Reference ID Tags SupportReference Quote Occurrence Note GLQuote
front:intro u3jc 0 # Introduction to Job\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of Job\n\n1. Introduction (1:1–2:13)\n - Background to Job’s situation: He is righteous and wealthy (1:1–5)\n - Yahweh allows Satan to test Job (1:6–2:10)\n2. Job’s friends speak to him a first time and Job replies (3:1–14:22)\n3. Job’s friends speak to him a second time and Job replies (15:1–21:34)\n4. Job’s friends speak to him a third time and Job replies (22:1–31:40)\n5. Elihu speaks to Job (32:1–37:24)\n6. Yahweh answers Job out of the whirlwind (38:1–41:34) \n7. Conclusion (42:1–17)\n - Job responds humbly\n - Yahweh rebukes Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (42:7–9)\n - Yahweh restores Job to prosperity (42:10–17)\n\n### What is the book of Job about?\n\nThe 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 has allowed him to 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.\n\n### What title should translators give to this book?\n\nThe 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 simply “Job.” Or they may choose a different title such as “The Book About Job” or “The Book About a Man Named Job.”\n\n### Who wrote the book of Job?\n\nWe 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.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### Does sin cause suffering?\n\nWhen a person sins against Yahweh, that can cause the person to experience suffering. People in the ancient Near East generally believed that a person suffered because they or their ancestors had 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: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])\n\n### Were Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar really Job’s friends?\n\nJob 2:11 describes Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar as the friends of Job. However, they did not succeed in comforting 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.” What they said did not help Job, because they did not understand the full truth about God. However, they did care about Job, and they did want to help him. In those ways, they did what friends would do, and in that sense the word “friends” is appropriate.\n\n### When did the events in the book of Job take place?\n\nWe do not know when the events in the book of Job took place. The story is set around the time of Abraham and Isaac in the book of Genesis. However, some verses are similar to verses in the books of Proverbs and Isaiah, which were written many centuries after Abraham and Isaac lived. It is possible that the book of Job was written at a later time to describe the events of an earlier time.\n\n### The “sea monster”\n\nAncient peoples seem to have been aware of a large, fierce creature that lived in the ocean. They referred to it as the “sea monster.” People in Job's culture regarded the sea as the realm of watery chaos, and they associated this sea monster with that chaos. There are references to this creature in the book of Job under the names Leviathan in [3:8](../03/08.md), the “sea monster” in [7:12](../07/12.md), Rahab in [9:13](../09/13.md) and [26:12](../26/12.md), and the “fleeing serpent” in [26:13](../26/13.md). The description of Leviathan in chapter 41 also seems to be a description of this same creature. Notes at these various places suggest how you might represent these references in your translation.\n\n## Part 3: Important Translati
1:intro lym1 0 # Job 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter introduces a story about a man named Job who lived during a time long before the author.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Wealth\n\nIn the time and place in which the book of Job is set, a person’s wealth was measured by the number of animals he owned. The book describes how Job owned thousands of animals in order to indicate that he was very rich. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])\n\n### Sacrifices\n\nJob was a man who obeyed Yahweh carefully. We might therefore wonder why he offered sacrifices on behalf of his children, as 1:5 describes, since he was not one of the descendants of Aaron, who were the only ones whom the law of Moses allowed to offer sacrifices. It must be remembered that Job lived prior to the time when God gave Moses the law, so his religious practices were different from those of the Hebrew people after Moses. In Job’s culture, it was normal and acceptable for the father to act as a priest for his family and to offer sacrifices on their behalf. The events that this book relates took place about the same time as the life of Abraham. Therefore, this book corresponds more with Genesis 12–50 than with the rest of the Old Testament. (See:[[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/godly]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “the adversary”\n\nThe Hebrew word satan means “adversary.” The Old Testament uses the word in that sense in several places, for example, 1 Kings 11:14, “Yahweh raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.” In chapters 1 and 2 of the book of Job, there is a character called “the satan” or “the adversary.” This seems to be a created angelic being who opposes righteous people and accuses them before God of having wrong motives. Many interpreters of the book of Job identify this character with Satan, the devil. The UST follows that interpretation, but the ULT translates the term more basically as “adversary.” You can decide how to translate this term in your own translation.
1:1 j000 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants אִ֛ישׁ הָיָ֥ה בְאֶֽרֶץ־ע֖וּץ 1 The author is introducing **Job** as the main participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: “There once was a man who lived in the land of Uz” There was a man in the land of Uz
1:1 k5g4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names ע֖וּץ & אִיּ֣וֹב 1 The word **Uz** is the name of a place, and the word **Job** is the name of a man. Uz. Job
1:1 r5aj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר 1 The terms **blameless** and **righteous** mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “very righteous” blameless and righteous
1:1 qj15 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וִירֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים 1 As the General Introduction to Job discusses, here as in several other places in the book, the author is using a word from the root “fear,” in this case the word **fearful**, in a particular sense. He is describing an awe of God that leads to holy living. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “both respectful of God” both fearful of God
1:1 y3ar rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע 1 The author is speaking figuratively of Job as if he physically **turned** away from evil. He means that he did not live in an evil way but instead lived in the right way. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and careful not to do anything wrong” and turning from evil
1:2 j001 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיִּוָּ֥לְדוּ ל֛וֹ שִׁבְעָ֥ה בָנִ֖ים וְשָׁל֥וֹשׁ בָּנֽוֹת 1 Here and through verse 5, the author is introducing background information about **Job** that will help readers understand what happens later in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him
1:2 j002 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּוָּ֥לְדוּ ל֛וֹ שִׁבְעָ֥ה בָנִ֖ים וְשָׁל֥וֹשׁ בָּנֽוֹת 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Job had seven sons and three daughters” Seven sons and three daughters were born to him
1:3 j003 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּנֵי־קֶֽדֶם 1 The expression **sons of** describes people who share a certain quality. In this case, the author is using the expression to describe people who have the quality of living in **the East**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent idiom from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the people who lived in the East” the sons of the East
1:3 csw9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-extrainfo בְּנֵי־קֶֽדֶם 1 The author is referring to an area to the **East** of where he and his audience live. It seems probable that he may mean the area east of the Jordan River, as the UST suggests. However, since it is not known exactly where the author and his audience lived, you could also use a general expression rather than try to identify the area in your translation. Alternate translation: “the people who lived in that area” the sons of the East
1:4 j004 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְהָלְכ֤וּ בָנָיו֙ וְעָשׂ֣וּ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בֵּ֖ית אִ֣ישׁ יוֹמ֑וֹ 1 The author is using the expression **went and** to describe customary action. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “His sons had the custom of taking turns hosting feasts in their homes” And his sons went and made a feast, a man in {his} house on his day
1:4 i4lf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יוֹמ֑וֹ 1 This could mean implicitly: (1) Alternate translation: “on an assigned day of the week” (2) Alternate translation: “on his birthday” on his day
1:4 ey91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וְשָׁלְח֗וּ וְקָרְאוּ֙ 1 The terms **sent** and **called** mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “and they invited” and they sent and called
1:5 s2c6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כִּ֣י הִקִּיפֽוּ֩ יְמֵ֨י הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֜ה 1 The author is speaking as if the **days of the feast** had literally **gone around** or traveled a certain distance and then returned to their starting point. He means that each son had taken his turn hosting a feast. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “after the days of the feast had made a full circuit” or “after each son had taken his turn hosting a feast” when the days of the feast had gone around
1:5 x3v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בָנַ֔י 1 Although the term **sons** is masculine, Job is likely using the word in a generic sense to refer to all of his sons and daughters. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women, as the UST does, or you could mention both sons and daughters. Alternate translation: “my sons and daughters” my sons
1:5 k14m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וּבֵרֲכ֥וּ 1 It is possible that the original reading here was “cursed” and that scribes changed it to **blessed** in order to avoid the uncomfortable language of a person cursing God. Traditional manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible do not have a marginal notation about this as they do in the case of [7:20](../07/20.md), but many translations read “cursed” since this is the kind of change that scribes are known to have made in similar cases. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT. Alternate translation: “and cursed” and blessed
1:5 j005 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys חָטְא֣וּ & וּבֵרֲכ֥וּ 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **sinned** tells in what way one of Job’s children might have **blessed**, that is, “cursed” God. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “have sinfully cursed” have sinned and blessed
1:5 du2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בִּלְבָבָ֑ם 1 Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts. Alternate translation: “in their thoughts” in their hearts
1:5 j006 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כָּל־הַיָּמִֽים 1 The author says **all** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “on a regular basis” all the days
1:6 i5iw rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים 1 The author is using the phrase **And it was the day** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “One day the sons of God came” And it was the day, and the sons of God came
1:6 n2re rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּנֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים 1 This expression describes spiritual beings whom God created. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the angelic beings” the sons of God
1:6 uwv6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב עַל־יְהוָ֑ה 1 The context suggests that these angelic beings came to Yahweh at regular times to report on their activities. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to give Yahweh a regular report on their activities” to present themselves to Yahweh
1:6 j007 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הַשָּׂטָ֖ן 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter for how to translate the title **the adversary** here and in the rest of this chapter and in chapter 2. Alternate translation, as in UST: “Satan” the adversary
1:7 j008 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֨עַן הַשָּׂטָ֤ן אֶת־יְהוָה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר 1 As the General Introduction to Job discusses, this phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose the adversary **said** this. If it would be more natural in your language, here and in the rest of the book you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “The adversary responded to Yahweh” And the adversary answered Yahweh and said
1:7 plj3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מִשּׁ֣וּט בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ בָּֽהּ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. The adversary is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them and convey the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “From wandering all over the earth” From wandering on the earth and from going back and forth on it
1:8 s9h2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲשַׂ֥מְתָּ לִבְּךָ֖ עַל 1 Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts and perceptions. Alternate translation: “Have you considered” Have you set your heart upon
1:8 j009 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אֵ֤ין כָּמֹ֨הוּ֙ 1 This expression leaves out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “there is not anyone like him” there is} not like him
1:8 ncu7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). blameless and righteous
1:8 n9a8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). fearful of God
1:8 j010 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). and turning from evil
1:9 i5tn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽחִנָּ֔ם יָרֵ֥א אִיּ֖וֹב אֱלֹהִֽים 1 The adversary is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Job gets a lot in return for fearing God!” Does Job fear God for nothing
1:9 j011 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אֱלֹהִֽים 1 The adversary is speaking about God in the third person, even though he is addressing him directly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “you” God
1:10 f5z2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹֽא־אַ֠תָּה שַׂ֣כְתָּ בַעֲד֧וֹ וּבְעַד־בֵּית֛וֹ וּבְעַ֥ד כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֖וֹ מִסָּבִ֑יב 1 The adversary is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You have put a hedge around him and around his house and around all that is his, from every side!” Have you not put a hedge around him and around his house and around all that {is} his, from every side
1:10 r7xt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲלֹֽא־אַ֠תָּה שַׂ֣כְתָּ בַעֲד֧וֹ וּבְעַד־בֵּית֛וֹ וּבְעַ֥ד כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֖וֹ מִסָּבִ֑יב 1 The adversary is speaking as if God had literally **put a hedge** around Job and his possessions. He means that God has protected Job and all that he owns. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Have you not protected him and his house and all that is his, from every side?” or “You have protected him and his house and all that is his, from every side!” Have you not put a hedge around him and around his house and around all that {is} his, from every side
1:10 j012 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יָדָיו֙ בֵּרַ֔כְתָּ וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּ פָּרַ֥ץ בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “His cattle have burst forth in the land because you have blessed the works of his hands” You have blessed the works of his hands, and his cattle have burst forth in the land
1:10 l9et rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יָדָיו֙ 1 The adversary is using one part of Job, **his hands**, to mean all of Job in the act of doing **works**, specifically the activity of raising cattle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “everything he has done” the works of his hands
1:10 xg3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּ פָּרַ֥ץ בָּאָֽרֶץ 1 The adversary is speaking as if Job’s **cattle** have literally **burst forth** and covered **the land** as if they were floodwaters. He means that Job’s cattle have increased greatly in number. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and his herds of cattle have become very large” and his cattle have burst forth in the land
1:11 k6w4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative שְֽׁלַֽח־נָ֣א יָֽדְךָ֔ וְגַ֖ע בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ אִם־לֹ֥א עַל־פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְבָרֲכֶֽךָּ 1 The terms **stretch out** and **touch** are imperatives, but they communicate an assertion rather than commands. Use a form in your language that communicates an assertion. Alternate translation: “if you stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, he will bless you to your face” just stretch out your hand and touch all that {is} his, if he will not bless you to your face
1:11 y4qi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שְֽׁלַֽח& יָֽדְךָ֔ 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “use your power” stretch out your hand
1:11 ax31 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְגַ֖ע 1 In this context, the word **touch** means “destroy.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and destroy” and touch
1:11 j013 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אִם 1 The adversary is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and see if” if
1:11 j014 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism יְבָרֲכֶֽךָּ 1 See how you translated the word “blessed’ in verse 5. Scribes may have made a similar change here from “curse” to **bless**. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT. Alternate translation: “he will … curse you” he will & bless you
1:11 bn3v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַל־פָּנֶ֖יךָ 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. The claim is that Job would not curse God in his “heart” (that is, in his thoughts) as Job was afraid one of his children might have done. Rather, Job would curse God out loud, and since God is present everywhere, Job would be cursing him in person. Alternate translation: “in person” to your face
1:12 d2uy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הִנֵּ֤ה 1 As the General Introduction to Job discusses, Yahweh is using the term **Behold** to focus the adversary’s attention on what he is about to say. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Behold
1:12 bul4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is in your power” or “is under your control” is} in your hand
1:12 j015 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תִּשְׁלַ֖ח יָדֶ֑ךָ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. do & stretch out your hand
1:12 gn4s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה 1 As in the previous verse, here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “the presence of Yahweh” the face of Yahweh
1:13 j016 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֖י הַיּ֑וֹם וּבָנָ֨יו וּבְנֹתָ֤יו 1 The author is using the phrase **And it was the day** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “One day Job’s sons and daughters” And it was the day, and his sons and his daughters
1:14 j017 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background הַבָּקָר֙ הָי֣וּ חֹֽרְשׁ֔וֹת וְהָאֲתֹנ֖וֹת רֹע֥וֹת עַל־יְדֵיהֶֽם 1 The messenger is giving background information to help Job understand what he reports next. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. The oxen were plowing and the donkeys {were} feeding at their hand
1:14 j018 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַל־יְדֵיהֶֽם 1 This expression uses the word **hand** to mean the side of a person, animal, or group of animals. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at their side” or “next to them” at their hand
1:15 j019 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche שְׁבָא֙ 1 The messenger is using the name of an entire people group, **Sheba**, to mean some members of that group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “some of the Sabeans” Sheba
1:15 s7b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names שְׁבָא֙ 1 The word **Sheba** is the name of a people group. Sheba
1:15 eib3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַתִּפֹּ֤ל 1 The messenger is using the word **fell** in a specific sense to mean “attacked.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this meaning plainly, as the UST does. And & fell {on them
1:15 jw7q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאֶת־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב 1 The messenger is reporting that the Sabeans killed the servants. He is describing this by association with the means that the Sabeans used to kill them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they killed the servants” and they struck the servants with the edge of the sword
1:15 bpd8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations וָֽאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ 1 You may find it more appropriate to represent this in your translation as an exclamation rather than as a statement, here and in verses 16, 17, and 19. and only I alone have escaped to tell you
1:15 j020 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וָֽאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י 1 It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it, here and in verses 16, 17, and 19. Alternate translation, as in UST: “I am the only one who has escaped” and only I alone have escaped
1:16 j021 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וַתִּבְעַ֥ר בַּצֹּ֛אן וּבַנְּעָרִ֖ים וַתֹּאכְלֵ֑ם 1 The terms **burned up** and **consumed** mean similar things. The second messenger is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “completely burned up the sheep and the servants” and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them
1:17 j022 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים 1 The word **Chaldeans** is the name of a people group. The Chaldeans
1:17 j023 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאֶת־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב 1 See how you translated this same expression in [1:15](../01/15.md). Alternate translation: “they killed the servants” and they struck the servants with the edge of the sword
1:18 s99m rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background בָּנֶ֨יךָ וּבְנוֹתֶ֤יךָ אֹֽכְלִים֙ וְשֹׁתִ֣ים יַ֔יִן בְּבֵ֖ית אֲחִיהֶ֥ם הַבְּכֽוֹר 1 The messenger is giving background information to help Job understand what he reports next. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. Your sons and your daughters {were} eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother
1:19 vau5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּאַרְבַּע֙ פִּנּ֣וֹת הַבַּ֔יִת 1 Alternate translation: “the structural supports of the house” the four corners of the house
1:20 j024 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיָּ֤קָם אִיּוֹב֙ וַיִּקְרַ֣ע 1 Here the word **arose** may indicate that Job took action to respond to what the messengers told him, not that he stood up from a seated position. Alternate translation: “In response, Job tore” And Job arose and tore
1:20 d1w8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־מְעִל֔וֹ וַיָּ֖גָז אֶת־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ 1 Job **tore his robe and shaved his head** to show how deeply distressed he was. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and tore his robe and shaved his head to show how deeply distressed he was” and tore his robe and shaved his head
1:20 j025 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ 1 Be sure that it is clear in your translation that Job did not fall down accidentally. Make clear that he did these things in order to assume a posture of worship. Alternate translation: “and got down on the ground and lay flat as a gesture of worship to God” and fell to the ground and prostrated himself
1:21 wph4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עָרֹ֨ם & וְעָרֹם֙ 1 Job is using one kind of possession, clothing, to mean all kinds of possessions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Without any possessions … without any possessions” Naked & and naked
1:21 j026 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo יָצָ֜אתִי מִבֶּ֣טֶן אִמִּ֗י 1 It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “I was born” I came from the womb of my mother
1:21 j027 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָשׁ֣וּב שָׁ֔מָה 1 Job is speaking as if the grave in which he will be buried is another **womb** like that of his **mother**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will go to the grave” or “I will be buried” I will return there
1:21 j028 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְהִ֛י שֵׁ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה מְבֹרָֽךְ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “May people bless the name of Yahweh” May the name of Yahweh be blessed
1:21 j029 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יְהִ֛י שֵׁ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה מְבֹרָֽךְ 1 Here, **name** represents the reputation of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that plainly. Alternate translation: “May Yahweh continue to have a good reputation” May the name of Yahweh be blessed
1:22 xns1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys לֹא־חָטָ֣א אִיּ֑וֹב וְלֹא־נָתַ֥ן תִּפְלָ֖ה לֵאלֹהִֽים 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **sin** tells what kind of action it would be if Job were to **ascribe impropriety to God**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “Job did not sin by ascribing impropriety to God” Job did not sin and he did not ascribe impropriety to God
2:intro ke5i 0 # Job 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe events of this chapter are very similar to those of the previous chapter. However, this time Job is tested in an even more severe way. After losing his wealth and family, Job also loses his health, and his wife begins to encourage him to sin by cursing Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/curse]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “the adversary”\n\nThis character appears in chapter 2 as well as in chapter 1. Translate the name the same way here as you decided to translate it in the previous chapter.
2:1 r1zs rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים 1 The author is using the phrase **And it was the day** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. See how you translated the same expression in [1:6](../01/06.md). Alternate translation: “One day the sons of God came” And it was the day, and the sons of God came
2:1 dg33 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים 1 This expression describes spiritual beings whom God created. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated this in [1:6](../01/06.md). Alternate translation: “the angelic beings” the sons of God
2:2 vu2m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מִשֻּׁ֣ט בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ בָּֽהּ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. The adversary is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them and convey the emphasis in another way. See how you translated the same expression in [1:7](../01/07.md). Alternate translation: “From wandering all over the earth” From wandering on the earth and from going back and forth on it
2:3 d12l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲשַׂ֣מְתָּ לִבְּךָ֮ אֶל 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:8](../01/08.md). Alternate translation: “Have you considered” Have you set your heart on
2:3 j030 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אֵ֨ין כָּמֹ֜הוּ 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:8](../01/08.md). Alternate translation: “there is not anyone like him” there is not like him
2:3 uz5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). blameless and righteous
2:3 j031 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). fearful of God
2:3 eq69 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְסָ֣ר מֵרָ֑ע 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). and turning from evil
2:3 awm6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מַחֲזִ֣יק בְּתֻמָּת֔וֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Job were literally **holding firmly** onto his **integrity**. He means that Job is maintaining his integrity. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is maintaining his integrity” is holding firmly to his integrity
2:3 j032 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מַחֲזִ֣יק בְּתֻמָּת֔וֹ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **integrity**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “is continuing to live in the right way” is holding firmly to his integrity
2:3 p2iq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְבַלְּע֥וֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the adversary had literally incited him to **devour** or eat up Job. He means that the adversary had incited him to allow the adversary to destroy Job’s possessions and family. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to allow you to destroy his possessions and family” to devour him
2:4 s8ua rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche ע֣וֹר בְּעַד־ע֗וֹר 1 In this expression, the adversary is using part of a person or animal, the **skin**, to mean all of that person or animal. The basic meaning is that a person will sacrifice even a valuable herd animal in order to save himself, and the more general meaning, as the adversary explains in the rest of the verse, is that a person will sacrifice just about anything he owns in order to stay alive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “An animal in exchange for a person’s life” Skin for skin
2:5 j033 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative שְֽׁלַֽח־נָ֣א יָֽדְךָ֔ וְגַ֥ע אֶל־עַצְמ֖וֹ וְאֶל־בְּשָׂר֑וֹ אִם־לֹ֥א אֶל־פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְבָרֲכֶֽךָּ 1 The terms **stretch out** and **touch** are imperatives, but they communicate an assertion rather than commands. Use a form in your language that communicates an assertion. See how you translated the same expression in [1:11](../01/11.md). Alternate translation: “if you stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, he will bless you to your face” just stretch out your hand and touch upon his bones and upon his flesh, if he will not bless you to your face
2:5 id2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שְֽׁלַֽח־נָ֣א יָֽדְךָ֔ 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the same expression in [1:11](../01/11.md). Alternate translation: “just use your power” just stretch out your hand
2:5 cz3l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְגַ֥ע 1 In this context, the word **touch** means “harm.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and harm” and touch
2:5 qau8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֶל־עַצְמ֖וֹ וְאֶל־בְּשָׂר֑וֹ 1 The adversary is using two parts of Job’s body, his **bones** and his **flesh**, to mean Job’s whole body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “his body” upon his bones and upon his flesh
2:5 d2rf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אִם 1 The adversary is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. See how you translated the same expression in [1:11](../01/11.md). Alternate translation: “and see if” if
2:5 i3ij rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism יְבָרֲכֶֽךָּ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:11](../01/11.md). Scribes may also have made a change here from “curse” to **bless**. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT. Alternate translation: “he will … curse you” he will & bless you
2:5 b5lr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶל־פָּנֶ֖יךָ 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. See how you translated the same expression in [1:11](../01/11.md). Alternate translation: “in person” to your face
2:6 j034 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְיָדֶ֑ךָ 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar expression in [1:12](../01/12.md). Alternate translation: “in your power” or “under your control” in your hand
2:7 fj98 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. See how you translated the similar expression in [1:12](../01/12.md). Alternate translation: “the presence of Yahweh” the face of Yahweh
2:7 gtz9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־אִיּוֹב֙ בִּשְׁחִ֣ין רָ֔ע 1 The author is speaking as if the adversary literally **struck** Job with these **boils**, as if they were a weapon in his hand. He means that the adversary caused Job to suffer from the boils. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he afflicted Job with bad boils” or “he caused Job to suffer from bad boils” and he struck Job with bad boils
2:7 j035 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בִּשְׁחִ֣ין רָ֔ע 1 The word **boils** describes large, itching, painful skin infections. If your readers would not be familiar with what boils are, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “with large, itching, painful skin infections” with bad boils
2:7 j036 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism מִכַּ֥ף רַגְל֖וֹ עד קָדְקֳדֽוֹ 1 The author is using the extreme ends of Job’s body, **the sole of his foot** and **his pate** (that is, the top of his head), to mean those parts and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “over his entire body” from the sole of his foot to his pate
2:8 j037 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown חֶ֔רֶשׂ 1 A **shard** was a piece of broken pottery. It had sharp edges, so Job could **scrape himself** with it. If your readers would not be familiar with what a shard is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a sharp fragment of pottery” a shard
2:8 k22q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְהִתְגָּרֵ֖ד 1 The implication is that Job would **scrape himself** with the shard to clean his skin and to reduce the itching of the boils. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to scrape himself to clean his skin and to reduce the itching of the boils” to scrape himself
2:8 f72v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְה֖וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּתוֹךְ־הָאֵֽפֶר 1 In this culture, there was place outside the city where rubbish was brought and burned to dispose of it. This left a pile of ashes. Job was sitting in that pile as a symbolic action to show how distressed he was. It was a way of signifying that he no longer felt his life was worth anything. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of his action. Alternate translation: “he was sitting in the midst of the ash pile outside the city to show how distressed he was” and he was sitting in the midst of the ash pile
2:9 v1yj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עֹדְךָ֖ מַחֲזִ֣יק בְּתֻמָּתֶ֑ךָ 1 Job’s wife is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not still be holding firmly to your integrity!” Are} you still holding firmly to your integrity
2:9 j038 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations בָּרֵ֥ךְ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וָמֻֽת 1 You may find it more appropriate to represent this in your translation as an exclamation rather than as a statement. Alternate translation: “Bless God and die!” Bless God and die
2:9 wgb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism בָּרֵ֥ךְ 1 See how you translated the word “bless” in [1:11](../01/11.md) and [2:5](../02/05.md). Scribes may also have made a change here from “Curse” to **Bless**. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT. Alternate translation: “Curse” Bless
2:9 j039 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בָּרֵ֥ךְ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וָמֻֽת 1 Job’s wife seems to be saying implicitly that Job no longer has any reason either to trust God or to live, and that if he curses God, God will kill him too and put him out of his misery. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Curse God so that he will kill you too and put you out of your misery” Bless God and die
2:10 p6a8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אַחַ֤ת הַנְּבָלוֹת֙ 1 This phrase does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone who has the quality that it names. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a foolish person” or, since the expression is feminine, “a foolish woman” the foolish one
2:10 j182 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַחַ֤ת הַנְּבָלוֹת֙ 1 In this context, the word **foolish** does not describe a person who is stupid or lacking intelligence or education. It means someone who does not respect God and who therefore does not live in the way that God has instructed people to live. Alternate translation: “a person who does not respect and obey God” or “a woman who does not respect and obey God” the foolish one
2:10 hrr4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion גַּ֣ם אֶת־הַטּ֗וֹב נְקַבֵּל֙ מֵאֵ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְאֶת־הָרָ֖ע לֹ֣א נְקַבֵּ֑ל 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “if we are willing to receive the good from God, we should also be willing to receive the bad” Indeed, will we receive the good from God and not receive the bad
2:10 ltp4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אֶת־הַטּ֗וֹב & וְאֶת־הָרָ֖ע 1 Job is using the adjectives **good** and **bad** as a nouns to mean certain kinds of things. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “good things … and … bad things” the good & and & the bad
2:10 wj2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִּשְׂפָתָֽיו 1 The author is referring to what Job said by association with **lips** that Job used in order to say it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in anything that he said” with his lips
2:11 j040 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֮ הַבָּ֣אָה עָלָיו֒ 1 The author is speaking of the **evil** or trouble that happened to Job as if it were a living that **had come on him**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all these bad things had happened to him” all this evil had come on him
2:11 c4dm rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֱלִיפַ֤ז הַתֵּימָנִי֙ וּבִלְדַּ֣ד הַשּׁוּחִ֔י וְצוֹפַ֖ר הַנַּֽעֲמָתִ֑י 1 The words **Eliphaz**, **Bildad**, and **Zophar** are the names of men. The word **Temanite** describes someone from the town of Teman in the ancient country of Edom. The word **Shuhite** describes someone from the people group descended from Shuah, a son of Abraham and Keturah. The word **Naamathite** describes someone from the town of Naamah in Canaan. Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite
2:11 en96 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet לָנֽוּד־ל֖וֹ וּֽלְנַחֲמֽוֹ 1 The terms **sympathize** and **comfort** mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “to sympathize earnestly with him” to sympathize with him and to comfort him
2:12 fu87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּשְׂא֨וּ אֶת־עֵינֵיהֶ֤ם 1 This expression means to look carefully and intently off into the distance. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They looked intently off into the distance” And they raised their eyes
2:12 kle6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ 1 The implication is Job’s friends 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. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “they barely recognized him because he looked so different due to his grief and his sores” and they did not recognize him
2:12 j042 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּ֑וּ 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two phrases connected with **and**. The phrase **raised their voice** tells how the friends **wept**, that is, loudly. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “and they wept in a loud voice” or “and they wept loudly” and they raised their voice and wept
2:12 jd72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖ם 1 The author is speaking as if the friends literally **raised** their voice, that is, lifted it up into the air. He means that they made a loud sound with their voices as they wept. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they made a loud sound” and they raised their voice
2:12 j041 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖ם 1 Since the author is speaking of three people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **voice**. Alternate translation: “they raised their voices” and they raised their voice
2:12 ira1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מְעִל֔וֹ וַיִּזְרְק֥וּ עָפָ֛ר עַל־רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה 1 Job’s friends tore their robes and threw dust into the air so that it would land on their heads as symbolic actions to show that they were deeply distressed about what had happened to Job. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “to show how distressed they were about what had happened to Job, each tore his robe, and they threw dust heavenward upon their heads” and they each tore his robe, and they threw dust heavenward upon their heads
2:13 zzf1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיֵּשְׁב֤וּ אִתּוֹ֙ לָאָ֔רֶץ 1 Job’s friends **sat with him on the ground** as a symbolic action to express their sincere sympathy with him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “And to express their sincere sympathy, they sat with him on the ground” And they sat with him on the ground
3:intro jci9 0 # Job 3 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nIn many places in this chapter, Job uses the question form in order to express strong feelings. Your language might not use the question form for this purpose. Notes will suggest other ways to translate these questions. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\n### Birth meaning life by association\n\nThroughout this chapter, Job is saying that does not feel that his life is worth living any longer. He communicates this by cursing the day he was born, which is a way of saying by association that he wishes he had never lived. This is a powerful poetic device that would be good to show to your readers, so it would be preferable to translate the device itself, rather than express only its meaning or implications in your translation. In other words, for example, it would be appropriate to translate Job’s actual words in 3:3, “May the day on which I was born perish,” rather than have him say something like, “I do not feel that my life is worth living any more, and so I wish I had never been born.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-extrainfo]])
3:1 hmv8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy פָּתַ֤ח אִיּוֹב֙ אֶת־פִּ֔יהוּ 1 The author is referring to Job speaking by association with the way **Job opened his mouth** in order to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Job spoke up” Job opened his mouth
3:1 j043 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיְקַלֵּ֖ל אֶת־יוֹמֽוֹ 1 In this context, the expression **his day** means the day on which Job was born. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and cursed his birthday” and cursed his day
3:1 j044 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיְקַלֵּ֖ל אֶת־יוֹמֽוֹ 1 The implication is that Job **cursed** his birthday because he was suffering so greatly that he wished he had never been born. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and cursed his birthday because he was suffering so greatly that he wished he had never been born” and cursed his day
3:2 j045 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 See the discussion of this expression in the General Introduction to Job. In this case, Job is responding not to something that someone else said but to all that has happened to him. Alternate translation: “In response to all that had happened to him, Job said” Job answered and said
