translation: “hate the daylight” or “do not want to do things openly” or “rebel against God” (See: Metaphor)

These two lines describe the same thing, and are used together to emphasize that they do not want to follow the ways of the light. Alternate translation: “they do not know how to live a moral life; they stay far away from living a righteous life” (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

Job 24:14

The words “poor” and “needy” refer to the same group of people and emphasize that these are people who are unable to help themselves. (See: Doublet)

The murderer kills in secret just like a thief steals without anyone seeing what he does. Alternate translation: “he kills people secretly, just like a thief steals secretly” (See: Simile)

Job 24:15

Job continues speaking.

Here “eye” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “the adulterer” (See: Synecdoche)

Alternate translation: “for the sunset”

Here “eye” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “No one will see me” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 24:16

They dig into the houses in order to steal from them. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “wicked people dig into houses to steal from them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “they hide inside”

Job 24:17

The thick darkness is as comfortable for the wicked as light of the morning is for normal people. (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “the scary things that happen at night”

Job 24:18

Job continues speaking.

Foam lasts only a short time. This emphasizes how quickly God will cause the wicked to disappear. (See: Simile)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God curses the part of the land that they own” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 24:19

Job says that sinners will disappear in Sheol in the same way as snow melts and disappears when it becomes warm. (See: Simile)

These two words describe essentially the same weather and are used together to describe it fully. (See: Hendiadys)

Job 24:20

Job continues speaking.

This refers to the mother. Alternate translation: “The mother” (See: Synecdoche)

This means that he will die and worms will eat his body. Alternate translation: “the worm will enjoy eating his dead body” or “he will die and then his body will be eaten by worms” (See: Idiom)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will remember him anymore” (See: Active or Passive)

God’s destruction of the wicked man is describes as if he were cutting down a tree. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will destroy the wicked as if he were a tree” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 24:21

This metaphor emphasizes how ruthless the wicked man is. Alternate translation: “Just like a wild animal kills its prey, so the wicked person harms” (See: Metaphor)

The people of that day considered that a woman who was barren was cursed by God. Therefore, this represents the most unfortunate women.

a woman whose husband has died

Job 24:22

Job continues speaking.

Alternate translation: “by using his power” or “because he is powerful”

Here “does not strengthen them in life” means God does not keep them alive. Alternate translation: “God rises up and does not give wicked people the strength to live” or “God rises up and causes them to die” (See: Idiom)

Job 24:23

Here “eyes” refers to God. Alternate translation: “but he is always watching what they do” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 24:24

This concludes Job’s speech.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will bring them low” or “God will destroy them” (See: Active or Passive)

Some translations are based on a different early text, which says “they wither and fade like weeds.” (See: Textual Variants)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. What “the others” refers to can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “God will gather them up as he gathered up the other wicked people” (See: Active or Passive and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

These wicked people will be cut off in the same way heads of grain are cut off during harvest. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will cut them off like a farmer cuts off the top of a stalk of grain” (See: Simile and Active or Passive)

Job 24:25

Job uses this question to express the certainty of his argument. The implicit answer is: “no one.” Alternate translation: “This is true, and no one can prove that I am a liar; no one can prove me wrong.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “prove what I say is wrong”

Job 25

Job 25 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Job’s friend, Bildad. His words in this chapter are much stronger than when he previously spoke.

Special concepts in this chapter

God’s holiness and man’s sin

Bildad describes the holiness of Yahweh and the universal nature of man’s sinfulness. While his points are accurate, they are not convincing for Job because he has been righteous. (See: holy, holiness, unholy, sacred and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Bildad uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job that he is wrong. These questions help to build Bildad’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 25:1

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11.

Job 25:2

Here “him” refers to God. The abstract nouns “dominion” and “fear” can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: “God rules over all and people should fear only him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “he makes peace in the high heaven”

Job 25:3

Bildad uses this question to emphasize how great God is. The implicit answer is “no.” This refers to the armies of God’s angels. Alternate translation: “There is no end to the number of angels in his army.” or “His armies are so big that no one can count them.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metonymy)

Bildad uses this question to emphasize that God gives light to every person. Alternate translation: “There is no one upon whom his light does not shine.” or “God makes his light shine over everyone.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 25:4

Bildad continues speaking.

These two questions are used together to emphasize that it is impossible for a man to be good enough before God. (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

The implicit reaction is that he cannot. Alternate translation: “A man can never be righteous before God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The implicit reaction is that he cannot. Alternate translation: “He who is born of a woman cannot be clean or acceptable to him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This idiom includes everyone. Alternate translation: “any person” (See: Idiom)

Job 25:5

The word “See” here adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Indeed”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word brightness, you could express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “the moon is not bright enough for God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “pure” means “perfect.” Alternate translation: “he does not think even the stars are perfect”

Job 25:6

These two lines say the same thing and are used together to emphasize that man is not perfect. (See: Parallelism)

Bildad states that human beings are as worthless as worms. Alternate translation: “who is as worthless as a worm” (See: Metaphor)

This is another way of referring to a person. Alternate translation: “a person” (See: Metonymy)

Job 26

Job 26 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is Job’s response to Bildad.

This chapter begins a section continuing through chapter 31.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s power

While Bildad describes Yahweh’s power as being so much greater than Job’s, Job understands the true extent of Yahweh’s power. It is not just over Job’s life, but over all of creation.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Sarcasm

Job uses sarcasm in this chapter. This is the use of irony to insult Bildad. (See: Job 1-4 and Irony)

Job 26:2

In these statements, Job is accusing Bildad. The word “one” refers to Job. And, the word “arm” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “I am powerless and have no strength, but you act like you have helped me; but really, you have not helped me at all” (See: Irony and Synecdoche)

Job 26:3

Job is saying that Bildad has not provided him with good advice and knowledge. Alternate translation: “You act like I have no wisdom and that you have advised me, that you have given me good advice” (See: Irony)

Alternate translation: “given him good advice”

Job 26:4

In these questions Job continues to mock Bildad. They are both rhetorical questions and have basically the same meaning. They are used together to strengthen each other. Alternate translation: “You must have had help speaking these words. Perhaps some spirit helped you speak them!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 26:5

This refers to dead people. Alternate translation: “Those who are dead” or “The spirits of the dead” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

They tremble because they are afraid of God. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “tremble in fear” or “tremble in fear of God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This refers to the dead people who tremble.

This refers to the dead people who dwell in the waters.

Job 26:6

Sheol is spoken of as if it were a person. These two phrases have the same meaning. To be “naked” or have “no covering” is to be completely exposed and not able to hide anything. Alternate translation: “It is like sheol is naked before God, for nothing in sheol, the place of destruction, is hidden from God” (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

This is another name for sheol. Alternate translation: “the place of destruction”

Job 26:7

The northern skies represent heaven, the place where God dwells with the beings he created to dwell there. (See: Metaphor)

Job 26:8

The clouds are compared to a large blanket in which God wraps the rainwater. Alternate translation: “He wraps up the water in his thick clouds”

This can be stated actively. The word “them” refers to the waters. Alternate translation: “but the weight of the waters does not tear the clouds” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 26:9

This phrase tells how he covers the surface of the moon. Alternate translation: “by spreading his clouds in front of it”

Job 26:10

This speaks of the horizon, where the earth appears to meet the sky, as if God has marked a boundary on the ocean.

Job 26:11

People thought of heaven or the sky as resting on pillars. Job speaks as though the pillars are humans that shake in fear when God is angry. Alternate translation: “The pillars that hold up heaven shake in fear when God rebukes them” or “The pillars that hold up the sky shake like people who are afraid when God rebukes them” (See: Personification)

Job 26:12

Alternate translation: “he destroyed Rahab”

This is the name of a frightening monster that lived in the sea. See how you translated this in Job 9:13. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 26:13

The noun “breath” can be translated with the verb “breathe” or “blow.” This image represents God causing the wind to blow away the clouds. Alternate translation: “God blew away the clouds so that the skies were clear” (See: Metaphor)

It is implied that God his holding a sword, and here “his hand” represents that sword. Also, “pierced” represents killing. Alternate translation: “With his sword he pierced the fleeing serpent” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metonymy)

“the serpent as it was trying to escape from him.” This refers to Rahab, the monster in the sea. See Job 26:12.

Job 26:14

Here “fringes” represents a small part that we can see of something that is much bigger. Alternate translation: “See, these things that God has done show only a small part of his great power” (See: Metaphor)

This is an exclamation that expresses Job’s amazement of all the great things that God does that we do not even know about. Seeing what God does is spoken of as hearing God’s voice. Alternate translation: “it is as if we heard only his quiet whisper!” (See: Exclamations and Metaphor)

The “thunder of his power” represents God’s greatness. Job uses this question to emphasize that God’s power is so great that no one can understand it. Alternate translation: “The thunder displays the greatness of his power which no one can understand!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metaphor)

Job 27

Job 27 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Bildad.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. Instead, he recognizes Yahweh’s authority. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Job 27:2

This phrase shows that Job is taking an oath. Job compares the certainty that God is alive to the certainty of what he is saying. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: “I swear by God”

Justice is spoken of as if it were an object that could be taken away or given. Taking it away represents refusing to treat Job with justice. Alternate translation: “has refused to treat me justly” (See: Metaphor)

Job’s “life” being bitter represents Job feeling resentful toward God. Alternate translation: “has caused me to become resentful” or “has made me feel angry because of the unfair way he has treated me” (See: Metonymy)

Job 27:3

This refers to the duration of the rest of his life. Alternate translation: “during the whole time that my life is yet in me” or “as long as my life is yet in me”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word life, you could express the same idea with the adjective “alive” or the verb “live.” Alternate translation: “as long as I am still alive” or “while I still live” (See: Abstract Nouns)

“Breath … in my nostrils” represents being able to breathe. “Breath from God” represents God making him able to breathe. Alternate translation: “God enables me to breathe” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “nose”

Job 27:4

These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together to emphasize that he will not speak in such ways. The phrases “My lips” and “my tongue” represent Job himself. Alternate translation: “I will not speak wickedness or deceit” (See: Parallelism and Synecdoche)

The abstract nouns “wickedness” and “deceit” can be expressed with “wickedly” and “deceitfully.” Alternate translation: “speak wickedly … speak deceitfully” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 27:5

Alternate translation: “I will never agree with you and say that you three are right”

The word “you” here is plural. It refers to Job’s friends. (See: Forms of You)

Alternate translation: “I will never say that I am not innocent” or “I will always say that I am innocent”

Job 27:6

Here “hold fast” is a metaphor that represents being determined to continue to say something. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word righteousness, you could express the same idea with “righteous.” Alternate translation: “I am determined to continue saying that I am righteous” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Here “will not let it go” is a metaphor that represents not stopping saying something. Alternate translation: “will not stop saying that I am righteous” or “will not stop saying so” (See: Metaphor)

Here the phrase “my thoughts” represents Job. Alternate translation: “even in my thoughts, I will not reproach myself” (See: Metonymy)

Job 27:7

The two clauses that start with these words share the same meaning. They are used together to emphasize Job’s strong desire that this should happen. (See: Parallelism)

How he wants his enemy to be like a wicked person can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Let my enemy be punished like a wicked man” or “Let God punish my enemy as he punishes wicked people” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

How he wants this person to be like an unrighteous man can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “let him who rises up against me be punished like an unrighteous man” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “rises up against me” is a metaphor meaning “opposes me.” The whole phrase refers to Job’s adversary. Alternate translation: “him who opposes me” or “my adversary” (See: Metaphor)

Job 27:8

Job uses this question to say that such a man has no hope. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: “There is no hope for the godless when God … takes away his soul.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

These two phrases have the same meaning. Alternate translation: “when God cuts him off and takes away his life” or “when God causes him to die” (See: Parallelism)

This is a metaphor meaning “kills him” or “causes him to die” (See: Metaphor)

This is a metaphor meaning “kills him” or “makes him stop living” (See: Metaphor)

Job 27:9

Job uses this question to say that God will not help that person. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: “God will not hear his cry when trouble comes upon him.” or “When trouble comes upon him and he cries out for help, God will not hear him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “hear his cry” represents responding to the godless man’s cry and helping him. Alternate translation: “Will God respond to his cry” (See: Metonymy)

Job 27:10

Job uses this question to say that the godless man will not do these things. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: “He will not delight himself in the Almighty and call upon God at all times.” or “He will not be happy about what the Almighty does and he will not pray to God often.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 27:11

Each occurrence of “you” in these verses is plural and refers to Job’s three friends. (See: Forms of You)

God’s “hand” represents his power. Alternate translation: “the power of God” (See: Metonymy)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word thoughts, you could express the same idea with the verb “think.” Alternate translation: I will not hide from you what the Almighty thinks” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 27:12

Job uses this question to rebuke his friends for saying such foolish things. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: “you should not have spoken so foolishly!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 27:13

Alternate translation: “This is what God has planned for the wicked man”

Here “the heritage of the oppressor” is a metaphor representing what will happen to the oppressor. What God will do to him is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that God will give him. Alternate translation: “what the Almighty will do to the oppressor” (See: Metaphor)

Job 27:14

Here “the sword” represents dying in battle. Alternate translation: “they will die in battle” (See: Metonymy)

Job 27:15

This refers to the wicked man’s children. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Those who continue to live after their wicked father dies” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “be buried” represents dying. Alternate translation: “will die by plague” (See: Metonymy)

The words “their” and “them” refer to “Those who survive him,” that is, the children of the wicked man.

Job 27:16

Here “heaps up” is a metonym meaning “gathers much.” Job speaks as if the silver were as easy to get as dust. Alternate translation: “gathers large piles of silver” or “gathers silver as easily as he could gather dust” (See: Simile)

Here “heaps up” is a metonym meaning “gathers much.” Job speaks as if the clothing were as easy to get as clay. Alternate translation: “gathers large piles of clothing” or “gathers clothing as easily as he could gather clay” (See: Simile)

Job 27:18

After “spider,” the phrase “builds its web” is understood information. It can be made clear. Alternate translation: “He builds his house as a spider builds its web” (See: Ellipsis)

A spider web is fragile and easily destroyed. Alternate translation: “He builds his house as fragile as a spider builds its web” or “He builds his house as fragile as a spider’s web” (See: Simile)

A hut is a temporary house that is also not very strong. Alternate translation: “like a temporary hut” (See: Simile)

Job 27:19

“He is wealthy when he lies down in bed.” This refers to his lying down in bed at night and sleeping.