3:3 j046 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism יֹ֣אבַד י֭וֹם אִוָּ֣לֶד בּ֑וֹ וְהַלַּ֥יְלָה אָ֝מַ֗ר הֹ֣רָה גָֽבֶר 1 See the discussion of Hebrew poetry in the General Introduction to Job to decide how to approach the translation of this verse and the other verses in the book that consist of a statement and then one or two further statements that advance the meaning of the first one in some way. Alternate translation: “May the day on which I was born perish, yes, may the night perish that said a boy had been conceived” or “May the night I was conceived and the day on which I was born both perish” "May the day on which I was born perish,
and the night {that} said, ‘A boy has been conceived"
3:3 z3eb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יֹ֣אבַד י֭וֹם אִוָּ֣לֶד בּ֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking of the **day** on which he **was born** as if it were a living thing that could **perish**. It is clear from verse 6 that he means he wishes it would no longer be one of the days of the year. Your language may have an expression of its own that you could use to express this meaning in your translation. Alternate translation: “May the day on which I was born be stricken from the calendar” May the day on which I was born perish
3:3 zca2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְהַלַּ֥יְלָה 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and may the night perish” or “and may the night also be stricken from the calendar” and the night
3:3 j047 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אָ֝מַ֗ר הֹ֣רָה גָֽבֶר 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “that said that a boy had been conceived” that} said, ‘A boy has been conceived
3:3 q9nj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אָ֝מַ֗ר הֹ֣רָה גָֽבֶר 1 Job is speaking of the **night** of his conception as if it were a living thing that could speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “on which I was conceived as a boy” that} said, ‘A boy has been conceived
3:3 ka1k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֹ֣רָה גָֽבֶר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “A woman has conceived a boy” A boy has been conceived
3:4 j048 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַֽל־יִדְרְשֵׁ֣הוּ אֱל֣וֹהַּ מִמָּ֑עַל וְאַל־תּוֹפַ֖ע עָלָ֣יו נְהָרָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God would literally **seek** the day of his birth after it became dark. In this context, the word **seek** could mean: (1) to show concern. Alternate translation: “May God not show concern from above for that day by restoring its light” (2) to look for. Alternate translation: “May God not search for that day from above when he discovers that it is missing and bring it back among the other days by restoring its light” "May God not seek it from above,
and may light not shine upon it"
3:4 hr5h rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result אַֽל־יִדְרְשֵׁ֣הוּ אֱל֣וֹהַּ מִמָּ֑עַל וְאַל־תּוֹפַ֖ע עָלָ֣יו נְהָרָֽה 1 Since it was God who created day by making light ([Genesis 1:3](../01/03.md)), Job seems to be wishing that his birthday would be dark because God would not provide any light for it. Alternate translation: “May God not care for it from above, and as a result, may light not shine upon it” or “May no light shine upon it, because God is not caring for it from above” "May God not seek it from above,
and may light not shine upon it"
3:5 j049 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יִגְאָלֻ֡הוּ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְ֭צַלְמָוֶת 1 The terms **darkness** and **dark shadow** mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “May darkness completely claim it” May darkness and a dark shadow claim it
3:5 j050 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִגְאָלֻ֡הוּ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְ֭צַלְמָוֶת 1 Job assumes that his listeners will understand that by **claim** he is referring to the way, in his culture, a close relative would bring an orphaned child into his own home and make that child a member of his own family. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “May darkness and deep darkness make it part of their own family” May darkness and a dark shadow claim it
3:5 j051 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִגְאָלֻ֡הוּ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְ֭צַלְמָוֶת 1 Job is speaking as if **darkness** and a **dark shadow** were living things that could adopt the day of his birth, as if it too were a living thing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “May that day be just like darkness, yes, like deep darkness” May darkness and a dark shadow claim it
3:5 ci87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תִּשְׁכָּן־עָלָ֣יו עֲנָנָ֑ה 1 Job is speaking of a **cloud** as if it were a living thing that could **dwell** or make its home **over** the day of his birth, and he is speaking of that day as if it were something that itself lived in a particular place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “may that whole day be cloudy” may a cloud dwell over it
3:5 tz1j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession כִּֽמְרִ֥ירֵי יֽוֹם 1 In this possessive form, **the day** is the object rather than the subject of **blacknesses**. That is, this does not mean blacknesses that the day possesses, it means all the things that blacken a day, that is, make it dark. This would include things such as eclipses, sand storms, volcanic eruptions, etc. Alternate translation: “all the things that blacken a day” or “all the things that make a day dark” the blacknesses of the day
3:5 j052 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns כִּֽמְרִ֥ירֵי יֽוֹם 1 If your language would not use an abstract noun such as **blacknesses**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “all the things that blacken a day” or “all the things that make a day dark” the blacknesses of the day
3:5 j4if rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יְ֝בַעֲתֻ֗הוּ 1 Job is speaking of the day of his birth as if it were a living thing that blackening events could **terrify**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “make it so dark that it is no longer truly a day” may & terrify it
3:6 g44b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִקָּחֵ֪ה֫וּ אֹ֥פֶל 1 Job is speaking of **gloom** as if it were a living thing that could **take** away the night of his conception, as if it were an object that could be carried. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “may it be without any light” may gloom take it
3:6 j053 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַל־יִ֭חַדְּ בִּימֵ֣י שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר יְ֝רָחִ֗ים אַל־יָבֹֽא 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the day when Job was born. Job is alternating between speaking about that day and about the night when he was conceived. Alternate translation: “May the day when I was born not rejoice among the days of the year; into the number of the months may it not come” "May it not rejoice among the days of the year;
into the number of the months may it not come"
3:6 hgn9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אַל־יִ֭חַדְּ בִּימֵ֣י שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר יְ֝רָחִ֗ים אַל־יָבֹֽא 1 Job is speaking of the day of his birth as if it were a living thing that could **rejoice** that it was one of the days of the year and that could **come** among the months of the year. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “May it not be one of the days of the year, yes, may it not be a day in any of the months” "May it not rejoice among the days of the year;
into the number of the months may it not come"
3:6 d2mp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession אַל־יִ֭חַדְּ בִּימֵ֣י שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר יְ֝רָחִ֗ים אַל־יָבֹֽא 1 Job is not saying that he does not want the day of his birth to be one of the months of the year. Rather, he is using the possessive form **the number of the months** to mean the group of all of the months. In other words, that is another way of saying “the year.” Alternate translation: “May it not be one of the days of the year; indeed, may it not be part of the year at all” or, combining the two phrases, “May that day be left out of the year completely” "May it not rejoice among the days of the year;
into the number of the months may it not come"
3:6 j054 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure אַל־יִ֭חַדְּ בִּימֵ֣י שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר יְ֝רָחִ֗ים אַל־יָבֹֽא 1 It may be more natural in your language to mention the shorter period, **months**, before the longer period, **the year**, in order to increase the emphasis as the sentence progresses. The UST models one way to do this. "May it not rejoice among the days of the year;
into the number of the months may it not come"
3:7 sh3e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הַלַּ֣יְלָה הַ֭הוּא יְהִ֣י גַלְמ֑וּד 1 Job is speaking of the **night** he was conceived as if it were a living thing that could be **barren**. He means that he does not want that night to have any children, in the sense that he does not want any more children to be conceived on that night or, as the context suggests, born on that night. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “May no one ever again be born on that night” That night—may it be barren
3:7 i8zr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אַל־תָּבֹ֖א רְנָנָ֣ה בֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of a **joyful shout** as if it were a living thing that could **come into** a place. He is referring to people shouting for joy on the night of the day when he was born. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “May no one shout joyfully on that night” May a joyful shout not come into it
3:7 cdr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַל־תָּבֹ֖א רְנָנָ֣ה בֽוֹ 1 Job means implicitly that he does not want anyone to shout joyfully on this particular night to celebrate the birth of a child. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “May no one shout joyfully on that night to celebrate the birth of a child” May a joyful shout not come into it
3:8 j055 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִקְּבֻ֥הוּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the day when Job was born. Job is alternating between speaking about that day and about the night when he was conceived. Alternate translation: “May … curse that day” May & curse it
3:8 i4gt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֹרְרֵי־י֑וֹם 1 Job assumes that his listeners will understand that by **the ones cursing a day** he is referring to sorcerers. People in this culture employed sorcerers in the belief that they could cause bad things to happen on a particular day to their enemies. For example, people might employ a sorcerer to try to ruin the day on which a person began an important journey or celebrated an important family occasion such as a wedding. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “professional sorcerers” the ones cursing a day
3:8 j056 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj הָ֝עֲתִידִ֗ים 1 Job is using the adjective **skillful** as a noun to mean certain people. The word is plural, and the ULT adds the word **ones** to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the people who have the skill” the ones skillful
3:8 j057 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עֹרֵ֥ר לִוְיָתָֽן 1 The implication is that if sorcerers created chaos by awakening the chaos monster, there would no longer be any distinction between days, and so the day of Job’s birth would no longer have a distinct identity. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to cause chaos among days” or “to destroy the distinct identity of the day on which I was born” to awaken Leviathan
3:8 j342 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לִוְיָתָֽן 1 As the General Introduction to Job explains, ancient peoples seem to have been aware of a large, fierce creature that lived in the ocean, which they called the “sea monster.” People in Job's culture regarded the sea as the realm of watery chaos, and they associated this sea monster with that chaos. That is the association that Job is making here, calling the sea monster by the name Leviathan. You could retain the name Leviathan in your translation. Alternatively, you could use a general expression to convey the idea here. Alternate translation: “the sea monster that is associated with chaos” Leviathan
3:9 fcl4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יְקַו־לְא֥וֹר וָאַ֑יִן וְאַל־יִ֝רְאֶ֗ה בְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר 1 Job is speaking of the day of his birth as if it were a living thing that could **wait** for **light** to appear in the sky and **see** the **dawn**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “may light never appear on that day, yes, may dawn never break on that day” "may it wait for light but {there be} none,
and may it not see the eyelids of the dawn"
3:9 j058 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר 1 Job is referring to light flashing from eyes by association with the **eyelids** that open to reveal that flashing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the light flashing from the eyes of the dawn” the eyelids of the dawn
3:9 max2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר 1 Job is speaking of **the dawn** as if it were a living thing that had **eyelids** that could open to reveal light flashing from its eyes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. By **dawn**, Job means the sunrise itself, not the first faint light that appears on the horizon to indicate that a new day is beginning. Alternate translation: “the first flashes of light from the sunrise” the eyelids of the dawn
3:10 j059 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession לֹ֣א סָ֭גַר דַּלְתֵ֣י בִטְנִ֑י 1 Job is using the possessive form **my womb** to mean the womb from which he was born, that is, his mother’s womb. He is not saying that he himself had a womb. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “it did not close the doors of my mother’s womb” it did not close the doors of my womb
3:10 ta9d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֣א סָ֭גַר דַּלְתֵ֣י בִטְנִ֑י 1 Job is speaking as his mother’s **womb** literally had **doors** that could have **closed** to keep him from being born. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it did not keep me from being born” it did not close the doors of my womb
3:10 juv2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לֹ֣א סָ֭גַר דַּלְתֵ֣י בִטְנִ֑י וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר 1 Job is speaking as if the day of his birth were a living thing that could have kept him from being born. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “nothing kept me from being born on that day and hid” "it did not close the doors of my womb
and hide"
3:10 j060 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר עָ֝מָ֗ל מֵעֵינָֽי 1 Job is also speaking as if the day of his birth were a living thing that could have hidden **trouble** from his **eyes**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and nothing hid trouble from my eyes” and hide trouble from my eyes
3:10 e47i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר עָ֝מָ֗ל מֵעֵינָֽי 1 Job is referring to his ability to see by association with the **eyes** by which he sees. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and hide trouble from my sight” or “and keep me from seeing trouble” and hide trouble from my eyes
3:10 j061 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר עָ֝מָ֗ל מֵעֵינָֽי 1 In this context, to see **trouble** means to experience it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and keep me from experiencing trouble” and hide trouble from my eyes
3:10 j062 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר עָ֝מָ֗ל מֵעֵינָֽי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **trouble**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and keep me from suffering so badly” and hide trouble from my eyes
3:11 j063 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism לָ֤מָּה לֹּ֣א מֵרֶ֣חֶם אָמ֑וּת מִבֶּ֖טֶן יָצָ֣אתִי וְאֶגְוָֽע 1 These two phrases mean similar things. As Job and the other characters do throughout the poetic sections of the book, here he is using repeating phrases in order to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. (See the discussion of “parallelism” in the General Introduction to the book of Job.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine these phrases. However, you may wish to retain both of them in order to give your readers an idea of how Hebrew poetry worked. The following notes give suggestions for how to do that. Alternate translation, combining the phrases: “Why did I not die just as soon as I was born?” "Why did I not die from the womb,
come out of the belly and expire"
3:11 gg8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לָ֤מָּה לֹּ֣א מֵרֶ֣חֶם אָמ֑וּת מִבֶּ֖טֶן יָצָ֣אתִי וְאֶגְוָֽע 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate using the statement or exclamation form. It may be helpful to make this two sentences. Alternate translation: “I wish I had died from the womb! I wish I had come out of the belly and expired!” "Why did I not die from the womb,
come out of the belly and expire"
3:11 j064 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מֵרֶ֣חֶם 1 Job is referring to his birth by association with the **womb** from which he was born. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as soon as I was born” from the womb
3:11 hh1m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְאֶגְוָֽע 1 Job is using the word **expire**, which means to “breathe out,” to mean “die.” This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “and pass away” and expire
3:11 j065 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִבֶּ֖טֶן יָצָ֣אתִי וְאֶגְוָֽע 1 Job is referring to his birth by association with the **belly** (a poetic synonym for “womb”) from which he was born. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “breathe my last as soon as my mother gave birth to me” come out of the belly and expire
3:12 j066 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַ֭דּוּעַ קִדְּמ֣וּנִי בִרְכָּ֑יִם וּמַה־שָּׁ֝דַ֗יִם כִּ֣י אִינָֽק 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I wish that knees had not welcomed me, and breasts, that I should have sucked!” "Why did knees welcome me,
and why breasts, that I should suck"
3:12 j067 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מַ֭דּוּעַ קִדְּמ֣וּנִי בִרְכָּ֑יִם וּמַה־שָּׁ֝דַ֗יִם כִּ֣י אִינָֽק 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Why did knees welcome me, and why did breasts welcome me so that I could suck?” "Why did knees welcome me,
and why breasts, that I should suck"
3:12 v9p9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מַ֭דּוּעַ קִדְּמ֣וּנִי בִרְכָּ֑יִם וּמַה־שָּׁ֝דַ֗יִם כִּ֣י אִינָֽק 1 Job is using parts of his mother to mean all of his mother in the act of nursing him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Why did my mother hold me on her knees and nurse me?” "Why did knees welcome me,
and why breasts, that I should suck"
3:13 aal1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo כִּֽי 1 The word **For** indicates that the sentence it introduces states what the result would have been if the event Job has been describing had actually taken place, that is, if he had died at birth. Alternate translation: “If that had been the case,” For
3:13 j068 עַ֭תָּה 1 Alternate translation: “by now” or “at this time” now
3:13 pv57 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense שָׁכַ֣בְתִּי וְאֶשְׁק֑וֹט יָ֝שַׁ֗נְתִּי אָ֤ז ׀ יָנ֬וּחַֽ לִֽי 1 Job is using the past tense to describe what would have been the case if he had actually never been born. Your language may use the past tense in this same way. If not, you could use the conditional tense here. Alternate translation: “I would have lain down and been reposing, I would have slept and it would have been rest to me” "I had lain down and was reposing,
I had slept, then it was being rest to me"
3:13 j069 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism יָ֝שַׁ֗נְתִּי 1 Job is using the word **slept** to mean “died.” This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. If not, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I would have passed away” or “I would have died” I had slept
3:13 e4ks יָנ֬וּחַֽ לִֽי 1 If your language would not use an impersonal construction such as this one, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “I would have been at rest” or “I would have been resting” it was being rest to me
3:14 j070 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַבֹּנִ֖ים חֳרָב֣וֹת לָֽמוֹ 1 The word translated **monuments** refers to a desolate or ruined place. In this context, it could mean implicitly: (1) elaborate buildings in desolate places, such as the pyramids that the pharaohs built in the Egyptian desert. Since Job is wishing that this were his situation, this positive sense is probably preferable. Alternate translation: “who built great tombs for themselves in remote places” (2) ruined buildings. Alternate translation: “who rebuilt ruined buildings for themselves” or “who built buildings for themselves that are now ruined” the ones having built monuments for themselves
3:15 j071 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole הַֽמְמַלְאִ֖ים בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם כָּֽסֶף 1 Job says that these princes **filled their houses with silver** as an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “who kept much silver in their homes” the ones having filled their houses with silver
3:16 j072 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כְנֵ֣פֶל טָ֭מוּן 1 The word translated **hidden** refers implicitly to burial. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “like a child who was not born alive and so was buried immediately” like a hidden stillborn child
3:16 qu2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כְּ֝עֹלְלִ֗ים לֹא־רָ֥אוּ אֽוֹר 1 Job is using one part of the birth process, seeing **the light** for the first time, to mean all of the birth process. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like infants who are not born alive” as infants {sometimes} do not see the light
3:17 j073 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְ֭שָׁעִים & יְגִ֣יעֵי כֹֽחַ 1 Job is using the adjectives **wicked** and **weary** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “people who are wicked … people who are weary in strength” the wicked & the weary in strength
3:18 zbk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לֹ֥א שָׁ֝מְע֗וּ ק֣וֹל נֹגֵֽשׂ 1 Job is referring to the orders that a **taskmaster** would give **Captives** by association with the **voice** that the taskmaster would use to convey them. He is referring to the captives’ obligation to obey those orders by association with the way they would **hear** them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use equivalent expressions or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no taskmaster gives them orders to follow” or “they no longer need to follow the orders of any taskmaster” they do not hear the voice of a taskmaster
3:19 yv5l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism קָטֹ֣ן וְ֭גָדוֹל שָׁ֣ם 1 Job is using two extremes of people, **small** and **great** (meaning unimportant and important), to mean them and everyone in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “People of every kind are there” Small and great {are} there
3:19 j074 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj קָטֹ֣ן וְ֭גָדוֹל 1 Job is using the adjectives **Small** and **great** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Unimportant people and important people” Small and great
3:19 xrv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְ֝עֶ֗בֶד 1 In this context, the phrase **a servant** does not refer to one specific person. It refers to servants in general. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and anyone who had been a servant” and a servant
3:20 zq45 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לָ֤מָּה יִתֵּ֣ן לְעָמֵ֣ל א֑וֹר וְ֝חַיִּ֗ים לְמָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ 1 This is the beginning of a long question that Job asks, using the question form for emphasis, in verses 20–23. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these verses as a series of statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: “Light should not be given to the miserable! Life should not be given to the bitter in soul!” "Why is light given to the miserable,
and life to the bitter in soul"
3:20 j075 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לָ֤מָּה יִתֵּ֣ן & א֑וֹר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “Why does God give light” Why is light given
3:20 naz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy א֑וֹר 1 Job is referring to life by association with the **light** that people who are alive are able to see. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “life” light
3:20 j076 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לְעָמֵ֣ל & לְמָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ 1 Job is using the adjectives **miserable** and **bitter** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “to people who are miserable … to people who are bitter in soul” "to the miserable,
& to the bitter in soul"
3:20 j077 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝חַיִּ֗ים 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and why is life given” or “and why does God give life” and life
3:20 j078 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לְמָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ 1 This expression describes people who are **bitter** or unhappy in the depths of their beings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to people who are deeply unhappy” to the bitter in soul
3:21 hbh3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽמְחַכִּ֣ים לַמָּ֣וֶת וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וַֽ֝יַּחְפְּרֻ֗הוּ מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים 1 This is a continuation of the question that Job is asking in verses 20–23, using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as the next statement or exclamation in a series. Alternate translation: “Life should not be given to people who long to die but who cannot die, who dig for death more than for hidden treasures!” or “God should not give life to people who long to die but who cannot die, who dig for death more than for hidden treasures!” "the ones longing for death, but {it is} not to them,
and they dig for it more than for hidden treasure"
3:21 lgj7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽ֝יַּחְפְּרֻ֗הוּ מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים 1 Job is speaking as if very unhappy people literally **dig** for death more eagerly than they would dig to find **hidden treasures**. He means that they want to die more than they want anything else. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who want to die more than they want anything else” and they dig for it more than for hidden treasure
3:22 p5zy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַשְּׂמֵחִ֥ים אֱלֵי־גִ֑יל יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ כִּ֣י יִמְצְאוּ־קָֽבֶר 1 This is a continuation of the question that Job is asking in verses 20–23, using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as the next statement or exclamation in a series. Alternate translation: “Life should not be given to people who rejoice unto gladness and celebrate when they find a grave!” or “God should not give life to people who rejoice unto gladness and celebrate when they find a grave!” "the ones rejoicing unto gladness,
and they celebrate when they find a grave"
3:22 z97v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet הַשְּׂמֵחִ֥ים אֱלֵי־גִ֑יל יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ 1 The terms **rejoicing unto gladness** and **celebrate** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the ones who rejoice greatly” "the ones rejoicing unto gladness,
and they celebrate"
3:22 p53t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כִּ֣י יִמְצְאוּ־קָֽבֶר 1 Job is referring to death by association with the **grave** in which a person who dies is buried. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when they die” or “when they know that they are about to die” when they find a grave
3:23 fk1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לְ֭גֶבֶר אֲשֶׁר־דַּרְכּ֣וֹ נִסְתָּ֑רָה וַיָּ֖סֶךְ אֱל֣וֹהַּ בַּעֲדֽוֹ 1 This is the end of the question that Job has been asking in verses 20–23, using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as the last statement or exclamation in a series. Alternate translation: “Life should not be given to a man whose way is hidden, around whom God has hedged!” or “God should not give life to a man whose way is hidden, around whom he has hedged!” "to a man whose way is hidden,
and God has hedged around him"
3:23 j079 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet לְ֭גֶבֶר אֲשֶׁר־דַּרְכּ֣וֹ נִסְתָּ֑רָה וַיָּ֖סֶךְ אֱל֣וֹהַּ בַּעֲדֽוֹ 1 The phrases **whose way is hidden** and **God has hedged around him** mean similar things. Job is using the two phrases together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “to a man whom God is keeping from seeing where he is going” "to a man whose way is hidden,
and God has hedged around him"
3:23 xgh3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲשֶׁר־דַּרְכּ֣וֹ נִסְתָּ֑רָה וַיָּ֖סֶךְ אֱל֣וֹהַּ בַּעֲדֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of how a person ought to live, or of a hopeful future that lies ahead of a person, as if that were literally a **way** or path that the person should walk along but which is **hidden** so that the person cannot find it. He speaks as if God had literally put a hedge around the person to keep him from seeing out. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who has no hope for the future” "whose way is hidden,
and God has hedged around him"
3:23 j080 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אֲשֶׁר־דַּרְכּ֣וֹ נִסְתָּ֑רָה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who has done the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “whose way God has hidden” whose way is hidden
3:24 j081 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he asked in the preceding verses why God would give life to a person who is as miserable as he is. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I have asked all this because” For
3:24 ya6w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לִפְנֵ֣י לַ֭חְמִי אַנְחָתִ֣י תָבֹ֑א 1 The word **before** could mean implicitly: (1) that Job’s sighing comes in place of his food. Alternate translation: “I am too sad to eat” (2) that Job’s sighing comes first and his food comes afterwards. Alternate translation: “I cannot eat without sighing first” my sighing comes before my food
3:24 jp2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וַֽיִּתְּכ֥וּ כַ֝מַּ֗יִם שַׁאֲגֹתָֽי 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **waters** (those of a river, for example) flow greatly and powerfully, so Job is groaning greatly and powerfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and I am groaning very greatly” my groaning flows out like waters
3:25 j082 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he is so upset that he cannot eat and he is groaning loudly. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I cannot eat and I am groaning because” For
3:25 pvp2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification פַ֣חַד פָּ֭חַדְתִּי וַיֶּאֱתָיֵ֑נִי וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר יָ֝גֹ֗רְתִּי יָ֣בֹא לִֽי 1 Job is speaking of what he **feared** and **dreaded** as if it were a living thing that had **arrived** or **come** to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to combine these two clauses in your translation. Alternate translation: “the thing that I was most afraid of has happened” "I feared a fear and it has arrived with me;
what I dreaded has come to me"
3:25 j083 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry פַ֣חַד פָּ֭חַדְתִּי 1 Job is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here.Alternatively, your language may have its own way of expressing such a meaning. Alternate translation: “I was very afraid of something” I feared a fear
3:26 j084 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לֹ֤א שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי ׀ וְלֹ֖א שָׁקַ֥טְתִּי וְֽלֹא־נָ֗חְתִּי וַיָּ֥בֹא רֹֽגֶז 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. (The word translated **but** introduces a reason.) Alternate translation: “Because trouble comes, I have not relaxed, and I have not reposed, and I have not rested” "I have not relaxed, and I have not reposed, and I have not rested,
but trouble comes"
3:26 f53t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet לֹ֤א שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי ׀ וְלֹ֖א שָׁקַ֥טְתִּי וְֽלֹא־נָ֗חְתִּי וַיָּ֥בֹא רֹֽגֶז 1 The terms **relaxed**, **reposed**, and **rested** mean similar things. Job is using the three terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “I have not been able to rest at all” "I have not relaxed, and I have not reposed, and I have not rested,
but trouble comes"
3:26 j085 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיָּ֥בֹא רֹֽגֶז 1 Job is speaking of **trouble** as if it were a living thing that **comes** to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but trouble happens” but trouble comes
4:intro kk87 0 # Job 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter (and the next chapter), Job’s friend Eliphaz responds to what Job said in chapter 3.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Eliphaz’s advice\n\nEliphaz advises Job to trust that God protects innocent people and punishes wicked people. He says that God corrects good people if they begin to do bad things, and he encourages Job to consider why God is correcting him. Ordinarily this would be very good advice. But Eliphaz does not understand the special circumstances that Job is in. Job himself does not understand them. God cannot explain to Job that he has allowed the adversary to test him to see whether he will still trust God even if he loses his family, possessions, and health, because if God explained this, that would make the test invalid. So this section of the book, in which Job’s three friends speak with him, presents a paradox: What would ordinarily be good advice is not good advice under these special circumstances.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nEliphaz often uses the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate his questions as statements or exclamations. Notes will offer suggestions at each place where Eliphaz uses the question form in this way. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
4:2 y6k8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲנִסָּ֬ה דָבָ֣ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ תִּלְאֶ֑ה וַעְצֹ֥ר בְּ֝מִלִּ֗ין מִ֣י יוּכָֽל 1 In both of these sentences, Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: “I am concerned that you will tire if a word is tried with you. But no one is able to refrain from a word.” "If a word is tried with you, will you tire?
But to refrain from a word, who is able"
4:2 j086 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲנִסָּ֬ה דָבָ֣ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If I try a word with you” If a word is tried with you
4:2 j087 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲנִסָּ֬ה דָבָ֣ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the term **word** to mean what he would like to say to Job by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If I try to speak with you” If a word is tried with you
4:2 j088 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תִּלְאֶ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is referring to Job interrupting him and stopping him by association with the way he would do that if he were to **tire** of what Eliphaz had to say. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will you interrupt me and stop me before I have finished what I have to say” will you tire
4:2 n3sr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַעְצֹ֥ר בְּ֝מִלִּ֗ין מִ֣י יוּכָֽל 1 Eliphaz is likely implying that no one who saw Job suffering so badly could refrain from speaking to him out of compassion. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “But no one who saw you suffering so badly could refrain from speaking to you to try to encourage you” But to refrain from a word, who is able
4:2 j089 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּ֝מִלִּ֗ין 1 Eliphaz is using the term translated **word**, in this case meaning a single spoken word, to mean by association all of what he would like to say to Job by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from speaking” from a word
4:3 j090 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רַבִּ֑ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **many** as a noun. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “many people” many
4:3 j091 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְיָדַ֖יִם רָפ֣וֹת תְּחַזֵּֽק 1 Eliphaz may be using one part of people, their **hands**, to mean the people themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have strengthened people who were weak” or see next note for another possibility. you have strengthened weak hands
4:3 fe8q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְיָדַ֖יִם רָפ֣וֹת תְּחַזֵּֽק 1 Eliphaz may be referring to fear by association with way the people’s **hands** become **weak** when they are afraid. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have helped frightened people take courage” you have strengthened weak hands
4:4 tqj5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כּ֭וֹשֵׁל יְקִימ֣וּן מִלֶּ֑יךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the term **words** to mean what Job has said to people in the past by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “What you have said has upheld the one stumbling” Your words have upheld the one stumbling
4:4 fnd5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כּ֭וֹשֵׁל יְקִימ֣וּן מִלֶּ֑יךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if people who were struggling in life were literally **stumbling** and as if Job’s **words** or counsel had literally **upheld** them or kept them from falling down. He means that Job gave wise advice that encouraged people in their struggles and helped them not to give up. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “By your advice, you have encouraged struggling people not to give up” Your words have upheld the one stumbling
4:4 j092 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun כּ֭וֹשֵׁל 1 This phrase does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone in the situation that it describes. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people who were stumbling” or “people who were struggling” the one stumbling
4:4 c21w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּבִרְכַּ֖יִם כֹּרְע֣וֹת תְּאַמֵּֽץ 1 Eliphaz is referring to exhaustion or despondency by association with way the people’s **knees** may be **buckling** under those circumstances. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have helped exhausted people to persevere” or “you have helped despondent people not to give up” and buckling knees you have strengthened
4:5 jv44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תָּב֣וֹא אֵלֶ֣יךָ & תִּגַּ֥ע עָ֝דֶ֗יךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of trouble as if it were a living thing that could **touch** Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it happens to you … it affects you” it comes to you & it touches you
4:5 j093 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תָּב֣וֹא & תִּגַּ֥ע 1 The pronoun **it** refers to trouble in both instances. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “trouble comes … trouble touches” or “trouble happens … trouble affects” it comes & it touches
4:6 jv9m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֣א יִ֭רְאָתְךָ כִּסְלָתֶ֑ךָ תִּ֝קְוָתְךָ֗ וְתֹ֣ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ 1 In both of these instances, Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: “Your fear should be your confidence! The integrity of your ways should be your hope!” "Is} not your fear your confidence,
your hope, even the integrity of your ways"
4:6 b27y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יִ֭רְאָתְךָ 1 In this context, the word **fear** means respect for God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your respect for God” your fear
4:6 j094 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis תִּ֝קְוָתְךָ֗ 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Is not your hope” your hope
4:6 nh5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דְּרָכֶֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of Job’s practices in life as if they were **ways** or paths that he was walking on. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your conduct” of your ways
4:7 ctx8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֤י ה֣וּא נָקִ֣י אָבָ֑ד וְ֝אֵיפֹ֗ה יְשָׁרִ֥ים נִכְחָֽדוּ 1 In both of these instances, Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: “We cannot name one innocent person who has perished! And the righteous are never destroyed!” "Who, he {being} innocent, has perished?
And when were the righteous destroyed"
4:7 mq2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֝אֵיפֹ֗ה יְשָׁרִ֥ים נִכְחָֽדוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And when has anyone destroyed the righteous” And when were the righteous destroyed
4:7 j095 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יְשָׁרִ֥ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **righteous** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “righteous people” the righteous
4:8 j096 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis חֹ֣רְשֵׁי אָ֑וֶן וְזֹרְעֵ֖י עָמָ֣ל יִקְצְרֻֽהוּ 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the ones who plow misery reap it, and the ones who sow trouble reap that” "the ones plowing misery
and sowing trouble reap it"
4:8 yw7b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חֹ֣רְשֵׁי אָ֑וֶן וְזֹרְעֵ֖י עָמָ֣ל יִקְצְרֻֽהוּ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if people could literally plow **iniquity**, sow **trouble**, and **reap** those things. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “those who do wicked things and cause trouble for others will experience trouble themselves” "the ones plowing misery
and sowing trouble reap it"
4:9 g9mp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִנִּשְׁמַ֣ת אֱל֣וֹהַ יֹאבֵ֑דוּ וּמֵר֖וּחַ אַפּ֣וֹ יִכְלֽוּ 1 Eliphaz could also be using the **breath of God** to mean by association the judgment that God pronounces against the wicked by speaking with his breath. He could be using the **blast of his nose** to mean the wrath of God against wickedness by association with the way people snort with their noses when they are angry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God pronounces his judgment against them and destroys them; in his wrath he makes an end of them” or see next note for another possibility. "By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his nose they cease {to be"
4:9 sm4n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִנִּשְׁמַ֣ת אֱל֣וֹהַ יֹאבֵ֑דוּ וּמֵר֖וּחַ אַפּ֣וֹ יִכְלֽוּ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if troublesome people literally **perish** when God breathes on them from his mouth and snorts at them from his **nose**. By referring to the **breath of God** and the **blast of his nose**, Eliphaz may be depicting God’s judgment as a great storm that sweeps wicked people away. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God’s powerful judgment against them is like a great storm that sweeps them away” "By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his nose they cease {to be"
4:10 vnp3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations שַׁאֲגַ֣ת אַ֭רְיֵה וְק֣וֹל שָׁ֑חַל וְשִׁנֵּ֖י כְפִירִ֣ים נִתָּֽעוּ 1 Eliphaz is using exclamations to add emphasis to the point he is making. If these would not be natural in your language, you could translate them as statements. Alternate translation: “Lions may roar, indeed, fierce lions may rumble, but the teeth of the young lions are broken” "The roar of the lion! The voice of the fierce lion!