Alternate translation: “but he will not keep lying down in bed rich” or “but he will not continue to be wealthy when he lies down in bed”

Opening his eyes represents waking up in the morning. Alternate translation: “he wakes up” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “all of his riches are gone” or “everything has vanished”

Job 27:20

Here “overtake him” represents suddenly happening to him. Possible meanings are that terrors is a metonym for:: (1) things that cause people to be afraid. Alternate translation: “Terrifying things suddenly happen to him” or (2) fear. Alternate translation: “He suddenly becomes terrified”

The word “waters” refers to a flood. Floods can happen very suddenly when people do not expect them, and they are dangerous and frightening. Alternate translation: “like a flood” or “like waters that rise up suddenly” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “a violent wind blows him away”

Job 27:21

Job speaks of the wind blowing the wicked man out of his house as if the wind were a person sweeping dust out of a house with a broom. Alternate translation: “the wind sweeps him out of his place like a woman who sweeps dirt out of a house” or “the wind easily blows him out of his place” (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “his home”

Job 27:22

In verses 22-23 Job speaks of the wind as if it were a person attacking the wicked person. (See: Personification)

Here the phrase “throws itself at him” represents the wind blowing strong against him like an attacker. Alternate translation: “It blows strong against him like someone attacking him” (See: Personification)

Here “hand” represents the power or control that the wind has over the wicked man. Alternate translation: “he tries to flee out of its control” (See: Personification and Metonymy)

Job 27:23

Clapping the hands is a way of mocking someone. Here it represents the wind making loud noises. Alternate translation: “It makes loud noises like someone clapping his hands to mock him” (See: Symbolic Action and Personification)

The wind makes a noise as it blows him out of his place, and the noise is like the hissing sound that people make to mock someone. Alternate translation: “it makes a hissing noise as it causes him to leave his home” or “it blows him out of his place and makes a hissing noise like someone who hisses at him to mock him” (See: Symbolic Action and Personification)

Job 28

Job 28 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Bildad.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s wisdom

Despite being upset about his circumstances, Job does not curse God. Instead, he recognizes Yahweh’s wisdom and authority. This chapter especially focuses on Yahweh’s wisdom as he controls the circumstances of Job’s life. Men cannot understand because they do not have Yahweh’s wisdom. (See: curse, cursed, cursing and wise, wisdom)

Job 28:1

This is a place where people dig rocks out of the earth. These rocks have metal in them.

This is the process of heating a metal to remove all of the impurities that are in it.

Job 28:2

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People take iron out of the earth” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people smelt copper out of the stone” or “people heat stone to melt copper out of it” (See: Active or Passive)

an important red-brown colored metal

This is a process of heating rocks to melt the metal in them in order to get the metal out of the rocks.

Job 28:3

Here “sets an end to darkness” represents shining a light in the darkness. People used a lantern or a torch for light. Alternate translation: “A man carries light into dark places” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “to the farthest parts of the mine”

These two phrases are used together to emphasize that the mine is extremely dark. (See: Doublet)

Job 28:4

a deep narrow hole dug into the ground or rock. People go down into the hole to mine it.

The foot is spoken of as if it is a person who can remember. Alternate translation: “places where people no longer walk” or “where no one ever walks” (See: Personification)

How and where he hangs can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Far away from people, he hangs from a rope in the shaft” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 28:5

Here “bread” represents food in general. Food coming out of the ground is a metaphor for food growing out of the ground. Alternate translation: “the earth, where food grows” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

This could mean: (1) people made fires under the ground to break apart the rock. Alternate translation: “it is broken up below by the fires that the miners make” or (2) “turned” is a metaphor for changed. Alternate translation: “it is broken up below so much that it appears that it was destroyed by fire”

The word “it” refers to the earth.

Job 28:6

The word “its” refers to the earth.

a rare and valuable blue gemstone

Job 28:7

These clauses express a similar meaning. Alternate translation: “No bird of prey or falcon knows or has ever seen the path that goes to the mine” (See: Parallelism)

a bird that eats other animals

This may also be translated “hawk.” Both are birds that hunt and eat other animals. You may translate this with a similar bird from your culture.

Job 28:8

These clauses also express similar meaning. (See: Parallelism)

This refers to very strong, wild animals.

Job 28:9

This represents breaking up the rock. Alternate translation: “digs into the flinty rock” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “hard rock”

Digging up the mountains and the ground underneath them is a metaphor from digging out weeds or trees, an exaggeration that represents digging minerals out of the ground. Alternate translation: “he turns the mountains upside down by pulling out their roots” (See: Hyperbole and Metaphor)

Job 28:10

Here “his eye” represents him. Alternate translation: “he sees” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 28:11

Here “ties up the streams” means damming or blocking the streams. Alternate translation: “He blocks the streams so they do not flow” (See: Metaphor)

This refers to things that people normally do not see because they are in the ground or underwater.

Job 28:12

In 28:12-28, wisdom and understanding are spoken of as if they were precious objects that are in some place and people want to find them. Finding wisdom and understanding represents becoming wise and learning to understand things well. (See: Metaphor)

These questions mean the same thing and are used to show that it is very difficult to find wisdom and understanding. Alternate translation: “It is very difficult to find wisdom and understanding.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Becoming wise and understanding is spoken of as finding wisdom and understanding. Alternate translation: “How do people become wise? How do people learn to understand things well” (See: Metaphor)

Job 28:13

This could mean: (1) wisdom is spoken of as if it were something that people can buy. Alternate translation: “People do not know what it is worth” or (2) the word translated as “price” means “place.” Alternate translation: “People do not know where it is” (See: Metaphor)

“and it is not found in the land of the living.” The “land of the living” refers to this world where people live. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and no one can find wisdom in this world” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 28:14

The deep waters and the sea are presented as if they are people that can speak. Alternate translation: “Wisdom is not in the deep waters under the earth, nor is it in the sea” (See: Personification)

Job 28:15

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This implies that wisdom is worth much more than gold. Alternate translation: “People cannot pay for wisdom with gold” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This implies that wisdom is worth much more than silver. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “and people cannot weigh out enough silver to pay for wisdom” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 28:16

This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than the gold of Ophir, precious onyx and sapphire. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is the name of a land where there was fine gold. (See: How to Translate Names)

a valuable black gemstone

a valuable blue gemstone

Job 28:17

This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than gold and crystal.

a valuable gemstone that is clear or lightly colored

“and it cannot be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.” This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than jewels of fine gold.

Alternate translation: “traded”

Job 28:18

“It is not worth making mention of coral and jasper.” This implies that wisdom is worth so much more than coral and jasper that there is no need for Job to say anything about them. Alternate translation: “I will not bother to mention coral or jasper” or “Coral and jasper are worthless compared to wisdom” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is a beautiful, hard substance that grows on ocean reefs. (See: Translate Unknowns)

These are valuable gemstones.

Job 28:19

This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than the finest topaz.

This is a valuable gemstone.

“and wisdom cannot be valued in terms of pure gold.” This implies that wisdom is much more valuable than pure gold.

Job 28:20

Job uses these questions to introduce how people get wisdom and understanding. Alternate translation: “I will tell you where wisdom comes from and where understanding is.” or “I will tell you how to become wise and how to learn to understand things.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Wisdom is spoken of as if it were in a place and comes to people. Its coming represents people becoming wise. (See: Metaphor)

Understanding is spoken of as if it were in a place. (See: Metaphor)

Job 28:21

This means that living things are unable to see wisdom. It can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “No living thing can see wisdom” (See: Synecdoche and Active or Passive)

This means that the birds are unable to see wisdom. This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “even the birds that fly in the skies cannot see wisdom” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 28:22

Here “Destruction” and “Death” are spoken of as if they are living things who can speak. (See: Personification)

Job 28:23

Wisdom is spoken of as if it were in a certain place. Alternate translation: “God knows how to find wisdom. He knows where it is” (See: Metaphor)

Job 28:24

Alternate translation: “the farthest places on the earth”

Job 28:25

This describes God deciding how much water should be in each place. Possible meanings are that this refers to deciding: (1) how much rain should be in each cloud or (2) how much water should be in each sea. Alternate translation: “decided how much water should be in each place” (See: Metaphor)

Job 28:26

Alternate translation: “he decided how the thunder can be heard” or “he decided the path of the thunderstorm”

Job 28:28

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word fear, you could express the same idea with the verbs “fear” or “respect.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wisdom, you could express the same idea with another word such as “wise.” Alternate translation: “Listen, if you fear the Lord, you will be wise” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “depart from evil” means refusing to do evil things. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word understanding, you could express the same idea with the verb “understand.” Alternate translation: “if you refuse to do evil, then you will understand many things” (See: Metaphor)

Job 29

Job 29 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s statement, but now it is directly addressed to Yahweh.

In this chapter, Job recalls the days before Yahweh’s blessings were taken from him. This is only one part of Job’s argument that continues for the next 3 chapters.

Job 29:2

Job uses this exclamation to express a wish. Alternate translation: “I wish that I were as I was in past months” (See: Exclamations)

Job 29:3

God’s lamp shining on Job represents God blessing Job. Alternate translation: “when God’s blessing was like a lamp shining its light on my head” (See: Metaphor)

Walking through darkness represents experiencing difficult situations. (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:4

Job speaks of when he was young and strong as if his days were the time when the harvest is ripe. Alternate translation: “when I was young and strong” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word friendship, you could express the same idea with the noun “friend.” The word “tent” represents Job’s home. Alternate translation: “when God was my friend and protected my home” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metonymy)

Job 29:6

“when my path was flowing with cream.” Job uses this exaggeration to express that he had many cows and they produced much more cream than he and his family needed. Alternate translation: “when my cows provided an abundance of cream” (See: Hyperbole)

“and the rock poured out streams of oil for me.” Job uses this exaggeration to express that he had many olive vines and great amounts of olive oil. The rock is where his servants pressed the oil out of the olives. Alternate translation: “when my servants pressed out a great amount of olive oil” or “when oil flowed like streams from the pressing rock” (See: Hyperbole and Metaphor)

Job 29:7

This is an open area in a village or city where two or more streets meet.

Job 29:8

This is a symbol of respect. It can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “rose and stood respectfully for me” (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 29:9

This was a sign of respect. (See: Symbolic Action)

They did this to show that they would not speak. This was a sign of their respect for Job. (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 29:10

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The noblemen hushed their voices” or “The noblemen stopped speaking” (See: Active or Passive)

This represents them having so much respect for Job that they had nothing to say. Alternate translation: “they felt that they were unable to speak” or “they had nothing to say” (See: Metonymy)

Job 29:11

The ears represent those who heard him, and the eyes represent those who saw him. Alternate translation: “after they heard what I told them … after they saw me” (See: Synecdoche)

Alternate translation: “they would witness approvingly of me”

Job 29:12

Here “the one who was poor” refers to any poor person. Alternate translation: “I used to rescue poor people who cried out” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Job 29:13

Someone’s blessing coming on another represents that person blessing another. Alternate translation: “He who was about to perish would bless me” (See: Metaphor)

This represents anyone who was about to die. Alternate translation: “those who were about to die” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Here “the widow’s heart” represents any widow. Alternate translation: “I caused widows to sing joyfully” (See: Synecdoche and Generic Noun Phrases)

Job 29:14

People often spoke of righteousness as if it were clothing. Alternate translation: “I did what was righteous, and it was like clothing that I put on” (See: Metaphor)

People often spoke of justice as if it were clothing. Alternate translation: “I did what was just, and it was like a robe and a turban on me” (See: Simile)

a long cloth that men wrap around their heads and wear as a hat

Job 29:15

This represents helping blind people. Alternate translation: “I was like eyes for blind people” or “I guided blind people” (See: Metaphor)

This represents helping blind people. Alternate translation: “I was like feet for lame people” or “I supported lame people” (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:16

Here “I was a father” represents providing for people. Alternate translation: “I provided for needy people as a father provides for his children” (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:17

In verses 18-20 Job tells about the things he used to say before bad things happened to him.

Job speaks of unrighteous people who persecute others as if they were wild animals that attack their victims by picking them up between their teeth. Alternate translation: “I made unrighteous people stop persecuting people, like someone who breaks the jaw of a wild animal and rescues its victim from between its teeth” (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:18

Here “nest” represents Job’s home and family. Job used to speak as if he were a bird that lived in a nest with his baby birds. Alternate translation: “I will die at home with my family” or “I will die in the safety of my home” (See: Metaphor)

There are more grains of sand on the shore than anyone can count. To say that he would live more days than anyone could count is an exaggeration to express that he would live a very long time. Alternate translation: “I will live a very long time” or “I will live many years” (See: Hyperbole and Simile)

Job 29:19

Job used to speak of his strength as if he were strong like a well-watered tree. (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:20

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word honor, you could express the same idea with the verb “honor.” Here “fresh” represents the honor being constantly given. Alternate translation: “People constantly give me honor” or “People always honor me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

A new bow is very strong. Job’s bow of strength in his hand represents his physical strength. Alternate translation: “I am always strong like a new bow” (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:22

Here “dropped like water on them” represents refreshing the people who heard him. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word speech, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “speak” or “say.” Alternate translation: “my speech refreshed their hearts as drops of water refresh people’s bodies” or “what I said to them refreshed them like drops of water” (See: Simile and Abstract Nouns)

Job 29:23

People waited for Job patiently and expected to hear good things. (See: Simile)

This represents waiting eagerly for Job to speak in order to benefit from what said. Alternate translation: “they eagerly waited for me to speak in order to benefit from what I said” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “as farmers wait eagerly for the latter rain”

This refers to the large amount of rain that falls just before the dry season.

Job 29:24

It can be stated clearly that the purpose of smiling was to encourage them. Alternate translation: “I smiled on them to encourage them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This represents the kindness they saw in Job’s face. (See: Metaphor)

Job 29:25

Here “selected their way” represents deciding what they should do. (See: Metaphor)

Here “sat” represents ruling or leading. Chiefs sat down when they made important decisions. Alternate translation: “led them as their chief” (See: Metonymy)

Job was their chief. Alternate translation: “led them because I was their chief” (See: Metonymy)

Job speaks of how he led the people and how they obeyed him as if he were a king and they were his army. (See: Simile)

This phrase means that Job actually was one who comforted people. Alternate translation: “I comforted them when they mourned” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 30

Job 30 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s statement, but now it is directly addressed to Yahweh.

In this chapter, Job laments his current condition as others insult him. (See: lament, lamentation)

Job 30:1

This shows how much he despised those fathers. They were not even good enough to be with his dogs. Alternate translation: “whose fathers I despised and would not have allowed to work beside the dogs of my flock” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The dogs’ relationship to the flock can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “the dogs that guarded my flock” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 30:2

Job uses this question to mock the weakness of those men. Alternate translation: “The strength of their fathers’ hands could not have helped me … perished.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Their strength perishing is a metaphor that represents no longer being strong but weak. The phrase “mature age” refers to them being old. Alternate translation: “men who had become old and had no strength” or “men who had become old and weak” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:3

The word “They” refers to the fathers of the young mockers.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word poverty, you could express the same idea with another word such as “poor.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word hunger, you could express the same idea with the words “hungry” or “starving.” Alternate translation: “They were very thin because they were poor and starving” (See: Abstract Nouns)

This could mean: (1) “dry ground” is a metonym for the dry roots that grow in the ground. Alternate translation: “they chewed on the dry roots they found in the ground” or (2) “gnawed at the dried ground” is a metonym for eating whatever they could find in the dry ground. (See: Metonymy)

Job 30:4

Job continues to talk about the fathers of the mockers.

These are plants that people would eat only if they could find nothing better.

This could mean: (1) the people ate the roots of the broom tree or (2) the people warmed themselves by burning the roots of broom trees.

Job 30:5

The phrase “were driven out” means “were forced to leave.” These phrases can be reordered and stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The people shouted after them as … a thief and forced them to leave” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “shouted at them as though they were thieves”

Job 30:7

Job continues to talk about the fathers of the mockers.

Job speaks of the men crying out in hunger as if they were wild donkeys making a loud noise. Alternate translation: “cried out like wild donkeys because they were hungry” (See: Simile)

“Nettles” are bushes with sharp thorns. This implies that they did not have a home.

Job 30:8

Here “were the sons of fools” represents having the characteristics fools. Alternate translation: “They were like fools” or “they were fools” (See: Metaphor)

The word “indeed” shows that what follows strengthens the previous thought. Here “sons of nameless people” represents having the characteristics of nameless people. Alternate translation: “indeed, they were nameless people” or “indeed, they were worthless” (See: Metaphor)

Here being “nameless” represents having no honor or respect. It means that they are worthless. Alternate translation: “worthless people” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) the idea of whips implies that they were being treated like criminals. Alternate translation: “People treated them like criminals and forced them to leave the land” or (2) people actually used whips to force them out. Alternate translation: “People whipped them and forced them to leave the land” (See: Metonymy)

Here “the land” refers to the land where they lived before they were forced to go out to the wilderness.

Job 30:9

Job speaks again about the people who were mocking him.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word song, you could express the same idea with the verb “sing.” Alternate translation: “But now they sing songs about me to taunt me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “byword” is a metonym for the person about whom people make cruel jokes. Alternate translation: “I am now one whom they make cruel jokes about” or “They joke and say cruel things about me” (See: Metonymy)

Job 30:10

This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “they even spit in my face” (See: Litotes)

Job 30:11

A bow that is unstrung is not useful. The phrase “has unstrung the string of my bow” is a metaphor for making Job powerless. Alternate translation: “God has taken away my power to defend myself” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “those who mock me”

A restraint keeps a person from moving freely and doing what he wants. Here “restraint” represents refraining from doing something, and “cast off restraint” represents not refraining from doing something. In this case the mockers did not refrain from being cruel to Job. Alternate translation: “do not refrain from being cruel to me” or “do whatever cruel things they want to do to me” (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 30:12

Job speaks about the mockers treating him cruelly as if they were a mob and an army attacking him. (See: Metaphor)

Job continues to speak about the people who were mocking him.

“the rabble rise upon my right hand.” This could mean: (1) rising upon Job’s right hand represents attacking his strength. Alternate translation: “Gangs of young people attack my strength” or (2) rising upon Job’s right hand represents attacking his honor. Alternate translation: “Mobs attack my honor” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “they force me to run away”

Armies would pile up mounds of dirt along a city’s wall in order to climb over the wall and attack the city. Job speaks of the mockers preparing to attack him as if they were doing that. Alternate translation: “prepare to attack me like an army that prepares to attack a city” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:13

This represents keeping Job from escaping their attack. Alternate translation: “They prevent me from escaping from them” (See: Metaphor)

Here “push forward disaster” represents trying to make disaster happen. Alternate translation: “they try to make disaster happen to me” or “they try to destroy me” (See: Metaphor)

Here “hold them back” represents stopping them from doing something. Alternate translation: “men who have no one to stop them from attacking me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:14

Job speaks about the mockers treating him cruelly as if they were an army attacking him. (See: Metaphor)

Job continues to speak about the people who were mocking him.

This represents attacking Job forcefully. (See: Simile)

This represents many coming to attack him at once, like giant ocean waves rolling in on him. (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:15

This could mean: (1) Job has become terrified or (2) things are happening to Job that make him afraid. (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of suddenly having no honor as if the wind had blown it from him. Alternate translation: “Nobody honors me” or “I am now a person that people do not honor” (See: Simile)

Job speaks of his prosperity ending as if it were a cloud that was blown away. Here “prosperity” may refer to well-being or safety. Alternate translation: “I no longer prosper at all” or “I am no longer safe” (See: Simile)

Job 30:16

Job speaks as if his life were a liquid and his body were a container. He feels he is about to die. Alternate translation: “Now I am dying” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of his continuous suffering as if the days of suffering have grabbed hold of him. Alternate translation: “I suffer many days, and the suffering does not end” (See: Personification)

Job 30:17

Job speaks of the pain in his bones as if his bones were being pierced. Alternate translation: “my bones ache terribly” or “I have sharp pain in my bones” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of his constant pain as if it were alive and biting him and refuses to rest. Alternate translation: “the pains that cause me to suffer do not stop” or “I am in constant pain” (See: Personification)

Job 30:18

Job speaks of God using his force as if God’s force were actually doing something. Here “God’s … force” stands for “God.” Alternate translation: “God has seized my clothing by his great force” (See: Metonymy)

The image of God’s force seizing Job is a metaphor. This could mean: (1) it represents Job’s pain. Alternate translation: “My pain feels like God has grabbed my clothing tightly” or (2) it represents God’s causing Job’s many problems. Alternate translation: “It is as though by his great force God has grabbed me by my clothes” (See: Metaphor)

The image of God’s force wrapping around Job is a metaphor. This could mean: (1) it represents Job’s pain. Alternate translation: “he wraps the collar of my tunic tightly around me” or (2) it represents God’s causing Job’s many problems. Alternate translation: “It is as though he grabs me by the collar of my tunic” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:19

Job says that God has humiliated him. Alternate translation: “It is as though he has thrown me in the mud” or “He has humiliated me, like a person thrown in the mud” (See: Metaphor)

This represents Job’s feeling of being worthless. Alternate translation: “I have become as worthless as dust and ashes” (See: Simile)

Job 30:21

This word means unkind.

The word “hand” represents God’s power. Alternate translation: “you persecute me with your power” (See: Metonymy)

Job 30:22

Job continues speaking to God.

These expressions represent the extreme suffering that God made Job endure. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “cause the wind to push me along”

Job 30:23

Here “bring me to death” represents causing Job to die. Alternate translation: “you will cause me to die” (See: Metaphor)

Job speaks of the world of the dead as if it were a house to which God has appointed all living things to go. Alternate translation: “the world of the dead, to which everything that has ever lived goes” (See: Metaphor)

That is, all things now alive, but that will die one day.

Job 30:24

Job continues speaking to God.

Job uses these questions to justify himself for crying out to God for help. Alternate translation: “Everyone reaches out with his hand to beg for help when he falls. Everyone who is in trouble calls out for help.” or “I have fallen, and so God should not think I am doing wrong when I beg for his help. I am in trouble, so of course I call out for help!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Some versions interpret these questions as Job complaining that God has reached out with his hand to harm Job when Job was in trouble and crying out for help. Alternate translation: “Surely no one would reach out with his hand against someone who falls and calls out for help.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 30:25

Job uses these questions to remind God of how Job had done good to others. A: “You know that I wept … trouble, and I grieved … man!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 30:26

Looking for good represents hoping for good things, and evil coming represents evil things happening. (See: Metaphor)

Here “light” represents God’s blessing and favor and “darkness” represents trouble and suffering. Alternate translation: “I waited for the light of God’s blessing, but instead I experienced the darkness of suffering” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:27

Job speaks of his heart as if it were a person. Alternate translation: “I am troubled in my heart and the feeling does not end” (See: Personification)

Days of affliction coming on Job represents Job experiencing affliction for many days. Alternate translation: “I experience affliction many days” or “I suffer every day” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:28

Here “have gone about” represents living. Alternate translation: “I have lived” or “I live” (See: Metaphor)

Here “living in the dark” is a metaphor that represents being extremely sad. The phrase “but not because of the sun” clarifies that “living in the dark” is a metaphor, that is, the darkness is not caused by the sun being hidden. Alternate translation: “like one who is terribly sad” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:29

Being a brother to these animals is a metaphor for being like them. Alternate translation: “I am like jackals and ostriches that cry out in the wilderness” (See: Metaphor)

Job 30:30

Here “bones” refers to the whole body, which suffers from fever. (See: Synecdoche)

Job 30:31

Here “my harp” represents Job himself, and also represents his desire to sing only songs of mourning. Alternate translation: “I play only songs of mourning on my harp” (See: Metonymy)

Here “my flute” represents Job himself, and also his desire to sing only songs of crying. Alternate translation: “I play only songs of wailing on my flute” (See: Metonymy)

To wail is to cry very loudly because of terrible sadness or pain.

Job 31

Job 31 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s statement and it is directly addressed to Yahweh.

In this chapter, Job presents his case to Yahweh that he is upright and not guilty of the sins he is being accused of. (See: righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness and guilt, guilty and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Job 31:1

Job speaks of making a promise about what he would look at as though his eyes were a person and he made a covenant with them. Alternate translation: “I have made a firm promise about what I will look at” (See: Metaphor and Personification)

What job promised can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “I made a promise that I will not look lustfully on a virgin” or “I promised that I will not look lustfully on a virgin” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job uses this question to emphasize that he would never break his promise. Alternate translation: “So I certainly will not look with lust at a virgin.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 31:2

Job speaks of God’s response to people’s behavior as if it were the portion of an inheritance that God gives. Alternate translation: “For how will God above respond to me? What will the Almighty on high do?” (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

Possible meanings are Job uses this question to emphasize: (1) that God will not bless bad behavior. Alternate translation: “For if I look lustfully on a woman, God Almighty on high will not bless me.” or (2) that God will punish bad behavior. Alternate translation: “For if I look lustfully on a woman, God Almighty on high will certainly punish me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 31:4

Here “my ways” and “my steps” are metaphors for Job’s behavior. Here “see my ways” and “count all my steps” are metaphors for knowing everything Job does. Job uses this question to emphasize that God does know all he does. Alternate translation: “Certainly God watches me and knows everything that I do.” (See: Metaphor and Rhetorical Question)

Job may be implying that God should know that Job is righteous and does not deserve calamity and disaster. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 31:5

In 31:5-40 Job describes different situations in which he would deserve God’s punishment. But, he knows that they are not true and he is innocent. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Here “walked” and “hurried” are metaphors that represent how Job lived. Alternate translation: “done anything false or purposely deceived anyone” (See: Metaphor)

Job 31:6

People used balances to weigh items and to determine their value. This image represents judging honestly. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “let me be judged honestly” or “let God judge me honestly” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 31:7

Here “my step” is a metaphor for Job’s behavior, and “turned out of the right way” is a metaphor for changing from living right. Alternate translation: “If I have changed from living right” or “If I have stopped doing what is right” (See: Metaphor)

Here “my heart” and “my eyes” are metonyms for what Job desires and sees. The heart going after the eyes is a metaphor for desiring to do what he sees. It is implied that this refers to sinful things that Job sees. Alternate translation: “if I have wanted to do any sinful things that I see” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

This is a metaphor for being guilty. Alternate translation: “if I am guilty of any sin at all” (See: Metaphor)

Job 31:8

Job is saying that if he really has sinned, then this bad thing should happen to him. He would do the hard work of sowing his fields, but he would not be able to eat any of it.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “let someone else come and take the harvest from my field” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 31:9

Here “my heart” represents Job. Here the word “deceived” expresses the idea of “enticed.” The word “woman” expresses the idea of “another man’s wife.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If another man’s wife has enticed me” or “If I have desired another man’s wife” (See: Synecdoche and Active or Passive)

It can be stated clearly why he was waiting at his neighbor’s door. Alternate translation: “if I have waited at my neighbor’s door so I could sleep with his wife” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 31:10

This could mean: (1) this is an euphemism which means Job is saying may his wife sleep with another man or (2) it means she will become a slave and work for another man. (See: Euphemism)

Job 31:11

The word “that” refers to Job sleeping with another woman.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it would be a crime for which judges would be right to punish me” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 31:12

Job speaks of the harm that sleeping with another woman causes as if it were a fire that destroys everything. The words “that” and “it” refer to sleeping with another man’s wife. Alternate translation: “For adultery is like a fire that burns up everything from here to Abaddon and that would burn up all my harvest” (See: Metaphor)

These words are probably a metaphor for “destroys everything so I have nothing good for the rest of my life,” but you should probably translate this literally. (See: Metaphor)

The word “it” here refers to the action sleeping with another man’s wife. This action is a metonym for the punishment that Job would suffer as a result of the action. A fire burning up his harvest is a synecdoche for losing everything he has worked for. Alternate translation: “those who punish me would take away everything I have worked for” (See: Metonymy and Synecdoche)

Job 31:14

Job uses these questions to emphasize that if God were to judge him, Job would not be able to make himself appear to be good. Alternate translation: “then there would be absolutely nothing I could say to defend myself when God comes to judge me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 31:15

Job uses these questions to emphasize that he is no different from his servants. He implies that God would be angry if Job were to treat his servants as less valuable than himself. Alternate translation: “The one who made me in the womb also made them. He formed us all in the womb.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 31:16

Alternate translation: “If I have kept poor people from getting what they desire”

Here “to grow dim” refers to the widow having bad eyesight from crying a lot. Alternate translation: “if I have caused a widow to cry in great sadness” (See: Idiom)

Job 31:17

Alternate translation: “my food”

Job 31:18

Here “the orphan” represents orphans in general. Job is describing how he truly treated orphans. Alternate translation: “because even when I was young I took care of orphans like a father” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

The phrase “But I have done none of those things” is understood from the context. Alternate translation: “But I have done none of those things, because from my youth” (See: Ellipsis)

Job is describing how he truly treated widows. With the phrase “from my own mother’s womb” he uses exaggeration to emphasize that he did this all his life. Alternate translation: “all my life I have guided the orphan’s mother, a widow” or “all my life I have guided widows” (See: Hyperbole)

Job 31:20

The phrase “his heart” represents the poor man who needs clothing. Alternate translation: “if he has not blessed me” (See: Synecdoche)

Here “the wool of my sheep” represents blankets or clothing made from the wool of Job’s sheep. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “because the wool of my sheep has not warmed him” or “because I have not given him clothing made from the wool of my sheep” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

Job 31:21

Lifting up the hand against someone represents threatening to harm him. Alternate translation: “if I have threatened to harm fatherless people” (See: Metonymy)

Here “saw” is a metaphor for “knew,” “support” is a metaphor for “approval,” and “the city gate” is a metonym for the leaders who sit at the city gate. Alternate translation: “I knew that the leaders at the city gate would approve of me” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

This is where the important men of the city would gather to make decisions.