But the teeth of the young lions are broken"
4:10 mw99 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שַׁאֲגַ֣ת אַ֭רְיֵה וְק֣וֹל שָׁ֑חַל וְשִׁנֵּ֖י כְפִירִ֣ים נִתָּֽעוּ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of wicked people as if they were literally **lions**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Wicked people may say threatening things and appear dangerous, but God will keep them from harming righteous people” "The roar of the lion! The voice of the fierce lion!
But the teeth of the young lions are broken"
4:10 l75n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְשִׁנֵּ֖י כְפִירִ֣ים נִתָּֽעוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “But God breaks the teeth of the young lions” But the teeth of the young lions are broken
4:11 uru1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַ֭יִשׁ אֹבֵ֣ד מִבְּלִי־טָ֑רֶף וּבְנֵ֥י לָ֝בִ֗יא יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ 1 Eliphaz is continuing to speak of wicked people as if they were literally lions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yes, God will keep wicked people from exploiting righteous people, and in the end the wicked people will become poor and lose their families” "The strong lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness are scattered"
4:11 n8m2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּבְנֵ֥י לָ֝בִ֗יא יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and the cubs of the lioness scatter” and the cubs of the lioness are scattered
4:12 j097 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֭אֵלַי דָּבָ֣ר יְגֻנָּ֑ב 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Now someone brought a word to me secretly” Now a word was confided to me
4:12 dots rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְ֭אֵלַי 1 Eliphaz is using the word translated **Now** to introduce background information that will help Job understand what he says next. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. Now & to me
4:12 j098 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy דָּבָ֣ר 1 Eliphaz is using the term **word** to mean a message that was communicated to him by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a message” a word
4:12 j099 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַתִּקַּ֥ח אָ֝זְנִ֗י 1 Eliphaz is using one part of himself, his **ear**, to mean all of him in the act of hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I heard” and my ear received
4:13 h37a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מֵחֶזְיֹנ֣וֹת לָ֑יְלָה 1 By **visions of the night**, Eliphaz means dreams. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from a dream that I had” from visions of the night
4:13 er9t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בִּנְפֹ֥ל תַּ֝רְדֵּמָ֗ה עַל־אֲנָשִֽׁים 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **deep sleep** as if it were a living thing that could be actively **falling** on people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as happens when people are deeply asleep” in the falling of deep sleep upon men
4:13 j100 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֲנָשִֽׁים 1 Here the masculine term **men** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people” men
4:14 pp18 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet פַּ֣חַד קְ֭רָאַנִי וּרְעָדָ֑ה 1 The terms **Fear** and **trembling** mean similar things. Eliphaz is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Great fear came upon me” fear happened to me, and trembling
4:14 j101 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry פַּ֣חַד & הִפְחִֽיד 1 For emphasis, Eliphaz is using a construction in which a subject and its verb come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may another way of showing the emphasis. fear & it frightened
4:14 j102 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְרֹ֖ב עַצְמוֹתַ֣י הִפְחִֽיד 1 Eliphaz is using one part of himself, his **bones**, to mean all of him in the act of becoming afraid. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I became completely afraid” or “yes, I became completely afraid” and it frightened all my bones
4:16 vak8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תְּ֭מוּנָה לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָ֑י 1 Eliphaz is referring to seeing by association with the **eyes** by which he could see. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I saw an image” An image {was} in front of my eyes
4:16 j103 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וָק֣וֹל אֶשְׁמָֽע 1 Eliphaz is referring to speaking by association with the **voice** by which this spirit spoke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “then I heard the spirit say” then I heard a voice
4:17 j104 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הַֽ֭אֱנוֹשׁ מֵאֱל֣וֹהַ יִצְדָּ֑ק אִ֥ם מֵ֝עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ יִטְהַר־גָּֽבֶר 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “The spirit asked whether a man could be more righteous than God, if a man could be more pure than his Maker.” "Will a man be more righteous than God?
If a man will be more pure than his Maker"
4:17 qqw3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽ֭אֱנוֹשׁ מֵאֱל֣וֹהַ יִצְדָּ֑ק אִ֥ם מֵ֝עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ יִטְהַר־גָּֽבֶר 1 In both of these sentences, Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: “A man cannot be more righteous than God! A man cannot be more pure than his Maker!” "Will a man be more righteous than God?
If a man will be more pure than his Maker"
4:17 j105 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַֽ֭אֱנוֹשׁ 1 The term that Eliphaz is using for **man** here implicitly means a “mortal.” You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “a mortal” a man
4:17 j106 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִ֥ם מֵ֝עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ יִטְהַר־גָּֽבֶר 1 Eliphaz is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “A man cannot be more pure than his Maker, can he?” If a man will be more pure than his Maker
4:17 j107 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations הַֽ֭אֱנוֹשׁ & גָּֽבֶר 1 In each instance, the masculine term **man** has generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person … a person” a man & a man
4:18 j108 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ין & יָשִׂ֥ים 1 The pronouns **he** and **his** refer back to the previous verse to God, not to “a man.” It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God does not trust … God charges” he does not trust & he charges
4:18 j109 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּ֭עֲבָדָיו & וּ֝בְמַלְאָכָ֗יו 1 By **his servants**, Eliphaz implicitly means the **angels** he mentions later in the verse. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “in the angels who serve him and … those angels” "in his servants,
and & his angels"
4:19 j110 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אַ֤ף ׀ שֹׁכְנֵ֬י בָֽתֵּי־חֹ֗מֶר 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “How much less will God be confident that dwellers in houses of clay are doing the right thing” How much less dwellers in houses of clay
4:19 x3pk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שֹׁכְנֵ֬י בָֽתֵּי־חֹ֗מֶר אֲשֶׁר־בֶּעָפָ֥ר יְסוֹדָ֑ם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if human beings literally lived in **houses** made of **clay** that have a **foundation** set in the **dust**. He is referring to the human body, which the Bible describes as having been formed from the dust of the earth. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “human beings” "dwellers in houses of clay
that {have} their foundation in the dust"
4:19 j111 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְ֝דַכְּא֗וּם 1 **They** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “Such people can be crushed” They crumble them
4:19 r4dq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִפְנֵי 1 Here the term **before** means “sooner than” and by implication “more easily than.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “more easily than” before
4:20 m44u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism מִבֹּ֣קֶר לָעֶ֣רֶב 1 Eliphaz is using the beginning and ending of a day, **morning** and **evening**, to mean an entire day. (He means within the space of a day, not throughout a whole day.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “Within a single day” From morning to evening
4:20 znp6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יֻכַּ֑תּוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God destroys them” they are destroyed
4:21 n9su rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־נִסַּ֣ע יִתְרָ֣ם בָּ֑ם 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Their tent cord is certainly pulled up away from them!” Is not their tent cord pulled up away from them
4:21 j112 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲלֹא־נִסַּ֣ע יִתְרָ֣ם בָּ֑ם 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “Does not God pull up their tent cord away from them” Is not their tent cord pulled up away from them
4:21 ugp9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲלֹא־נִסַּ֣ע יִתְרָ֣ם בָּ֑ם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if people were literally a **tent** whose **cord** had been **pulled up** so that it was in danger of imminent collapse. He means that mortals have only a brief and uncertain life. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do not people have only a brief and uncertain life?” or, as an exclamation, “People have only a brief and uncertain life!” Is not their tent cord pulled up away from them
4:21 j113 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְחָכְמָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wisdom**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “after having lived wisely” in wisdom
5:intro kq38 0 # Job 5 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry. This chapter is a continuation of the advice of Job’s friend Eliphaz.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### long sentence\nEliphaz describes God in a long sentence in verses 8–13. As the notes suggest at several places, it may be helpful to break up this long sentence into several shorter sentences.
5:1 j114 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness קְֽרָא־נָ֭א 1 Eliphaz is using the word translated **now** to offer polite encouragement. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “Go ahead, call out” Call out now
5:1 j115 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit קְֽרָא־נָ֭א 1 Eliphaz assumes that Job will understand that by **Call out**, he is telling Job to ask someone to listen to his complaint against God. In this culture, someone who had a case against someone else would go to a public area and ask established members of the community to hear and judge the case. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Go ahead, call for someone to listen to and judge your case against God” Call out now
5:1 j116 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony קְֽרָא־נָ֭א 1 Eliphaz does not really want Job to **Call out** and ask someone to hear his complaint against God, even though he is telling Job to do that. Eliphaz actually intends to communicate the opposite of the literal meaning of his words. He wants Job to realize that there is no being who has the wisdom or authority to hear a human being’s complaint against God. Alternate translation: “There is really no point in calling for someone to listen to and judge your case against God” Call out now
5:1 gaw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיֵ֣שׁ עוֹנֶ֑ךָּ וְאֶל־מִ֖י מִקְּדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּפְנֶֽה 1 In both of these instances, Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: “there is no one who will answer you. You cannot turn to any of the holy ones.” "is there one answering you?
To which of the holy ones will you turn"
5:1 n2rw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִקְּדֹשִׁ֣ים 1 In this context, the phrase **the holy ones** likely refers to angelic beings rather than to people who live righteously. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “of the angelic beings” of the holy ones
5:1 j117 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תִּפְנֶֽה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job would literally **turn** to face someone whom he wanted to hear his case against God. Eliphaz means that Job would appeal to such a person, although he is arguing that there actually is no such person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will you appeal” will you turn
5:2 j118 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Eliphaz is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he does not really think that Job should look for someone to judge his complaint against God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “You should not look for someone to judge your complaint against God, because” For
5:2 v7ip rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לֶֽ֭אֱוִיל יַהֲרָג־כָּ֑עַשׂ וּ֝פֹתֶ֗ה תָּמִ֥ית קִנְאָֽה 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **indignation** and **resentment** as if they were a living things that could kill a person. He means that people who become indignant and resentful when God corrects them, rather than admitting their sins and repenting, put themselves in a position where God has to punish them, even by killing them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when people foolishly become indignant or naïvely become resentful when God corrects them, God must punish or even kill them” "indignation kills the foolish,
and resentment kills the one being simple"
5:2 j119 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns כָּ֑עַשׂ & קִנְאָֽה 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **indignation** and **resentment**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “being indignant … being resentful” indignation & resentment
5:2 bn1m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לֶֽ֭אֱוִיל & וּ֝פֹתֶ֗ה 1 These phrases does not refer to specific people. They refer to anyone who has the qualities that they name. Express their meaning in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “everyone who is foolish … and … everyone who is simple” "the foolish,
and & the one being simple"
5:2 cf68 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לֶֽ֭אֱוִיל 1 Job is using the adjective **foolish** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the foolish person” the foolish
5:2 j120 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝פֹתֶ֗ה 1 Eliphaz assumes that Job will understand that by **simple** he means a person who does not realize that the world is a complicated place and that he needs to cultivate godly wisdom in order to make good choices and avoid the consequences of bad choices. Your language may have a term with this meaning that you could use in your translation. and & the one being simple
5:3 j121 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲֽנִי־רָ֭אִיתִי 1 For emphasis, Eliphaz is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **have seen**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here. Other languages may have other ways of expressing this emphasis. The ULT does so by saying **I myself**. Alternate translation: “I have indeed seen” I myself have seen
5:3 xhtd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אֱוִ֣יל 1 Job is using the adjective **foolish** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a foolish person” the foolish
5:3 j122 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֱוִ֣יל 1 In this context, the word **foolish** describes someone who does not respect and obey God. See how you translated the similar expression in [2:10](../02/10.md). Alternate translation: “a person who does not respect and obey God” the foolish
5:3 za27 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מַשְׁרִ֑ישׁ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if this **foolish person** were literally **taking root**. He means that the person was becoming established or prospering. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “prospering” taking root
5:3 lcr1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy נָוֵ֣הוּ 1 Eliphaz is referring to this foolish person’s way of life by association with the **abode** where he lives. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his way of life” his abode
5:4 j123 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִרְחֲק֣וּ & מִיֶּ֑שַׁע 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the **children** of a person who does not respect and obey God are literally **far from** safety. He means that they are not safe at all but in great danger. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “are in great danger” are far from safety
5:4 yz4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מִיֶּ֑שַׁע 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **safety**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “from being safe” from safety
5:4 e8js rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיִֽדַּכְּא֥וּ בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר 1 By **the gate**, Eliphaz implicitly means the place where legal disputes are settled. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and they are crushed in legal proceedings” and they are crushed at the gate
5:4 i7p9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְיִֽדַּכְּא֥וּ בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the children of a person who does not respect and obey God are literally **crushed** in legal disputes. He means that the disputes are settled decisively in favor of their opponents. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and their opponents in legal proceedings defeat them decisively” and they are crushed at the gate
5:4 ep6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֵ֣ין מַצִּֽיל 1 Eliphaz implicitly means that there is no one **rescuing** these children from legal defeats and their consequences. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “because no one defends them” and {there is} none rescuing
5:5 j124 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲשֶׁ֤ר קְצִיר֨וֹ ׀ רָ֘עֵ֤ב יֹאכֵ֗ל 1 The pronoun **whose** refers to the “foolish person” whom Eliphaz describes in verses 2 and 3. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Hungry people devour the harvest of the foolish person” whose harvest the hungry one devours
5:5 j125 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲשֶׁ֤ר קְצִיר֨וֹ ׀ רָ֘עֵ֤ב יֹאכֵ֗ל 1 Eliphaz assumes that Job will understand that by **devours the harvest** he is referring to the practice of gleaning, which the law of Moses commanded the Israelites to allow. Poor people could come into harvested fields and pick up the leftover grain to feed themselves. Eliphaz means that the foolish person and his family will not be able to harvest the grain they have planted and so gleaners will come and take all the grain. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation, as a new sentence: “The foolish person has to abandon the grain that he plants in his fields, and gleaners come and take all of it” whose harvest the hungry one devours
5:5 j126 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲשֶׁ֤ר קְצִיר֨וֹ ׀ רָ֘עֵ֤ב יֹאכֵ֗ל 1 While hungry people eventually will **devour** or eat up all of the grain from the foolish person’s harvest, Eliphaz means in this context that they will take all of the grain from the fields. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as a new sentence: “Hungry people will come and glean his entire harvest” whose harvest the hungry one devours
5:5 j127 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רָ֘עֵ֤ב & צַמִּ֣ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **hungry** and **thirsty** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. The ULT adds the words **one** and **ones** to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “the hungry person … thirsty people” the hungry one & the thirsty ones
5:5 j128 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רָ֘עֵ֤ב & צַמִּ֣ים 1 Eliphaz is describing poor people by association with the way that they may be **hungry** and **thirsty** because they cannot afford to buy food and drink. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use equivalent expressions or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, using a poetic parallel: “the poor one … the impoverished ones” the hungry one & the thirsty ones
5:5 j129 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun רָ֘עֵ֤ב יֹאכֵ֗ל 1 This phrase does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone who has the quality that it names. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. It may be helpful to make this term plural, like **the thirsty ones**, for consistency. Alternate translation: “hungry people devour” or “poor people devour” the hungry one devours
5:5 k9ap rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֶֽל־מִצִּנִּ֥ים יִקָּחֵ֑הוּ 1 The implications are that if gleaners even collect the grain that is growing **among the thorns** in the foolish person’s field, then they will take all of the grain in the entire field. The further implication is that nothing will be left for the foolish person and his family. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “they take every last bit of grain, leaving nothing for him and his family” they even take it from among the thorns
5:5 ded6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְשָׁאַ֖ף צַמִּ֣ים חֵילָֽם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if **thirsty ones**, that is, impoverished people, literally **pant** for the **wealth** of foolish people, as if wealth were something they could drink to satisfy their thirst. He means that they desire the wealth. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and impoverished people desire their wealth” and the thirsty ones pant for their wealth
5:5 j130 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְשָׁאַ֖ף צַמִּ֣ים חֵילָֽם 1 Eliphaz is saying by implication that the **thirsty ones** who desire the **wealth** of foolish people actually do obtain it. They do so by gleaning their entire harvests and perhaps by other means that Eliphaz does not mention specifically. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and impoverished people take away their wealth” and the thirsty ones pant for their wealth
5:6 j131 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Eliphaz is using the word **For** to connect what he has just said with his larger argument that Job should consider why God would be punishing him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Do not be like a person who does not respect and obey God, because” For
5:6 kx25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ׀ לֹא־יֵצֵ֣א מֵעָפָ֣ר אָ֑וֶן וּ֝מֵאֲדָמָ֗ה לֹא־יִצְמַ֥ח עָמָֽל׃ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if **misery** and **trouble** might literally come from the **dust** or the **ground**. He is comparing them to plants such as weeds that might unexpectedly appear in the soil even though a farmer did not sow their seeds. The point of the comparison is that weeds seem to come out of nowhere, while trouble and misery have an identifiable source. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, combining the two parallel lines: “trouble certainly does not just happen” "misery does not come out from the dust,
and trouble does not sprout from the ground"
5:6 j132 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹא־יֵצֵ֣א מֵעָפָ֣ר אָ֑וֶן וּ֝מֵאֲדָמָ֗ה לֹא־יִצְמַ֥ח עָמָֽל׃ 1 The implication, if trouble and misery do not just happen, is that their cause is the indignation and resentment that Eliphaz warned Job against in verse 2. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation, as a poetic parallel: “it is truly indignation that causes trouble, yes, it is resentment that causes misery” "misery does not come out from the dust,
and trouble does not sprout from the ground"
5:7 j133 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Eliphaz is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he says that trouble does not just happen. Its cause is known: People create trouble for themselves. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I say this because” For
5:7 kz2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit ־אָ֭דָם לְעָמָ֣ל יוּלָּ֑ד וּבְנֵי־רֶ֝֗שֶׁף יַגְבִּ֥יהוּ עֽוּף׃ 1 Eliphaz assumes that Job will understand that by naming two things that he holds to be true, he means that the first is just as true as the second. You could indicate that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “man is born to trouble, just as surely as sons of the flame soar to fly” "man is born to trouble,
and sons of the flame soar to fly"
5:7 j134 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אָ֭דָם לְעָמָ֣ל יוּלָּ֑ד 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people are born to trouble” man is born to trouble
5:7 j135 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אָ֭דָם לְעָמָ֣ל יוּלָּ֑ד 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people have an innate tendency to cause trouble for themselves” man is born to trouble
5:7 j136 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבְנֵי־רֶ֝֗שֶׁף 1 Eliphaz is describing sparks as if they were **sons of the flame**, that is, as if fire gave birth to sparks and sent them out. Your language may have a poetic expression of its own that you could use in your translation to describe sparks. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and sparks” and sons of the flame
5:7 j137 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יַגְבִּ֥יהוּ עֽוּף 1 This expression means that sparks fly upwards, carried by currents of air. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “fly upwards” soar to fly
5:8 j138 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲ֭נִי אֶדְרֹ֣שׁ אֶל־אֵ֑ל 1 For emphasis, Eliphaz is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **seek**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. The ULT does so by using the intensive pronoun **myself**. Alternate translation: “I would certainly seek for God” I myself would seek for God
5:8 j139 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲ֭נִי אֶדְרֹ֣שׁ אֶל־אֵ֑ל 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if God were literally a lost object that Job should **seek** and try to find. He means that Job should pray to God and ask God to show him how he has offended God and deserved punishment. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I myself would pray to God and ask him to show me why he was punishing me” I myself would seek for God
5:9 j140 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj גְ֭דֹלוֹת & נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **great** and **marvelous** as nouns to mean certain kinds of things. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. For example, you could add the word **things** in both cases, as the ULT does to show the meaning. great {things} & marvelous {things
5:9 l8rt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֵ֣ין חֵ֑קֶר 1 Eliphaz means implicitly that even if people search or seek to find out how God does **great things**, they cannot succeed in learning this. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that are unsearchable” or “that no one can understand” and {there is} no searching
5:9 j141 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and who does marvelous things” marvelous {things
5:10 j142 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הַנֹּתֵ֣ן & וְשֹׁ֥לֵֽחַ 1 The pronoun **one** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God is the one who gives … and sends” the one giving & and sending
5:10 j143 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ־פְּנֵי־אָ֑רֶץ & ־פְּנֵ֥י חוּצֽוֹת׃ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the **earth** and the **fields** each literally had a **face**. He means their surfaces. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the surface of the earth … the surface of the fields” "the face of the earth
& the face of the fields"
5:11 die2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לָשׂ֣וּם שְׁפָלִ֣ים לְמָר֑וֹם וְ֝קֹדְרִ֗ים שָׂ֣גְבוּ יֶֽשַׁע׃ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if God would literally put **lowly** people and people who are **mourning** in **high** places. He means that God will protect them and honor them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God honors lowly people and protects people who are mourning” "setting the humble on high,
and the ones mourning are high in safety"
5:11 j144 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj שְׁפָלִ֣ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **lowly** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “lowly people” the humble
5:11 j145 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יֶֽשַׁע׃ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **safety**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “where they are safe” in safety
5:12 j146 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עֲרוּמִ֑ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **crafty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “crafty people” the crafty
5:12 j147 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְֽלֹא־תַעֲשֶׂ֥ינָה יְ֝דֵיהֶ֗ם 1 Eliphaz is using the word **and** to introduce the result of God frustrating the **plans of the crafty**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “so that their hands do not accomplish” and their hands do not accomplish
5:12 j148 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְֽלֹא־תַעֲשֶׂ֥ינָה יְ֝דֵיהֶ֗ם 1 Here, **hands** figuratively represent the capability of people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they are not able to accomplish” and their hands do not accomplish
5:13 rw2w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹכֵ֣ד חֲכָמִ֣ים בְּעָרְמָ֑ם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the **craftiness** of **cunning** people were literally a trap that God uses to catch them. He means that God makes them suffer the consequences of the evil actions by which they intended to make others suffer. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “making the cunning suffer the consequences of their own evil actions” catching the cunning in their craftiness
5:13 j149 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חֲכָמִ֣ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **cunning** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “cunning people” the cunning
5:13 j150 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַעֲצַ֖ת נִפְתָּלִ֣ים נִמְהָֽרָה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and hastening the plan of the ones being deceptive” and the plan of the ones being deceptive is hastened
5:13 j151 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וַעֲצַ֖ת נִפְתָּלִ֣ים נִמְהָֽרָה 1 Eliphaz is using the word **and** to introduce the result of God frustrating the **plans of the crafty**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “so that the plan of the ones being deceptive is hastened” or “so that he can hasten the plan of the ones being deceptive” and the plan of the ones being deceptive is hastened
5:13 j152 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַעֲצַ֖ת נִפְתָּלִ֣ים נִמְהָֽרָה 1 When Eliphaz says that God hastens the plan of deceptive people, he likely means that God makes their plans fail by bringing them too early, before they are ready, to the point where they would need to take effect. So the implication is that God makes the plan fail. and the plan of the ones being deceptive is hastened
5:14 w5uy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יוֹמָ֥ם יְפַגְּשׁוּ־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וְ֝כַלַּ֗יְלָה יְֽמַשְׁשׁ֥וּ בַֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the cunning and deceptive people he described in the previous verse are literally in the dark during the day and cannot find their way. He means that God keeps them from realizing how to make their wicked plans succeed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God keeps these cunning and deceptive people from realizing how to make their wicked plans succeed” "They encounter darkness by day,
and they grope at midday as at night"
5:15 j153 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָזָ֣ק אֶבְיֽוֹן 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **poor** and **mighty** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “poor people … mighty people” the poor & the mighty
5:15 i885 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מֵ֭חֶרֶב מִפִּיהֶ֑ם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the cunning and deceptive people he described in verse 13 literally had a **sword in their mouths**. He is referring to the things these people say to try to hurt the poor. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the things they say to try to hurt them” from the sword in their mouths
5:15 j154 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּמִיַּ֖ד 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and from the power of” and from the hand of
5:16 j155 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַתְּהִ֣י לַדַּ֣ל תִּקְוָ֑ה 1 This expression means that the **poor** person has hope. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And the poor has hope” And hope is to the poor
5:16 j156 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לַדַּ֣ל 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **poor** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “to the person who is poor” to the poor
5:16 j157 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לַדַּ֣ל 1 This phrase does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone who has the quality that it names. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to those who are poor” to the poor
5:16 exr5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝עֹלָ֗תָה קָ֣פְצָה פִּֽיהָ 1 Job is speaking of **injustice** as if it were a living thing that could **shut** its own **mouth**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and people no longer make unjust claims against them” and injustice shuts her mouth
5:16 j158 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְ֝עֹלָ֗תָה 1 Eliphaz may be using the word translated **and** to indicate that poor people have hope because others no longer make unjust claims against them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “because injustice” and injustice
5:17 j159 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֱ֭נוֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “is anyone” or “is any person” is the man
5:17 j160 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וּמוּסַ֥ר שַׁ֝דַּ֗י אַל־תִּמְאָֽס 1 Eliphaz is using the word translated **and** to indicate that Job should not despise God’s chastening because he is blessed as someone whom God is correcting. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “so do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” and the chastening of the Almighty do not despise
5:17 g1br rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives אַל־תִּמְאָֽס 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **despise**. Alternate translation: “appreciate” do not despise
5:18 fx57 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כִּ֤י ה֣וּא יַכְאִ֣יב וְיֶחְבָּ֑שׁ יִ֝מְחַ֗ץ וְיָדָיו תִּרְפֶּֽינָה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if God literally **injures** and **wounds** people and then gives them medical treatment. He means that God uses setbacks and sufferings (which could include physical ailments) to correct people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The UST models one way to do this. "For he injures and binds up,
he wounds and his hands heal"
5:18 j161 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns ה֣וּא יַכְאִ֣יב 1 For emphasis, Eliphaz is stating the pronoun **he**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **injures**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “truly he injures” he injures
5:18 dgs2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְיָדָיו תִּרְפֶּֽינָה 1 Eliphaz is using one part of God, his **hands**, to mean all of him in the act of healing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he himself heals” and his hands heal
5:19 q4qe rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry בְּשֵׁ֣שׁ צָ֭רוֹת יַצִּילֶ֑ךָּ וּבְשֶׁ֓בַע ׀ לֹא־יִגַּ֖ע בְּךָ֣ רָֽע 1 In order to make a comprehensive statement, Eliphaz is naming a number that should be sufficient to illustrate his point and then increasing that number by one for emphasis. This was a common device in Hebrew poetry. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “God will rescue you from every trouble and not allow you to be harmed” "In six troubles he will rescue you,
and in seven, harm will not touch you"
5:19 j162 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּבְשֶׁ֓בַע & רָֽע 1 Eliphaz is leaving out a word that in many languages this sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply the word from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and in seven troubles harm” and in seven, harm
5:19 j163 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לֹא־יִגַּ֖ע בְּךָ֣ רָֽע 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **harm** as if it were a living thing that could **touch** Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you will not be harmed” harm will not touch you
5:20 q1gi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פָּֽדְךָ֣ מִמָּ֑וֶת 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if God would literally **redeem** or make a payment to free Job from **death** during a **famine**. He means that God will keep Job from dying from hunger. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he will keep you from dying of hunger” he will redeem you from death
5:20 j164 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּ֝בְמִלְחָמָ֗ה מִ֣ידֵי 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and in war he will redeem you from the hands of” and in war, from the hands of
5:20 cy63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִ֣ידֵי חָֽרֶב 1 Here, the term **hands** represents capability. Eliphaz is saying that God will rescue Job from what a sword might otherwise do to him if his enemies were to use one as a weapon against him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from being hurt by the sword” from the hands of the sword
5:20 j165 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun חָֽרֶב 1 This phrase does not refer to a specific **sword**. It refers to any sword that someone might use as a weapon against Job. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “any sword” the sword
5:20 j166 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche חָֽרֶב 1 Eliphaz is using one kind of weapon, the **sword**, to mean all kinds of weapons. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “any weapon” the sword
5:20 j167 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חָֽרֶב 1 Eliphaz is referring to enemies in war by association with the weapons that those enemies would use. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your enemies” the sword
5:21 j168 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בְּשׁ֣וֹט לָ֭שׁוֹן 1 Eliphaz is using this possessive form to speak of the **tongue** as something that people would use like a **whip**. He is not speaking of a whip that the tongue would use. Alternate translation: “If anyone uses his tongue like a whip,” From the scourge of the tongue
5:21 j169 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּשׁ֣וֹט לָ֭שׁוֹן 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the **tongue** were literally a **whip** that someone might use to harm Job. He means that they would say things that they intend to hurt him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “From destructive speech” From the scourge of the tongue
5:21 j170 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תֵּחָבֵ֑א 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God will hide you” you will be hidden
5:21 j171 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תֵּחָבֵ֑א 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if God would actually hide Job from things that people say in order to hurt him. He means that God will protect Job when people say these things. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you will be protected” or “God will protect you” you will be hidden
5:21 j172 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מִ֝שֹּׁ֗ד כִּ֣י יָבֽוֹא 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **destruction** as if it were a living thing that **comes** to people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “things that happen that could destroy you” destruction when it comes
5:21 h9ag rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מִ֝שֹּׁ֗ד כִּ֣י יָבֽוֹא 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **destruction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “things that happen that could destroy you” destruction when it comes
5:22 m19v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְשֹׁ֣ד וּלְכָפָ֣ן תִּשְׂחָ֑ק 1 The implication is that Job will **laugh** at ** destruction and famine** because while they might seem threatening, Job will know that God will protect him and so he will not take their threat seriously. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “You will realize gladly that God will protect you from destruction and famine” You will laugh at destruction and at famine
5:22 j173 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לְשֹׁ֣ד 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **destruction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “at things that might destroy you” at destruction
5:22 j174 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וּֽמֵחַיַּ֥ת & אַל־תִּירָֽא 1 Eliphaz is not referring to a specific **beast**. He means any beast. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and you will not fear any beast” and you will not fear the beast
5:23 j175 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure כִּ֤י עִם־אַבְנֵ֣י הַשָּׂדֶ֣ה בְרִיתֶ֑ךָ וְחַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה הָשְׁלְמָה־לָֽךְ 1 Since, in this verse, Eliphaz is giving the reason why he told Job in the previous verse that he would not “fear the beast of the earth,” it may be more natural in your language to put that information first. Alternate translation: “For the beast of the field will be made peaceable to you, and even with the stones of the field will be your covenant” "For with the stones of the field {will be} your covenant,
and the beast of the field will be made peaceable to you"
5:23 kt43 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification עִם־אַבְנֵ֣י הַשָּׂדֶ֣ה בְרִיתֶ֑ךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **the stones of the field** were living things that could make a **covenant** with Job. He means that God will keep stones from falling or rolling onto Job’s fields or emerging in the soil from underground, either making the fields less fertile or requiring extra labor to remove. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will prevent stones from ruining your fields” with the stones of the field {will be} your covenant
5:23 j176 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְחַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה הָשְׁלְמָה־לָֽךְ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “and God will cause the beast of the field to live peaceably with you” or “and God will prevent the beast of the field from harming you” and the beast of the field will be made peaceable to you
5:23 j177 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְחַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה 1 Eliphaz is not referring to a specific **beast**. He means any and every beast. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and the beasts of the field” and the beast of the field
5:24 j178 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns שָׁל֣וֹם אָהֳלֶ֑ךָ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **peace**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “your tent is safe” your tent {is in} peace
5:24 ew8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אָהֳלֶ֑ךָ 1 Eliphaz is referring to Job’s home (that is, his family and their possessions) by association with the **tent** in which they live. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your home” your tent
5:24 i2fj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א תֶחֱטָֽא 1 Eliphaz means implicitly that when Job goes to inspect his **sheepfold**, he will not find that any of his sheep are missing (because, for example, wild animals killed them or someone stole them). You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and you will not find that any of the sheep are missing” and you will not miss {anything
5:24 j179 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְלֹ֣א תֶחֱטָֽא 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **miss**. Alternate translation: “and you will find that all of your sheep are there” and you will not miss {anything
5:25 fxb7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom רַ֣ב זַרְעֶ֑ךָ 1 Here, **seed** means “descendants.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your descendants will be many” your seed {will be} great
5:25 j180 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝צֶאֱצָאֶ֗יךָ כְּעֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָֽרֶץ 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and that your offspring will be like the grass of the earth” and your offspring, like the grass of the earth
5:25 f961 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְ֝צֶאֱצָאֶ֗יךָ כְּעֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָֽרֶץ 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **the grass of the earth** is very plentiful, so Job will have a large number of offspring. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and that your offspring will be very numerous, like the grass of the earth” and your offspring, like the grass of the earth
5:26 a9gt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism תָּב֣וֹא & אֱלֵי־קָ֑בֶר 1 Eliphaz is using the expression **come to the grave** to mean “die.” This is a poetic way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “You will depart this world” You will come to the grave
5:26 w6jt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּעֲל֖וֹת גָּדִ֣ישׁ בְּעִתּֽוֹ 1 The point of this comparison is that when Job’s time comes to die, he will have lived a full and rewarding life, just as a **stack of grain** that is harvested **in its time** is ripe and fully developed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “mature and accomplished, like grain that is harvested at the peak of ripeness” like the lifting of a stack of grain in its time
5:27 uwj5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive חֲקַרְנ֥וּהָ 1 By **We**, Eliphaz means himself and other wise people but not Job, to whom he is speaking, so use the exclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction. We have examined it
5:27 j181 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאַתָּ֥ה דַֽע 1 For emphasis, Eliphaz is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **know**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “and know it certainly” and know {it
6:intro r7kh 0 # Job 6 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the beginning of Job’s response to Eliphaz.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Metaphors\n\nJob uses many different metaphors in this chapter to express his pain or despair and to show that he is upset with his friends, people who are supposed to help him during difficult times. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n\nIn verses 16–20, Job develops the image of his friends being like a stream of water that runs dry. Since Job explains the meaning of the image again in verse 21, you do not need to explain it in your translation in verses 16–20.\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nJob often uses the question form in this chapter to make emphatic statements or exclamations. This emphasis helps strengthen Job’s response to Eliphaz. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### plural “you”\n\nBeginning in verse 21, Job addresses his friends directly. So when he uses the word **you** from that verse to the end of the chapter, the word is plural. Use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.