This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job’s statement in this long sentence.

Job 31:22

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “then let someone tear off my shoulder from the shoulder blade and break my arm from its joint” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 31:23

This is the reason that Job did not do any of the wicked things he spoke of in verses 7 through 21.

Job 31:24

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word hope, you could express the same idea with the verbs “trust” or “hope.” Alternate translation: “If I trusted in gold” or “If I hoped that having a lot of gold would make me secure” (See: Abstract Nouns)

This line means the same as the previous line. (See: Parallelism)

Job 31:25

Here “my hand” represents Job’s ability to do things. Alternate translation: “I have gained many possessions by my own ability” (See: Metonymy)

This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job’s statement in this long sentence.

Job 31:26

Here “walking” represents moving slowly. Alternate translation: “the moon moving across the sky” (See: Personification)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word brightness, you could express the same idea with the words “bright” or “brightly.” Alternate translation: “the bright moon moving across the sky” or “the moon moving brightly across the sky” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 31:27

Here “my heart” represents Job. This phrase can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “if I have been secretly attracted to them” or “if I have secretly desired to worship them” (See: Synecdoche and Active or Passive)

Here “my mouth” represents Job. This is a sign of love and devotion. Alternate translation: “so that I have kissed my hand” (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 31:28

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for which judges would be right to punish me” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “I would have been unfaithful to the God who is above”

Job 31:29

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word destruction, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “destroy.” Alternate translation: “when anyone who hated me was destroyed” or “when bad things happened to anyone who hated me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “when he experienced disasters”

This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job’s statement in this long sentence.

Job 31:30

Here “my mouth” represents Job speaking. Alternate translation: “Truly I did not let myself sin” or “Truly, I did not sin” (See: Synecdoche)

Here “asking for his life with a curse” represents cursing someone’s life so that he will die. Alternate translation: “by cursing him so that he would die” or “by cursing his life” (See: Metonymy)

Job 31:31

The tent represents Job’s household. The men of his tent includes family members and servants. All of these knew Job well. Alternate translation: “the men of my household” or “my family members and servants” (See: Metonymy)

Job’s men would have used this question to emphasize that Job was generous to everyone. Alternate translation: “Everyone has been filled with Job’s food!” or “Everyone we know of has eaten as much of Job’s food as he wanted!”(See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 31:32

Job is explaining how he truly treated foreigners. Here “stay in the city square” represents sleeping overnight in the city square. Alternate translation: “foreigners have never had to sleep in the city square” or “foreigners have never had to sleep outside” (See: Metonymy)

Here “opened my doors to the traveler” represents welcoming the traveler into his home. Alternate translation: “I have always welcomed the traveler into my home” (See: Metonymy)

This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job’s statement in this long sentence.

Job 31:33

Here “have hidden my sins” represents trying to keep people from knowing that he had sinned. Alternate translation: “If … I have tried to keep my sins a secret” (See: Metaphor)

This represents trying to keep people from knowing that he is guilty. Alternate translation: “by hiding the evidence of my guilt inside my tunic” or “like one who hides the evidence of his guilt inside his tunic” (See: Metaphor)

Job 31:34

This would be the reason for hiding his sins. These mean the same thing. They emphasize that a person may hide his sin because he fears what other people may think about him. (See: Parallelism)

This phrase is not in the original language or in other versions of the Bible. It was added here to help preserve the meaning of Job’s statement in this long sentence.

Job 31:35

This exclamation expresses Job’s wish. Alternate translation: “I wish I had someone to hear me” or “I wish that someone would listen to me” (See: Exclamations)

Here “my signature” represents Job’s promise that everything he is saying is true. He speaks of his complaint as if he had written a legal document. Alternate translation: “I solemnly promise that all I have said is true” (See: Metaphor)

Here an answer probably refers to telling Job what wrong he accuses Job of doing. Alternate translation: “let the Almighty tell me what I have done wrong” or “I wish the Almighty would say what I have done wrong” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This expresses Job’s wish. Job speaks as though his troubles are evidence that someone has written something accusing him of terrible sin. Alternate translation: “I wish I had the accusation that my opponent has written” or “If only I could read my opponent’s complaint against me”

This could mean: (1) this refers to God or (2) this refers to someone else.

Job 31:36

This represents putting it where everyone could read it. (See: Metaphor)

Job 31:37

Here “my steps” represents Job’s actions. Alternate translation: “I would declare to him an accounting for all I have done” or “I would tell him everything I have done” (See: Metaphor)

This means Job would approach God without any fear. Job implies that he could do this because he was not guilty. Alternate translation: “I would approach him boldly” (See: Simile)

Job 31:38

This concludes Job’s description of situations in which he would deserve God’s punishment, but he knows they are not true. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Job speaks of being guilty as if his land were a person who cries out against Job because of the wrong Job has done to the land. Alternate translation: “If I have done wrong concerning my land” or “If I have stolen my land from someone” (See: Personification)

Job 31:39

This represents dying. Alternate translation: “to die” (See: Metonymy)

Job 31:40

The words “let” and “grow” are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “let weeds grow instead of barley” (See: Ellipsis)

Job 32

Job 32 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Job’s friends give up on trying to convince him that he is being punished for sinning. This chapter introduces Elihu who was a witness to these interactions between Job and his friends. According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is the first of Elihu’s four statements. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence)

Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers, or songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of 32:6-22, which is an extended quotation, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. This quotation continues through the next chapter.

Job 32:1

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “he considered himself righteous” (See: Metaphor)

Job 32:2

This compares Elihu’s anger to someone starting a fire. Also, If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a people-group. (See: How to Translate Names)

This means that he considered himself innocent and believed God had been wrong to punish him. Alternate translation: “he justified himself and claimed that God had been wrong to punish him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 32:3

This compares Elihu’s anger to someone starting a fire. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Elihu also became very angry with his three friends” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 32:4

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. This tells background information about Elihu. (See: Background Information)

Job 32:5

This means that the men were done speaking to Job. This speaks of the men possibly having an answer as if the answer were an object that would be in their mouths. Alternate translation: “that these three men had nothing else to say” or “that these three men had no more answers to give Job” (See: Metaphor)

This compares Elihu’s anger to someone starting a fire. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he became very angry” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 32:6

Here “you” is plural and refers to Job and his three friends. (See: Forms of You)

Job 32:7

These two lines mean the same thing. Elihu emphasizes that since older people are wiser than younger people, they should be the first to speak of what they know. Alternate translation: “He who has lived many years should speak; He would is older should teach wisdom” (See: Metonymy and Parallelism)

Job 32:8

Both phrases mean the same thing. Elihu is emphasizing that a man’s wisdom comes from God. Alternate translation: “there is a spirit in a man, that is, the breath of the Almighty that” (See: Parallelism)

Here the spirit is represented by “breath.” Alternate translation: “the spirit of the Almighty” (See: Metonymy)

Job 32:11

Elihu uses this word here to draw the mens’ attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Listen”

“I waited to hear what you would say.” The word “your” refers to Job’s friends. (See: Forms of You)

Job 32:12

Here the word “respond” does not just mean to answer, but to answer with a helpful response.

Job 32:13

This means that they believe that they have figured out what is wise. Alternate translation: “We have discovered what is wise”

This speaks of God responding to Job and correcting him as if he were defeating him in battle. Alternate translation: “to refute Job” or “to answer Job” (See: Metaphor)

Job 32:14

Alternate translation: “by saying what you have said”

Job 32:15

amazed, unable to speak

Job 32:16

Elihu uses a question to emphasize that he will not wait any longer to speak. Elihu answers this question himself in the next verse. Alternate translation: But because you do not speak, I certainly will not wait any longer; you merely stand there and do not reply anymore. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 32:17

Alternate translation: “I will now take my turn to answer”

Job 32:18

Elihu speaks of having a lot to say as being full of words. Alternate translation: “I have so much to say” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “my spirit forces me to say it”

Job 32:19

While wine is fermenting, gas collects in the container. If the gas is not let out the container will burst. Elihu means that he has so much to say that if he does not speak he feels like he will burst. Also, these two phrases are parallel and have the same meaning. Alternate translation: “I feel like my breast is about to burst, like a container of fermenting wine that has no vent” (See: Simile and Parallelism)

This represents Elihu, specifically his spirit. Alternate translation: “my spirit is” or “I am” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 32:20

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I may feel better” (See: Active or Passive)

Here the “lips” represent the mouth. Alternate translation: “open my mouth” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 32:21

Alternate translation: “neither will I praise any man or give him titles of honor”

Job 32:22

This is a name referring to God. Alternate translation: “God who made me”

This means that he would destroy him. Alternate translation: “destroy me” (See: Euphemism)

Job 33

Job 33 General Notes

Structure and formatting

According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is a continuation of the first of Elihu’s four statements and it is addressed to Job. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence)

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. This quotation is a continuation of the previous chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter

God’s mercy

While Job has been complaining about the lack of justice and response from Yahweh, Elihu shows Job that Yahweh has shown him great mercy along the way. He is still alive because of Yahweh’s mercy. (See: mercy, merciful)

Job 33:1

These two phrases mean the same thing. Elihu is emphasizing that Job must listen carefully. (See: Parallelism)

Job 33:2

These mean the same thing. Elihu is emphasizing that he is now ready to speak. His “tongue” speaking represents himself speaking. Alternate translation: “I have opened my mouth and I have begun to speak” (See: Parallelism and Metonymy)

Job 33:3

Here Elihu refers to himself by his “heart” as he speaks of being upright. Alternate translation: “I will speak with uprightness” or “I will speak with complete honesty” (See: Synecdoche)

Here Elihu refers to himself by his “lips” to emphasize his speech. Alternate translation: “I will speak sincerely to you the things I know” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 33:4

These two lines mean the same thing. Elihu is emphasizing that God has made him and so gives authority to what he is saying. (See: Parallelism)

Job 33:5

This speaks of Job preparing what he will say as if he were setting up and organizing physical objects. Alternate translation: “prepare what you will say, and stand up and answer me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 33:6

Elihu uses this word here to draw Job’s attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Listen”

Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “I am just as you are in God’s judgment” or “God judges me the same way that he judges you” (See: Metaphor)

Though people are not made out of clay, God has made everyone as a potter carefully makes things out of clay. Alternate translation: “God has made both of us just as a potter forms things from clay” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God has also made me” or “God has formed both of us” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 33:7

Alternate translation: “you do not need to be afraid of me”

This means that he will not hinder Job or burden him. He speaks of emotional burden here as if it were a heavy physical burden. Alternate translation: “neither will I burden you” or “I will not oppress you with what I say” (See: Metaphor)

Job 33:8

Alternate translation: “where I could hear you”

Alternate translation: “I have heard you say”

Job 33:9

A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if the person were physically clean. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “I have not sinned”

Job 33:10

The speaker uses this word here to draw attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Listen”

Job 33:11

“Stocks” are wooden blocks a jailer puts around a prisoner’s feet to restrict his movement. Job speaks of feeling like he is a prisoner by saying that he is in stocks. Alternate translation: “I feel he has made me a prisoner” (See: Metaphor)

These words refer to where he goes. Here where he goes represents what he does. Alternate translation: “everything that I do” (See: Metonymy)

Job 33:12

Elihu is speaking to Job.

Job 33:13

Elihu uses this question to emphasize that Job should not struggle against God. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not struggle against God.” or “You should not try to argue with God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “He does not have to explain to us anything he does”

Job 33:14

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “God speaks again and again in different ways” (See: Idiom)

Job 33:15

These phrases have the same meaning. (See: Parallelism)

This speaks of people being in a deep sleep as if the sleep fell upon them or overcame them. Alternate translation: “when people are fully asleep on their bed” (See: Metaphor)

Job 33:16

This speaks of God making people aware of things as if he were opening their ears so that they could hear. Alternate translation: “then God reveals things to people” (See: Metaphor)

Job 33:17

This speaks of God keeping someone from doing something as if he were physically pulling him away from harm. Alternate translation: “in order to keep him from” (See: Metaphor)

Job 33:18

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “God saves people from the grave and from death” (See: Parallelism)

The place where people go when they die is referred to here as “the pit.” Alternate translation: “the place where dead people are” (See: Metaphor)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “man from dying and … he keeps him” (See: Idiom)

Here “death” represents the place where people go when they die, that is, sheol. Alternate translation: “from going to sheol” (See: Metonymy)

Job 33:19

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God also punishes a person” (See: Active or Passive)

This means that the person is experiencing such pain that he must lie in bed. Alternate translation: “with pain so that he must lie in bed” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 33:20

These two phrases mean basically the same thing, that the person is in so much pain that he cannot even eat. The person is represented by his “life” and his “soul.” Alternate translation: “the result is that he does not desire any food, not even very special food” (See: Parallelism and Synecdoche)

Alternate translation: “hates even very special food”

Job 33:21

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. “His flesh” refers to his fat and muscles, not to his body’s outer skin. Alternate translation: “Disease makes his body weak and thin so that a person can see his bones” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 33:22

Here a person is represented by his “soul.” Alternate translation: “he is close to going into the grave” (See: Synecdoche)

The place where people go when they die is referred to here as “the pit.” Alternate translation: “the place where dead people are” (See: Metaphor)

Here the person is represented by his “life.” The phrase “those who wish to destroy it” refers to the place where people go after they die. Alternate translation: “and he is close to going to the place where dead people go” or “and he will soon go to the place of the dead” (See: Synecdoche and Metonymy)

Job 33:23

This does not refer to a specific person. Elihu continues speaking about any person in general.