6:2 j183 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ל֗וּ שָׁק֣וֹל יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל כַּעְשִׂ֑י וְ֝הַוָּתִ֗י בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם יִשְׂאוּ־יָֽחַד 1 Job is speaking as if his **anguish** and **calamity** could literally be **weighed**. He means that he wishes he could prove that his calamity is so great that it justifies the anguish he is feeling and has been expressing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I wish I could prove that my calamity warrants the amount of anguish that I am feeling and showing” "If only my anguish, being weighed, were weighed,
and my calamity lay in the balances together {with it"
6:2 use6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive ל֗וּ שָׁק֣וֹל יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל כַּעְשִׂ֑י וְ֝הַוָּתִ֗י בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם יִשְׂאוּ־יָֽחַד 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If only someone would weigh my anguish thoroughly and lay my calamity in the balances” "If only my anguish, being weighed, were weighed,
and my calamity lay in the balances together {with it"
6:2 cqr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown ל֗וּ שָׁק֣וֹל יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל כַּעְשִׂ֑י וְ֝הַוָּתִ֗י בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם יִשְׂאוּ־יָֽחַד 1 The word **balances** describes an instrument for determining the weight of an object or comparing the weight of two objects. It consists of a central post with a crossbar from which two pans are hung. An object may be placed in one pan and known weights placed in the other pan until the crossbar remains level, meaning that both pans contain an equal weight. Or one object may be placed in one pan and a different object in the other pan; the pan that hangs lower contains the heavier object. If your readers would not be familiar with what **balances** are, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “If only someone would weigh both my anguish and my calamity on a scale” "If only my anguish, being weighed, were weighed,
and my calamity lay in the balances together {with it"
6:2 j184 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication שָׁק֣וֹל יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל 1 The words **were thoroughly weighed** translate a repeated verb. Job is repeating the verb “weigh” for emphasis. If your language can repeat words for emphasis, it would be appropriate to use that construction here in your translation. being weighed, were weighed
6:3 l5j1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מֵח֣וֹל יַמִּ֣ים יִכְבָּ֑ד 1 Job is using the pronoun **it** to refer to his anguish. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “my anguish would be heavier than the sand of the seas” it would be heavier than the sand of the seas
6:3 j9lz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification דְּבָרַ֥י לָֽעוּ 1 Job is speaking of his **words** as if they were a living thing that has **raved** to his friends. He means that he himself has raved or spoken vehemently to them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I raved when I spoke to you” my words raved
6:4 se7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חִצֵּ֪י שַׁדַּ֡י עִמָּדִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֣ר חֲ֭מָתָם שֹׁתָ֣ה רוּחִ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally shot **arrows** with **poison** into him. He means that the bad things that have happened to him, for which he considers God responsible, are making him suffer and feel desperate, as if he were dying from the poison. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am suffering desperately because of what the Almighty has done to me” "the arrows of the Almighty are in me,
whose poison my spirit is drinking"
6:4 j185 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession חִצֵּ֪י שַׁדַּ֡י עִמָּדִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֣ר חֲ֭מָתָם שֹׁתָ֣ה רוּחִ֑י 1 Job is using the possessive form to refer to an inner part of himself, the locus of his motivations and aspirations, as his **spirit**. He is not referring to a separate supernatural being, a spirit, that belongs to him. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “my morale is suffering desperately because of what the Almighty has done to me” "the arrows of the Almighty are in me,
whose poison my spirit is drinking"
6:4 m898 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שֹׁתָ֣ה 1 Job is speaking as if his **spirit** were literally **drinking** poison from arrows that had struck him. He means, within the context of that metaphor, that his spirit is absorbing the poison. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is absorbing” is drinking
6:4 l3u6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בִּעוּתֵ֖י אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַֽעַרְכֽוּנִי 1 Job is speaking of **the terrors of God** (that is, the things he believes God is doing to terrify him) as if they were living things that could **array themselves** against him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God is doing many things that all terrify me” the terrors of God array themselves against me
6:5 vas3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיִֽנְהַק־פֶּ֥רֶא עֲלֵי־דֶ֑שֶׁא אִ֥ם יִגְעֶה־שּׁ֝֗וֹר עַל־בְּלִילֽוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “A wild donkey does not bray over grass! Indeed, an ox does not bellow over its fodder!” "Does a wild donkey bray over grass?
If an ox bellows over its fodder"
6:5 kn3r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִ֥ם יִגְעֶה־שּׁ֝֗וֹר עַל־בְּלִילֽוֹ 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “An ox does not bellow over its fodder, does it?” If an ox bellows over its fodder
6:5 j186 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs הֲיִֽנְהַק־פֶּ֥רֶא עֲלֵי־דֶ֑שֶׁא אִ֥ם יִגְעֶה־שּׁ֝֗וֹר עַל־בְּלִילֽוֹ 1 Job is quoting or creating a proverb, a short saying about something that is generally true in life. This proverb draws a figurative comparison: Just as animals do not complain loudly if they have food, so Job would not be protesting so vehemently if something were not seriously wrong. But since Job has already made this point explicitly in verse 3 (“therefore my words raved”), you do not need to explain it here. Rather, you can translate the proverb itself in a way that will be recognized as a proverb and be meaningful in your language and culture. If your readers would not recognize what a **wild donkey** or an **ox** is, in your translation you could use animals that your readers would recognize. "Does a wild donkey bray over grass?
If an ox bellows over its fodder"
6:6 cg4r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיֵאָכֵ֣ל תָּ֭פֵל מִבְּלִי־מֶ֑לַח אִם־יֶשׁ־טַ֝֗עַם בְּרִ֣יר חַלָּמֽוּת 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “The unsavory will not be eaten without salt! And there is no taste in the white of an egg!” "Will the unsavory be eaten without salt?
If there is taste in the white of an egg"
6:6 l3sd rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs הֲיֵאָכֵ֣ל תָּ֭פֵל מִבְּלִי־מֶ֑לַח אִם־יֶשׁ־טַ֝֗עַם בְּרִ֣יר חַלָּמֽוּת 1 Job is quoting or creating a proverb, a short saying about something that is generally true in life. This proverb draws a figurative comparison: Just as it is necessary to season some foods in order to eat them, so it is necessary to talk expressively about some situations in life in order to endure them. Job has already made this point explicitly in verse 3 (“therefore my words raved”), but perhaps the connection will not be as clear in this case as in the previous verse. So you could make the connection more explicitly. Alternatively, you could translate the proverb itself in a way that would be recognized as a proverb and be meaningful in your language and culture. If people in your culture would not eat **the white of an egg**, in your translation you could use a food that your readers would recognize. Alternate translation: “I cannot endure these troubles without talking emotionally about them, any more than people can eat bland food without seasoning it” "Will the unsavory be eaten without salt?
If there is taste in the white of an egg"
6:6 j187 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj הֲיֵאָכֵ֣ל תָּ֭פֵל מִבְּלִי־מֶ֑לַח 1 Job is using the adjective **unsavory,** which in this context means “without flavor,” as a noun to mean a certain kind of food. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “Will unsavory food be eaten without salt” Will the unsavory be eaten without salt
6:6 xfj2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲיֵאָכֵ֣ל תָּ֭פֵל מִבְּלִי־מֶ֑לַח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Will people eat unsavory food without salt” Will the unsavory be eaten without salt
6:6 j188 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־יֶשׁ־טַ֝֗עַם בְּרִ֣יר חַלָּמֽוּת 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a contrary answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “There is no taste in the white of an egg, is there” If there is taste in the white of an egg
6:7 j189 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מֵאֲנָ֣ה & נַפְשִׁ֑י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **soul**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have refused” My soul has refused
6:7 j190 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לִנְגּ֣וֹעַ 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Job is moving from quoting a proverb that uses food as an illustration to talking about his actual food. Alternate translation: “to touch food” to touch
6:7 hy2z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִנְגּ֣וֹעַ 1 In this context, the word **touch** means “eat.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to eat food” to touch
6:7 j191 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הֵ֝֗מָּה 1 The pronoun **they** refers to the troubles that Job has been experiencing. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “my troubles” they
6:7 j192 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כִּדְוֵ֥י לַחְמִֽי 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **disease** can make a person feel too badly to eat, so Job’s troubles are making him feel too badly to eat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “are making me feel too badly to eat, as if I were sick” are} like disease {in} my food
6:7 j193 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לַחְמִֽי 1 Job is referring to eating by association with the **food** that people eat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when I eat” in} my food
6:8 j194 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־יִ֭תֵּן תָּב֣וֹא שֶֽׁאֱלָתִ֑י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I wish that someone would grant that my request would come!” Who will grant that my request may come
6:8 j195 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מִֽי־יִ֭תֵּן תָּב֣וֹא שֶֽׁאֱלָתִ֑י 1 Job is speaking of his **request** as if it were a living thing that could **come** to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Who will grant my request” or “I wish that someone would make happen what I am requesting” Who will grant that my request may come
6:9 yf92 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וְיֹאֵ֣ל אֱ֭לוֹהַּ וִֽידַכְּאֵ֑נִי 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two verbs connected with **and**. The verb **be willing** tells in what way Job hopes God will **crush** him. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “and may God willingly crush me” or “and may God agree to crush me” and may God be willing and may he crush me
6:9 f53h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַתֵּ֥ר יָ֝ד֗וֹ 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “may he use his power” may he loose his hand
6:9 j196 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וִֽיבַצְּעֵֽנִי 1 Job is speaking as if he were a branch that God might **cut … off** from a tree in order to kill it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and kill me” and cut me off
6:10 gre4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וּ֥תְהִי ע֨וֹד ׀ נֶ֘חָ֤מָתִ֗י וַאֲסַלְּדָ֣ה בְ֭חִילָה לֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל כִּי־לֹ֥א כִ֝חַ֗דְתִּי אִמְרֵ֥י קָדֽוֹשׁ 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could put the last phrase in this sentence first, since it gives the reason for what the first and second phrases describe. Alternate translation: “I have not concealed the sayings of the Holy One, so may that still be my consolation; may it enable me to be cheerful in pain even if God does not spare me” "Yet may it still be my consolation—
indeed, let me exult in pain, may he not spare—
that I have not concealed the sayings of the Holy One"
6:10 j197 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֥תְהִי ע֨וֹד ׀ נֶ֘חָ֤מָתִ֗י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **consolation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “And may this still console me” Yet may it still be my consolation
6:10 j198 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “may God not spare” may he not spare
6:10 j199 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל 1 Job is not wishing that God would not spare him. He is referring implicitly to the possibility that God might not spare him. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “even if God does not spare me” may he not spare
6:10 j200 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֥א כִ֝חַ֗דְתִּי אִמְרֵ֥י קָדֽוֹשׁ 1 Job is speaking as if he could literally have **concealed** the **sayings of the Holy One**. He means that he has not treated God’s decrees regarding people as if they did not exist. In other words, he has obeyed them and, to this point in the book, he has not questioned them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have not disobeyed or questioned the sayings of the Holy One” or “I have not disobeyed or questioned God’s decrees” I have not concealed the sayings of the Holy One
6:10 ji9n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives לֹ֥א כִ֝חַ֗דְתִּי אִמְרֵ֥י קָדֽוֹשׁ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **concealed**. Alternate translation: “I have obeyed God’s decrees” or “I have trusted God’s decrees” I have not concealed the sayings of the Holy One
6:10 j201 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj קָדֽוֹשׁ 1 Job is using the adjective **Holy** as a noun to refer to God by describing what God is like. The ULT adds the word **One** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this expression with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “God, who is holy” the Holy One
6:11 b1ue rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־כֹּחִ֥י כִֽי־אֲיַחֵ֑ל וּמַה־קִּ֝צִּ֗י כִּֽי־אַאֲרִ֥יךְ נַפְשִֽׁי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “I do not have enough strength to wait! And I should not try to prolong my life beyond when it will end!” "What {is} my strength, that I should wait?
And what {is} my end, that I should prolong my life"
6:11 j202 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִֽי־אֲיַחֵ֑ל 1 Job means implicitly that he does not have the strength to wait or endure until he receives the long-term blessings that Eliphaz said he would have if he committed his cause to God. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “that I should wait for those blessings” or “that I would be able to endure until I received those blessings” that I should wait
6:12 vp49 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־כֹּ֣חַ אֲבָנִ֣ים כֹּחִ֑י אִֽם־בְּשָׂרִ֥י נָחֽוּשׁ 1 In both cases, Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a contrary answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “My strength is not the strength of stones, is it? My flesh is not bronze, is it?” "If my strength {is} the strength of stones?
If my flesh {is} bronze"
6:12 n69y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־כֹּ֣חַ אֲבָנִ֣ים כֹּחִ֑י אִֽם־בְּשָׂרִ֥י נָחֽוּשׁ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “My strength is not the strength of stones! My flesh is not bronze!” "If my strength {is} the strength of stones?
If my flesh {is} bronze"
6:12 j203 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִֽם־בְּשָׂרִ֥י נָחֽוּשׁ 1 Job is speaking as if his **flesh** might literally be **bronze**. He is actually making a comparison. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My flesh is not as durable as bronze, is it?” or “My flesh is not as durable as bronze!” If my flesh {is} bronze
6:13 j204 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הַאִ֬ם אֵ֣ין עֶזְרָתִ֣י בִ֑י וְ֝תֻשִׁיָּ֗ה נִדְּחָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנִּי 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce questions that anticipate negative answers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “My help is not in me, is it, and initiative has been taken away from me, hasn’t it?” "If my help {is} not in me,
and initiative has been taken away from me"
6:13 lg48 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַאִ֬ם אֵ֣ין עֶזְרָתִ֣י בִ֑י וְ֝תֻשִׁיָּ֗ה נִדְּחָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנִּי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “My help is not in me, and initiative has been taken away from me!” "If my help {is} not in me,
and initiative has been taken away from me"
6:13 h5wf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֝תֻשִׁיָּ֗ה נִדְּחָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנִּי 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and my troubles have taken initiative away from me” and initiative has been taken away from me
6:13 j205 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְ֝תֻשִׁיָּ֗ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **initiative**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and the capacity to act on my own behalf” and initiative
6:14 j343 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לַמָּ֣ס מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **covenant faithfulness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “The friend of someone who is despairing should help him faithfully” To the despairing, covenant faithfulness from his friend
6:14 s4yi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לַמָּ֣ס 1 Job is using the adjective **despairing** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “To someone who is despairing” To the despairing
6:14 e6e6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “there should be covenant faithfulness from his friend” covenant faithfulness from his friend
6:14 naj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיִרְאַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יַעֲזֽוֹב 1 This could mean implicitly: (1) that a friend should show faithfulness to a despairing person even if that person forsakes the fear of the Almighty (as Job’s friends believe he may be doing). Alternate translation: “even if that despairing person forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (2) that if a friend does not show faithfulness to a despairing person, that friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Alternate translation: “otherwise that friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty” and the fear of the Almighty he forsakes
6:14 j206 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיִרְאַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יַעֲזֽוֹב 1 Job is using the word **fear** to mean respect for God that leads a person to obey God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that in your translation. Alternate translation: “even if he does not respect and obey the Almighty” or “otherwise he does not respect and obey the Almighty” and the fear of the Almighty he forsakes
6:15 j207 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַ֭חַי 1 Job is using the term **brothers** figuratively to mean his three friends. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My friends” My brothers
6:15 j208 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אַ֭חַי 1 Job is speaking about his friends in the third person even though they are present. If it would be more natural in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “You friends of mine” My brothers
6:15 p13y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile בָּגְד֣וּ כְמוֹ־נָ֑חַל 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **seasonal stream** would appear to be a good source of water but then fail in the dry season, so Job’s friends seemingly came to offer encouragement, but they have provided none. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “have dealt treacherously by seeming to offer encouragement but then not offering any, like a seasonal stream that seems to offer water but then fails in the dry season” have dealt treacherously like a wadi
6:15 j209 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כַּאֲפִ֖יק נְחָלִ֣ים יַעֲבֹֽרוּ 1 In this context, the expression **pass away** means to dry up. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like a channel of seasonal streams, they dry up” or “like a channel of seasonal streams, you dry up” like a channel of wadis they pass away
6:15 l6xj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כַּאֲפִ֖יק נְחָלִ֣ים יַעֲבֹֽרוּ 1 Job is speaking as if his friends literally **pass away** or dry up the way a desert stream does. He means that in the end, they fail to provide the encouragement that they implicitly promised by coming to see him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They have no help to offer in the end, like a channel for seasonal streams that runs dry” or “You have no help to offer in the end, like a channel for seasonal streams that runs dry” like a channel of wadis they pass away
6:16 j211 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 0 In this verse, Job describes the state of desert streams in the cold season, and in the next verse, he contrasts that with the state of the streams in the hot season. To show this contrast, you could create a verse bridge for verses 16–17. It might say something like this: “In the cold season, these streams are dark from ice over their channel, indeed, snow covers that channel. But in the hot season, the streams go dry and vanish, the heat dries them up completely”
6:16 pnp2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הַקֹּדְרִ֥ים מִנִּי־קָ֑רַח עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ יִתְעַלֶּם־שָֽׁלֶג 1 The pronoun **it** refers in both cases to the “channel” of streams that Job described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “These streams are dark from ice over their channel; that channel hides itself with snow” "the ones being dark from ice over it,
it hides itself with snow"
6:16 cq2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִתְעַלֶּם־שָֽׁלֶג 1 Job is speaking as if a channel of desert streams were a living thing that **hides itself with snow** in the winter. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “snow covers this channel” it hides itself with snow
6:17 z6dh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נִצְמָ֑תוּ & נִדְעֲכ֥וּ מִמְּקוֹמָֽם 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the dryness annihilates them … the heat exterminates them” "they are annihilated;
& they are exterminated from their place"
6:18 vke1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִ֭לָּ֣פְתוּ אָרְח֣וֹת דַּרְכָּ֑ם 1 The implication is that these **Caravans** are leaving their usual routes to look for water in the dry season. The oases along the routes have presumably dried up, and the caravans are going to places where they expect to find streams still flowing. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Caravans turn themselves aside from their way to look for water” Caravans turn themselves aside from their way
6:18 j212 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יַעֲל֖וּ 1 The expression **go up** does not necessarily indicate travel to a higher elevation. In this context, it probably means to leave the caravan route and go into the untracked desert. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “they go out” they go up
6:19 j213 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis הִ֭בִּיטוּ אָרְח֣וֹת תֵּמָ֑א 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Caravans from Tema looked for water” Caravans from Tema looked
6:19 ua63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names תֵּמָ֑א & שְׁ֝בָ֗א 1 The words **Tema** and **Sheba** are the names of regions. from Tema & Sheba
6:19 n6an rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns קִוּוּ־לָֽמוֹ 1 The pronoun **them** refers to the desert streams Job has been talking about. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “hoped to find streams of water” hoped in them
6:20 mue3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בֹּ֥שׁוּ & וַיֶּחְפָּֽרוּ 1 The expressions translated **They were ashamed** and **they were confounded** may seem like passive verbal expressions, and if your language does not use such expressions, you could express these ideas in active form or in another way that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: “They felt shame … but the dry stream bed confounded them” They were ashamed, & and they were confounded
6:20 j214 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עָ֝דֶ֗יהָ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the stream bed where the caravans expected to find water. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “as far as the stream bed where they expected to find water” as far as it
6:21 gk7t rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Job is using the word **For** to explain in what way his friends are like the desert streams he has been describing, as he said they were in verse 15. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “You are like these streams because” For
6:21 t8mf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular הֱיִ֣יתֶם & תִּֽרְא֥וּ & וַתִּירָֽאוּ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **you** is plural here and in the rest of the chapter because Job is using it to address his three friends. Use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you are & you see & and you fear
6:21 wa4z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֱיִ֣יתֶם לא 1 Job is speaking of his friends as if they had become **nothing**, just as a stream ceases to exist when all of its water dries up. He means that his friends are offering him no help, just as a dried-up stream would not help a caravan that needed water in the desert. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you are not offering me any help” you are nothing
6:21 zr7k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תִּֽרְא֥וּ חֲ֝תַ֗ת וַתִּירָֽאוּ 1 Job seems to be saying implicitly that his friends think that God has afflicted him with a **terror** and so they are afraid to console him, because they think God will afflict them as well if they take his side. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “you think that God has sent this terror and so you are afraid to help me because you think God will punish you if you do” you see a terror and you fear
6:22 vq26 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲֽכִי־ אָ֭מַרְתִּי הָ֣בוּ לִ֑י וּ֝מִכֹּחֲכֶ֗ם שִׁחֲד֥וּ בַעֲדִֽי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “I did not say to you, ‘Give me something’! Or, ‘Make a gift to me from your wealth’!” "Is it} that I said, ‘Give me {something}’?
Or, ‘Make a gift to me from your wealth"
6:22 j341 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הֲֽכִי־ אָ֭מַרְתִּי הָ֣בוּ לִ֑י וּ֝מִכֹּחֲכֶ֗ם שִׁחֲד֥וּ בַעֲדִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there are not quotations within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Is it that I told you to give me something? Or to make me a gift from your wealth?” or “I did not tell you to give me something or to make me a gift from your wealth” "Is it} that I said, ‘Give me {something}’?
Or, ‘Make a gift to me from your wealth"
6:23 j216 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַלְּט֥וּנִי מִיַּד־ צָ֑ר וּמִיַּ֖ד עָרִיצִ֣ים תִּפְדּֽוּנִי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “I also did not say to you, ‘Save me from the hand of the enemy’! Or, ‘From the hand of the oppressors rescue me’!” "Or, ‘Save me from the hand of the enemy’?
Or, ‘From the hand of the oppressors rescue me"
6:23 j217 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וּמַלְּט֥וּנִי מִיַּד־ צָ֑ר וּמִיַּ֖ד עָרִיצִ֣ים תִּפְדּֽוּנִי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Did I ask you to save me from the hand of the enemy or rescue me from the hand of the oppressors?” or “I did not ask you to save me from the hand of the enemy or rescue me from the hand of the oppressors!” "Or, ‘Save me from the hand of the enemy’?
Or, ‘From the hand of the oppressors rescue me"
6:23 x1gs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִיַּד־צָ֑ר וּמִיַּ֖ד עָרִיצִ֣ים 1 Here, **hand** represents the capability and power of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the power of the enemy? Or, ‘From the power of the oppressors’” "from the hand of the enemy’?
Or, ‘From the hand of the oppressors"
6:24 j218 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **will be silent**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I will certainly be silent” and I will be silent
6:24 j219 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמַה־ שָּׁ֝גִ֗יתִי 1 Job is speaking as if he could have literally **strayed** off the right path. He means that he could have done something wrong. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and what I have done wrong” and how I have strayed
6:25 j220 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִמְרֵי־יֹ֑שֶׁר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **uprightness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “upright words” words of uprightness
6:25 bt6s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַה־ יּוֹכִ֖יחַ הוֹכֵ֣חַ מִכֶּֽם 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “But correcting from you does not correct anything!” But what does correcting from you correct
6:25 rrn5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry וּמַה־ יּוֹכִ֖יחַ הוֹכֵ֣חַ מִכֶּֽם 1 For emphasis, Job is using a construction in which a subject and its verb come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “But what does your attempted correction really accomplish?” or “Your attempted correction really accomplishes nothing!” But what does correcting from you correct
6:26 j221 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis הַלְהוֹכַ֣ח מִלִּ֣ים תַּחְשֹׁ֑בוּ וּ֝לְר֗וּחַ אִמְרֵ֥י נֹאָֽשׁ 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Do you think to correct my words, and do you liken to the wind the words of one despairing” "Do you think to correct
my words,
and to the wind the words of one despairing"
6:26 l7bp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַלְהוֹכַ֣ח מִלִּ֣ים תַּחְשֹׁ֑בוּ וּ֝לְר֗וּחַ אִמְרֵ֥י נֹאָֽשׁ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You think to correct my words, and you liken the words of one despairing to the wind!” or “You only want to prove me wrong; you do not believe that I am justified in saying these desperate things!” "Do you think to correct
my words,
and to the wind the words of one despairing"
6:26 j222 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וּ֝לְר֗וּחַ אִמְרֵ֥י נֹאָֽשׁ 1 If Job is saying that his friends are likening his words to the wind, then Job is making a comparison. The point of the comparison is that Job’s friends consider his **words** to be trivial, having no more substance than **wind**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and do you consider the words of one despairing to be as insubstantial as the wind” and to the wind the words of one despairing
6:27 w62r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַל־ יָת֥וֹם תַּפִּ֑ילוּ וְ֝תִכְר֗וּ עַל־ רֵֽיעֲכֶֽם 1 Job assumes that his friends will understand that he is referring to two practices of his culture. If a man died who was indebted to others, his creditors could claim his children as slaves in repayment of the debt. Job is describing how such creditors might **cast lots** in order to determine which of them would get a particular child as a slave. Job is also referring to the practice of selling someone into slavery in order to obtain repayment of a debt. You can explain some of this cultural background in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “you cast lots to see which of you will have as a slave a child whose father, indebted to you, has died, and you try to get the best price for a friend whom you are selling into slavery to obtain repayment of his debt to you” "you cast {lots} for the fatherless,
and you haggle over your friend"
6:27 q6lj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־ יָת֥וֹם תַּפִּ֑ילוּ וְ֝תִכְר֗וּ עַל־ רֵֽיעֲכֶֽם 1 Job is speaking as if his friends would literally **cast lots** to see which of them would have an **fatherless** child as his slave and **haggle** over the price of a **friend** they were selling into slavery. Job does not mean that his friends are actually doing these things; he is making a comparison. The implication is that these are particularly callous things to do to a helpless orphan or to a friend, and Job is saying that his friends are acting just as callously towards him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The UST models one way of doing this. "you cast {lots} for the fatherless,
and you haggle over your friend"
6:27 h7jk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יָת֥וֹם 1 Job is using the adjective **fatherless** as a noun, to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “a fatherless child” or “an orphan” the fatherless
6:28 m2bq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְ֭עַתָּה הוֹאִ֣ילוּ פְנוּ־בִ֑י וְעַל־פְּ֝נֵיכֶ֗ם אִם־אֲכַזֵּֽב 1 Job is asking his friends to perform a symbolic action by looking directly at him so that he can look them right in the face himself. Job wants to be able to do this in order to dramatize the sincerity of what he is saying. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “But now, be willing, look at me, so that I can look right at you to show that I am speaking the truth” "But now, be willing, look at me,
and if I would lie to your faces"
6:28 j223 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְעַל־פְּ֝נֵיכֶ֗ם אִם־אֲכַזֵּֽב 1 This could mean: (1) that Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. Specifically, he is speaking the first part of an oath and leaving the second part understood. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and if I would lie to your faces, then may God punish me severely!” (2) that Job is using the word **if** to introduce a question that anticipates a contrary answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “for I would not lie to your faces, would I?” and if I would lie to your faces
6:28 q6v3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעַל־פְּ֝נֵיכֶ֗ם אִם־אֲכַזֵּֽב 1 Job is using one part of his friends, their **faces**, to mean all of them in the act of looking at him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and if I would lie to you while you were looking at me” and if I would lie to your faces
6:29 c7zi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שֻֽׁבוּ & וְשׁ֥וּבוּ 1 Job is speaking as if he wants his friends literally to **turn** and go in a different direction. He means that he wants them to start treating him differently. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “start treating me differently … yes, treat me differently” turn, & yes, turn
6:29 j224 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אַל־תְּהִ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **injustice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “do not treat me unjustly” let injustice not be
6:29 fcq7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives אַל־תְּהִ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative noun **injustice**. Alternate translation: “let there be justice” or “treat me justly” let injustice not be
6:29 j225 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns ע֝וֹד צִדְקִי־בָֽהּ 1 The pronoun **it** seems to refer to Job’s cause. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “my righteousness is yet in my cause” or “my cause is still righteous” my righteousness {is} yet in it
6:30 km3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיֵשׁ־ בִּלְשׁוֹנִ֥י עַוְלָ֑ה אִם־ חִ֝כִּ֗י לֹא־ יָבִ֥ין הַוּֽוֹת 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis in both of these sentences. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these sentences as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “There is no injustice on my tongue! My mouth discerns iniquity!” "Is there injustice on my tongue?
If my mouth does not discern iniquity"
6:30 z316 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲיֵשׁ־בִּלְשׁוֹנִ֥י עַוְלָ֑ה 1 Job is referring to what he says by association with the **tongue**, by which he says it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Is there injustice in what I have been saying” Is there injustice on my tongue
6:30 j226 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־חִ֝כִּ֗י לֹא־יָבִ֥ין הַוּֽוֹת 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a contrary answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “My mouth discerns iniquity, does it not” If my mouth does not discern iniquity
6:30 f1ga rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אִם־חִ֝כִּ֗י לֹא־יָבִ֥ין הַוּֽוֹת 1 Job is speaking of his **mouth** as if it were a living thing that could **discern iniquity**. He means that he himself is able to discern whether something he might say with his mouth would be morally wrong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I discern whether I might be speaking iniquity, do I not?” or “Certainly I can discern whether I might be speaking iniquity!” If my mouth does not discern iniquity
6:30 j227 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הַוּֽוֹת 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **iniquity**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is iniquitous” or “what is morally wrong” iniquity
7:intro y5ka 0 # Job 7 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Job finishes responding to Eliphaz’s first speech, and he also addresses God directly in light of his exchange with Eliphaz.\n- Verses 1–6: Job continues to respond to Elilphaz\n- Verses 7–21: Job addresses God directly\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Metaphors\n\nJob uses many different images in this chapter to describe what the things are like that he is feeling and experiencing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nJob often uses the question form in this chapter to emphasize the points he is making to Eliphaz and to God. Notes suggest how these questions may be translated as statements or exclamations if that would be more natural in your language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
7:1 nz5u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־ צָבָ֣א לֶאֱנ֣וֹשׁ על־ אָ֑רֶץ וְכִימֵ֖י שָׂכִ֣יר יָמָֽיו 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Man has hardship on earth! Yes, his days are like the days of a hireling!” "Is} not hardship to a man on earth?
And {are not} his days like the days of a hireling"
7:1 j228 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הֲלֹא־צָבָ֣א לֶאֱנ֣וֹשׁ על־אָ֑רֶץ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hardship**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Life on earth is hard for a man!” "Is} not hardship to a man on earth?