In some languages it may be more natural to refer to “a great number” instead of “a thousand.” Alternate translation: “one from the great number of angels” (See: Numbers)

Job 33:24

The place where people go when they die is referred to here as “the pit.” Alternate translation: “the place where dead people are” (See: Metaphor)

This means that the angel has found a way to pay for the sins of the man so that he does not have to die. Alternate translation: “for I have found a way for you to keep him from dying” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 33:25

This word is used here to mark what will happen if God grants the angel’s request. Alternate translation: “Then as a result” or “As a result of the angel’s request to God”

This speaks of the man being healed and his body growing strong again as if his body became new like a child’s body. Alternate translation: “the sick man’s body will become new again like a young person’s body” (See: Simile)

In this comparison, the word “fresher” is an exaggeration. Alternate translation: “fresh like a child’s” (See: Hyperbole)

This refers to a child’s flesh. Alternate translation: “a child’s flesh” (See: Ellipsis)

This speaks of the man’s flesh again being as strong as it was when he was young. Alternate translation: “it will become strong again, as it was when he was young” (See: Metaphor)

Job 33:26

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “he joyfully worships God” (See: Idiom)

Here God is represented by his “face.” Alternate translation: “God” (See: Synecdoche)

Alternate translation: “God will save the person” or “God will make things right for the person again”

Job 33:27

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but God did not punish me for sinning” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 33:28

Here the person is referred to by his “soul.” Alternate translation: “rescued me from dying and going to the pit” (See: Synecdoche)

The place where people go when they die is referred to here as “the pit.” Alternate translation: “the place where dead people are” (See: Metaphor)

Here the person is represented by his “life.” Also, living is spoken of as seeing the light. Alternate translation: “I will continue to live and see the daylight” or “I will continue to live” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Job 33:29

Elihu uses this word here to draw Job’s attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Listen”

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “again and again” (See: Idiom)

Job 33:30

The person is represented by his “soul.” Alternate translation: “him” (See: Synecdoche)

This speaks of saving the man from dying as if he had died and was being brought back to life. Alternate translation: “to keep him from dying and going to the pit” (See: Metaphor)

The place where people go when they die is referred to here as “the pit.” Alternate translation: “the place where dead people are” (See: Metaphor)

This is an idiom and may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he may be happy to still be alive” (See: Active or Passive and Idiom)

Job 33:31

These phrases mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “Listen carefully to me, Job” (See: Doublet)

Job 33:32

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “that you are innocent” (See: Idiom)

Job 34

Job 34 General Notes

Structure and formatting

According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is the second of Elihu’s four statements and it is addressed first to Job’s friends and then to Job. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence)

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. Elihu uses many of Job’s statements against him. His attitude is not too different from Job’s friends.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s justice

Elihu defends the justice of Yahweh after Job claimed that Yahweh was being unjust. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)

Job 34:1

Alternate translation: “Then, Elihu”

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 32:2. (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 34:2

Alternate translation: “Listen to what I say”

Elihu is criticizing Job and his friends. He does not think they are actually wise. (See: Irony)

Job 34:3

Elihu means people listen carefully to determine what is right or wrong just like we taste food to determine if it is good or bad. Here people are referred to by their “ear” and their “palate” to emphasize that they are tasting and hearing. Alternate translation: “For we listen to words to know what is good and bad, just as we taste foods to know what is good to eat” (See: Simile and Synecdoche)

Job 34:4

Here “us” refers to Elihu, Job, and his three friends. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Job 34:5

Alternate translation: “refused to give me justice”

Job 34:6

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God considers me to be a liar” (See: Active or Passive)

Here Job’s sickness and suffering is spoken of as if it were a “wound.” Alternate translation: “I am sick and no one can heal me” (See: Metaphor)

Job 34:7

Elihu uses this rhetorical question to scold Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is no one else like Job” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Elihu is accusing Job of mocking others as often as a person drinks water. Alternate translation: “who mocks other people as frequently as he drinks water” (See: Simile)

Job 34:8

Here “walk” is an idiom for how a person acts. Alternate translation: “who behaves like wicked men” (See: Metaphor)

Job 34:10

Elihu is criticizing Job and his friends. He does not actually think they are wise. (See: Irony)

These two phrases have the same meaning and are used together to emphasize that God would never do anything wrong. The phrase “far be it from” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Almighty God would never consider doing anything that is wicked or wrong” (See: Parallelism and Idiom)

Job 34:11

This means that he gives to a person what he deserves for the work he has done. Here “work” is a metaphor for what a person does. Alternate translation: “For he gives to a person what he deserves in return for he does” (See: Metaphor)

The phrase “his own ways” is an idiom for how a person lives his life. Elihu emphasizes that God gives to people what they deserve. Alternate translation: “he causes every man to receive the reward he deserves for how he lives” (See: Idiom)

Job 34:13

Both of these rhetorical questions have the same meaning and emphasize that no one needed to grant God authority because it was already his. These questions can be written as statements. Alternate translation: “No one needed to give permission to God to take responsibility over all the earth. He is the rightful one to rule the world.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Job 34:14

Elihu is describing a situation that he does not believe would ever happen. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

The “spirit” and “breath” of God are what makes all living things alive. Alternate translation: “his spirit and breath which give us life” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 34:15

Here all living things are represented by their “flesh.” Alternate translation: “all living things” (See: Synecdoche)

This means that all people would die and their bodies would decay and become soil. In the beginning God created man from the dust. Alternate translation: “the bodies of mankind would soon become soil again” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 34:16

Elihu uses this word to bring attention to something important he is about to say.

Here “you” is singular and refers to Job. (See: Forms of You)

“listen to what I say.” This means the same as the previous part of the sentence. (See: Parallelism)

Job 34:17

Elihu uses this question to rebuke Job for implying that God hates justice. Alternate translation: “One who hates justice cannot be expected to rule over people. So you really cannot criticize God, who is righteous and powerful, and you cannot say that what he has done is wrong.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The implicit answer to this rhetorical question is “no.” This question implies that God could not rule the world if he hated justice. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “One who hates justice cannot govern the world.” or “God could certainly never hate what is right and still rule the world.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This rhetorical question is used to emphasize that Job does not have the authority or a reason to condemn God. Alternate translation: “You cannot condemn God, who is righteous and mighty!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 34:18

This continues the rhetorical question from the previous verse, emphasizing to Job that he cannot condemn God. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “He says to some kings, ‘You are vile,’ and he says to some nobles, ‘You are wicked.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This is part of the previous question. The understood words from the previous verse, “will you condemn God,” may be supplied. Alternate translation: “Will you condemn God, who says to a king” (See: Ellipsis)

Alternate translation: “evil” or “worthless”

Job 34:19

Here “hands” refer to power. Alternate translation: “for God made them all” (See: Metonymy)

Job 34:20

Midnight is the time when one day ends and another begins. Here “midnight” is used as an idiom. Alternate translation: “at night” or “suddenly, at night” (See: Idiom)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The phrase “will be shaken” is an idiom that means to be “struck.” Alternate translation: “God strikes them and they die” (See: Active or Passive and Idiom)

This means that it is God who causes people to die, not people. Also, If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it is God and not humans who cause mighty people to die” (See: Euphemism and Active or Passive)

Here people are represented by their “hands.” Alternate translation: “not by humans” or “not by people” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 34:21

God’s “eyes” represent his sight. The phrase “a person’s ways” is an idiom for what he does and how he lives. Alternate translation: “For God watches everything a person does” (See: Metonymy and Idiom)

This means that he always knows where the person is and where he is going. Alternate translation: “he sees him wherever he goes” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 34:22

The words “thick gloom” mean basically the same thing as, and intensify, the word “darkness.” (See: Doublet)

Job 34:23

Alternate translation: “so he may judge him” or “to be judged”

Job 34:24

This speaks of God destroying these men as if he actually broke their bodies into pieces. Alternate translation: “He destroys mighty men” or “He destroys important people” (See: Idiom)

He does not need to investigate what they have done because he already knows everything about them. Alternate translation: “without needing to do further investigation, because he already knows their ways” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the things they have done”

This means that he appoints other people to rule in their positions. Alternate translation: “and he chooses other people to rule in their places” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 34:25

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “when they are not expecting it” (See: Idiom)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and destroys them” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 34:26

This phrase compares the way that these people die to how criminals die. Alternate translation: “He kills them for their wicked deeds, in the open sight of others as if they were criminals” (See: Simile)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “In a place where everyone can see” (See: Idiom)

This speaks of God causing these people to die, though he does not actually strike them with a sword himself. He may cause someone else to kill them or disaster to come upon them. Alternate translation: “he causes them to die” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 34:27

This refers to God’s instructions for how people should behave. (See: Idiom)

Job 34:28

The word “cry” can be expressed as a verb. This speaks of God hearing their cry as if the cry were a person that came to him. Alternate translation: “they made the poor people cry, and God heard them” (See: Abstract Nouns and Personification)

Job 34:29

These two questions speak of God not punishing wicked people as if he were being silent and hiding his face. (See: Metaphor)

Elihu uses this rhetorical question to teach Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can criticize God if he decides to remain silent” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Elihu uses this rhetorical question to teach Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can go and see him if he decides to hide his face” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here God is represented by his “face.” Alternate translation: “himself” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 34:30

This compares a godless ruler harming people as if he were a hunter trapping his prey. Alternate translation: “no one to harm the people” (See: Metaphor)

Job 34:32

Here to “see” means to know. Alternate translation: “teach me what I have done wrong that I am not aware of” (See: Metonymy)

Job 34:33

“Since you dislike what God does, do you think that God should punish this person’s sin?” Elihu uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he should not think that God will not punish this man. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Even though you do not like what God does, surely even you do not think that God will punish this person” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here punishing the person because of his sin is referred to as punishing the “person’s sin.” Alternate translation: “that person because of his sin” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “because you dislike”

Alternate translation: “what you are thinking about this”

Job 34:34

Alternate translation: “who hears me speaking”

Job 34:36

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If only we could put Job on trial in” or “If only we could take Job to court so a judge could listen to” (See: Active or Passive)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to listen to his case thoroughly” or “to hear all of the details of his case” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “of how he has spoken like a wicked man”

Job 34:37

This refers to rebellion against God. Alternate translation: “he adds rebellion against God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

In this accusation, this means that Job clapped his hands to strengthen his mockery of God. Alternate translation: “he claps his hands as he mocks God in our midst” or “he mocks God right in front of us” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Symbolic Action)

Elihu speaks of “words” as if they were objects, and of speaking many words as if it were piling those objects one on top of the other. Alternate translation: “he speaks many words against God” (See: Metaphor)

Job 35

Job 35 General Notes

Structure and formatting

According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is the third of Elihu’s four statements and it is addressed first to Job’s friends and then to Job. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence)

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. Elihu uses many of Job’s statements against him.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Elihu uses many different rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to try to convince Job. These questions help to build Elihu’s argument. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Ironic situation

Elihu explains the irony of Job’s claim. He claimed to be righteous and desired Yahweh to intervene. In this chapter, Elihu explains to Job that his claims of righteousness are prideful. This makes him unrighteous. (See: Irony and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

Job 35:2

Elihu uses questions to challenge Job. Alternate translation: “You must think you are right…‘My right before God.’” or “It is not just…‘My right before God.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Do you think it is right for you to say”

Here “you” is singular and refers to Job. (See: Forms of You)

This could mean: (1) Job is claiming to be innocent before God or (2) Job is claiming that he, rather than God, is right.

Job 35:3

Elihu quotes Job as saying the these two rhetorical questions. Alternate translation: “For you say, ‘It does not benefit me’ and, ‘I am no better off than if I had sinned.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 35:4

Elihu continues speaking.

Job 35:6

Elihu continues speaking.

These two lines share similar meanings. The second line intensifies the meaning of the first line. (See: Parallelism)

Elihu asks this question to emphasize that Job’s sins cannot actually do anything to God. Alternate translation: “If you have sinned, you have not done any harm to God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Elihu speaks of “transgressions” as if they were objects, and of committing many transgressions as if it were piling those objects one on top of the other. He asks this question to emphasize that Job does nothing to God by his transgressions. Alternate translation: “If you committed a great many transgressions, you still do nothing to him.” (See: Metaphor and Rhetorical Question)

Job 35:7

The two rhetorical questions mean basically the same thing, that Job’s righteousness adds nothing to God. Alternate translation: “If you are righteous, that does not enable you to give anything to him, and there is nothing that he will receive from your hand.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Here the word “hand” represents Job. Alternate translation: “receive from you” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 35:8

Alternate translation: “another human-being” or “another person”

Job 35:9

The word “oppression” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “Because of the many things that people do to oppress others” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “arms” refers to power or strength. Alternate translation: “they call for someone to deliver them from the power of mighty men” (See: Metonymy)

Job 35:10

Elihu speaks of God enabling people to have hope in troubling circumstances as if he were giving to them songs which they can sing during the night. (See: Metaphor)

Job 35:12

Elihu continues speaking.

Alternate translation: “the oppressed people cry out”

Job 35:14

Since God will not hear the prayers of prideful, evil men, it is even less likely that he will hear Job, who is complaining against him. Alternate translation: “So he certainly will not answer you … that you are waiting for him!” (See: Exclamations)

Alternate translation: “you have presented your case to him”

Alternate translation: “you are waiting for him to respond”

Job 35:15

Because Job is saying these things about God that are untrue, it is even less likely that God will answer Job’s prayers.