& not"
7:1 j229 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations לֶאֱנ֣וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “to a person” to a man
7:1 m3yt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְכִימֵ֖י שָׂכִ֣יר יָמָֽיו 1 Job is using this comparison to say that just as **the days of a hireling** (that is, someone hired by the day for manual labor) are long and difficult, so his days are long and difficult. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation, as an exclamation: “Yes, his days are long and difficult, like those of a hireling!” And {are & his days like the days of a hireling
7:2 g9ji rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְּעֶ֥בֶד יִשְׁאַף־ צֵ֑ל וּ֝כְשָׂכִ֗יר יְקַוֶּ֥ה פָעֳלֽוֹ 1 The point of this comparison, as Job makes clear in the next verse, is that just as a **slave** and a **hireling** have to endure long periods of wishing for relief, so Job has gone a long time without relief. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “As a slave wishes all through a long, hot day that evening would come, and as a hireling must wait until the end of the day to be paid” "As a slave longs for shade,
and as a hireling awaits his wages"
7:2 f1pu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy צֵ֑ל 1 Job is using the term **shade** to mean by association the evening, when the sun becomes low in the sky and shadows cover the earth. Specifically, he means the end of the work day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the evening” or “the end of the work day” shade
7:3 fpt6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הָנְחַ֣לְתִּי לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who has done the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God has caused me to inherit months of futility” I have been caused to inherit months of futility
7:3 j230 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָנְחַ֣לְתִּי לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 Job is speaking of these **months of futility** as if they were something that he had literally been **caused to inherit**. He means that he has been enduring futility during this time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have been enduring a time of futility” I have been caused to inherit months of futility
7:3 cp2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הָנְחַ֣לְתִּי לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **futility**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “I have been enduring a time when life seems futile” I have been caused to inherit months of futility
7:3 j231 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הָנְחַ֣לְתִּי לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 From the narrative of the book of Job, it does not appear that at this point **months** have gone by since Job began to experience his terrible misfortunes. So it seems that Job is using the term **months** to mean by association a period of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have been enduring a time of futility” I have been caused to inherit months of futility
7:3 j232 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְלֵיל֥וֹת עָ֝מָ֗ל מִנּוּ־לִֽי 1 The pronoun **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. Job is using this indefinite construction to focus on what has been **appointed** to him rather than on who appointed it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “and nights of trouble have been appointed to me” and they have appointed nights of trouble to me
7:4 m7jx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִם־שָׁכַ֗בְתִּי 1 Job is referring implicitly to when he would **lie down** to sleep at night. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Your language may have its own expression that you could use here in your translation. Alternate translation: “When I lie down to sleep” When I lie down
7:4 sf4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מָתַ֣י אָ֭קוּם 1 Job is not asking himself this question for information, to try to decide when to get up in the morning. He is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I hope this will not be a long and difficult night!” When will I get up
7:4 m4sv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְשָׂבַ֖עְתִּי נְדֻדִ֣ים 1 Job is speaking of himself as if he were a container that **tossings** filled. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I toss and turn continually” and I am full of tossings
7:5 j233 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לָ֘בַ֤שׁ בְּשָׂרִ֣י רִ֭מָּה וְג֣וּשׁ עָפָ֑ר 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally wearing worms and dust clods like clothing on his body. He means that he has these things all over his body. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My flesh is covered with worms and dust clods” My flesh wears the worm and the clod of dust
7:5 sh53 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לָ֘בַ֤שׁ בְּשָׂרִ֣י רִ֭מָּה וְג֣וּשׁ עָפָ֑ר 1 Job is not referring to a specific **worm** or **clod of dust**. He means worms and dust clods in general. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. “My flesh is covered with worms and dust clods” My flesh wears the worm and the clod of dust
7:5 l429 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּשָׂרִ֣י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **flesh**, to mean his whole body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My body” My flesh
7:5 we79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עוֹרִ֥י רָ֝גַ֗ע וַיִּמָּאֵֽס 1 Job is referring to the boils with which God allowed the accuser to afflict him, as the book describes in [2:7](../02/07.md). You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “my skin breaks and festers because of the boils that I have” my skin breaks and festers
7:6 tf2g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יָמַ֣י קַ֭לּוּ מִנִּי־אָ֑רֶג 1 Job his comparing his **days** to a **shuttle**, which stores and releases a supply of yearn for weavers, to say how quickly his days are going by. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. The UST models one way to do this. My days are swifter than a shuttle
7:6 j234 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יָמַ֣י קַ֭לּוּ 1 Job is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time, the time that he will live on earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My life is ending more quickly” My days are swifter
7:6 j235 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אָ֑רֶג 1 A **shuttle** is a wooden tool that weavers use when weaving to store and unravel yarn while passing it back and forth through other threads of yarn mounted on a loom. If your readers would not be familiar with what a shuttle is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a tool for weaving” or “a tool for making cloth quickly” a shuttle
7:6 j236 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַ֝יִּכְל֗וּ בְּאֶ֣פֶס תִּקְוָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hope**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and I cannot hope that my life will be good in the end” and they end without hope
7:7 j237 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular זְ֭כֹר 1 To this point in the speech he began in [6:1](../06/01.md), Job has been addressing his three friends, and so the pronoun **you** has been plural and the imperative forms have been second-person plural. However, the imperative **Remember** here is singular because Job is now addressing God, as he will do for the rest of this speech. So use a second-person singular imperative in your translation if your language marks that distinction. You may also wish to indicate explicitly that Job is now addressing God. Alternate translation: “God, remember” Remember
7:7 uf8v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative זְ֭כֹר 1 This is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: “God, please remember” Remember
7:7 ee27 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ר֣וּחַ חַיָּ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if his **life** were literally a **breath**. He likely means that just as a breath of air that a person exhales quickly dissipates, so his life will soon end. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my life will be over soon” my life {is} a breath
7:7 bw35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹא־תָשׁ֥וּב עֵ֝ינִ֗י לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will not return to see good” my eye will not return to see good
7:7 j238 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־תָשׁ֥וּב עֵ֝ינִ֗י לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב 1 In this context, the expression **return** means to do something again. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will not see good again” my eye will not return to see good
7:7 j239 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־תָשׁ֥וּב עֵ֝ינִ֗י לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב 1 In this context, to **see** good means to experience it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will not experience good again” my eye will not return to see good
7:7 j240 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לֹא־תָשׁ֥וּב עֵ֝ינִ֗י לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **good**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “I will not experience good things again” my eye will not return to see good
7:8 j241 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹֽא־תְ֭שׁוּרֵנִי עֵ֣ין רֹ֑אִי 1 As the second part of the verse indicates, Job is speaking implicitly of what will happen after he dies. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “The eye of the one seeing me now will not regard me then” The eye of the one seeing me will not regard me
7:8 p6u5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עֵ֣ין רֹ֑אִי 1 Job is using one part of God, his **eye**, to mean all of God in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The one seeing me” The eye of the one seeing me
7:8 f5vc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person עֵ֣ין רֹ֑אִי 1 Even though Job has begun to address God, here is speaking about God in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “You who see me” The eye of the one seeing me
7:8 j339 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עֵינֶ֖יךָ בִּ֣י 1 This expression means that God will be looking for Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you will be looking for me” your eyes {will be} on me
7:9 q76u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כָּלָ֣ה עָ֭נָן וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ 1 Job could be: (1) saying that once a cloud **disappears**, it **goes away** forever. That same cloud will never again form in the sky. Alternate translation: “Once a cloud disappears, it goes away forever” (2) using the similar expressions **disappears** and **goes away** together for emphasis. Alternate translation: “A cloud disappears entirely” A cloud disappears and goes away
7:9 g4h1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives לֹ֣א יַעֲלֶֽה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the verb **ascend**, which is contrary to the reality of life, according to Job here. Alternate translation: “remains there” does not ascend
7:10 xnf4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְלֹא־יַכִּירֶ֖נּוּ ע֣וֹד מְקֹמֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of a person’s **place** of residence as if it were a living thing that could **know** that person. The word **know** in this context means to recognize. The idea is that the place where the person once lived will not have occasion to recognize him again because he will never return to that place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no, he will not live in his place of residence again” and his place will not know him again
7:11 ed6a rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲנִי֮ לֹ֤א אֶחֱשָׂ֫ךְ פִּ֥י אֲֽ֭דַבְּרָה 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **restrain**. Job is also using an emphatic declarative form when he says **I will speak**. If your language has similar constructions that it uses for emphasis, you may want to use them here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I will certainly not restrain my mouth; I will certainly speak” "I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak"
7:11 q76q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֲנִי֮ לֹ֤א אֶחֱשָׂ֫ךְ פִּ֥י 1 Job is using the term **mouth** to mean by association what he would say with his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will not limit what I have to say” or “I will not refrain from speaking” I will not restrain my mouth
7:11 j242 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives אֲנִי֮ לֹ֤א אֶחֱשָׂ֫ךְ פִּ֥י 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **restrain**. Alternate translation: “I will speak freely” I will not restrain my mouth
7:11 j243 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֲֽ֭דַבְּרָה בְּצַ֣ר רוּחִ֑י אָ֝שִׂ֗יחָה בְּמַ֣ר נַפְשִֽׁי 1 Job is using parts of himself, his **spirit** and his **soul**, to mean all of him in the act of speaking and complaining. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will speak in my distress; yes, I will complain in my bitterness” "I will speak in the distress of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul"
7:11 v8zz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֲֽ֭דַבְּרָה בְּצַ֣ר רוּחִ֑י אָ֝שִׂ֗יחָה בְּמַ֣ר נַפְשִֽׁי 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **distress** and **bitterness**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “I will speak, since I am distressed; yes, I will complain, since I am bitter” "I will speak in the distress of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul"
7:12 qy6r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲֽיָם־אָ֭נִי אִם־תַּנִּ֑ין כִּֽי־תָשִׂ֖ים עָלַ֣י מִשְׁמָֽר 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I am not the sea or the sea monster, so you do not need to set a guard over me!” "Am} I the sea or the sea monster,
that you will set a guard over me"
7:12 j244 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲֽיָם & אִם־תַּנִּ֑ין 1 See the General Introduction to Job for a discussion of the **sea monster** and see how you translated the name Leviathan in [3:8](../03/08.md). Alternate translation: “the sea monster that is associated with chaos” the sea or the sea monster
7:12 j245 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative כִּֽי־תָשִׂ֖ים 1 Job is using the future tense to indicate something that God would do out of necessity. Your language may have its own way of expressing such a meaning. Alternate translation: “that you would have to set” that you will set
7:13 j246 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations כִּֽי־אָ֭מַרְתִּי תְּנַחֲמֵ֣נִי עַרְשִׂ֑י יִשָּׂ֥א בְ֝שִׂיחִ֗י מִשְׁכָּבִֽי 1 It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. Alternate translation: “When I say that my couch will comfort me and that my bed will take away my complaint” "When I say, ‘My couch will comfort me,
my bed will take away my complaint"
7:13 v7e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תְּנַחֲמֵ֣נִי עַרְשִׂ֑י יִשָּׂ֥א בְ֝שִׂיחִ֗י מִשְׁכָּבִֽי 1 Job is using the terms **couch** and **bed** to mean sleep by association with the way people sleep on a couch or a bed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My sleep will comfort me, yes, my sleep will take away my complaint” "My couch will comfort me,
my bed will take away my complaint"
7:13 d3uy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תְּנַחֲמֵ֣נִי עַרְשִׂ֑י יִשָּׂ֥א בְ֝שִׂיחִ֗י מִשְׁכָּבִֽי 1 Job is speaking of his **couch** and his **bed**, meaning his sleep, as if they were living things that could **comfort** him and **take away** his **complaint**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will be comfortable when I am sleeping, yes, when I am asleep I will not be complaining” "My couch will comfort me,
my bed will take away my complaint"
7:15 j247 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַתִּבְחַ֣ר & נַפְשִׁ֑י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **soul**, to mean all of him in the act of choosing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I choose” and my soul chooses
7:15 et7t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מַחֲנָ֣ק 1 The term **strangling** describes killing a person by squeezing his throat and stopping his breathing. If your readers would not be familiar with this term, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “to stop breathing” strangling
7:15 j248 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מָ֝֗וֶת מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “yes, my soul chooses death rather than my bones” death, rather than my bones
7:15 nee4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מָ֝֗וֶת מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי 1 Job is using the term **bones** to mean life by association with the way people are supported by their bones as they live on earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “rather than life” or “rather than continuing to live on this earth” death, rather than my bones
7:16 th4d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מָ֭אַסְתִּי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I loathe my life” or “I loathe being alive” I loathe
7:16 eu9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative לֹא־לְעֹלָ֣ם אֶֽחְיֶ֑ה 1 Job is using the future tense to describe what he desires. Your language may have its own way of expressing such a meaning. Alternate translation: “I would not live forever” or “I do not want to live forever” I will not live forever
7:16 j249 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole לֹא־לְעֹלָ֣ם אֶֽחְיֶ֑ה 1 Job says **forever** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “I certainly do not want to live for a long time” I will not live forever
7:16 j250 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom חֲדַ֥ל מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי 1 Job is using this expression to ask God to **Cease** from troubling him. Your language may have an expression of its own with the same meaning. Alternate translation: “Leave me alone” Cease from me
7:16 yp5g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֶ֥בֶל 1 Job could be using the word translated **vapor** to mean: (1) that his days are fleeting, since vapor or mist vanishes quickly. Alternate translation: “are fleeting” (2) that his days are purposeless, since vapor is insubstantial. Alternate translation: “are purposeless” are} vapor
7:17 awx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מָֽה־אֱ֭נוֹשׁ כִּ֣י תְגַדְּלֶ֑נּוּ וְכִי־תָשִׁ֖ית אֵלָ֣יו לִבֶּֽךָ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. The question continues through the next verse, but it may be helpful to make this verse a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “Man is not so significant that you should magnify him or set your heart on him” "What is man, that you will magnify him
and that you will set your heart on him"
7:17 j251 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative מָֽה־אֱ֭נוֹשׁ כִּ֣י תְגַדְּלֶ֑נּוּ וְכִי־תָשִׁ֖ית אֵלָ֣יו לִבֶּֽךָ 1 Job could be using the future tense: (1) to describe what God should do. Alternate translation: “What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your heart on him” or, as a statement, “Man is so insignificant that you should not magnify him or set your heart on him” (2) to describe what God does habitually. Alternate translation: “What is man, that you magnify him and that you set your heart on him” "What is man, that you will magnify him
and that you will set your heart on him"
7:17 w1ri rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְכִי־תָשִׁ֖ית אֵלָ֣יו לִבֶּֽךָ 1 Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts. Alternate translation: “and that you should set your mind on him” or “and that you should pay attention to him” and that you will set your heart on him
7:18 j252 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative וַתִּפְקְדֶ֥נּוּ לִבְקָרִ֑ים לִ֝רְגָעִ֗ים תִּבְחָנֶֽנּוּ 1 Job is using the future tense to describe what he believes God should do. Your language may have its own way of expressing such a meaning. Alternate translation: “that you should visit him in the mornings and that you should test him in the moments” "and you will visit him in the mornings
and you will test him in the moments"
7:18 s64b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וַתִּפְקְדֶ֥נּוּ לִבְקָרִ֑ים לִ֝רְגָעִ֗ים תִּבְחָנֶֽנּוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis, continuing the question that he began in the previous verse. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “You do not need to visit him in the mornings and test him in the moments!” "and you will visit him in the mornings
and you will test him in the moments"
7:19 eb8v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כַּ֭מָּה לֹא־תִשְׁעֶ֣ה מִמֶּ֑נִּי לֹֽא־תַ֝רְפֵּ֗נִי עַד־בִּלְעִ֥י רֻקִּֽי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “I wish you would look away from me soon! I wish you would slacken until I swallow my saliva” "For how long will you not look away from me?
Will you not slacken until I swallow my saliva"
7:19 j253 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹֽא־תַ֝רְפֵּ֗נִי עַד־בִּלְעִ֥י רֻקִּֽי 1 The word **until** has a specific meaning here. Job is not asking God, “Will you only slacken when I swallow my saliva?” He is asking, “Will you please slacken long enough for me to swallow my saliva?” You could say that as an alternate translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Will you not slacken until I swallow my saliva
7:19 ts1s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַד־בִּלְעִ֥י רֻקִּֽי 1 Job is using the expression **until I swallow my saliva** to mean a short time, by association with the way it only takes a short time to swallow once. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for just a short time” until I swallow my saliva
7:20 wwv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion חָטָ֡אתִי מָ֤ה אֶפְעַ֨ל ׀ לָךְ֮ נֹצֵ֪ר הָאָ֫דָ֥ם לָ֤מָה שַׂמְתַּ֣נִי לְמִפְגָּ֣ע לָ֑ךְ וָאֶהְיֶ֖ה עָלַ֣י לְמַשָּֽׂא 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “If I have sinned, I have not done anything to you, the one watching man! You should not have made me a target for you!” "If} I have sinned,
what have I done to you, the one watching man?
Why have you made me a target for you?
Indeed, am I a burden to myself"
7:20 j254 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לָ֤מָה שַׂמְתַּ֣נִי לְמִפְגָּ֣ע לָ֑ךְ 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally a **target** that God was attacking with arrows or a spear. He means that God is punishing him for sins he may have committed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Why are you punishing me like this?” or, as an exclamation, “You do not need to punish me like this!” Why have you made me a target for you
7:20 j255 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וָאֶהְיֶ֖ה עָלַ֣י לְמַשָּֽׂא 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally a heavy weight or **burden** to carry. He is referring to making life more difficult. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Indeed, am I making my own life more difficult” Indeed, am I a burden to myself
7:20 j256 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וָאֶהְיֶ֖ה עָלַ֣י לְמַשָּֽׂא 1 A marginal notation in traditional manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible indicates that scribes changed this reading from “am I a burden to you” to **am I a burden to myself**. The scribes made this change in order to avoid the uncomfortable suggestion that a human being’s sin could have effects on God. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the readingof the ULT. Alternate translation: “Indeed, am I a burden to you?” or “I am not a burden to you!” Indeed, am I a burden to myself
7:20 j257 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וָאֶהְיֶ֖ה עָלַ֣י לְמַשָּֽׂא 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally a **burden** to himself or to God. He means that he is not actually making life more difficult for himself or for God, as a burden does when someone has to carry it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am not making my life more difficult!” or “I am not making your life more difficult!” Indeed, am I a burden to myself
7:21 gzz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וּמֶ֤ה ׀ לֹא־תִשָּׂ֣א פִשְׁעִי֮ וְתַעֲבִ֪יר אֶת־עֲוֺ֫נִ֥י כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה לֶעָפָ֣ר אֶשְׁכָּ֑ב וְשִׁ֖חֲרְתַּ֣נִי וְאֵינֶֽנִּי 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these sentences, since in the second sentence Job gives the reason for what he says in the first sentence that God should do. Alternate translation: “Soon I will lie down in the dust, and you will seek me diligently, but I will not exist. So why will you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?” "Why will you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?
For now I will lie down in the dust,
and you will seek me diligently, but I will not exist"
7:21 ek8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּמֶ֤ה ׀ לֹא־תִשָּׂ֣א פִשְׁעִי֮ וְתַעֲבִ֪יר אֶת־עֲוֺ֫נִ֥י 1 Job is suggesting implicitly that God should **pardon** him so that they can have a good relationship during the short time that he will still be alive on earth. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Why will you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity so that we can have a good relationship?” Why will you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity
7:21 j258 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמֶ֤ה ׀ לֹא־תִשָּׂ֣א פִשְׁעִי֮ וְתַעֲבִ֪יר אֶת־עֲוֺ֫נִ֥י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You ought to pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity!” Why will you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity
7:21 yf7g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַ֭תָּה לֶעָפָ֣ר אֶשְׁכָּ֑ב 1 Job is using the expression **lie down in the dust** to mean that he will die, by association with the way that in this culture, people who died were laid in a grave and buried in the ground or **dust**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will soon die” now I will lie down in the dust
8:intro md4v 0 # Job 8 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Job’s friend Bildad responds to what Job said in chapters 6 and 7.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Bildad answering Job with his own words\n\nIn [7:21](../07/21.md), at the end of his speech, Job suggested that God might **seek** for him **diligently**. Bildad says in his response in [8:5](../08/05.md) that it is actually Job who should be seeking God diligently. To help your readers appreciate how Bildad is answering Job with his own words, you may wish to translate Bildad’s expression **seek diligently** the same way that you translated it when Job used it in [7:21](../07/21.md).\n\n### Quotation within a quotation\n\nIn his speech, Bildad encourages Job to consider the wisdom of their ancestors. In verses 11–22, he may be quoting from traditional teachings. Notes suggest the possibility of punctuating these verses as a secondary quotation if your language might naturally put one direct quotation inside another.
8:2 j259 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis עַד־אָ֥ן תְּמַלֶּל־אֵ֑לֶּה וְר֥וּחַ כַּ֝בִּיר אִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ 1 Bildad is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Until when will you say these things, and until when will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind” "Until when will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth {be} a mighty wind"
8:2 j260 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַד־אָ֥ן תְּמַלֶּל־אֵ֑לֶּה וְר֥וּחַ כַּ֝בִּיר אִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not keep saying these things, and the words of your mouth should not keep being a mighty wind!” "Until when will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth {be} a mighty wind"
8:2 j261 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ 1 Bildad is using the term **mouth** to mean speaking, by association with the way people use their mouths to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the words that you speak” or see next note for another possibility. the words of your mouth
8:2 j262 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo אִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ 1 It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “your words” or “what you say” the words of your mouth
8:2 gg55 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְר֥וּחַ כַּ֝בִּיר 1 Bildad is speaking as if the **words** of Job were literally a **mighty wind**. He means that Job is saying many things insistently, but they are not substantial. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and … be so insistent but so insubstantial” and & be} a mighty wind
8:3 p2fp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הַ֭אֵל יְעַוֵּ֣ת מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וְאִם־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י יְעַוֵּֽת־צֶֽדֶק 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **justice** and **righteousness**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “Does God do things that are not just? Does the Almighty do things that are not righteous?” "Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness"
8:3 x959 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַ֭אֵל יְעַוֵּ֣ת מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וְאִם־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י יְעַוֵּֽת־צֶֽדֶק 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “God does not pervert justice! No, the Almighty does not pervert righteousness!” or, positively, “God always does what is just! Yes, the Almighty always does what is righteous!” "Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness"
8:4 icy5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַֽ֝יְשַׁלְּחֵ֗ם בְּיַד־פִּשְׁעָֽם 1 In this context, to be **in the hand of** someone or something means to be under the power or control of that person or thing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “then he put them under the power of their sins” or “then he put them under the control of their sins” then he put them in the hand of their sins
8:4 j263 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַֽ֝יְשַׁלְּחֵ֗ם בְּיַד־פִּשְׁעָֽם 1 Bildad is speaking as if the **sins** of Job’s **children** were a living thing that had exerted power over them and killed them. He actually means that God killed Job’s children in order to punish them for their sins. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “then God punished them by killing them for the sins they committed” then he put them in the hand of their sins
8:5 lpy9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אִם־אַ֭תָּה תְּשַׁחֵ֣ר אֶל־אֵ֑ל 1 For emphasis, Bildad is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **seek diligently**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “If you seek diligently for God yourself” If you seek diligently for God
8:5 q7cd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְאֶל־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י תִּתְחַנָּֽן 1 Bildad is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and if to the Almighty you appeal” and to the Almighty you appeal
8:6 a4ua rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet זַ֥ךְ וְיָשָׁ֗ר 1 The terms **pure** and **upright** mean similar things. Bildad is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “truly righteous” pure and upright
8:6 f6a2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָעִ֣יר עָלֶ֑יךָ 1 One possible meaning of the expression translated **rouse himself** is “wake up.” If there is already a Bible translation in your region, it may say something like this. Bildad could be speaking as if God were sleeping and would literally wake up at the realization that Job needed and deserved help. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he will come quickly to help you” he will rouse himself for you
8:6 j264 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נְוַ֣ת צִדְקֶֽךָ 1 Bildad is using one aspect of Job, his **righteousness**, to mean all of him as a righteous person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your habitation as a righteous person” the habitation of your righteousness
8:6 k3xq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נְוַ֣ת צִדְקֶֽךָ 1 Bildad is speaking of the situation that he believes Job would deserve as a righteous person as if that situation were literally a **habitation** or place where Job would live. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “restore you to the situation in life that a righteous person deserves” the habitation of your righteousness
8:7 cd7r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony וְהָיָ֣ה רֵאשִׁיתְךָ֣ מִצְעָ֑ר וְ֝אַחֲרִיתְךָ֗ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה מְאֹֽד 1 Since, as [1:3](../01/03.md) states, Job was previously the greatest man in a vast area, it is not the case that his **beginning**, that is, his former condition, was **small**. Bildad actually means to communicate the opposite of the literal meaning of what he is saying. He means that Job’s former state, great though it was, will seem small by comparison with the much greater prosperity that Job will experience in the future if he seeks God diligently. Alternate translation: “Though your former state was great, your future will be so much greater that the former state will seem as if it had been small” "Though your beginning was small,
yet your end will increase greatly"
8:7 j265 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝אַחֲרִיתְךָ֗ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה מְאֹֽד 1 Bildad is speaking of Job’s **end**, that is, his ultimate condition in life, as if it were a living thing that could **increase**. He means that Job’s prosperity will increase greatly in the end. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yet your prosperity will increase greatly in the end” yet your end will increase greatly
8:8 j266 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שְׁאַל־נָ֭א לְדֹ֣ר רִישׁ֑וֹן 1 Bildad is speaking as if Job could literally ask the people of **former generations** for advice. He means that Job should consider the wisdom that those people passed down to their descendants through tradition. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “consider the traditional wisdom that the former generations have passed down to us” inquire now of the former generations
8:8 iq7n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲבוֹתָֽם 1 Bildad is using the term **fathers** to mean “ancestors.” If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “their ancestors” their fathers
8:9 j267 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole תְמ֣וֹל אֲ֭נַחְנוּ וְלֹ֣א נֵדָ֑ע 1 Bildad is saying that he, Job, and the other two friends were only born **yesterday** and that they do **not know** anything. He says both of these things as overstatements for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “we have not been alive for very long and we do not know very much” we {are} of yesterday and we do not know
8:9 j268 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive אֲ֭נַחְנוּ וְלֹ֣א נֵדָ֑ע & יָמֵ֣ינוּ 1 By **we** and **our**, Bildad means himself and the other friends and also Job, to whom he is speaking, so use the inclusive form of those words in your translation if your language marks that distinction. "we {are} & and we do not know,
& our days"
8:9 m5v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor צֵ֖ל יָמֵ֣ינוּ עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Bildad is speaking as if the **days** that he and Job and the other friends have **on earth** were literally a **shadow**. He means that just as a shadow appears only for a short time, so people are only on earth for a short time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “our days on earth are fleeting” our days on earth {are} a shadow
8:9 j269 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom צֵ֖ל יָמֵ֣ינוּ עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Bildad is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “our time on earth is a shadow” our days on earth {are} a shadow
8:10 j270 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם י֭וֹרוּךָ יֹ֣אמְרוּ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝מִלִּבָּ֗ם יוֹצִ֥אוּ מִלִּֽים 1 The pronouns **they** and **their** refer to the “former generations,” that is, the ancestors whom Bildad described in verse 8. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Will the former generations not teach you? Our ancestors will speak to you, and from their hearts they will bring forth words” "Will they not teach you? They will speak to you,
and from their hearts they will bring forth words"
8:10 j271 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם י֭וֹרוּךָ יֹ֣אמְרוּ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝מִלִּבָּ֗ם יוֹצִ֥אוּ מִלִּֽים 1 Bildad is speaking as if Job’s ancestors would **teach** him and **speak to** him. He does not mean this literally. Instead, he means that Job can learn from the accumulated wisdom that has been passed down to them from their ancestors through tradition. Bildad will summarize this traditional teaching in the rest of his speech. Particularly if there is a practice of ancestor worship in your culture, be sure to make this meaning clear in your translation. Alternate translation: “You can learn much from the traditional teachings we have received from them. It would be as if they were speaking to you and bringing forth words from their hearts” "Will they not teach you? They will speak to you,
and from their hearts they will bring forth words"
8:10 h2ae rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם י֭וֹרוּךָ 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “They will certainly teach you.” Will they not teach you
8:10 u4ad rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝מִלִּבָּ֗ם יוֹצִ֥אוּ מִלִּֽים 1 Bildad is speaking as if the ancestors would literally **bring forth words** from **their hearts**, as if their hearts were containers that held words and as if words were physical objects that someone could **bring forth**. He is using the word **hearts** to mean a person’s thoughts and emotions. He is saying that through tradition the ancestors have passed down their most cherished beliefs and the most profound lessons they learned in life. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they will share with you their most cherished insights” and from their hearts they will bring forth words
8:11 a2hm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks הֲיִֽגְאֶה־גֹּ֭מֶא בְּלֹ֣א בִצָּ֑ה יִשְׂגֶּה־אָ֥חוּ בְלִי־מָֽיִם 1 From here to the end of the chapter, Bildad may be quoting the teaching of the ancestors. This would be a second-level quotation, since the book is already quoting Bildad’s speech. If you think it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate the start of this possible quotation from tradition with an opening second-level quotation mark or with some other punctuation or convention that your language uses to indicate the start of a second-level quotation. "Does papyrus grow without a marsh?
Does a reed grow without waters"
8:11 tj37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיִֽגְאֶה־גֹּ֭מֶא בְּלֹ֣א בִצָּ֑ה יִשְׂגֶּה־אָ֥חוּ בְלִי־מָֽיִם 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Papyrus does not grow without a marsh. A reed does not grow without waters.” "Does papyrus grow without a marsh?