Here “his anger” is a metonym for “him.” Alternate translation: “he never punishes anyone because he is angry” (See: Metonymy)

Job 35:16

Elihu speaks of “words” as if they were objects, and of speaking many words as if it were piling those objects one on top of the other. The word “knowledge” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “he speaks many words without knowing what he is talking about” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Job 36

Job 36 General Notes

Structure and formatting

According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is the last of Elihu’s four statements and it is addressed first to Job’s friends and then to Job. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence)

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. His attitude is not too different from Job’s friends.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s justice

This chapter focuses on the justice of Yahweh. It is important to remember that justice won’t always come in this life. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)

Job 36:2

Elihu speaks of explaining things to Job as if he were going to show those things to Job. Alternate translation: “I will explain some things to you” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:3

Elihu speaks of having knowledge of many different subjects as if it were getting his knowledge from far away places. Alternate translation: “I will show you my great knowledge” (See: Metaphor)

Here the word “righteousness” can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: “that my Maker is righteous” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 36:4

Alternate translation: “what I say will not be false”

The word “someone” refers to Elihu himself. He speaks of being very knowledgeable as if it were being mature in knowledge. Alternate translation: “I, who am with you, am very knowledgeable” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:5

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

The phrase “mighty in strength” forms a doublet that means “very strong.” Elihu speaks of God understanding everything perfectly as if his understanding were very strong. Alternate translation: “he is very strong in understanding” or “he understands everything completely” (See: Doublet and Metaphor)

Job 36:7

Elihu speaks of God protecting righteous people as if God were watching them with his eyes, and of God ceasing to protect them as if he withdrew his eyes from them. Alternate translation: “He does not stop protecting the righteous people” (See: Metaphor)

Elihu speaks of God honoring the righteous people as if God were causing them to sit on thrones like kings do. (See: Metaphor)

Elihu speaks of God honoring the righteous people as if he lifted them up to a high place. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he lifts them up” or “he honors them” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 36:8

Here the word “they” refers righteous people whom God will discipline if they sin. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If someone binds them in chains” or “If someone makes them a prisoner” (See: Active or Passive)

Elihu speaks of a person being made to suffer as if that person were trapped in ropes that cause suffering. Alternate translation: “someone causes them to suffer” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 36:9

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “he reveals to them their transgressions and their pride” (See: Ellipsis)

Job 36:10

Elihu speaks of causing a person to listen as if it were opening that person’s ear. Alternate translation: “He also causes them to listen” (See: Metaphor)

The noun “instruction” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “to what he is instructing them” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Elihu speaks of stopping an action as if it were turning back from it. Alternate translation: “to stop committing iniquity” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:11

The words “days” and “years” both refer to the person’s lifetime. Alternate translation: “they will spend their lives in prosperity and contentment” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 36:12

Elihu speaks of a person dying violently as if someone had killed them with a sword. Alternate translation: “they will die a violent death” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:13

Here the word “heart” refers to the thoughts and emotions. The phrase may indicate that the person stubbornly refuses to trust God. Alternate translation: “who refuse to trust in God” (See: Metonymy)

Elihu speaks of a person remaining angry as if that person stored up their anger like one would store up treasure. Alternate translation: “are always angry” (See: Metaphor)

Elihu speaks of God disciplining people as if God were tying them up with ropes. Alternate translation: “even when God punishes them” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:14

Here “cultic prostitutes” refers to young men who served in pagan temples performing sexually immoral acts as part of their rituals. This phrase could mean: (1) the godless die because of their immoral behavior or (2) the godless die in shame and disgrace.

Job 36:15

Elihu speaks of God causing a person to listen as if God were opening their ears. See how you translated this in Job 36:10. Alternate translation: “he causes them to listen” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:16

Elihu speaks of living without trouble as if it were being in a wide-open space where there were no hardships. (See: Metaphor)

Elihu speaks of living prosperously as if it were having one’s table filled with the best foods. (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “your servants would set your table” (See: Active or Passive)

Meat that had plenty of fat on it was a sign of prosperity because the animals were healthy and well-fed. Alternate translation: “the very best food” (See: Idiom)

Job 36:17

This could mean: (1) “God is punishing you as he would punish the wicked” or (2) “you are obsessed with the judgment that the wicked deserve.”

Elihu speaks of God judging Job and giving him justice as if judgment and justice were people that have laid hold of Job. Alternate translation: “God has brought you to judgment and given you justice” (See: Personification)

Job 36:18

Some versions of the Bible translate this as “Beware that you are not enticed by wealth.”

Job 36:19

Elihu asks these questions to state that money and power will not be able to help Job if he acts unjustly. Alternate translation: “Your wealth cannot cause you to no longer be in distress, and all the force of your strength cannot help you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “all of your great strength” or “all of your mighty efforts”

Job 36:20

This could mean: (1) that “peoples” refers to people in general and “cut off in their place” is a metaphor for oppressing others by dragging them away from their homes. Alternate translation: “when people drag others away from their homes” or (2) that “peoples” represents nations and “cut off in their place” is a metaphor for nations being destroyed. Alternate translation: “when nations will perish” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:21

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God is testing you by making you suffer” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 36:22

Alternate translation: “You know this already: God”

This could mean: (1) “God is extremely powerful” or (2) “people exalt God because he is powerful”

Elihu asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one is a teacher like God. Alternate translation: “no one is a teacher like him.” or “no one teaches like he does.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 36:23

Elihu asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one has ever taught God what to do. Alternate translation: “No one has ever instructed him about what he should do.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Elihu asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one can accuse God of having committed unrighteousness. Alternate translation: “No one can ever say to him, ‘You have committed unrighteousness.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 36:25

Elihu speaks of people not being fully able to understand God’s deeds as if people were only able to see those deeds from far away. Alternate translation: “they do not fully understand them” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:26

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

This refers to how long God has existed. Alternate translation: “people cannot know how long he has lived” or “people cannot know his age” (See: Idiom)

Job 36:27

The word “distills” can also mean “refine” or “filter.” Elihu describes how God turns the drops of water, or vapor, that he draws up into rain. Alternate translation: “that he turns into rain” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 36:29

Elihu asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one can do these things. Alternate translation: “no one can understand the extensive spread of the clouds and the thunder from his hut.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The phrase “the extensive spread” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “how the clouds spread across the sky” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Elihu speaks of the sky as if it were a “hut” in which God lives. Alternate translation: “from the sky, where God lives” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:30

Alternate translation: “Look carefully and see how he spreads”

Elihu speaks of the deep parts of the sea as if the sea were a plant and its depths were its roots. This could mean: (1) although the lightning causes light in the sky, the deep parts of the sea remain dark. Alternate translation: “but the depths of the sea remain dark” or (2) the lightning in the sky cause even the depths of the sea to have light. Alternate translation: “and lights up the depths of the sea” (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:32

Elihu speaks of the lightning that storms cause as if God were holding the lightning in his hand and directing it to strike where he wills. This could mean: (1) that God holds the lightning bolts in his hands in order to throw them, or (2) that God hides the lightning bolts in his hands until he is ready to use them. (See: Metaphor)

Job 36:33

Alternate translation: “The thunder caused by the lightning” or “The thunder”

Alternate translation: “hear that the storm is coming”

Job 37

Job 37 General Notes

Structure and formatting

According to Elihu, instead of being punished for his sins, Job is sinning in the midst of these difficulties. This is a continuation of the previous chapter and the last of Elihu’s four statements, and it is addressed first to Job’s friends and then to Job. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence)

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. His attitude is not too different from Job’s friends.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s justice

This chapter focuses on the justice of Yahweh. It is important to remember that justice won’t always come in this life. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)

Job 37:1

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of his fear. (See: Parallelism)

The word “this” refers to the storm in Job 36:33.

Elihu speaks of his heart beating violently as if it were to jump out of his chest. Alternate translation: “it moves out of its place” or “it beats violently” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 37:2

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Elihu speaks of the thunder as if it is God’s voice. (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

Job 37:3

Elihu speaks of the farthest places on the earth as if they were the earth’s borders. Alternate translation: “everywhere in the world” (See: Metaphor)

Job 37:4

Elihu continues to speak of the thunder as if it is God’s voice. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “roars after the lightning”

Alternate translation: “his majestic voice”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when people hear his voice” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 37:6

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “likewise, he says to the rain shower” (See: Ellipsis)

Job 37:7

Here the word “hand” represents the entire person. Alternate translation: “He stops every man” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 37:9

In Israel, strong wind storms blow in from the south and cold weather approaches from the north. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Elihu speaks of the storm blowing in from the south as if the storm has a place where it resides until it comes. (See: Metaphor)

Job 37:10

Elihu speaks of the cold north wind as if it were God’s breath. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God’s breath makes ice” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Elihu compares the hardness of ice to the hardness of metal. Alternate translation: “frozen, as hard as metal” (See: Simile)

Job 37:11

Elihu speaks of God causing the storm clouds to be full of water as if the moisture weighed heavily on the clouds. Alternate translation: “he causes the thick clouds to be full of moisture” (See: Metaphor)

Job 37:13

The word “correction” can be translated with a verbal phrase. The object of his “correction” is people. Alternate translation: “sometimes it happens to correct his people” (See: Abstract Nouns and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This means that the rain waters the ground and causes vegetation to grow. Alternate translation: “sometimes to water the land” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word faithfulness, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful” or “faithfully.” Alternate translation: “sometimes to act faithfully to his covenant” or “sometimes to be faithful to his people” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 37:15

Elihu asks this question to emphasize that Job cannot know this. Alternate translation: “You cannot understand how God establishes the clouds and makes the lightning bolts to flash in them.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “controls the clouds” or “makes the clouds obey him”

Job 37:16

Elihu asks this question to emphasize that Job does not know these things. Alternate translation: “You do not understand the floating of the clouds, the marvelous deeds of God, who is perfect in knowledge.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “how the clouds float”

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “or do you understand the marvelous deeds of God” or “and you do not understand the marvelous deeds of God” (See: Ellipsis)

Job 37:17

Elihu asks this question to emphasize that Job does not know these things. Alternate translation: “You do not understand how your garments become hot … from the south.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “how you become hot in your clothes” or “how you sweat in your clothes”

In Israel, hot winds blow in across the desert from the south and cause hot temperatures. Alternate translation: “because of the hot, dry wind blowing in from the south” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 37:18

Elihu asks this question to emphasize that Job cannot do this. Alternate translation: “You cannot spread out the sky … a mirror of cast metal.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

In biblical days, mirrors were made of metal. Elihu speaks of the sky giving no rain as if it were as hard as solid metal. (See: Metaphor)

This refers to metal that is melted, poured into a mold, and then hardens as it cools.

Job 37:19

Here the words “us” and “we” refer to Elihu, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, but not to Job. Elihu uses this phrase sarcastically. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Elihu speaks of the inability to understand as if it were having darkness in one’s mind. Alternate translation: “because we do not understand” (See: Metaphor)

Job 37:20

Elihu asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one can do this. Alternate translation: “I cannot have someone tell him that I wish to speak with him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Should I have someone tell him” (See: Active or Passive)

Elihu asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one would want this to happen. Alternate translation: “No person would want to be swallowed up.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Elihu speaks of a person being destroyed as if the person were swallowed up. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for God to destroy him” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Job 37:22

The word “fearsome” means that it causes fear. Elihu speaks of God’s majesty as if it were something that rests upon God. Alternate translation: “God’s majesty causes people to fear” (See: Metaphor)

Job 37:23

This could mean: (1) “we cannot approach him” or (2) this is a metaphor in which Elihu speaks of a person’s being unable to fully understand God as if he could not find God. Alternate translation: “we cannot comprehend him” (See: Metaphor)

Job 37:24

Here “minds” represents the person’s thoughts. Alternate translation: “those who are wise in their own thinking” or “those who consider themselves to be wise” (See: Metonymy)

Job 38

Job 38 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. Yahweh finally speaks in this chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s greatness

Yahweh is far greater than any man. He is the creator of the earth, and his ways will not always be understood by men because their knowledge is always limited.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Yahweh uses a series of rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to defend his character. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 38:1

Here, the word “then” marks the beginning of a new part of the book. See if your language has a similar way to introduce a new scene. Alternate translation: “After all that had happened, Yahweh called.

Alternate translation: “answered Job” or “responded to Job”

Alternate translation: “from a powerful storm”

Job 38:2

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that Job spoke of things he did not know about. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You bring darkness to my plans by means of words without knowledge.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Who are you to bring”

“obscures my plans” or “confuses my purposes.” How Job confuses God’s plans is spoken of as if he were making God’s plans harder to see. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word darkness, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “darkens.” Alternate translation: “darkens plans” or “makes plans hard to see” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “by speaking of things about which you do not know”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word knowledge, you could express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “unknowing words” or “ignorant words” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 38:3

“tie your robe up around your waist like a man.” Men tied up their robes around their waists so that their legs could move more freely as they did heavy work. The idiom “gird up your loins like a man” means to get ready to do something involving action such as work, a contest, or a battle. Job was to prepare for the hard work of answering God. Alternate translation: “get yourself ready for hard work” (See: Idiom)

Job 38:4

Yahweh begins to challenge Job with a series of questions that emphasize he created the earth and Job did not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me where you were when I laid the foundations of the earth, if you have so much understanding” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh describes creating the earth as though he was building a structure. (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word understanding, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “understand.” Alternate translation: “if you understand so much” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 38:5

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me who determined its dimensions, if you know” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “size”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me who stretched the measuring line over it.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

a rope or cord that people use to make something the right size and shape

Job 38:6

The word “its” refers to the earth. Yahweh uses more questions to emphasize that Job could never understand how great God is. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “On what did I set its foundations?” or “Tell me on what its foundations were laid.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me who laid its cornerstone” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 38:7

Job finishes the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who laid its cornerstone” in verse 6. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job finishes the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who laid its cornerstone” in verse 6. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “Tell me who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars … the sons of God shouted for joy.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The morning stars are spoken of as singing like people sing. Possible meanings are: (1) the “morning stars” are the same as the “sons of God” in the next line or (2) “the morning stars” refer to stars in the sky. (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “the bright stars that shine in the morning”

This refers to angels, heavenly beings. See how you translated this in Job 1:6.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word joy, you could express the same idea with the adverb “joyfully.” Alternate translation: “shouted joyfully” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “because they were full of joy”

Job 38:8

Yahweh uses another question to emphasize that he created the earth and Job did not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

This can be translated as a command. Alternate translation: “Tell me who shut up the sea … of the womb” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh compares the way that he prevented the sea from covering all of the earth to holding it back with doors. Alternate translation: “prevented the water from flooding over the land” (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh compares his creation of the sea to childbirth. (See: Simile)

Job 38:9

This is the end of the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who shut up” in verse 8. (See: Rhetorical Question)

This can be translated as a command. Alternate translation: “Tell me who shut up … when I made clouds … and thick darkness its swaddling bands.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “as clothes for the sea”

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word darkness, you could express the same idea with the adjective “dark.” Alternate translation: “made dark clouds its swaddling bands” (See: Abstract Nouns)

long pieces of cloth that people use to wrap a baby in after it is born

Job 38:10

Alternate translation: “I made a boundary for the sea”

Yahweh set a limit beyond which the sea was not allowed to cross.

Yahweh compares the way that he made a boundary for the sea to containing the sea with bars and doors. Alternate translation: “I set up its barriers” (See: Metaphor)

long pieces of wood or metal that are used to keep a door shut

Job 38:11

“when I said to the sea.” Yahweh speaks to the sea as though it were a person. (See: Personification)

The words “this far” mean only as far as the boundary that Yahweh set up. Alternate translation: “You may come as far as this boundary, but no farther” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

“to the power of your waves.” The waves are spoken of as if they could have pride. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word pride, you could express the same idea with the adjective “proud.” Alternate translation: “to your proud waves” or “to your powerful waves” (See: Personification and Abstract Nouns)

Job 38:12

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he created the light of day and Job did not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job. He begins to ask a rhetorical question. (See: Rhetorical Question)

This question expects a negative answer. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have never … shaken the wicked out of it.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh describes the morning as being able to receive orders and know things like a person. (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “caused the dawn to know where it belongs”

the daylight that appears in the morning sky before the sun rises

Job 38:13

This is the end of the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Have you given” in verse 12.