Does a reed grow without waters"
8:11 ig9q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown גֹּ֭מֶא 1 The word **papyrus** describes a tall, reed-like plant that grows in shallow water. If your readers would not be familiar with what papyrus is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable plant in your area, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a bulrush” or “a cattail” papyrus
8:12 j272 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְ֭אִבּוֹ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **greenness**, you could express the same idea in another way. The idea is that while marsh plants dry up and lose color at the end of their life cycles, this is a young plant that is still colorful and growing. Alternate translation: “young and growing” in its greenness
8:12 q4x1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָל־חָצִ֣יר יִיבָֽשׁ 1 Bildad assumes that Job will understand that he means that even a young, uncut reed **withers** without water. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “but without water it withers before any other plant” but it withers before any {other} plant
8:12 j273 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָל־חָצִ֣יר יִיבָֽשׁ 1 Bildad says **any** as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “but without water it withers very quickly” but it withers before any {other} plant
8:13 y6pd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כֵּ֗ן אָ֭רְחוֹת כָּל־שֹׁ֣כְחֵי אֵ֑ל 1 Bildad is speaking of the things that happen to people as if they were literally **paths** that those people were walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This is what happens to all the ones forgetting God” Thus {are} the paths of all the ones forgetting God
8:13 fc76 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְתִקְוַ֖ת חָנֵ֣ף תֹּאבֵֽד 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hope**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and the godless will not get what they hope for” and the hope of the godless will perish
8:13 j274 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָנֵ֣ף 1 Bildad is using the adjective **godless** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a godless person” the godless
8:14 yg2t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲשֶׁר־יָק֥וֹט כִּסְל֑וֹ וּבֵ֥ית עַ֝כָּבִ֗ישׁ מִבְטַחֽוֹ 1 Bildad is speaking as if the **confidence** of a person who is godless literally **snaps** and as if the **trust** of a godless person were literally a spider’s web (**the house of a spider**). If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “whose confidence proves unfounded and whose trust is unreliable” "whose confidence snaps
and whose trust {is} the house of a spider"
8:14 m1bj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֲשֶׁר־יָק֥וֹט כִּסְל֑וֹ וּבֵ֥ית עַ֝כָּבִ֗ישׁ מִבְטַחֽוֹ 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **confidence** and **trust**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “He is confident that certain things will happen, but they do not happen; he trusts in certain people and things to help him, but they do not” "whose confidence snaps
and whose trust {is} the house of a spider"
8:14 e61x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבֵ֥ית עַ֝כָּבִ֗ישׁ מִבְטַחֽוֹ 1 Bildad is using **the house of a spider** (that is, a spider’s web) to represent something flimsy and unreliable. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly as a comparison. Alternate translation: “and whose trust is as flimsy and unreliable as a spider’s web” and & trust {is} the house of a spider
8:15 g7al rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִשָּׁעֵ֣ן עַל־בֵּ֭יתוֹ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֑ד יַחֲזִ֥יק בּ֝֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א יָקֽוּם 1 Bildad is speaking of a godless person as if he were literally leaning against his **house** and causing it to collapse beyond repair. The house represents the possessions and status of the godless person. Alternate translation: “It does not take much for a godless person to lose his possessions and status without any hope of recovering them” "He leans himself against his house and it does not stand;
he takes hold of it, but it does not arise"
8:15 r6mq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֑ד & וְלֹ֣א יָקֽוּם 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use positive statements in your translation in place of these negative ones. Alternate translation: “and it collapses … but it remains collapsed” "and it does not stand;
& but it does not arise"
8:15 s164 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְלֹ֣א יָקֽוּם 1 Bildad is speaking of the **house** of a godless person as if it were a living thing that could **arise** on its own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he cannot make it stand upright again” or “but he cannot repair it” but it does not arise
8:16 x5ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor רָטֹ֣ב ה֭וּא לִפְנֵי־שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וְעַ֥ל גַּ֝נָּת֗וֹ יֹֽנַקְתּ֥וֹ תֵצֵֽא 1 Bildad now speaks of a godless person as if he were a plant. In order to depict the temporary prosperity that godless people may enjoy, he describes this plant flourishing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning as a comparison. Alternate translation: “A godless person may at first thrive like a plant that is getting plenty of sunlight and whose shoots extend all over the garden in which it is planted” "It {is} lush to the face of the sun,
and its shoots go out over its garden"
8:16 d31w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לִפְנֵי־שָׁ֑מֶשׁ 1 Here the word **to the face of** means “in front of” or “in the presence of” something. Bildad means that the plant is **lush** because it receives plenty of sunlight. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because it receives plenty of sunlight” to the face of the sun
8:17 cty rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־גַּ֭ל שָֽׁרָשָׁ֣יו יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ בֵּ֖ית אֲבָנִ֣ים יֶחֱזֶֽה 1 Bildad is continuing to speak of the godless person and his temporary prosperity as if he were a plant. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “A godless person may at first be secure, like a plant whose roots are wrapped around a heap of stones, a plant that is solidly rooted among stones” "Its roots are wrapped around a heap;
it looks for a house of rocks"
8:17 j275 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive עַל־גַּ֭ל שָֽׁרָשָׁ֣יו יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “It wraps its roots around a heap of stones” Its roots are wrapped around a heap
8:17 j276 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בֵּ֖ית אֲבָנִ֣ים יֶחֱזֶֽה 1 Bildad is speaking as if this plant were looking for a **house** to live in. He means that the plant naturally roots itself in a secure place among **rocks**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it roots itself in a secure place among rocks” it looks for a house of rocks
8:18 j277 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast אִם 1 In this verse, Bildad is drawing a contrast between the prosperity he described in the previous two verses and the inevitable destruction of the godless person. In your translation, you may wish to introduce this verse in a way that will indicate this contrast more explicitly. Alternate translation: “But when” When
8:18 ib86 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְבַלְּעֶ֥נּוּ מִמְּקוֹמ֑וֹ וְכִ֥חֶשׁ 1 The pronoun **it** refers in its first and third instances to the plant Bildad has been describing, and it refers in its second instance to the **place** the plant was occupying. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “When one destroys such a plant from its place, then the place it formerly occupied will deny it” "one destroys it from its place,
then it will deny"
8:18 tq8v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations וְכִ֥חֶשׁ בּ֝֗וֹ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִֽיךָ 1 It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. Alternate translation: “It will deny that it ever saw it” then it will deny him, ‘I did not see you
8:18 b7jg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְכִ֥חֶשׁ בּ֝֗וֹ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִֽיךָ 1 Bildad is speaking of the plant’s location as if it were a living thing that could recognize things and speak. The meaning of this phrase is similar to the meaning of the phrase “his place will not know him again” in [7:10](../07/10.md). In this case, Bildad is saying that the plant will be so thoroughly removed that its former location will be convinced that it was never there to begin with. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it will be as if it had never been there at all” then it will deny him, ‘I did not see you
8:19 llr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ דַּרְכּ֑וֹ 1 Bildad actually means to communicate the opposite of the literal meaning of his words. He is speaking in this way for emphasis. He does not mean that the godless person has actual **joy**. Such a person may have temporary prosperity, but he then experiences sorrow as a consequence of the way he has been living. Alternate translation: “the sorrow of his way” the joy of his way
8:19 z27b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ דַּרְכּ֑וֹ 1 Bildad is speaking of how a person lives as if that were a **way** or path that the person was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the sorrow that comes from his conduct” the joy of his way
8:19 n1qg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝מֵעָפָ֗ר אַחֵ֥ר יִצְמָֽחוּ 1 Bildad is continuing to speak as if the godless person were a plant. When he says that **other plants** will **sprout** from the **dust** (that is, the ground), he means that other people will take the place of the godless person when his conduct causes his ruin. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and other people will take his position and his possessions” and from the dust other {plants} will sprout
8:20 i9v4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives אֵ֭ל לֹ֣א יִמְאַס־תָּ֑ם 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **reject**. Alternate translation: “God will always accept the innocent” God will not reject the innocent
8:20 j278 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj תָּ֑ם 1 Bildad is using the adjective **innocent** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a person who is innocent” the innocent
8:20 gz4z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹֽא־יַ֝חֲזִ֗יק בְּיַד־מְרֵעִֽים 1 Bildad is speaking as if God would literally **hold** evildoers by the **hand** in order to keep them from falling down. He means that God does not strengthen or support people who do evil. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he will not help evildoers” but he will not hold the hand of evildoers
8:21 e5gp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis עַד־יְמַלֵּ֣ה שְׂח֣וֹק פִּ֑יךָ וּשְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ תְרוּעָֽה 1 Bildad is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and he will fill your lips with shouting” "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
your lips with shouting"
8:21 ezc5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַד־יְמַלֵּ֣ה שְׂח֣וֹק פִּ֑יךָ וּשְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ תְרוּעָֽה 1 Bildad is speaking of Job’s **mouth** as if it were a container that God would **fill** with **laughter** and as if Job’s **lips** were a container that God would fill with **shouting**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will yet make you shout very joyfully” "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
your lips with shouting"
8:21 td9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עַד־יְמַלֵּ֣ה שְׂח֣וֹק פִּ֑יךָ וּשְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ תְרוּעָֽה 1 Bildad is using parts of Job, his **mouth** and his **lips**, to mean all of Job in the acts of laughing and shouting joyfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will yet make you laugh very happily and shout very joyfully” "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
your lips with shouting"
8:22 tc4g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִלְבְּשׁוּ־בֹ֑שֶׁת 1 Bildad is speaking as if Job’s enemies would literally **wear shame** as if it were their clothing. He means that they will be greatly ashamed for opposing Job when God honors and restores him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will be greatly ashamed” will wear shame
8:22 k5y9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְאֹ֖הֶל רְשָׁעִ֣ים אֵינֶֽנּוּ 1 Bildad is using one possession of **the wicked**, the **tent** in which they live, to mean all of their possessions and their standing in the community. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the wicked will be without status or means” and the tent of the wicked will not exist
8:22 uz63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Bildad is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
8:22 j279 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks אֵינֶֽנּוּ 1 If you decided to punctuate verses 11–22 as a second-level quotation, indicate the end of this quotation here with a closing second-level quotation mark or whatever other punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate the end of a second-level quotation. will not exist
9:intro n51u 0 # Job 9 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is Job’s response to Bildad’s first speech. In [8:5](../08/05.md), Bildad told Job that he should appeal to God. In response, Job protests in this chapter that a human being cannot appeal to God.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Litany\n\nIn verses 5–10, Job makes a series of statements about how powerful God is. These specific statements illustrate the general statement that Job makes in verse 4 that God is “wise in heart and mighty in strength.” A series of statements such as this is known as a litany. If your readers would recognize what Job is doing, you can translate and format this litany the way the ULT does. If the litany form would not be familiar to your readers, you could format the general statement in a way that will show that it is a summary statement that shows the overall meaning of what Job is saying. You could then put each sentence of the litany on a separate line. The format might look something like this:\n\nGod is wise in heart and mighty in strength (Who has hardened himself against him and been whole?),\n> the one removing mountains and they do not know, who overturns them in his anger,\n> the one shaking the earth from its place and causing its pillars to tremble,\n> the one speaking to the sun and it does not rise, and upon the stars he seals,\n> stretching out the heavens by himself and treading on the waves of the sea,\n> making the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south,\n> doing great {things} until there is no searching and distinguished {things} until there is no number.
9:2 r4pi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַה־יִּצְדַּ֖ק אֱנ֣וֹשׁ עִם־אֵֽל 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “But a man cannot be righteous with God!” But how will a man be righteous with God
9:2 a9ku rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֱנ֣וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person” a man
9:3 t9fi rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אִם־יַ֭חְפֹּץ לָרִ֣יב עִמּ֑וֹ 1 In this part of the verse, the pronoun **he** refers to “a man” and the pronoun **him** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “If a person desires to contend with God” If he desires to contend with him
9:3 a6um rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לָרִ֣יב עִמּ֑וֹ 1 Job assumes that Bildad will understand that he is using the word **contend** to mean making a formal legal complaint against God. In this culture, people made such complaints to community leaders in public places such as the gate of a town. Each party would question the other in the presence of the leaders, who would then discuss the case and decide how to resolve it. Job is probably describing how he participated as a leader in such cases in [29:21–23](../29/21.md). Your language may have an expression for this process that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “to take God to court” or “to file charges against God” to contend with him
9:3 j280 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹֽא־יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ 1 In this part of the verse, (1) the pronoun **he** could refer to a human being and the pronoun **him** could refer to God. This seems likely, since after describing God’s knowledge and power, Job asks in [9:14](../09/14.md) how he could possibly answer God and in [9:32](../09/32.md) he says that God is “not a man, as I am, that I could answer him.” Alternate translation: “a human will not answer God” (2) the pronoun **he** could refer to God and the pronoun **him** could refer to a human being. This is also a possibility, since Job protests in [30:20](../30/20.md) that God does not answer him. Alternate translation: “God will not answer a human” he will not answer him
9:3 j281 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative לֹֽא־יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ 1 If Job means that a human will not answer God, then he is using the future tense to describe what a person would be able to do. Your language may have its own way of expressing such a meaning. Alternate translation: “he could not answer him” or “he would not be able to answer him” he will not answer him
9:3 el71 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole אַחַ֥ת מִנִּי־אָֽלֶף 1 The expression **not … one from a thousand** (that is, not one time out of a thousand) is an overstatement for emphasis. It is unlikely that one party in a court case would ask the other party as many as a thousand questions. Job means that a person would not find a single way to answer God satisfactorily no matter how many questions God asked. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no matter how many questions he asks” one from a thousand
9:4 j282 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns חֲכַ֣ם לֵ֭בָב 1 The pronoun **He** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God is wise in heart” He is} wise in heart
9:4 mh8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חֲכַ֣ם לֵ֭בָב וְאַמִּ֣יץ כֹּ֑חַ 1 Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts. Alternate translation: “God’s thoughts are wise and he is mighty in strength” He is} wise in heart and mighty in strength
9:4 f7rj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וְאַמִּ֣יץ כֹּ֑חַ 1 The terms **mighty** and **strength** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “and very strong” and mighty in strength
9:4 j283 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־הִקְשָׁ֥ה אֵ֝לָ֗יו וַיִּשְׁלָֽם 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No person has ever hardened himself against God and been whole!” Who has hardened himself against him and been whole
9:4 b286 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הִקְשָׁ֥ה אֵ֝לָ֗יו 1 Job is likely referring to bringing charges against God when he speaks of a person who has **hardened himself against** God, since a person who brings charges has determined not to show mercy. Rather, that person has decided to demand justice. You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “has brought charges against him” has hardened himself against him
9:4 j284 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּשְׁלָֽם 1 By **whole**, Job probably means not suffering any damages, that is, winning a court case and having the other party pay compensation, rather than having to pay compensation oneself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and won the case” and been whole
9:5 j285 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַמַּעְתִּ֣יק הָ֭רִים 1 When Job refers to God removing **mountains**, he is likely describing earthquakes. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly in your translation, as the UST does. the one removing mountains
9:5 at5b rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הַמַּעְתִּ֣יק הָ֭רִים 1 The pronoun **one** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God is the one who removes mountains” the one removing mountains
9:5 j286 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְלֹ֣א יָדָ֑עוּ 1 This could mean: (1) that the **mountains** do not know that God is about to remove them. In that case Job would be speaking of the mountains as if they were living things that could **know** something that was about to happen. (2) that people in general do not know that God is about to remove the mountains. In that case **they** would be an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. Either way, the idea is that God removes mountains without anyone or anything knowing in advance. Alternate translation: “suddenly” or “unexpectedly” and they do not know
9:5 j344 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּאַפּֽוֹ 1 As the General Introduction to Job discusses, Job is using the term **nose** to mean anger by association with the way that a person who is angry breathes heavily through his nose. Your language and culture may also associate anger with a particular part of the body. If so, you could use an expression involving that part of the body in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “in his anger” in his nose
9:6 xth3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝עַמּוּדֶ֗יהָ יִתְפַלָּצֽוּן 1 People in this culture believed that there were **pillars** holding up the earth. You could retain the reference to pillars in your translation and it may seem like a figure of speech to your readers. Alternatively, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and causing it to tremble from deep underground” and causing its pillars to tremble
9:7 j287 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָאֹמֵ֣ר לַ֭חֶרֶס וְלֹ֣א יִזְרָ֑ח 1 Job is speaking as if the **sun** literally did not **rise** on certain days. He most likely means that the sun is not visible on those days because of cloud cover. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one who determines whether the sun will shine or clouds will cover it” the one speaking to the sun and it does not rise
9:7 mt2x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבְעַ֖ד כּוֹכָבִ֣ים יַחְתֹּֽם 1 Job is speaking as if God literally put a seal over **the stars** on certain nights. He most likely means that the stars are not visible on those nights because of cloud cover. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and who keeps the stars from shining on certain nights” and upon the stars he seals
9:8 lya7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נֹטֶ֣ה שָׁמַ֣יִם לְבַדּ֑וֹ וְ֝דוֹרֵ֗ךְ עַל־בָּ֥מֳתֵי יָֽם 1 People in this culture believed that the **heavens** (that is, the sky) were a solid object that God had stretched out over a framework in order to cover the earth. For example, [Isaiah 40:22](../isa/40/22.md) says, “He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” You could retain the reference to God **stretching out the heavens** in your translation, and it may seem like a figure of speech to your readers. Alternatively, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God alone created the sky and treads on the waves of the sea” "stretching out the heavens by himself
and treading on the waves of the sea"
9:8 xis1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝דוֹרֵ֗ךְ עַל־בָּ֥מֳתֵי יָֽם 1 As a note to [7:12](../07/12.md) explains, people in this culture considered the **sea** to be the realm of chaos. When Job speaks of God **treading on the waves of the sea**, he is speaking as if God were literally trampling down the forces of chaos with his feet. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and subduing the watery forces of chaos” and treading on the waves of the sea
9:9 n4y8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names עָ֭שׁ כְּסִ֥יל וְכִימָ֗ה 1 The words **Bear**, **Orion**, and **Pleiades** are the names of constellations of stars in the sky. Your culture may have its own terms for these constellations. Alternate translation: “the Big Dipper, the Hunter, and the Seven Sisters” the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades
9:9 j288 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְחַדְרֵ֥י תֵמָֽן 1 People in this culture believed that God kept natural forces in **chambers**. For example, [Psalm 19:4–5](../psa/19/04.md) says that God has “pitched a tent for the sun” in the sky, from which the sun comes forth “like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber.” [Psalm 135:7](../psa/135/07.md) refers similarly to God bringing the wind out of his “storehouses.” In [Job 37:9](../37/09.md), Elihu says that “the storm comes from its chamber.” So the reference here to **the chambers of the south** is likely to a place where, it was believed, God kept all the constellations of stars and from which God brought them out each night. You could retain the reference to these **chambers** in your translation and it may seem like a figure of speech to your readers. Alternatively, you could state the meaning plainly. Job is likely referring to the constellations themselves by association with their **chambers**. Alternate translation: “and all the other constellations” and the chambers of the south
9:10 g1vu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj גְ֭דֹלוֹת & וְנִפְלָא֗וֹת 1 Job is using the adjective **great** and the participle **distinguished** as nouns to mean certain kinds of things. The ULT adds the word **things** to show this. Your language may use adjectives and participles in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent terms. Alternate translation: “wonders … and marvels” great {things} & and distinguished {things
9:12 gm8n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֵ֣ן יַ֭חְתֹּף מִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ מִֽי־ יֹאמַ֥ר אֵ֝לָ֗יו מַֽה־ תַּעֲשֶֽׂה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “If he takes something away, no one can bring it back. No one can ask him, ‘What are you doing?’” "If he takes away, who will turn him back?
Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing"
9:12 j289 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ 1 The meaning of **who will turn him back** depends on the meaning of the phrase **he takes away**. That phrase could mean: (1) that God takes something away. Alternate translation: “who can make him give it back” (2) that God leaves. Alternate translation: “who can make him come back” who will turn him back
9:12 j290 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes מִֽי־יֹאמַ֥ר אֵ֝לָ֗יו מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Who can ask him what he is doing” Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing
9:12 tc75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה 1 The person challenging God would be using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not be doing that!” What are you doing
9:13 j345 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱ֭לוֹהַּ לֹא־יָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ 1 See how you translated the word **nose** in verse 5. Alternate translation: “God will not turn aside his anger” God will not turn aside his nose
9:13 j291 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱ֭לוֹהַּ לֹא־יָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking as if God might literally make his anger **turn aside** and go in a different direction. Job is actually describing how God might stop being angry (although in this case he would not). If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will not stop being angry” God will not turn aside his nose
9:13 j292 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives אֱ֭לוֹהַּ לֹא־יָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a positive expression. Alternate translation: “God will still have anger” God will not turn aside his nose
9:13 nzr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names רָֽהַב 1 The word **Rahab** is another name for the sea monster. See the General Introduction to Job for a discussion of the **sea monster**, and see how you translated the name Leviathan in [3:8](../03/08.md). Alternate translation: “the sea monster that is associated with chaos” of Rahab
9:13 j340 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עֹ֣זְרֵי רָֽהַב 1 When Job speaks of **the helpers of Rahab**, he likely means ocean waves, since he says in [9:8](../09/08.md), in a context of overcoming chaos, that God treads on the waves of the sea. Alternate translation: “the chaotic ocean waves” the helpers of Rahab
9:13 e9gu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תחתו שָׁ֝חֲח֗וּ 1 Job is speaking of **the helpers of Rahab**, most likely meaning the waves of the sea, as if they were a living thing that could **bow** to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “are under his control” bow beneath him
9:14 z61q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַ֭ף כִּֽי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֶֽעֱנֶ֑נּוּ 1 **Indeed that** is an expression that indicates that what follows is greater in degree than what a person has just said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “How much less would I be able to answer him” Indeed that I will answer him
9:14 j293 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַ֭ף כִּֽי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֶֽעֱנֶ֑נּוּ 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **will answer**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “How much less would a mere mortal such as I be able to answer him” Indeed that I will answer him
9:14 j294 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶבְחֲרָ֖ה דְבָרַ֣י עִמּֽוֹ 1 Job is using the expression **choose words** to mean by association arguing a case against God, since he would have to **choose** the right **words** in order to do that. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “argue a case against him” choose words with him
9:15 j295 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִם־צָ֭דַקְתִּי לֹ֣א אֶעֱנֶ֑ה 1 The pronoun **whom** refers to text. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Even if I were righteous, I would not try to answer God” whom, if I were righteous, I would not answer
9:15 j296 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִם־צָ֭דַקְתִּי 1 By **righteous**, in this context Job implicitly means being the unjustly injured party in a lawsuit. Your language may have an expression for this that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “if I were in the right” if I were righteous
9:15 j297 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לִ֝מְשֹׁפְטִ֗י אֶתְחַנָּֽן 1 Job implicitly means that he would plead to God as his **judge**. He is not talking about appealing to some other legal authority to judge between him and God. You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I would plead for mercy to God as my judge” I would plead to my judge for mercy
9:16 j298 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַאֲזִ֥ין 1 Job is using the expression **giving ear** to mean listening, by association with the way that people listen with their ears. However, this specific expression has the sense of listening carefully, that is, paying attention. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he was paying attention to” he was giving ear to
9:16 j299 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche קוֹלִֽי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **voice**, to mean all of him in the act of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I was saying” my voice
9:17 w3dc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בִּשְׂעָרָ֥ה 1 When Job says that God would send a **tempest** or violent storm to **break** (destroy) him if he challenged God, Job could be using the storm to represent various troubles that God would cause him to experience. However, since God does approach Job in a violent storm at the end of the book, it would be appropriate to retain the term **tempest** in your translation rather than interpret the term as symbolic. with a tempest
9:18 j300 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לֹֽא־יִ֭תְּנֵנִי הָשֵׁ֣ב רוּחִ֑י כִּ֥י יַ֝שְׂבִּעַ֗נִי מַמְּרֹרִֽים 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “He fills me with bitterness, and by doing that, he does not allow me to cause my breath to return” "He does not allow me to cause my breath to return,
for he fills me with bitterness"
9:18 bw17 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הָשֵׁ֣ב רוּחִ֑י 1 This expression means to rest in order to start breathing regularly again after exertion or extended speaking. Your language may have an expression for this that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “to catch my breath” to cause my breath to return
9:18 uqz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַ֝שְׂבִּעַ֗נִי מַמְּרֹרִֽים 1 Job is speaking of himself as if he were a container that God **fills** with **bitterness**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he causes me great bitterness” he fills me with bitterness
9:18 j301 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יַ֝שְׂבִּעַ֗נִי מַמְּרֹרִֽים 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **bitterness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “he makes my life very bitter” he fills me with bitterness
9:19 qi46 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־לְכֹ֣חַ & וְאִם־לְ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט 1 **If to** is an expression that introduces a matter under consideration. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If it is a matter of strength … Or if it is a matter of justice” If to strength, & And if to justice
9:19 fjk3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֣י יוֹעִידֵֽנִי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “no one is able to summon him!” who will summon him
9:20 xtf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶ֭צְדָּק 1 See how you translated the term **righteous** in [9:15](../09/15.md). In this context, the term **righteous** implicitly describes being the unjustly injured party in a lawsuit. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I were in the right” I were righteous
9:20 grl2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy פִּ֣י יַרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי 1 Job is using the term **mouth** to mean by association what he would say by using his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I said would condemn me” my mouth would condemn me
9:20 dd24 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification פִּ֣י יַרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי 1 Job is speaking of his **mouth** as if it were a living thing that could **condemn** him. He means that God would condemn him for what he said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God would condemn me for what I said” my mouth would condemn me
9:21 ruv5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹֽא־אֵדַ֥ע נַפְשִׁ֗י 1 In this context, the word **know** means to have regard for something or to be concerned about something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am not concerned about my soul” I do not know my soul
9:21 j302 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹֽא־אֵדַ֥ע נַפְשִׁ֗י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **soul**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am not concerned about myself” I do not know my soul
9:22 ahw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַחַ֗ת הִ֥יא 1 The expression **It is one** could mean: (1) that God treats everyone in the same way. Alternate translation: “There is only one way that God treats people” (2) that the same thing would happen to Job whether he was righteous or unrighteous. Alternate translation: “There is only one thing that will happen to me whether I am good or bad” It {is} one
9:22 j303 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations עַל־כֵּ֥ן אָמַ֑רְתִּי תָּ֥ם וְ֝רָשָׁ֗ע ה֣וּא מְכַלֶּֽה 1 Job has not said these specific words earlier, although they are a summary of what he has been saying to this point in his speech. So it may be more natural in your language to make this a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “that is why I have been saying that God destroys both the blameless and the wicked” "therefore I have said,
The blameless and the wicked, he is destroying"
9:22 e1i7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj תָּ֥ם וְ֝רָשָׁ֗ע 1 Job is using the adjectives **blameless** and **wicked** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Both blameless people and wicked people” The blameless and the wicked
9:23 hsd9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שׁ֭וֹט יָמִ֣ית פִּתְאֹ֑ם 1 Job is speaking of the disasters that people experience in life as if they were literally a **scourge** or whip that was punishing them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “disasters suddenly kill people” a scourge suddenly kills
9:23 m78u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לְמַסַּ֖ת נְקִיִּ֣ם 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **despair**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “innocent people when they despair” the despair of the innocent {ones
9:23 sgu2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj נְקִיִּ֣ם 1 Job is using the adjective **innocent** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. The ULT adds the word **ones** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are innocent” the innocent {ones
9:24 g65c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶ֤רֶץ ׀ נִתְּנָ֬ה בְֽיַד־רָשָׁ֗ע 1 Here, **hand** represents the power and control that people have over something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The earth has been put under the control of the wicked” The earth is given into the hand of the wicked
9:24 v13g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אֶ֤רֶץ ׀ נִתְּנָ֬ה בְֽיַד־רָשָׁ֗ע 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God has given the earth into the hand of the wicked” or “God has put the earth under the control of the wicked” The earth is given into the hand of the wicked
9:24 rz2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶ֤רֶץ ׀ נִתְּנָ֬ה 1 Job is using the term **earth** to mean by association the people who live on the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The people who live on the earth have been given” The earth is given
9:24 l9pz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פְּנֵֽי־שֹׁפְטֶ֥יהָ יְכַסֶּ֑ה 1 Job is speaking as if God literally **covers the faces** of **judges**. He means that God keeps these judges from recognizing how to decide cases fairly. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He keeps judges from recognizing how to decide cases fairly” He covers the faces of its judges
9:24 y1iv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אִם־לֹ֖א 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “If it is not God who does these things” If not
9:25 aw7i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְיָמַ֣י קַ֭לּוּ מִנִּי־רָ֑ץ בָּֽ֝רְח֗וּ 1 Job is speaking of the **days** of his life as if they were a living thing that could run fast and **flee**. This could mean: (1) that Job is quickly using up his days, that is, he is rapidly approaching the end of his life. Alternate translation: “And I am using up my days very quickly” (2) that each of Job’s days goes by quickly. Alternate translation: “And each of my days seems very short” And my days are swifter than a runner, they flee
9:25 um75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־רָא֥וּ טוֹבָֽה 1 Here, as in [7:7](../07/07.md), to **see** good means to experience it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They do not experience good” They do not see good
9:25 ej64 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לֹא־רָא֥וּ טוֹבָֽה 1 Job is using the adjective **good** as a noun to mean a certain kind of experience. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “They do not experience good things” They do not see good
9:25 a6zy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לֹא־רָא֥וּ טוֹבָֽה 1 Job is speaking of the **days** of his life as if they were a living thing that could experience good things or fail to experience them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I do not experience good things during my days” They do not see good
9:26 icr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָ֭לְפוּ עִם־אֳנִיּ֣וֹת אֵבֶ֑ה 1 Job is speaking as if the days of his life literally **glide** across the water together with **boats of papyrus**. As in the previous verse, he means that his days move very quickly. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am running out of days as quickly as a papyrus boat glides across the water” or “Each of my days goes by as quickly as a papyrus boat glides across the water” They glide with boats of papyrus
9:26 vrq5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר יָט֥וּשׂ עֲלֵי־אֹֽכֶל 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “as quickly as an eagle pounces on food” as an eagle pounces on food
9:26 iuy1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֹֽכֶל 1 Job is using a general term, **food**, to one specific kind of food, the kind an **eagle** would catch and eat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “its prey” food
9:27 wk23 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations אִם־אָ֭מְרִי אֶשְׁכְּחָ֣ה שִׂיחִ֑י אֶעֶזְבָ֖ה פָנַ֣י וְאַבְלִֽיגָה 1 It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. Alternate translation: “If I told myself that I should forget my complaint and change my face and be cheerful” "If I said, ‘Let me forget my complaint,
let me change my face,
let me be cheerful"
9:27 vk9t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶשְׁכְּחָ֣ה שִׂיחִ֑י 1 When Job speaks of changing his **face** (that is, the expression on his face), he means by association feeling differently so that the expression on his face will change. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Let me feel differently about this” Let me forget my complaint
9:28 rek4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result יָגֹ֥רְתִּי כָל־עַצְּבֹתָ֑י יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי כִּי־לֹ֥א תְנַקֵּֽנִי 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “because I know that you would not acquit me, I would fear all my sorrows” "I would fear all my sorrows;
I know that you would not acquit me"
9:28 hqx2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָגֹ֥רְתִּי כָל־עַצְּבֹתָ֑י 1 Job is speaking implicitly of the **sorrows** he knows he would still experience when God punished him for the things God would consider him guilty of doing. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I would still fear all the sorrows that I would experience because of your punishments” I would fear all my sorrows
9:28 j304 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular לֹ֥א תְנַקֵּֽנִי 1 The pronoun **you** is singular because it refers to God rather than to the three friends. So use the second-person singular in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Even though to this point in this speech Job has been protesting that he cannot argue his case with God, here he addresses God directly, as he did in [7:7–21](../07/07.md) and as he will do later in this speech in [10:2–22](../10/02.md). It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “you, God, would not acquit me” you would not acquit me
9:29 js2a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony אָנֹכִ֥י אֶרְשָׁ֑ע לָמָּה 1 This could mean: (1) that in order to convey emphasis, Job is saying the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means and convey the emphasis another way. Alternate translation: “God thinks I am wicked! So why” (2) that without intending to convey emphasis, Job is describing how he believes God would regard him. Alternate translation: “Since God would consider me to be wicked anyway, why” "I am wicked;
why"
9:29 j305 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אָנֹכִ֥י אֶרְשָׁ֑ע 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **know**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I am a wicked person” I am wicked
9:29 w57l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לָמָּה־זֶּ֝֗ה הֶ֣בֶל אִיגָֽע 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “there is no reason for me to toil in vain” why, then, would I toil in vain
9:29 j306 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֶ֣בֶל אִיגָֽע 1 By **toil**, Job implicitly means working hard to prove his innocence. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “would I work hard in vain to prove my innocence” would I toil in vain
9:30 j307 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction אִם־ הִתְרָחַ֥צְתִּי בְמֵי־ שָׁ֑לֶג וַ֝הֲזִכּ֗וֹתִי בְּבֹ֣ר כַּפָּֽי 1 Job is speaking hypothetically of something he might do as a symbolic action to show that he is genuinely innocent. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “If I washed myself with water of snow and cleansed my hands with lye to show how innocent I am” "If I washed myself with water of snow
and cleansed my hands with lye"
9:30 l6jt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְמֵי־שָׁ֑לֶג 1 The implication is that **water** from freshly melting **snow** is very pure. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “with very pure water” with water of snow
9:30 a4jk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בְּבֹ֣ר 1 The word **lye** describes a cleansing agent made from the ashes created by burning certain plants. If your readers would not be familiar with what lye is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable substance in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “with a strong cleansing agent” with lye
9:31 sz3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction בַּשַּׁ֣חַת תִּטְבְּלֵ֑נִי 1 Job is speaking hypothetically of something he believes God would do as a symbolic action to show that God considered him guilty rather than innocent. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “you would plunge me into a ditch to show how guilty you considered me to be” you would plunge me into a ditch
9:31 j308 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular תִּטְבְּלֵ֑נִי 1 The word **you** is singular here because Job is once again addressing God directly. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you would plunge me
9:31 j309 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּשַּׁ֣חַת 1 By **a ditch**, Job implicitly means a ditch full of dirty water that would make his body dirty all over. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “into a ditch full of dirty water” into a ditch
9:31 vh45 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝תִֽעֲב֗וּנִי שַׂלְמוֹתָֽי 1 Job is speaking of his **clothes** as if it were a living thing that could **abhor** him. He means that the water in the ditch would make his body so dirty that his own clothes would not want to be on his body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and my body would become very dirty” and my clothes would abhor me
9:33 j310 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction יָשֵׁ֖ת יָד֣וֹ עַל־שְׁנֵֽינוּ 1 A judge would **lay his hand** on the opposing parties in a case as a symbolic action to show that he was bringing them both under his judicial authority. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “who would lay his hand upon the two of us to show that he had the authority to decide our case” who would lay his hand upon the two of us
9:34 hm1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָסֵ֣ר מֵעָלַ֣י שִׁבְט֑וֹ וְ֝אֵמָת֗וֹ 1 The pronoun **who** refers to a judge who might decide Job’s case against God, and the pronoun **his** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “There is no judge who could turn God’s rod from upon me and God’s terror” "who would turn from upon me his rod,
and his terror"
9:34 cc5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שִׁבְט֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally using a **rod** or stick to punish him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his punishment” his rod
9:34 vs1b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝אֵמָת֗וֹ אַֽל־תְּבַעֲתַֽנִּי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from earlier in the sentence if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and turn his terror from upon me, so that it would not frighten me” and his terror, may it not frighten me
9:35 fa78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַֽ֭דַבְּרָה וְלֹ֣א אִירָאֶ֑נּוּ 1 Job means implicitly that he would do these things if there were someone to judge between him and God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “If there were someone to judge between us, I would speak and I would not fear him” I would speak and I would not fear him
9:35 j311 אַֽ֭דַבְּרָה 1 Job is using an emphatic verbal form. Your language may have a similar form that you could use in your translation. If not, you could express the emphasis another way. Alternate translation: “I would certainly speak” I would speak
9:35 ug86 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־כֵ֥ן אָ֝נֹכִ֗י עִמָּדִֽי 1 Interpreters are unsure what this expression means. It could possibly mean: (1) Alternate translation: “That is not how things are with me at the moment” (2) Alternate translation: “I am not the kind of person who would do that now” I {am} not thus with me
10:intro ul99 0 # Job 10 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Job finishes responding to Bildad’s first speech. As he did in chapter 7, Job speaks to God in light of his exchange with his friend, although in this case Job describes what he would say to God rather than addressing God directly.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nIn many places in this chapter, Job uses the question form in order to express strong feelings. Your language might not use the question form for this purpose. Notes will suggest other ways to translate these questions. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Extended quotation\n\nStarting in verse 2 and continuing through the end of the chapter, Job quotes what he would say to God if he could argue his case with him. If your language would not naturally put one direct quotation inside another, you could translate what Job says as an indirect quotation. A note to verse 2 suggests how to start doing that. You could follow the same approach throughout the rest of the chapter.