This is the end of the rhetorical question that begins with the words “Have you given” in verse 12. This question expects a negative answer. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “You have never given … so that it might take hold … shaken the wicked out of it.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The light of dawn is spoken of as if it seizes the horizons of the earth. Alternate translation: “grasp the ends of the earth” (See: Metaphor and Personification)

The daylight is pictured as causing wicked people to leave like shaking something to remove unwanted things. Alternate translation: “shake wicked people out of the earth” (See: Metaphor)

Job 38:14

At nighttime, people cannot see clearly, but in the morning the light reveals the distinct shape of everything, just like a seal creates distinct images in clay. (See: Simile)

Here “it” refers to the earth. This phrase has a similar meaning to the first phrase in this verse. (See: Simile and Parallelism)

Job 38:15

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The morning takes away the ‘light’ of wicked people” (See: Active or Passive)

The wicked consider darkness to be their light, because they do their evil deeds in the darkness and they are familiar with the darkness. (See: Irony)

The raised arm of the wicked represents their power and intention to do evil things, but the wicked stop doing those evil things when the morning light comes. (See: Metaphor)

Job 38:16

Yahweh uses five questions to emphasize that he understands the earth and seas and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have not gone to the sources of the waters of the sea.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have not walked in the lowest parts of the deep.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “the springs”

This refers to the sea or ocean where the water is very deep. Alternate translation: “the deep sea” or “the ocean depths” or “the deep water” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Job 38:17

Death is spoken of as if it were a city that had gates through which people enter into it. This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “Has anyone shown the gates of death to you” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

See how you translated this in Job 3:5.

Job 38:18

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You do not understand the earth in its expanse.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “the great broad places of the earth”

Alternate translation: “if you know all about these things”

Job 38:19

Yahweh uses three questions to emphasize that he understands light and darkness and Job does not. Each of these verses have two parallel phrases. (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

This question can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “You do not know the way to the resting place of light or the place of darkness.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“the dwelling of light.” Light is spoken of as having a resting place from which it comes forth each day. (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “daylight” or “sunlight”

Job 38:20

These questions expect a negative answer. They can be expressed as statements. Alternate translation: “You cannot lead light and darkness to their places of work, or find the way back to their houses for them.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“to their territory.” Light and darkness are spoken of as being led out and back each day to accomplish Yahweh’s purposes. (See: Personification)

Job 38:21

Yahweh uses mocking irony to emphasize that Job does not understand light and darkness. Alternate translation: “It is obvious that you do not know, because you were not born when I created them, and you are not very old” (See: Irony)

The word “then” refers to the time when light was created and separated from darkness. Alternate translation: “for you were already born when I created them”

Alternate translation: “you have lived so many years”

Job 38:22

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he rules over the natural world and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job. He bgins to ask a rhetorical question. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Snow and hail are pictured as being stored by Yahweh to do his will. (See: Metaphor)

balls of ice (usually small) that sometimes fall down from the sky during a storm

Job 38:23

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Have you entered” in verse 22 ends here.

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Have you entered” in verse 22 ends here. “You have never entered the storehouses for the snow, and you have never seen the storehouses for the hail, these things that I have kept … and war.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The words “these things” refer to the snow and the hail (verse 22).

Job 38:24

These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “What is the path to where I distribute the lightning bolts or to where I scatter the winds from the east over the earth?” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “the winds are blown”

Job 38:25

Yahweh questions Job to emphasize that he causes it to rain and thunder and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job. He begins to ask a series of rhetorical questions. (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Only I have created the channels for the floods of rain” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “and only I have made a path for the thunder” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “the torrents of rain”

Alternate translation: “a way for the rumble of thunder to be heard.”

Job 38:26

These two phrases have nearly the same meaning. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “where there are no people”

Job 38:27

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who has created” in verse 25 ends here. (See: Rhetorical Question)

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who has created” in verse 25 ends here. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “I am the one who has created … of rain, and I am the one who has made … to satisfy … sprout with grass.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The implied information is that it is the rain that meets the needs of the land to grow grass. Alternate translation: “so that the rain can satisfy the needs of” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

“ruined and wasted.” These two words have nearly the same meaning and emphasize the ruined and empty nature of these regions. (See: Hendiadys)

“the new grass” or “the fresh grass.” This is grass that is just starting to grow.

Alternate translation: “make the ground support new grass”

Job 38:28

Yahweh begins a series of four questions to emphasize to Job that he makes rain, dew, ice, and frost and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question) Rain, dew, ice, and frost are spoken of as though they could be born like people are. (See: Personification)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “Tell me who the rain’s father is, and tell me who has become the father of the drops of dew.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Becoming the father of the dew is a metaphor for creating it. Alternate translation: “causes the drops of dew to exist” (See: Metaphor)

Job 38:29

These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “Tell me whose womb the ice came out of. Tell me who bore the white frost out of the sky.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “frozen water”

Alternate translation: “gave birth to”

dew that freezes on the ground on cold, clear nights

Job 38:30

The waters are spoken of as being able to hide. During the winter the ice hides the water underneath it. (See: Personification and Reflexive Pronouns)

The hardness of ice is spoken of as if it was stone. Alternate translation: “become hard like stone” (See: Simile)

This refers to the sea or ocean where the water is very deep. Alternate translation: “the deep sea” or “the ocean depths” or “the deep water” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Job 38:31

Yahweh uses five questions to emphasize to Job that he rules the heavens and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You cannot fasten chains on the Pleiades, and you cannot undo the cords of Orion.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “bind chains onto” or “tie the bonds of”

These are the names of constellations. See how you translated them in Job 9:9.

Alternate translation: “loosen the cords that hold Orion”

Job 38:32

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You cannot lead the constellations … proper times. You cannot guide … children.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

groups of stars that seem like they form a particular shape in the sky

Alternate translation: “so that they appear at the right time”

This is the name of a constellation. Translate as in Job 9:9.

Alternate translation: “its cubs”

Job 38:33

These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You do not know the regulations of the sky? You could not set in place the sky’s rule over the earth.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 38:34

Yahweh uses two questions to emphasize to Job that he rules the rain clouds and lightning and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You cannot raise … may cover you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word abundance, you could express the same idea with the adjective “abundant.” Alternate translation: “an abundant amount of rainwater” or “a flood of waters” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 38:35

These can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You cannot send out you, ‘Here we are!’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The lightning bolts are spoken of as servants saying they are ready to follow commands. (See: Personification)

Job 38:36

Yahweh uses three questions to emphasize to Job that he rules the clouds and rain and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand these questions, you can express them as statements. Alternate translation: “I am the one who has put wisdom in the clouds and given understanding to the mists.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “has given wisdom to the clouds”

Job 38:37

A rhetorical question begins here. (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am the one who can pour out the water skins of the sky.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

These are skins that people sew together so that they can hold water. Yahweh refers to the thick clouds as “waters skins” because they hold much water just like water skins. (See: Metaphor)

Job 38:38

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who can pour out” in verse 37 ends here. “Only I can pour out … when the dust runs … tightly together.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The rain makes the loose dry dirt stick together like one piece of dirt. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when the rain molds the dirt into a hard mass” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “the lumps of soil stick together”

Job 38:39

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he knows how to feed the lions and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you cannot hunt down a victim for a lioness or satisfy the appetite of her young lion cubs” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“prey.” This is an animal that a lion could eat.

This is a female lion.

hunger

“of young lions.” These are young lions that are old enough to hunt for themselves.

Job 38:40

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Can you hunt” in verse 39 ends here.

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Can you hunt” in verse 39 ends here. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “You know that you cannot hunt down … when they are crouching … to lie in wait.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

A “den” is a lair or shelter where lions live.

“hiding in a thicket.” Lions hide in thick vegetation when hunting their prey.

The implied information is that the lions are hiding and waiting for their prey to come near. Alternate translation: “to lie waiting for a victim” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 38:41

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he provides food for the ravens and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me who provides victims … for lack of food.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“provides food.” This refers to animals that ravens look for and can eat.

large birds with shiny black feathers that feed on dead animals

The implied information is that the ravens are crying out for food. Alternate translation: “cry to God for help” or “cry out for God to give them food” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This means to walk around in an unsteady way.

Alternate translation: “because they have no food” or “because they have nothing to eat”

Job 39

Job 39 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is a poem. Yahweh continues to speak in this chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s greatness

Yahweh is far greater than any man. He is the creator of the earth, and his ways will not always be understood by men because their knowledge is always limited. Since Job cannot understand creation, he cannot truly understand Yahweh.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Yahweh uses a series of rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to defend his character. Many of these questions focus on nature because Yahweh is the creator of the heavens and the earth. (See: Rhetorical Question and heaven, sky, heavens, heavenly)

Job 39:1

Yahweh uses four questions to emphasize that he is greater than Job because Yahweh takes care of the wild mountain goats and deer and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you do not know when … bear their young!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are not able to watch to make sure everything goes well when the deer give birth to their fawns!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “give birth to their fawns”

Job 39:2

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You cannot count the months that they are pregnant.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “to complete their pregnancy”

The word “they” refers to the goats and the deer.

Alternate translation: “are pregnant”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Of course you do not know when they give birth to their young.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 39:3

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

The word “They” refers to the wild mountain goats and the deer.

Alternate translation: “give birth to their offspring”

This could mean: (1) their labor pains are over when the birth is finished or (2) “labor pains” is a metonym that refers to the offspring of the goats and deer because they are the result of the mother’s labor and pain. Alternate translation: “send out their offspring from their womb” (See: Metonymy)

Job 39:4

Alternate translation: “the countryside” or “the wild”

Alternate translation: “do not come back to them” or “do not come back to their mothers”

Job 39:5

Yahweh uses two questions to emphasize that he is greater than Job because Yahweh takes care of the wild donkeys and Job does not. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am the one who let the wild donkey go free.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

These are different names for the same kind of donkey.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am the one who untied the bonds of the swift donkey” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ropes, chains, or straps that hold an animal and keep it from running away

Job 39:6

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who has untied” in verse 5 ends here. (See: Rhetorical Question)

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Who has untied” in verse 5 ends here. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “I am the one who has untied … whose home I have made in the Arabah, his house in the salt land.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh describes the donkey as though he were a person that had a house. “I gave him the Arabah as a place to live” (See: Personification)

the land around the Salt Sea that has a lot of salt in it

Job 39:7

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

The word “He” refers to the wild donkey.

Yahweh describes the donkey as though he were a person. The donkey laughs because those in the city have to hear loud noise, but he lives in a quiet place. (See: Personification)

someone who forces an animal to work

Job 39:8

places where animals can eat plants growing in the field

Job 39:9

Here Yahweh uses four questions to emphasize that Job is not like Yahweh because Job cannot control the wild ox. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The wild ox will not be happy to serve you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This could mean: (1) a type of ox that used to live in the wild or (2) some kind of buffalo that looked like oxen.

Alternate translation: “be willing”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “He will not consent to stay by your manger.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “stay by your manger through the night”

something that holds food so that animals can eat it

Job 39:10

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You cannot control the wild ox with a rope in order to plow furrows in your fields.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Farmers would tie ropes to animals’ heads or necks in order to lead them.

These are long channels made in the dirt while plowing. See how you translated this in Job 31:38.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “He will never harrow the valleys as he follows after you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

to smooth and break up the soil

Job 39:11

Here Yahweh uses three questions to continue his argument that Job is not like Yahweh because Job cannot control the wild ox. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You cannot trust him because his strength is great.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The word “him” refers to the “wild ox.”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You will not be able to make him do your work for you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “have him do your hard work for you”

Job 39:12

These two clauses basically mean the same thing. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You will not be able to depend on him … grain for your threshing floor.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Job 39:13

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that Job cannot explain why ostriches behave the way they do. Alternate translation: “You do not know whether the pinions and plumage of the ostrich represent love when they wave their wings proudly.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

a very large bird that can run very fast but cannot fly

Alternate translation: “move with joy”

the very long feathers on the wings of birds

the smaller feathers that cover the body of a bird

The Hebrew word is uncertain. This could mean: (1) “of faithfulness” or (2) “of a stork.” The name of the stork meant “the faithful one” or “the loving one” because people knew that storks take very good care of their chicks.

Job 39:14

Alternate translation: “on the ground”

Job 39:15

The word “them” refers to the eggs.

Alternate translation: “step on them”

Job 39:16

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

The word “She” refers to the female ostrich.

the work that she does when she lays the eggs

If the chicks die, all of her work was useless. Alternate translation: “might have been useless if the chicks die” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 39:17

Alternate translation: “made her forget wisdom” or “not given her wisdom”

See how you translated this in Job 11:6.

Job 39:18

This verse is in contrast to her weakness in caring for her chicks. Alternate translation: “However, when she runs”

It is implied that she laughs because she is faster than the horse. Alternate translation: “she laughs … its rider because she can run faster than the horse” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 39:19

Yahweh uses three questions to emphasize that Job is not like Yahweh because Job cannot control the wild horse. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have never given the horse his strength.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You cannot clothe his neck with his flowing mane.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The horse’s “mane” is spoken of as if it was clothing for the neck of the horse. Alternate translation: “made his flowing main to cover his neck like clothes” (See: Metonymy)

the long hair on the top of the neck of a horse

Job 39:20

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are not able to make him jump like a locust.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

a large kind of grasshopper that can jump very far and very quickly

a very loud sound that horses make with their nose

Job 39:21

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

The word “He” refers to the horse. The horse paws the ground because he is very excited to begin the fight. Alternate translation: “He paws with excitement and” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “digs at the ground with his hooves”

Here “the weapons” represent the battle in which they are used. Alternate translation: “to join in the battle” (See: Metonymy)

Job 39:22

Alternate translation: “He is not afraid at all”

Alternate translation: “laughs at”

discouraged

Alternate translation: “does not run away”

Job 39:23

a container that holds arrows

shakes and makes noise

the side of a horse

a long stick with a sharp end that people throw at their enemies

Job 39:24

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

The word “He” refers to the horse.

The horse runs over the ground so quickly that the ground passes by like water that a person drinks. Alternate translation: “runs very fast over the ground” (See: Metaphor)

The horse is very excited, so he moves quickly and strongly.

It can be stated that someone blows the trumpet. Alternate translation: “when someone blows a trumpet to announce that a battle has begun” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “he is too excited to stand still”

Job 39:25

The word “Aha” is a sound people make when they discover something. The horse makes a sound because he has discovered the battle. (See: Personification)

It is implied that the horse hears these things. Alternate translation: “he hears the thunderous shouts” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

“the battle cries.” People have special shouts that they use in war to show their great strength and bravery and to scare the enemy.

Job 39:26

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

Yahweh uses this question to prove that Job is not as great as Yahweh. The implicit answer to this question is “no.” Alternate translation: “It is not by your wisdom … for the south.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here the stretching out of his wings refers to flying. Alternate translation: “flies to the south” (See: Metonymy)

In the biblical geography, birds fly south during the winter in order to live in warmer climates.

Job 39:27

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

Yahweh uses this question to prove that Job is not powerful enough to command the eagles. The implicit answer to this question is “no.” Alternate translation: “You are not able to command the eagle to mount up and build his nest in high places.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word orders, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “because you tell it to do so” (See: Abstract Nouns)

This means he flies upward. Alternate translation: “flies up into the sky” (See: Idiom)

Job 39:28

The high cliffs are strongholds for eagles because the animals that would want to eat them cannot reach them.

Job 39:29

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

Here the word “he” refers to the eagle.

Alternate translation: “for animals that he can kill and eat”

Here “his eyes” refer to the eagle. Alternate translation: “he sees them” (See: Synecdoche)

Job 39:30

It may be helpful to state that this happens after the eagle kills and animal. Alternate translation: “After an eagle kills an animal, the baby eagles”

Alternate translation: “drink the blood of the animal that he killed”

“where there are dead people.” This phrase refers to dead bodies that are lying out in the open, not to bodies that are buried in the ground.

It can be made explicit that he comes to eat the dead bodies. Alternate translation: “he is there to eat them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 40

Job 40 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers, or songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of 40:1-2, 4-5, 7-24, which are extended quotations of Job and Yahweh, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.

Special concepts in this chapter

Job’s righteousness

In seeking to defend his own righteousness, Job accuses Yahweh of being unjust. Yahweh asks a very important question: “Will you condemn me so you may claim you are right?” This is the essence of Job’s error.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Irony

Yahweh states, “He who argues with God, let him answer.” Job immediately answers him. This is irony. While Job is forced to acknowledge the power of Yahweh, he does not repent of his former statements. Because of this, Yahweh asks him more questions. (See: repent, repentance)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Animals

There are several animals mentioned in this chapter that do not exist and may never have existed. It may be necessary to leave these names untranslated or to translate their names as adjectives.

Job 40:1

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

Job 40:2

Yahweh is rebuking Job. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one who wants to criticize me should try to argue with me, for I am Almighty God.” or “You, a person, want to criticize me, Almighty God, but you should not try to correct me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh speaks of Job and himself as if they were two other people to remind Job that no person anywhere should argue with God. Alternate translation: “You want to argue with me, so answer me” (See: Pronouns)

Job 40:4

Alternate translation: “You are right when you say that I am” or “Look at me and you will see that I am”

Alternate translation: “I am not important”

Job uses this question to apologize for questioning God. Alternate translation: “I cannot answer you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 40:7

A man who tucks his robe up under his sash or belt is preparing for hard physical work, and Job was to prepare for the hard work of answering God. See how you translated this in Job 38:3. (See: Simile and Metaphor)

Job 40:8

Yahweh continues to challenge Job.

The word “actually” indicates that Yahweh is surprised that Job would say that Yahweh is unjust and that Job should make sure that he really wants to say that. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am surprised that you are saying I am unjust.” or “You should be sure that you want to say that I am unjust, because that is what you are saying.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are condemning me so you can claim that you are innocent.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 40:9

The arm is a metonym for the strength in the arm. Alternate translation: “strength like God’s strength” (See: Simile)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You certainly cannot cause thunder with your voice the way God does with his.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “a voice the way he does” or “a voice like his voice”

Job 40:10

The abstract nouns “glory,” “dignity,” “honor,” and “majesty” are spoken of as if they were clothing that a person could put on. They can be translated as adjectives and verbs. Alternate translation: “make yourself glorious; do something great so people will respect you and honor you; make people think you are a great king” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Job 40:11

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word anger, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Here, anger is spoken of as if it were something that usually could be held in a container, but in this situation there is so much of it that what does not fit needs to be spread around. It is also a metonym for the actions a person takes when he is angry. You may need to make explicit why the person is angry. Alternate translation: “Be angry because people are proud, and punish them” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns and Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “take away everything he is proud of”

Job 40:13

The “face” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “them” (See: Synecdoche)

a euphemism for the place where people’s spirits go when they die (See: Euphemism)

Job 40:15

a large water animal, possibly the hippopotamus

the behemoth eats

Both the behemoth and the ox eat grass. (See: Simile)

Job 40:16

These two phrases refer to the same part of the body.

Job 40:17

Cedar is a very hard wood, and his tail becomes very hard. (See: Simile)

Job 40:18

Here, his bones are compared to tubes made of bronze to show how tough this animal is. (See: Simile)

This last comparison describes the strength of this great animal. (See: Simile)

Job 40:19

Alternate translation: “most important of the creatures” or “strongest of the creatures”

Yahweh speaks as if he were another person. Alternate translation: “of my creatures. Only I, God” (See: Pronouns)

Job 40:20

The hills are spoken of as if they were people capable of giving him food. Alternate translation: “food grows on the hills for him” (See: Personification)

Job 40:21

flowering plants that float on the water in swampy areas

tall grasses found in swamps or marshes

Job 40:22

flowering plants that float on the water in swampy areas. See how you translated this in Job 40:19.

Willows are large trees that grow in damp ground. If they are unknown in your culture, you can use a general term for trees that grow near water.

Job 40:23

sides of the river

Alternate translation: “even if the flood of the Jordan should come up to his mouth”

Job 40:24

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can capture him with a hook or pierce his nose through with a snare.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41

Job 41 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers, or songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of this chapter, which is an extended quotation of Yahweh, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. It is a continuation of the previous chapter.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Yahweh uses a series of rhetorical questions in this chapter in order to defend his character and to convince Job to repent. (See: Rhetorical Question and repent, repentance)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Animals

There are several animals mentioned in this chapter that do not exist and may never have existed. It may be necessary to leave these names untranslated or to translate their names as adjectives.

Job 41:1

God uses this question to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you cannot draw out Leviathan with a fishhook.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

pull out of the water

The words “can you” are understood from the previous question. They can be repeated here. God uses this question to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Or can you tie up his jaws with a cord?” or “And you know that you cannot tie up his jaws with a cord.” (See: Ellipsis and Rhetorical Question)

Leviathan’s jaws

Job 41:2

God uses this question to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you cannot put a rope into Leviathan’s nose … with a hook.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:3

God uses this question to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that he will not make pleas to you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Leviathan

God uses this question to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that he will not speak soft words to you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:4

Yahweh continues to rebuke Job. He uses rhetorical questions to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that he will not make a covenant with you, that you should take him for a servant forever.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The words “he” and “him” refer to Leviathan.

Job 41:5

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you cannot play with him as you would play with a bird.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you cannot tie him up for your servant girls.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:6

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that the groups of fishermen will not bargain for him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that they will not divide him up to trade among the merchants.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Will the groups of fishermen divide”

Job 41:7

Yahweh continues to rebuke Job. He uses rhetorical questions to remind Job that Job is not powerful like Leviathan.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You cannot pierce his skin with your hunting weapons, nor can you pierce his head with fishing spears.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Leviathan’s

large spears with barbed points that people use to hunt large sea creatures

Job 41:8

Leviathan

Job 41:9

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

This generalization can be translated as a statement in active form. Alternate translation: “Anyone who looks at him will be so frightened that he will throw himself on the ground.” (See: Active or Passive and Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “by looking at him” or “by seeing him”

Job 41:10

Yahweh continues to rebuke Job by asking him rhetorical questions. He uses rhetorical questions to remind Job that Yahweh is much more powerful than both Leviathan and Job.

It would be easier to stir up Leviathan than to stand before Yahweh. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Since you know that no person is so fierce that he dare stir Leviathan up, you should certainly know that no one can stand before me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:11

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that no one has first given anything to me, so there is no one whom I need to repay.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:12

This can be translated in positive form. Alternate translation: “I will certainly speak about … and about … and about” (See: Litotes)

These are three things about which God will not keep silent.

The word “his” refers to Leviathan.

Job 41:13

Yahweh continues to rebuke Job by asking him rhetorical questions.

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can strip off his outer clothing.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Leviathan’s

The word “armor” is a metaphor for the hard scales or hide on his back. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can penetrate his very thick hide.” (See: Metaphor and Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:14

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can pry his jaws apart … terror.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Job 41:15

The word “shields” is a metaphor for Leviathan’s hide. Both shields and Leviathan’s hide protect well and deflect arrows and other weapons. (See: Metaphor)

This means the “shields” are very close to one another and nothing can get between them.

Job 41:16

One row of shields is so near to another (Job 41:15).

between the rows of shields (Job 41:15)

Job 41:17

the rows of shields (Job 41:15).

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one can pull them apart” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 41:18

A snort is a sound like a short snore. Another possible meaning is “from his sneezing” or “when he sneezes.” Alternate translation: “when he snorts”

This means that his eyes are red as the morning dawn is red. (See: Simile)

The word “his” refers to Leviathan.

Job 41:19

God expresses the same idea in two different ways in order to emphasize the terrifying appearance of Leviathan. You can make this clear by adding the omitted words. Alternate translation: “Out of his mouth go burning torches, sparks of fire leap out of his mouth” (See: Parallelism and Ellipsis)

The word “his” refers to Leviathan.

Job 41:20

the two openings of the nose

Both the smoke and a boiling pot are very hot. (See: Simile)

Job 41:21

Alternate translation: “causes coals to catch fire”

Job 41:22

The words “his” and “him” refer to Leviathan.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word terror, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “be afraid.” Alternate translation: “when people see him coming, they are very afraid” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 41:23

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one can move them” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 41:24

A rock or stone does not change and become soft. This could mean: (1) Leviathan’s physical chest and the organs inside it are physically hard or (2) Leviathan is not afraid of anything or (3) Leviathan is spoken of as a person who kills without ever being sorry. (See: Simile and Personification)

“the hardest of rocks.” The lower millstone is the larger and harder of the two rocks used to grind grain. It would be the hardest rock people could find.

Job 41:25

Leviathan

This could mean: (1) “mighty people” or (2) “very strong people” .

Job 41:26

strikes Leviathan

Job 41:27

“He thinks of weapons made of iron as if they were weapons made of straw.” Straw would not get through his hide, and iron weapons do not get through his hide. (See: Simile)

You can make this clear by adding the omitted words. Alternate translation: “he thinks of weapons made of bronze as if they were weapons made of rotten wood” (See: Ellipsis and Simile)

Job 41:28

Chaff cannot hurt Leviathan, and sling stones are just as ineffective as chaff. (See: Metaphor)

Leviathan

Job 41:29

A club made of straw would not hurt him, and a club made of wood would not hurt him. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “He thinks of clubs as if they were straw” (See: Active or Passive)

The person throwing the spear hopes that the spear will kill Leviathan, but the writer speaks as if Leviathan knows the spear will not kill him and so laughs. (See: Personification)

Leviathan laughs

Job 41:30

These words refer to Leviathan.

Just as a threshing sledge goes over grain on a threshing floor and turns it to powder, so Leviathan’s tail leaves a trail in the mud as he wags it when he walks. (See: Simile)

Job 41:31

Alternate translation: “As he passes through the water, he leaves a trail of bubbles behind him, like the bubbling of boiling water in a pot”

The word “he” refers to Leviathan.

The ointment in a pot is cloudy if someone shakes it, and the sea is muddy when Leviathan swims in it. (See: Simile)

Job 41:32

This is because the bubbles in his wake are white.

Job 41:33

Alternate translation: “no other creature is like Leviathan”

Leviathan

Job 41:34

Alternate translation: “He is very, very proud”

Leviathan is spoken of as if he were a person who is able to become king and be proud. Alternate translation: “Leviathan has more reason to be proud than anyone else on earth” (See: Personification)

Leviathan

Job 42

Job 42 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers, or songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of 42:1-6, which is an extended quotation of Job, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.

Having faced the temptation to curse Yahweh, and after being rebuked by him, in the end Job shows his complete trust in Yahweh. (See: tempt, temptation and curse, cursed, cursing and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

Special concepts in this chapter

Justice

Yahweh enacts justice at the end of this book. He punishes Job’s friends and restores Job’s blessings. Yahweh’s blessing was not dependent upon Job’s repentance, but upon Yahweh’s grace. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification, restore, restoration, bless, blessed, blessing and repent, repentance and grace, gracious)

Job 42:2

You may want to repeat the words “I know.” Alternate translation: “I know that you can do all things. I know that no purpose of yours can be stopped” (See: Ellipsis)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one can stop any of your plans” (See: Active or Passive)

Job 42:3

The ULT and most modern versions agree that Job is loosely quoting God’s own words from Job 38:2. You may decide, as does the UST, to make it clear that God asked this question of Job and that Job is now remembering it. Alternate translation: “You said to me, ‘Who is this” (See: Rhetorical Question)

That is, hides or misrepresents God’s plans. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Job 42:5

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents understanding. Alternate translation: “but now I really understand you” (See: Metaphor)

Job 42:6

Job’s self is a metonym for what he said. Alternate translation: “I despise the things I said” (See: Metonymy)

intensely dislike

Sitting in dust and ashes is a symbolic act showing the person is sorry. (See: Symbolic Action)

Job 42:7

This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11

Fire is a metaphor for anger, and starting a fire is a metaphor for becoming angry. Alternate translation: “I have become very angry with you” (See: Metaphor)

Job 42:8

“7 bulls” (See: Numbers)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word folly, you could express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “even though you have been very foolish, I will not punish you as you deserve” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Job 42:9

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11

See how you translated this man’s name in Job 2:11

The person is a metonym for the prayer he prays. Alternate translation: “God accepted Job’s prayer for his three friends” (See: Metonymy)

Job 42:10

Alternate translation: “Yahweh restored his riches” or “Yahweh restored his wealth”

Job 42:11

Alternate translation: “all the people he had known before”

Job 42:12

The words “he blesed” and “of Job’s life” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here Alternate translation: “more than he blessed the first part of Job’s life” (See: Ellipsis)

14,000 sheep (See: Numbers)

6,000 camels (See: Numbers)

1,000 yoke of oxen (See: Numbers)

Job 42:13

7 sons and 3 daughters (See: Numbers)

Job 42:14

women’s names (See: How to Translate Names)

Job 42:15

Alternate translation: “Job’s daughters were more beautiful than all the other women”

Job 42:16

“lived 140 years” (See: Numbers)

Job 42:17

The words “full of days” means basically the same thing as “being old.” The two phrases form a common idiom. Alternate translation: “a very old man” (See: Doublet and Idiom)