10:1 ch7h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נָֽקְטָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֗י & בְּמַ֣ר נַפְשִֽׁי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **soul**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am weary … in my bitterness” My soul is weary & in the bitterness of my soul
10:1 p5cl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֶֽעֶזְבָ֣ה עָלַ֣י שִׂיחִ֑י 1 In this expression, to **abandon** something **upon** oneself means not to restrain it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will complain without restraining myself” I will abandon my complaint upon myself
10:2 j312 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אֹמַ֣ר אֶל־אֱ֭לוֹהַּ אַל־תַּרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי הֽ֝וֹדִיעֵ֗נִי עַ֣ל מַה־תְּרִיבֵֽנִי 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, this is the beginning of a long quotation within a quotation. Job is telling his friends what he would like to tell God. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this and the rest of the chapter so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “I will tell God not to condemn me but to cause me to know for what he is accusing me” "I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me;
cause me to know for what you are accusing me"
10:2 j313 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks אֹמַ֣ר אֶל־אֱ֭לוֹהַּ אַל־תַּרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי הֽ֝וֹדִיעֵ֗נִי עַ֣ל מַה־תְּרִיבֵֽנִי 1 If you decide to translate what Job says he would tell God as a direct quotation, you could indicate the start of the quotation with an opening second-level quotation mark or with some other punctuation or convention that your language uses to indicate the start of a second-level quotation. "I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me;
cause me to know for what you are accusing me"
10:2 j314 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַל־תַּרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי הֽ֝וֹדִיעֵ֗נִי 1 Job means implicitly that he does not want God to condemn him without letting him know why he is condemning him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Do not condemn me without causing me to know” "Do not condemn me;
cause me to know"
10:3 aaw5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲט֤וֹב לְךָ֨ ׀ כִּֽי־תַעֲשֹׁ֗ק כִּֽי־תִ֭מְאַס יְגִ֣יעַ כַּפֶּ֑יךָ וְעַל־עֲצַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים הוֹפָֽעְתָּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not consider it good to oppress me, to despise the work of your hands, while you shine on the plans of the wicked!” "Is it good to you that you will oppress {me},
that you will despise the work of your hands,
but on the plans of the wicked you shine"
10:3 vw7h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יְגִ֣יעַ כַּפֶּ֑יךָ 1 Job is using one part of God, his **hands**, to mean all of him in the act of working to make something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your own work” the work of your hands
10:3 q8wf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְעַל־עֲצַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים הוֹפָֽעְתָּ 1 When Job says that God would **shine**, he means that God would have a glowing, approving expression on his face. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but on the plans of the wicked you smile” but on the plans of the wicked you shine
10:3 j316 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעַל־עֲצַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים הוֹפָֽעְתָּ 1 Job is using one part of giving and showing approval, the act of visibly smiling, to mean the entire act of approving. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but you approve of what the wicked plan to do” but on the plans of the wicked you shine
10:3 j315 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Job is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
10:4 j317 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַעֵינֵ֣י בָשָׂ֣ר לָ֑ךְ אִם־כִּרְא֖וֹת אֱנ֣וֹשׁ תִּרְאֶֽה 1 Job is using the terms **eyes** and **seeing** to mean by association knowing and understanding, since people often discover things by seeing them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do you only know and understand the kinds of things that people can see with their eyes” "Are} eyes of flesh to you?
If you see according to the seeing of a man"
10:4 e9t6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַעֵינֵ֣י בָשָׂ֣ר לָ֑ךְ אִם־כִּרְא֖וֹת אֱנ֣וֹשׁ תִּרְאֶֽה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You do not have eyes of flesh! You do not see according to the seeing of a man!” "Are} eyes of flesh to you?
If you see according to the seeing of a man"
10:4 d65r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַעֵינֵ֣י בָשָׂ֣ר לָ֑ךְ 1 Job is using the expression **of flesh** to mean “human,” by association with the way that humans have flesh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do you have human eyes?” or “You do not have human eyes!” Are} eyes of flesh to you
10:4 s8ae rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־כִּרְא֖וֹת אֱנ֣וֹשׁ תִּרְאֶֽה 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “You do not see as people see, do you?” If you see according to the seeing of a man
10:4 j318 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations כִּרְא֖וֹת אֱנ֣וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “as people do” according to the seeing of a man
10:5 st4n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲכִימֵ֣י אֱנ֣וֹשׁ יָמֶ֑יךָ אִם־שְׁ֝נוֹתֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣ימֵי גָֽבֶר 1 Job is asking implicitly whether God has the same number of **days** and **years** as a human being, not whether God experiences the kind of **days** and **years** that people do. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Is the number of your days the same as the number of the days that a man has, or is the number of your years the same as the number of days that a person has” "Are} your days like the days of a man?
If your years {are} like the days of a man"
10:5 awt6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲכִימֵ֣י אֱנ֣וֹשׁ יָמֶ֑יךָ אִם־שְׁ֝נוֹתֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣ימֵי גָֽבֶר 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations, not continuing this sentence into the following two verses. Alternate translation: “Your days are not like the days of a man! No, your years are not like the days of a person!” "Are} your days like the days of a man?
If your years {are} like the days of a man"
10:5 j319 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲכִימֵ֣י אֱנ֣וֹשׁ יָמֶ֑יךָ אִם־שְׁ֝נוֹתֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣ימֵי גָֽבֶר 1 Job is using the terms **days** and **years** to mean by association the lifetime of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine the two phrases and state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do you have as short a lifetime as people do” or “You do not have as short a lifetime as people do!” "Are} your days like the days of a man?
If your years {are} like the days of a man"
10:5 j320 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֱנ֣וֹשׁ & גָֽבֶר 1 In this verse, the two instances of the word **man** translate two different words that have essentially the same meaning. Both of these masculine terms have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a mortal … a human being” "a man?
& a man"
10:5 j321 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism כִּ֣ימֵי 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could say “years” instead of **days** here. This would maintain a parallel between the two parts of this verse without making any significant change in meaning. (The original reading may have been “years”; many translations say that.) Alternate translation: “like the years of” like the days of
10:5 e5pg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־שְׁ֝נוֹתֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣ימֵי גָֽבֶר 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Your years are not like the days of a man, are they?” If your years {are} like the days of a man
10:6 zdk3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִּֽי־תְבַקֵּ֥שׁ לַעֲוֺנִ֑י וּ֭לְחַטָּאתִ֥י תִדְרֽוֹשׁ 1 In this verse and the previous one, Job seems to be asking implicitly whether God is seeking urgently to discover whether he has sinned because God has only a short time to live and God wants to discover this before he dies. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Is that why you seek for my iniquity and search for my sin” "that you seek for my iniquity
and for my sin you search"
10:6 j322 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism כִּֽי־תְבַקֵּ֥שׁ לַעֲוֺנִ֑י וּ֭לְחַטָּאתִ֥י תִדְרֽוֹשׁ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express, to convey his sense that God is seeking urgently to find out whether he has sinned. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine the phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “that you seek so urgently to discover whether I have sinned” or “Is that why you seek so urgently to discover whether I have sinned” "that you seek for my iniquity
and for my sin you search"
10:6 j323 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כִּֽי־תְבַקֵּ֥שׁ לַעֲוֺנִ֑י וּ֭לְחַטָּאתִ֥י תִדְרֽוֹשׁ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. If you chose not to continue the sentence from the previous verse in order to translate the questions there as statements or exclamations, this would be a new sentence. You could also choose not to continue it into the next verse. Alternate translation: “You do not need to seek for my iniquity and search for my sin!” "that you seek for my iniquity
and for my sin you search"
10:7 s3k7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַֽל־דַּ֭עְתְּךָ כִּי־לֹ֣א אֶרְשָׁ֑ע וְאֵ֖ין מִיָּדְךָ֣ מַצִּֽיל 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. If you chose not to continue the sentence from the previous verse in order to translate the question there as a statement or as an exclamation, this would be a new sentence. Alternate translation: “After all, you know that I am not wicked, and there is no one rescuing me from your hand!” "above your knowledge that I am not wicked
and there is no one rescuing {me} from your hand"
10:7 j324 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַֽל־דַּ֭עְתְּךָ 1 In this expression, **above** means “in addition to.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “even though you know that” above your knowledge
10:7 j325 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֵ֖ין מִיָּדְךָ֣ מַצִּֽיל 1 The implication seems to be that God does not need to seek urgently to discover whether Job has sinned, because Job cannot escape from God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and that I cannot escape from you” and there is no one rescuing {me} from your hand
10:7 vzd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִיָּדְךָ֣ 1 Job is using one part of God, his **hand**, to mean all of him in the act of apprehending Job as a wrongdoer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from you” from your hand
10:8 p1ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יָדֶ֣יךָ עִ֭צְּבוּנִי וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֑וּנִי 1 The terms **formed** and **made** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Indeed, your hands created me” Your hands formed me and made me
10:8 tx92 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יָדֶ֣יךָ 1 Job is using one part of God, his **hands**, to mean all of him in the act of making Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You” Your hands
10:9 x1dy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַחֹ֣מֶר עֲשִׂיתָ֑נִי 1 The point of this comparison is that God molded Job’s body as one molds clay to make things. Job is not saying that God made him to be like clay. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “you molded my body as one molds clay” you made me like clay
10:9 zg5j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְֽאֶל־עָפָ֥ר תְּשִׁיבֵֽנִי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “so please do not turn me into dust again!” and will you turn me into dust
10:10 h664 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֣א כֶ֭חָלָב תַּתִּיכֵ֑נִי וְ֝כַגְּבִנָּ֗ה תַּקְפִּיאֵֽנִי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You have poured me like milk and caused me to curdle like cheese.” "Have you not poured me like milk
and caused me to curdle like cheese"
10:10 c2ul rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile הֲלֹ֣א כֶ֭חָלָב תַּתִּיכֵ֑נִי וְ֝כַגְּבִנָּ֗ה תַּקְפִּיאֵֽנִי 1 The point of this comparison is that just as one pours out **milk** and curdles it to make **cheese**, so God has created Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “You are the one who has created me, just as one creates cheese out of milk” "Have you not poured me like milk
and caused me to curdle like cheese"
10:11 j326 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure ע֣וֹר וּ֭בָשָׂר תַּלְבִּישֵׁ֑נִי וּֽבַעֲצָמ֥וֹת וְ֝גִידִ֗ים תְּסֹכְכֵֽנִי 1 Ordinarily one builds the inside of something before its outside, so you might find it more natural to put the information about the **bones and tendons** before the information about the **skin and flesh**. Alternate translation: “You knit me together with bones and tendons and then you clothed me with skin and flesh” "You have clothed me with skin and flesh
and you have knit me together with bones and tendons"
10:11 p9pw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ע֣וֹר וּ֭בָשָׂר תַּלְבִּישֵׁ֑נִי 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally **clothed** him with **skin and flesh**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You have covered my body with skin and flesh” You have clothed me with skin and flesh
10:11 mxm1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽבַעֲצָמ֥וֹת וְ֝גִידִ֗ים תְּסֹכְכֵֽנִי 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally **knit** him **together** with **bones and tendons**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you have given me a supportive skeletal system of bones and tendons” and you have knit me together with bones and tendons
10:12 tc2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit חַיִּ֣ים וָ֭חֶסֶד עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּדִ֑י 1 The implication is that God made these things **alongside** Job so that they would accompany him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “You caused life and covenant faithfulness to accompany me” or “You made sure that I would experience life and covenant faithfulness” You made life and covenant faithfulness alongside me
10:12 dt8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֝פְקֻדָּתְךָ֗ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **visitation**, you could express the same idea in another way. In this context, the word **visitation** does not indicate that God spent time with Job temporarily but that he was always present with him. Alternate translation: “and your presence” and your visitation
10:12 h7in rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche רוּחִֽי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **spirit**, to mean all of him, with an emphasis on him being alive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “me” or “my life” my spirit
10:13 j327 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֭אֵלֶּה צָפַ֣נְתָּ בִלְבָבֶ֑ךָ 1 Job is speaking as if God literally **hid** certain **things** in his **heart**. Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts and motives. Job means that God was secretly planning certain things. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “But you were secretly planning these things” But in your heart you hid these things
10:13 j328 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom זֹ֥את עִמָּֽךְ 1 The expression **this was with you** means “this is what you were thinking.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “this is what you were thinking” this {was} with you
10:14 zj6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וּ֝מֵעֲוֺנִ֗י לֹ֣א תְנַקֵּֽנִי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this with a positive expression. Alternate translation: “and you would declare me guilty of my iniquity” and you would not acquit me of my iniquity
10:14 j329 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝מֵעֲוֺנִ֗י לֹ֣א תְנַקֵּֽנִי 1 The implication is that God would punish Job for his **iniquity** if God did not **acquit** him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and you would punish me for my iniquity” and you would not acquit me of my iniquity
10:15 j330 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result אִם־רָשַׁ֡עְתִּי אַלְלַ֬י לִ֗י וְ֭צָדַקְתִּי לֹא־אֶשָּׂ֣א רֹאשִׁ֑י שְׂבַ֥ע קָ֝ל֗וֹן וּרְאֵ֥ה עָנְיִֽי 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could put the phrase **I will not lift my head** at the end of this verse, since the material that follows this phrase gives the reason for the result that it describes. Alternate translation: “And even if I am righteous, because I am nevertheless full of disgrace—yes, see my affliction!—I will not lift my head” "If I am wicked, woe to me!
And {if} I am righteous,
I will not lift my head.
I am} full of disgrace.
Yes, see my affliction"
10:15 h2sc rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction לֹא־אֶשָּׂ֣א רֹאשִׁ֑י 1 Job is saying that he would not **lift** his **head** (that is, he would look down) as a symbolic action to express that he was feeling shame. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. There may be some physical gesture with the same meaning in your culture that you could use in your translation. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “I will still look down in shame” or “I will still cover my eyes in shame” or “I will still act ashamed” I will not lift my head
10:15 amu8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שְׂבַ֥ע קָ֝ל֗וֹן 1 For emphasis, Job is speaking of himself as if he were a container that **disgrace** could fill. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “I feel very disgraced” I am} full of disgrace
10:15 bu5t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular וּרְאֵ֥ה עָנְיִֽי 1 The imperative **see** is singular because Job is addressing God, not his three friends. So use the second-person singular in your translation if your language marks that distinction. It may also be helpful to specify the addressee. Alternate translation: “Yes, God, see my affliction” Yes, see my affliction
10:15 fs2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּרְאֵ֥ה 1 Job is using the term **see** to mean “consider” by association with the way people consider things that they are looking at. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yes, consider” Yes, see
10:16 z3nm rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְ֭יִגְאֶה 1 The pronoun **it** refers to Job’s head, which in the previous verse he said he would not lift. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “And should my head arise” And should it arise
10:16 j331 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֭יִגְאֶה 1 Job is speaking of his **head** as if it were a living thing that could **arise** on its own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And should I raise my head” or “And if I did raise my head” And should it arise
10:16 bss8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּשַּׁ֣חַל תְּצוּדֵ֑נִי 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **lion** stalks its prey relentlessly, so, Job is saying, God would stalk him relentlessly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “you would stalk me as relentlessly as a lion stalks its prey” you would stalk me like a lion
10:16 yj7r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ֝תָשֹׁ֗ב תִּתְפַּלָּא־בִֽי 1 In this expression, the word **return** means to do something again. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and once again you would distinguish yourself against me” and you would return, you would distinguish yourself against me
10:16 j332 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝תָשֹׁ֗ב תִּתְפַּלָּא־בִֽי 1 Job means implicitly that God would **distinguish** himself by punishing Job in spectacular ways. ([Exodus 3:20](../03/20.md) uses the same verb to describe the plagues that God sent against the Egyptians.) You could indicate this meaning in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and you would do further great things to punish me” or “you would punish me further in spectacular ways” and you would return, you would distinguish yourself against me
10:17 u754 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תְּחַדֵּ֬שׁ עֵדֶ֨יךָ ׀ נֶגְדִּ֗י 1 In this verse, Job continues to describe what he believes God would do if he were to “lift” his “head” (that is, if he were to act as if he had nothing to be ashamed of), as he said in [10:15](../10/15.md). Job could be using the word **witnesses** here to mean: (1) accusations that God would make against Job, as if God were literally a witness testifying against Job in a trial. Alternate translation: “You would accuse me of doing further wrong things” (2) sufferings that God would cause Job to experience, since people in this culture believed that sufferings were evidence that God was punishing someone for doing wrong. Alternate translation: “You would cause me to suffer even more” You would renew your witnesses against me
10:17 di4r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys חֲלִיפ֖וֹת וְצָבָ֣א עִמִּֽי 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. Job is using the word **changes** to indicate that he feels that God is sending one **army** after another against him. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “you keep sending new armies against me” changes and an army {are} with me
10:17 zs8c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חֲלִיפ֖וֹת וְצָבָ֣א עִמִּֽי 1 Job is speaking as if God is literally sending one **army** after another against him. He means that he feels that God keeps attacking him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you keep attacking me” changes and an army {are} with me
10:18 j333 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְלָ֣מָּה מֵ֭רֶחֶם הֹצֵאתָ֑נִי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not have brought me out of the womb!” So why did you bring me out from the womb
10:18 zk6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלָ֣מָּה מֵ֭רֶחֶם הֹצֵאתָ֑נִי 1 Job is speaking of God bringing him **out from the womb** by association to describe his birth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Why did you allow me to be born?” or “You should not have allowed me to be born!” So why did you bring me out from the womb
10:18 n2ql rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism אֶ֝גְוַ֗ע 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “If only I had passed away” Would that I had expired
10:18 s56b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעַ֣יִן לֹא־תִרְאֵֽנִי 1 Job is using one part of a person, the **eye**, to mean all of a person in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and no one had ever seen me” and an eye had not seen me
10:19 bzd2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִ֝בֶּ֗טֶן לַקֶּ֥בֶר אוּבָֽל 1 Job is using the term **womb** by association to mean birth, and he is using the term **grave** by association to mean death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I wish that I had died as soon as I was born” Would that I had been brought from the womb to the grave
10:19 uc37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אוּבָֽל 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I wish that someone had brought me” Would that I had been brought
10:20 yd2g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־ מְעַ֣ט יָמַ֣י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “My days are so few!” Are} my days not few
10:20 j334 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וַחֲדָ֑ל וְשִׁ֥ית מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי 1 The expressions **cease** and **put from me** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “So stop me making me suffer” So cease and put from me
10:20 j335 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְשִׁ֥ית מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי 1 Interpreters are not certain what this phrase means. It is possible that Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and put these sufferings away from me” and put from me
10:20 j336 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה מְּעָֽט 1 Job is not asking God to **let** him **smile a little**; rather, Job is saying what he would do if God stopped making him suffer. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and then I would be able to smile a little” and let me smile a little
10:20 j337 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה מְּעָֽט 1 Job is using the term **smile** to mean being happy or comforted, by association with the way that people who are happy or comforted smile. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and let me experience a little comfort” and let me smile a little
10:20 j338 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה מְּעָֽט 1 In this verse, the term **little** translates the same word that the term **few** translates. Your language may allow you to show this in your translation. Alternate translation: “and let me smile for a few moments” and let me smile a little
10:21 i9h6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְצַלְמָֽוֶת 1 The terms **darkness** and **deep shadow** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “to the land of great darkness” or “to the place where it is very dark” to the land of darkness and deep darkness
10:21 f7d8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְצַלְמָֽוֶת 1 Job is using the terms **darkness** and **deep darkness** to mean by association the abode of the dead, which people in this culture believed to be a very dark place, since it was away from any sunlight. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to the abode of the dead” to the land of darkness and deep darkness
10:22 xkq9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַתֹּ֥פַע כְּמוֹ־אֹֽפֶל 1 The pronoun **it** could refer to: (1) whatever faint light there might be in the abode of the dead. Alternate translation: “and where the light shines like gloom” or “and where the only light is very faint” (2) the **land** that Job has been describing, that is, the abode of the dead itself. In order to draw a contrast with the darkness in the abode of the dead, Job would be speaking as if a place that is well-lit **shines**. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “There is no light in that land” and it shines like gloom
10:22 a8nx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks וַתֹּ֥פַע כְּמוֹ־אֹֽפֶל 1 If you decided to translate verses 2–22 as a second-level direct quotation, indicate the end of that quotation here at the end of this sentence with a closing second-level quotation mark or whatever other punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate the end of a second-level quotation. and it shines like gloom
11:intro m1vt 0 # Job 11 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Job’s friend Zophar responds to what Job said in chapters 9 and 10.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Zophar answering Job with his own words\n\n- In [9:12](../09/12.md), Job asked about God, when suggesting that God might act cruelly, “Who will turn him back?” Zophar says in his response in [11:10](../11/10.md), answering Job in his own words to insist that God actually acts justly, ”Who will turn him back?”\n\n- In [10:15](../10/15.md), Job says that he will not lift his head, he will continue to act ashamed, because God is punishing him even though he is innocent. Zophar says in response in [11:15](../11/15.md) that if Job repents and prays for forgiveness, he will be able to lift up his face without any shame.\n\n- In [10:22](../10/2.md), Job says that he will die and go to a place of complete darkness. Zophar says in response in [11:17](../11/17.md) that Job’s life may seem like darkness now, but it will become bright and happy if he turns to God.\n\nTo help your readers appreciate how Zophar is answering Job with his own words, you may wish to translate Zophar’s expressions in these places in the same way that you translated Job’s similar expressions earlier. Notes will suggest ways to do this.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nIn many places in this chapter, Zophar uses the question form in order to challenge Job. Your language might not use the question form for that purpose. Notes will suggest other ways to translate these questions. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
11:2 ua2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֵעָנֶ֑ה וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Will no one answer the multitude of words? Or will anyone justify a man of lips?” "The multitude of words, will it not be answered?
Or if a man of lips will be justified"
11:2 cq18 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֵעָנֶ֑ה וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “The multitude of words must be answered! A man of lips will not be justified!” "The multitude of words, will it not be answered?
Or if a man of lips will be justified"
11:2 j348 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֵעָנֶ֑ה 1 Zophar is using the term **words** by association to mean what Job has just said by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I must respond to the many things that you have just said” The multitude of words, will it not be answered
11:2 j349 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק 1 Zophar is using the word **if** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “A man of lips will not be justified, will he” Or if a man of lips will be justified
11:2 j350 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק 1 Zophar is using the term **lips** by association to mean talking, since people use their lips when they talk. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or is a man justified because he talks so much about being righteous” or “A man will not be justified because he talks so much about being righteous, will he” Or if a man of lips will be justified
11:2 j351 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק 1 In this speech, Zophar is responding to Job, and he will address him directly as “you” in the rest of the speech. But here at the start he is speaking about Job in the third person, even though he is actually speaking to Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “Or will you be justified by talking so much about being righteous” Or if a man of lips will be justified
11:3 kgu1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּ֭דֶּיךָ מְתִ֣ים יַחֲרִ֑ישׁו וַ֝תִּלְעַ֗ג וְאֵ֣ין מַכְלִֽם 1 Zophar is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Your boastings should not make people silent! Someone should shame you for mocking!” "Will your boastings make people silent?
Or will you mock and no one {is} shaming"
11:3 s3am rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַ֝תִּלְעַ֗ג 1 Zophar means implicitly that Job has been mocking God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Or will you mock God” Or will you mock
11:4 j352 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַ֭תֹּאמֶר זַ֣ךְ לִקְחִ֑י וּ֝בַ֗ר הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינֶֽיךָ 1 Zophar means implicitly that Job has said these things to God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “For you have said to God, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.’” "For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in your eyes"
11:4 j353 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַ֭תֹּאמֶר זַ֣ךְ לִקְחִ֑י וּ֝בַ֗ר הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינֶֽיךָ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “For you have told God that your doctrine is pure and that you are clean in his eyes” "For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in your eyes"
11:4 k2le rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זַ֣ךְ לִקְחִ֑י וּ֝בַ֗ר הָיִ֥יתִי 1 Zophar says that Job has spoken as if his **doctrine** were literally **pure** and his conduct was literally **clean**, that is, not physically dirty. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My doctrine is correct, and I am righteous” "My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean"
11:4 e56u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְעֵינֶֽיךָ 1 Zophar is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in your perspective” in your eyes
11:5 j354 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְֽאוּלָ֗ם מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֱל֣וֹהַּ דַּבֵּ֑ר וְיִפְתַּ֖ח שְׂפָתָ֣יו עִמָּֽךְ 1 The question **who will give** introduces a wish. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this question as a statement or exclamation expressing a wish, beginning here and continuing into the start of the next verse. Alternate translation: “I wish that God would speak and open his lips against you” "But who will give God to speak
and open his lips against you"
11:5 j355 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וְֽאוּלָ֗ם מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֱל֣וֹהַּ דַּבֵּ֑ר וְיִפְתַּ֖ח שְׂפָתָ֣יו עִמָּֽךְ 1 The expressions **speak** and **open his lips** mean similar things. Zophar is using the two expressions together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “I dearly wish that God would tell you that you are wrong” "But who will give God to speak
and open his lips against you"
11:5 ii56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְיִפְתַּ֖ח שְׂפָתָ֣יו 1 Zophar is using the first part of the talking process, opening one’s **lips**, to mean the entire process of talking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and talk” and open his lips
11:6 ca7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיַגֶּד־לְךָ֨ ׀ תַּֽעֲלֻמ֣וֹת חָכְמָה֮ 1 If you translated the beginning of this sentence in the previous verse as a statement or exclamation, translate the end of the sentence here in the same way. Alternate translation: “and declare to you the secrets of wisdom!” and declare to you the secrets of wisdom
11:6 j356 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִּֽי־כִפְלַ֪יִם לְֽת֫וּשִׁיָּ֥ה 1 By **it**, Zophar implicitly means God’s wisdom, and by **understanding**, he means Job’s understanding. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “God’s wisdom is double to your understanding” or “God’s wisdom is twice as great as your understanding” For {it is} double to understanding
11:6 j357 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כִּֽי־כִפְלַ֪יִם לְֽת֫וּשִׁיָּ֥ה 1 By the expression **double**, Zophar actually means much greater. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God’s wisdom is far greater than your understanding” For {it is} double to understanding
11:6 qjk2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַשֶּׁ֥ה לְךָ֥ אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַ מֵעֲוֺנֶֽךָ 1 Zophar is speaking as if God were literally **forgetting** some of Job’s **iniquity**. He means that God is overlooking some of the sins that Job has committed and so not punishing him for all of them. Zophar is not suggesting that there are limits to God’s knowledge or memory. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God is overlooking some of your iniquity” or “God is not punishing you for all of your sins” God is forgetting for you {some} of your iniquity
11:7 tvp2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הַחֵ֣קֶר אֱל֣וֹהַ תִּמְצָ֑א 1 Zophar is using the word **find** to mean “understand” and the word “searching” to mean contemplation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Will you understand God through contemplation” Will you find God by searching
11:7 j358 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַחֵ֣קֶר אֱל֣וֹהַ תִּמְצָ֑א 1 Zophar is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You will not find God by searching!” or “You cannot understand God through contemplation!” Will you find God by searching
11:7 j359 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִ֤ם עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית שַׁדַּ֣י תִּמְצָֽא 1 Zophar is using the word **if** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. (And once again he is using the word **find** to mean “understand.”) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “You will never understand the Almighty unto perfection, will you” If unto perfection you will find the Almighty
11:7 j360 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִ֤ם עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית שַׁדַּ֣י תִּמְצָֽא 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **perfection**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “You will never understand the Almighty perfectly, will you” If unto perfection you will find the Almighty
11:7 j361 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִ֤ם עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית שַׁדַּ֣י תִּמְצָֽא 1 Zophar is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You will never understand the Almighty perfectly!” If unto perfection you will find the Almighty
11:8 n8yi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis גָּבְהֵ֣י שָׁ֭מַיִם מַה־תִּפְעָ֑ל עֲמֻקָּ֥ה מִ֝שְּׁא֗וֹל מַה־תֵּדָֽע 1 Zophar is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “The height of God’s wisdom is the same as the height of the heavens! What will you do to understand it? The depth of God’s wisdom is deeper than Sheol! What will you know about it?” "The height of the heavens! What will you do?
Deeper than Sheol! What will you know"
11:8 jhq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism גָּבְהֵ֣י שָׁ֭מַיִם מַה־תִּפְעָ֑ל עֲמֻקָּ֥ה מִ֝שְּׁא֗וֹל מַה־תֵּדָֽע 1 Zophar is using the highest and lowest points of creation, **the heavens** and **Sheol**, to mean them and everything in between, that is, all of creation. This could mean: (1) that God’s wisdom is completely comprehensive, as if it were literally very high and very deep. Alternate translation: “God’s wisdom is completely comprehensive! What will you do? What will you know?” (2) that God’s wisdom comprehends everything in creation. Alternate translation: “God’s wisdom comprehends all of creation! What will you do? What will you know?” "The height of the heavens! What will you do?
Deeper than Sheol! What will you know"
11:8 y9sp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־תִּפְעָ֑ל & מַה־תֵּדָֽע 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You cannot do anything to understand God’s wisdom! … You cannot know very much about it!” "What will you do?
& What will you know"
11:9 z6cv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism אֲרֻכָּ֣ה מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִדָּ֑הּ וּ֝רְחָבָ֗ה מִנִּי־יָֽם 1 Zophar is using the two main components of creation below the heavens and above Sheol, the **earth** and the **sea**, to mean all of creation. This could mean: (1) that God’s wisdom is completely comprehensive, as if it were literally very long and very wide. Alternate translation: “Yes, God’s wisdom is completely comprehensive” (2) that God’s wisdom comprehends everything in creation. Alternate translation: “Yes, God’s wisdom comprehends all of creation” "Its measure {is} longer than the earth
and wider than the sea"
11:10 y4fx rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַחֲלֹ֥ף 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God comes” he comes
11:10 d1jn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיַסְגִּ֑יר וְ֝יַקְהִ֗יל 1 Zophar is referring implicitly to God assembling a group to hear his accusations against someone and pass judgment on that person. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and imprisons someone and calls an assembly to judge that person” and imprisons and assembles
11:10 f915 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “then no one can turn him back..” then who will turn him back
11:10 j362 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ 1 See how you translated this phrase in [9:12](../09/12.md). Zophar is using Job’s own words against him, so it may be helpful to your readers to translate this phrase in the same way here. Alternate translation: “then who can stop him?” or “then no one can stop him!” then who will turn him back
11:10 j363 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ 1 In [9:12](../09/12.md) you may have included the implicit information that Job was saying that no one can stop God by telling him it would be wrong to do something. If so, here you may wish to indicate what Zophar is suggesting in response, that God knows right and wrong so much better than humans that God does not need to listen to humans about what he is doing. Alternate translation: “then who can stop him, since he knows so much better than humans and does not need to listen to them?” or “then no one can stop him, since he knows so much better than humans and does not need to listen to them!” then who will turn him back
11:11 j364 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מְתֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **worthlessness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “which people are worthless” people of worthlessness
11:11 gdx6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וַיַּרְא־אָ֝֗וֶן וְלֹ֣א יִתְבּוֹנָֽן 1 Zophar is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “and he will surely notice iniquity when he sees it.” and will he see iniquity and not notice it
11:11 j366 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִתְבּוֹנָֽן 1 The term **notice** implicitly means that God will do more than just take note of **iniquity**. It indicates that God will punish people for committing **iniquity**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “punish people for it” notice it
11:12 jlz1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony וְאִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב יִלָּבֵ֑ב וְעַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד 1 For emphasis, Zophar is saying the opposite of what he means. The **colt of a wild donkey** will never be **born to a man**, and so, Zophar means, an **empty man** will never **get a heart**, that is, become wise. If a speaker of your language would not say the opposite of what he means for emphasis, in your translation you could indicate what Zophar actually means. Alternate translation: “But an empty man will never get a heart, any more than the colt of a wild donkey would ever be born to a man” "But an empty man will get a heart
and the colt of a wild donkey will be born to a man"
11:12 j367 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב 1 Zophar is speaking as if a **man** could literally be **empty** or hollow inside. He means that such a person lacks wisdom. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “But an empty-headed man” or “But a man who lacks wisdom” But an empty man
11:12 e8e9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִלָּבֵ֑ב 1 Here the **heart** represents a person’s thoughts, so that to **get a heart** means to become wise. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will become wise” will get a heart
11:12 j368 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְעַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and a man will be the father of a wild-donkey colt” and the colt of a wild donkey will be born to a man
11:13 j369 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אִם־אַ֭תָּ֗ה הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ לִבֶּ֑ךָ 1 For emphasis, Zophar is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **prepare**. Zophar is drawing a contrast between what he is suggesting here that Job might do and what the “empty man” he described in the previous verse would not be able to do. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “But as for you, if you prepare your heart” If you prepare your heart
11:13 k56l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־אַ֭תָּ֗ה הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ לִבֶּ֑ךָ 1 In this instance, the **heart** represents a person’s will. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If you resolve to trust God” If you prepare your heart
11:13 mm3c rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֖ אֵלָ֣יו כַּפֶּֽךָ 1 Zophar is suggesting that Job might **stretch out** his **hands** to God as symbolic action in order to assume a posture of prayer. You may be able to describe your own culture’s posture of prayer in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “and bow your head to him” or “and pray to him” and stretch out your hands to him
11:14 t8z8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־אָ֣וֶן בְּ֭יָדְךָ הַרְחִיקֵ֑הוּ 1 Zophar is speaking as if **iniquity** were literally an object that Job could be holding in his **hand** and that Job could **put it far away**. Zophar means that Job might be committing iniquity and that if he has, he should stop. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if you have been committing iniquity, stop doing that” if iniquity {is} in your hand, put it far away
11:14 u5ya rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְאַל־תַּשְׁכֵּ֖ן בְּאֹהָלֶ֣יךָ עַוְלָֽה 1 Zophar is speaking of **unrighteousness** as if it were a living thing that could **dwell** in the same **tents** in which Job and his household are living. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The word **tents** could be: (1) an image for Job’s whole life. Alternate translation: “yes, be sure that you are not practicing any unrighteousness” (2) a reference to Job’s household. Alternate translation: “and be sure that no one in your household is practicing any unrighteousness” and do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents
11:14 j370 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְאַל־תַּשְׁכֵּ֖ן בְּאֹהָלֶ֣יךָ עַוְלָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **unrighteousness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “yes, be sure that you are not doing anything that is not righteous” and do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents
11:15 db84 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction תִּשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֣יךָ מִמּ֑וּם 1 Zophar is suggesting that Job would be able to **lift** his **face** without being concerned that any **blemish** would show as symbolic action to indicate that he was not ashamed of anything. Job said in [10:15](../10/15.md) that he could not do this, and so Zophar is answering Job with his own words. To help your readers appreciate what Zophar is doing, you could translate this expression similarly to the way you translated the comparable expression in [10:15](../10/15.md). Alternate translation: “you will no longer need to look down in shame” you will lift your face without blemish
11:15 j371 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִמּ֑וּם 1 Zophar is speaking as if Job might literally have a **blemish** on his face and that it would go away if Job prayed to God. The blemish actually represents a cause for shame. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “without feeling any shame” without blemish
11:15 j372 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְהָיִ֥יתָ מֻ֝צָ֗ק 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who will do the action, the context suggests that it will be God. Alternate translation: “and God will establish you” and you will be established
11:15 j373 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א תִירָֽא 1 Zophar seems to mean implicitly that Job will not have to **fear** any further punishment from God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you will not be afraid that God will punish you anymore” and you will not fear
11:16 x6vt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְּמַ֖יִם עָבְר֣וּ תִזְכֹּֽר 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **waters pass by** (flowing down a river, for example) and are gone, so Job’s **trouble** will be gone and he will not **remember** it at all. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “you will not remember it at all, just as the water in a river flows by and is never seen again” as waters pass by, you will remember {it
11:17 j374 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּֽ֭מִצָּהֳרַיִם יָק֣וּם חָ֑לֶד 1 Zophar is using the term **noon** by association to mean the sun at noon, that is, the sun when it is highest and brightest in the sky. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And life will arise higher than the noonday sun” And life will arise more than noon
11:17 dkt7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽ֭מִצָּהֳרַיִם יָק֣וּם חָ֑לֶד 1 Zophar is speaking of Job’s **life** as if it were literally an object like the sun that could **arise** into the sky. By saying that Job’s life will rise into the sky even higher than the sun at noon, he means that it will be very bright. The brightness, in turn, represents happy thriving. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And your life will become very happy again, as if it were brighter than the noonday sun” And life will arise more than noon
11:17 dua9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תָּ֝עֻ֗פָה כַּבֹּ֥קֶר תִּהְיֶֽה 1 In a poetic parallel, Zophar is once again using light, in this instance the light of **dawn**, to represent happiness. This contrasts with Job’s present misery, which Zophar represents as **darkness**. Zophar is once again answering Job with his own words. The term translated **darkness** here is from the same root as the term that the ULT translates as “obscurity” in [10:22](../10/22.md). To help your readers appreciate what Zophar is doing, you could translate the term here the same way you translated it there. Alternate translation: “the misery of your life may feel like obscurity now, but it will change into happiness, just as dawn changes darkness into light” darkness will become like dawn
11:18 iqu3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝חָפַרְתָּ֗ 1 Zophar means implicitly that Job will **look around** and see that there is no danger. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and you will look around and see that there is no danger” and you will look around
11:18 f1be rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לָבֶ֥טַח תִּשְׁכָּֽב 1 Zophar is referring implicitly to when Job would **lie down** to sleep at night. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Your language may have its own expression that you could use here in your translation. Alternate translation: “you will lie down to sleep in safety” or “you will go to bed in safety” you will lie down in safety
11:18 hc18 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לָבֶ֥טַח תִּשְׁכָּֽב 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **safety**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “you will lie down safely” you will lie down in safety
11:19 fm2w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽ֭רָבַצְתָּ 1 Zophar once again means implicitly that Job would **recline** to sleep at night. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Yes, you will lie down to sleep for the night” Yes, you will recline
11:19 j375 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְחִלּ֖וּ פָנֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים 1 Zophar is speaking as if **many** people would literally **stroke** Job’s **face**, as someone would do who was trying to make someone else favorable to him. Zophar means that Job would become influential again and people would seek his favor. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “many people will seek your favor” and many will stroke your face
11:20 s359 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְעֵינֵ֥י רְשָׁעִ֗ים תִּ֫כְלֶ֥ינָה 1 Zophar is referring to death by association with the way people’s eyes **fail** when they are about to die (either in the sense of becoming visibly dim or in the sense of no longer seeing well). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “But the wicked will die” But the eyes of the wicked will fail
11:20 j376 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וּ֭מָנוֹס אָבַ֣ד מִנְהֶ֑ם 1 Zophar is speaking of **escape** as if it were a living thing that could **perish**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, they will not be able to escape dying” and escape will perish from them
11:20 j377 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְ֝תִקְוָתָ֗ם מַֽפַּח־נָֽפֶשׁ 1 Zophar is using the phrase **expiration of breath**, which means “breathing out,” to mean dying. This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “they will have no hope other than to pass away” or “they will have no hope other than to die” and their hope {will be} an expiration of breath
12:intro u4jn 0 # Job 12 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the start of Job’s response to Zophar’s first speech. (Job’s response to him continues in chapters 13 and 14.)\n- Verses 1–6: Job speaks to all three of his friends and protests that they have not been telling him anything that he does not already know\n- Verses 7–12: Job speaks specifically to Zophar and insists that what Zophar has just said in his speech is common knowledge in the world and something that he himself knows.\n- Verses 13–25: Job describes how God is so powerful that no one can resist what he does.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Plural and singular “you”\n\nThe pronoun “you” is plural in verses 1–3 because Job is addressing all three of his friends. The pronoun “you” is singular in verses 7–8 because Job is addressing Zophar. Use the plural and singular forms in these places if your language marks that distinction.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Litany\n\nIn verses 13–24, Job makes a series of statements about how powerful God is. These specific statements illustrate the general statement that Job makes in verse 4 that God is “wise in heart and mighty in strength.” A series of statements such as this is known as a litany. If your readers would recognize what Job is doing, you can translate and format this litany the way the ULT does. If the litany form would not be familiar to your readers, you could format the general statement in a way that will show that it is a summary statement that shows the overall meaning of what Job is saying. You could then put each sentence of the litany on a separate line. The format might look something like this:\n> With him {are} wisdom and might; to him {are} counsel and understanding.\n> Behold, he breaks down, and it is not rebuilt; he closes upon a man, and it is not opened.\n> Behold, he withholds the waters and they dry up, and he sends them out and they overthrow the land.\n> With him {are} strength and prudence; to him {are} the one straying and the one causing to stray;\n> the one leading counselors away naked, and he makes judges foolish.\n> He removes the bond of kings and he wraps a cloth around their loins;\n> the one leading priests away naked, and the incumbent ones he overthrows,\n> the one removing the lip {that is} to the ones being trusted, and he takes away the discernment of the elders,\n> the one pouring contempt on nobles, and the belt of the mighty ones he loosens,\n> the one revealing deep things out of darkness, and he brings dark shadow into the light,\n> the one magnifying nations, and he destroys them; the one enlarging nations, and he exiles them,\n> the one removing a heart from the leaders of the people of the earth; he causes them to wander in a wasteland {with} no path.\n> They grope in darkness and not in light; he makes them wander like a drunkard.
12:2 dpz4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony אָ֭מְנָם כִּ֣י אַתֶּם־עָ֑ם וְ֝עִמָּכֶ֗ם תָּמ֥וּת חָכְמָֽה 1 For emphasis, Job is saying the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means. Alternate translation: “You are speaking as if you were the people and as if wisdom would with you, but that is not true” "Truly, then, you {are} the people,
and wisdom will die with you"
12:2 dk3z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אַתֶּם־עָ֑ם 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **you** is plural here and in the next two verses because Job is referring to his three friends. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Other languages may have other ways to indicate the plural reference. Alternate translation: “the three of you are the people” you {are} the people
12:2 xl1k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַתֶּם־עָ֑ם 1 Job could be saying (while meaning the opposite): (1) that his three friends are so wise that their opinion is the one that really matters. Alternate translation: “you are the people whose opinion matters” (2) that in their counsel, his three friends are embodying the collective wisdom of their people. Alternate translation: “you have expressed the wisdom of our whole people” you {are} the people
12:2 j378 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝עִמָּכֶ֗ם תָּמ֥וּת חָכְמָֽה 1 Job is speaking of **wisdom** as if it were a living thing that could **die**. He is saying (while meaning the opposite) that his friends are the only people who are truly wise and so there will be no wisdom left on earth once they die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and indeed, you are the only wise people on earth” and wisdom will die with you
12:3 j379 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor גַּם־לִ֤י לֵבָ֨ב ׀ כְּֽמוֹכֶ֗ם 1 Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts, and in this context, specifically wise thoughts. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have wisdom just as you do” A heart {is} also to me, like you
12:3 j380 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־נֹפֵ֣ל אָנֹכִ֣י מִכֶּ֑ם 1 Job is using this expression to mean that he is not inferior to his friends. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I do not fall short of you” or “I am not inferior to you” I {am} not falling below you
12:3 kd9k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְאֶת־מִי־אֵ֥ין כְּמוֹ־אֵֽלֶּה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Indeed, such things as these are with everyone.” And with whom {are} not such {things} as these
12:3 j381 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאֶת־מִי־אֵ֥ין כְּמוֹ־אֵֽלֶּה 1 Job is using this expression to mean that everyone knows the things that his friends have been saying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And everyone knows such things as these” or “And everyone knows the things that you have been saying” And with whom {are} not such {things} as these
12:4 qdq1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person שְׂחֹ֤ק לְרֵעֵ֨הוּ ׀ אֶֽהְיֶ֗ה קֹרֵ֣א לֶ֭אֱלוֹהַּ וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ 1 Job is actually using the pronouns **him** and **his** to refer to himself. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this using first-person pronouns. Alternate translation: “Even though God used to answer me when I called on him, now I have become laughter to my neighbor” "I, the one calling on God and he answered him,
have become laughter to his neighbor"
12:4 f67d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שְׂחֹ֤ק 1 Job is using the term **laughter** by association to mean an object of laughter, that is, of derision. Your language may have an expression that you could use in your translation to convey this meaning. Alternate translation: “a laughingstock” laughter
12:4 j382 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis שְׂ֝ח֗וֹק צַדִּ֥יק תָּמִֽים 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “I, a just and blameless man, have become a laughingstock!” just, blameless—laughter
12:5 cg28 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj שַׁאֲנָ֑ן 1 Job is using the adjective **secure** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are secure” the secure
12:5 z8za rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נָ֝כ֗וֹן לְמ֣וֹעֲדֵי רָֽגֶל 1 Job is speaking of certain people as if their **foot** was literally **slipping** and they were about to fall down. Job is likely describing people who are struggling with difficulties, and he is saying that people who are **secure** believe that they are struggling because God is punishing them for their sins. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They believe that when people struggle in life, that is because God is punishing them for their sins” prepared for the ones slipping of foot
12:5 j6ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis נָ֝כ֗וֹן 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They think that it is prepared” prepared
12:5 j383 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נָ֝כ֗וֹן 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They think that God has prepared it” prepared
12:6 j384 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִשְׁלָ֤יוּ אֹֽהָלִ֨ים ׀ לְשֹׁ֥דְדִ֗ים 1 Job is speaking of the **tents** of these **robbers** as if they were living things that could **prosper**. By referring to one valuable possession of the robbers, Job means that the robbers themselves prosper. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Robbers live in prosperity” The tents of robbers prosper
12:6 j385 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural וּֽ֭בַטֻּחוֹת 1 Job is using the plural form **securities** to indicate that these **provokers of God** experience security to a supreme extent. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “and complete security is” and securities {are
12:6 j8fd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר הֵבִ֖יא אֱל֣וֹהַּ בְּיָדֽוֹ 1 Here, **hand** represents the power and control that a person has over something. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “to the person who thinks that he has God in his pocket” or “to the person who thinks he has more control over his life than God does” to {the one} who carries God in his hand
12:7-8 c1y7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 0 In [11:9](../11/09.md), Zophar used the two main components of creation, the earth and the sea, to mean all of creation. Here in [12:7–8](../07/08.md), Job is responding to Zophar in his own words. Job's language is more extensive, and so it is more emphatic. Job is using the inhabitants of three components of creation (the beasts of the land, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea), along with the earth itself, to mean all of creation. To show this, you could create a verse bridge for verses 7–8. It might say something like this: “You can go anywhere in creation and ask a creature—even ask the earth itself—about God’s ways, and that creature will be able to explain them to you”
12:7 de2x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative וְֽאוּלָ֗ם שְׁאַל־נָ֣א בְהֵמ֣וֹת וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וְע֥וֹף הַ֝שָּׁמַ֗יִם וְיַגֶּד־לָֽךְ 1 Job is using an imperative sentence to tell the condition under which something would happen. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate this as a conditional sentence. Alternate translation: “But now if you asked the beasts, one of them would teach you, and if you asked the birds of the heavens, one of them would declare to you” "But now ask the beasts, and one will teach you,
the birds of the heavens, and one will declare to you"
12:7 j496 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְֽאוּלָ֗ם שְׁאַל־נָ֣א בְהֵמ֣וֹת וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וְע֥וֹף הַ֝שָּׁמַ֗יִם וְיַגֶּד־לָֽךְ 1 Job is speaking as if Zophar could literally have a conversation with **beasts** and **birds**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If you actually could ask the beasts, one of them would teach you, and if you actually could ask the birds of the heavens, one of them would declare to you” "But now ask the beasts, and one will teach you,
the birds of the heavens, and one will declare to you"
12:7 t82w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular וְֽאוּלָ֗ם שְׁאַל־נָ֣א 1 The pronoun **you** and the implied “you” in the imperative verb (**ask**) are singular here and in the next verse because Job is speaking directly to one of his friends. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Job is probably addressing Zophar, since he said in [11:8–9](../11/08.md) that Job could search through all of creation and still not comprehend the wisdom of God. Job is saying in response that God’s ways are common knowledge to animals and birds. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that in your translation. Alternate translation: “But now, Zophar, ask” But now ask
12:7 j386 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ & וְיַגֶּד־לָֽךְ 1 Job means implicitly that the **beasts** and **birds** would **teach** and **declare** God’s ways. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and one of them will teach you God’s ways … and one of them will declare God’s ways to you” "and one will teach you,
& and one will declare to you"
12:7 j387 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְע֥וֹף הַ֝שָּׁמַ֗יִם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “ask the birds of the heavens” the birds of the heavens
12:8 k4ca rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative א֤וֹ שִׂ֣יחַ לָאָ֣רֶץ וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּֽם 1 Job is using an imperative sentence to tell the condition under which something would happen. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate this as a conditional sentence. Alternate translation: “Or if you spoke to the earth, then it would teach you; the fish of the sea would recount to you” "Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will recount to you"
12:8 g5xs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification א֤וֹ שִׂ֣יחַ לָאָ֣רֶץ וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּֽם 1 Job is continuing to speak as if Zophar could literally have a conversation with the **earth** and with **fish**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If you could actually speak to the earth, it would teach you. If you could have a conversation with the fish of the sea, they would recount to you” "Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will recount to you"
12:8 j388 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּֽם 1 Once again Job means implicitly that the **earth** and the **fish** would **teach** and **recount** God’s ways. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and it will teach you God’s ways; the fish of the sea will recount God’s ways to you” "and it will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will recount to you"
12:8 bjf6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּֽם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “or ask the fish of the sea, and they will recount to you” and the fish of the sea will recount to you
12:9 hu2y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֭י לֹא־יָדַ֣ע בְּכָל־אֵ֑לֶּה כִּ֥י יַד־יְ֝הוָה עָ֣שְׂתָה זֹּֽאת 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “All of these know that the hand of Yahweh has done this!” "Which of all these does not know
that the hand of Yahweh has done this"
12:9 j389 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מִ֭י לֹא־יָדַ֣ע בְּכָל־אֵ֑לֶּה 1 Job is speaking of the creatures he described in the previous two verses as if they could **know** what Yahweh has done. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Which of all these creatures could not tell you, if you could actually have a conversation with them,” Which of all these does not know
12:9 tht3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַד־יְ֝הוָה עָ֣שְׂתָה זֹּֽאת 1 Here, **hand** represents the power and control that someone has over something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has done this by his own power” the hand of Yahweh has done this
12:9 j390 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עָ֣שְׂתָה זֹּֽאת 1 In context, the word **this** likely refers to the misfortune that Job is suffering. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “has caused my misfortune” has done this
12:10 tx1w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּ֭יָדוֹ 1 Here, **hand** represents the power and control that someone has over something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “He has power over” in whose hand {is
12:10 j391 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְ֝ר֗וּחַ כָּל־בְּשַׂר־אִֽישׁ 1 In this instance, Job is using the word **and** to emphasize something that is included in the previous phrase, not to introduce something additional. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation, preceded by a comma: “including the breath of all flesh of man” and the breath of all flesh of man
12:10 s1sr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝ר֗וּחַ כָּל־בְּשַׂר־אִֽישׁ 1 Job is using the term **breath** by association to mean “life.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the life of all flesh of man” and the breath of all flesh of man
12:10 j392 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְ֝ר֗וּחַ כָּל־בְּשַׂר־אִֽישׁ 1 Job is using one part of **man**, his **flesh**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the life of every man” and the breath of all flesh of man
12:10 j393 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations וְ֝ר֗וּחַ כָּל־בְּשַׂר־אִֽישׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “and the life of every woman and man” or “and the life of every person” and the breath of all flesh of man
12:11 j394 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases הֲלֹא־אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם־לֽוֹ 1 In this instance, Job is using the word **and** to say that the phrase it introduces is just as true as the previous phrase. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Does not the ear test words, just as the palate tastes its food?” "Does not the ear test words
and the palate taste the food {that is} to it"
12:11 d5vn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם־לֽוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Certainly the ear tests words just as the palate tastes its food!” "Does not the ear test words
and the palate taste the food {that is} to it"
12:11 j395 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֲלֹא־אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם־לֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of the **ear** as if it could **test words** by itself. He is using the ear to represent hearing, and he means that people themselves test or consider the words of others when they hear them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do people not consider others’ words when they hear them, just as people discern with their mouths the taste of their food” "Does not the ear test words
and the palate taste the food {that is} to it"
12:11 j396 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלִּ֣ין 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what people say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what people say” words
12:11 j397 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲלֹא־אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם־לֽוֹ 1 Though Job is making a general statement, he is referring implicitly to what his friends have said to him and what he has decided about it. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I have heard what you have said and I have considered it and decided that it is not true, just as people discern with their mouths the taste of their food” "Does not the ear test words
and the palate taste the food {that is} to it"
12:11 j398 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם־לֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of the **palate** or mouth as if it could **taste** by itself. He means that with their mouths, people discern the taste of the food that they eat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “just as people discern with their mouths the taste of their food” and the palate taste the food {that is} to it
12:12 j399 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בִּֽישִׁישִׁ֥ים חָכְמָ֑ה וְאֹ֖רֶךְ יָמִ֣ים תְּבוּנָֽה 1 Though Job is making another general statement in this verse, he is referring implicitly to himself as someone who has acquired much wisdom through long experience. The further implication is that although Zophar challenged him in [11:8](../11/8.md) by asking, “What will you know?” Job is insisting here that he actually does know a lot about life. You could indicate these things in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I have lived a long time and I have acquired much wisdom through experience, so I actually do know a lot about life” "With the aged {is} wisdom,
and in length of days {is} understanding"
12:12 v4ft rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בִּֽישִׁישִׁ֥ים חָכְמָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wisdom**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “The aged are wise” With the aged {is} wisdom
12:12 j400 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj בִּֽישִׁישִׁ֥ים 1 Job is using the adjective **aged** as a noun to mean people of a certain kind. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “With aged people” or “With older people” With the aged
12:12 lhn1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאֹ֖רֶךְ יָמִ֣ים תְּבוּנָֽה 1 The expression **length of days** means a long life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, people who have lived a long life have understanding” and in length of days {is} understanding
12:13 mmb7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עִ֭מּוֹ חָכְמָ֣ה וּגְבוּרָ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ עֵצָ֥ה וּתְבוּנָֽה 1 The pronoun **him** refers in each instance to God. Job is no longer referring to an “aged” person, as in the previous verse. Instead, he is describing what he knows about God as someone who has lived a long time and acquired much wisdom. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “I know that God has wisdom and might; I know that God has counsel and understanding” "With him {are} wisdom and might;
to him {are} counsel and understanding"
12:13 tw4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns עִ֭מּוֹ חָכְמָ֣ה וּגְבוּרָ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ עֵצָ֥ה וּתְבוּנָֽה 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **wisdom**, **might**, **counsel**, and **understanding**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “God is wise and mighty; he understands everything and knows what to do” "With him {are} wisdom and might;
to him {are} counsel and understanding"
12:13 j401 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עִ֭מּוֹ חָכְמָ֣ה וּגְבוּרָ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ עֵצָ֥ה וּתְבוּנָֽה 1 As the following verses make clear, Job is saying implicitly that these qualities belong to God alone and that God does not share them with humans. In that sense, while it sounds as if Job is praising God, at the same time, Job is also complaining somewhat about God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “God has so much knowledge and power that no human can resist him; God does not explain to anyone how he understands a situation or what he is going to do about it” "With him {are} wisdom and might;
to him {are} counsel and understanding"
12:14 j402 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases יַ֭הֲרוֹס וְלֹ֣א יִבָּנֶ֑ה יִסְגֹּ֥ר עַל־אִ֝֗ישׁ וְלֹ֣א יִפָּתֵֽחַ 1 In both of these instances, Job is using the word **and** to introduce what happens under the condition he is describing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “if he breaks down, then it is not rebuilt; if he closes upon a man, then it is not opened” "he breaks down and it is not rebuilt;
he closes upon a man and it is not opened"
12:14 v1pt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹ֣א יִבָּנֶ֑ה & וְלֹ֣א יִפָּתֵֽחַ 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and no one rebuilds … and no one opens” "and it is not rebuilt;
& and it is not opened"
12:14 j403 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יִסְגֹּ֥ר עַל־אִ֝֗ישׁ וְלֹ֣א יִפָּתֵֽחַ 1 In this context, the expressions **closes upon** and **opened** refer to imprisonment and release. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he imprisons a man, and that man is not released” or “if he imprisons a man, then no one releases that man” he closes upon a man and it is not opened
12:14 j495 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אִ֝֗ישׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a man or woman” or “a person” a man
12:15 pl3c rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases הֵ֤ן יַעְצֹ֣ר בַּמַּ֣יִם וְיִבָ֑שׁוּ וִֽ֝ישַׁלְּחֵ֗ם וְיַ֖הַפְכוּ אָֽרֶץ 1 In both of these instances, Job is using the word **and** to introduce what happens under the condition he is describing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “if he withholds the waters, then they dry up; if he sends them out, then they overthrow the land” "Behold, he withholds the waters and they dry up,
and he sends them out and they overthrow the land"
12:15 rel2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְיַ֖הַפְכוּ אָֽרֶץ 1 Job is speaking as if the **waters** would literally **overthrow** the **land** or turn it upside down. He means that the waters would completely cover the land so that there would be no land any more. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they completely flood the land” and they overthrow the land
12:16 gqf6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns עִ֭מּוֹ עֹ֣ז וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **strength** and **prudence**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “God is strong and prudent” With him {are} strength and prudence
12:16 uuh8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שֹׁגֵ֥ג וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה 1 Job is speaking of people who are not living in the right way as if they were **straying** or going off the path that they should be walking on. He is speaking of people who persuade others to do wrong things as if they were **causing** them to **stray**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “those who do not live right and those who persuade others not to live right” the one straying and the one causing to stray
12:16 j404 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit ל֝֗וֹ שֹׁגֵ֥ג וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה 1 The implication is that if someone is **straying** or doing wrong, that person cannot excuse his actions by saying that someone else persuaded him to do them. The person who chose to do wrong is accountable to God, and anyone who persuaded him to do those wrong is also accountable to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this plainly. Alternate translation: “those who do wrong and those who persuade them to do wrong are both accountable to God” to him {are} the one straying and the one causing to stray
12:16 j405 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism ל֝֗וֹ שֹׁגֵ֥ג וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה 1 Job is using two complementary types of people to mean all people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “everyone is accountable to God for what they do and for what they persuade others to do” to him {are} the one straying and the one causing to stray
12:17 ux12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מוֹלִ֣יךְ יוֹעֲצִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל 1 The pronoun **one** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God leads counselors away naked” He is} the one leading counselors away naked
12:17 lk8b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction מוֹלִ֣יךְ יוֹעֲצִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל 1 To lead someone away **naked**, as victorious armies did to prisoners of war at this time, was a symbolic action that demonstrated that the conqueror had deprived the captive of his former status in his culture. In the case of a royal **counselor**, his power and authority were previously represented by his robe of office. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “God takes away from counselors the robes that represent the authority and power of their office” He is} the one leading counselors away naked
12:17 j406 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מוֹלִ֣יךְ יוֹעֲצִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל 1 Job is speaking as if God literally leads **counselors** away **naked**. He means that God’s wisdom is so great that it discredits the wisdom of even the wisest humans, as if to put them out of office. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God’s wisdom is so great that it discredits the wisdom of even the wisest humans” He is} the one leading counselors away naked
12:17 uu39 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽשֹׁפְטִ֥ים יְהוֹלֵֽל 1 The implication is probably that God makes **judges** seem **foolish** by being so much wiser than they are, and not that God affects the minds of judges so that they can no longer think intelligently. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and God makes judges seem foolish by being so much wiser than they are” and judges he makes foolish
12:18 j407 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ 1 This could mean implicitly: (1) that **kings** might put a **bond** (that is, shackles) on someone to make him a prisoner, but God can set that person free. Alternate translation: “A king may imprison someone, but God can set that person free” (2) that kings may be wearing some symbol of royal authority as a **bond** (that is, as something bound around their bodies), such as a sash or chain, but God takes away their authority and removes this symbol of it. This meaning would be similar to what Job said in the previous verse about God removing counselors’ robes of authority. Alternate translation: “God strips kings of their royal sashes” or “God removes the chains of royal authority that kings are wearing” He removes the bond of kings
12:18 w5lc rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction מוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ 1 Whether this refers to God removing shackles from people whom kings have imprisoned or God removing symbols of royal authority that kings are wearing, it is a symbolic action that demonstrates that God is taking away kings’ authority. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “He takes away kings’ authority” He removes the bond of kings
12:18 p4c4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֵ֝ז֗וֹר בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם 1 To wrap a **cloth** around someone’s **loins** is to make them dress as a slave would. This is a symbolic action that shows that the person has become a slave. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and he turns them into slaves” and he wraps a cloth around their loins
12:19 mkn4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction מוֹלִ֣יךְ כֹּהֲנִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [12:17](../12/17.md). Alternate translation: “God takes away from priests the robes that represent the authority and power of their office” the one leading priests away naked
12:19 ch3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְאֵֽתָנִ֣ים 1 Job is using the adjective **incumbent** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. The term is plural; the ULT shows this by adding the word **ones**. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “and people who are long established in their positions” and the incumbent ones
12:20 g3na rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מֵסִ֣יר שָׂ֭פָה לְנֶאֱמָנִ֑ים 1 Job is using the term **lip** by association to mean speech. He is using speech, in turn, to mean what these **trusted** people say, that is, the advice that they give. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God discredits the advice of the ones being trusted” the one removing the lip {that is} to the ones being trusted
12:20 dk1e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מֵסִ֣יר שָׂ֭פָה לְנֶאֱמָנִ֑ים 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God discredits the advice of the people in whom kings trust” the one removing the lip {that is} to the ones being trusted
12:21 l74e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שׁוֹפֵ֣ךְ בּ֭וּז עַל־נְדִיבִ֑ים 1 For emphasis, Job is speaking as if **contempt** were a liquid that God could literally pour on **nobles**. He means that God makes these princes lose the respect of others and experience complete contempt from them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in another way. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God completely disgraces nobles” the one pouring contempt on nobles
12:21 k6sg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמְזִ֖יחַ אֲפִיקִ֣ים רִפָּֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God literally **loosens** the **belt** of **mighty ones**, that is, as if these mighty people tie up their robes so that they can do strenuous things, but God loosens their robes again so that they can not do those things. Job means that God is so strong that when he acts, even the strongest people are shown to be weak by comparison. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and God is so strong that when he acts, even the strongest people are shown to be weak by comparison” and the belt of the mighty ones he loosens
12:21 j408 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אֲפִיקִ֣ים 1 Job is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. The term is plural; the ULT shows this by adding the word **ones**. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are mighty” the mighty ones
12:22 bqc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מְגַלֶּ֣ה עֲ֭מֻקוֹת מִנִּי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וַיֹּצֵ֖א לָא֣וֹר צַלְמָֽוֶת 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally bringing things that were shrouded in **darkness** into the **light** where they could be seen. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God reveals deep things that are obscure to humans; yes, he helps people understand things that are unclear” "the one revealing deep things out of darkness,
and he brings dark shadow into the light"
12:22 c31p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מְגַלֶּ֣ה עֲ֭מֻקוֹת מִנִּי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 Job is speaking as if things that are difficult to understand are literally **deep**, that is, far underground where people cannot see them or reach them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one revealing the truth about things that are difficult to understand” the one revealing deep things out of darkness
12:22 j409 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עֲ֭מֻקוֹת 1 Job is using the adjective **deep** as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. The term is plural; the ULT shows this by adding the word **things**. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “things that are profound” deep things
12:24 n4ta rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֵ֭ב 1 Here, the **heart** represents the thoughts. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “understanding” a heart
12:24 w1re rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם בְּתֹ֣הוּ לֹא־דָֽרֶךְ 1 Job is speaking as if God literally makes leaders **wander in a wasteland**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he makes them confused so that they do not know the right thing to do” and he causes them to wander in a wasteland {with} no path
12:25 x7t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְמַֽשְׁשׁוּ־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ וְלֹא־א֑וֹר 1 Job is speaking as if these leaders whose understanding God takes away literally **grope in darkness**, as if there were no **light** by which they could see where to go. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They are not able to understand what they should do” They grope in darkness and not in light
12:25 a21u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם כַּשִּׁכּֽוֹר 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **drunkard** will wander in various directions without knowing where he is going, so these leaders will do one thing after another without being able to make a definite, correct plan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “he makes them act aimlessly, just as a drunkard wanders aimlessly” he makes them wander like a drunkard
13:intro x1ub 0 # Job 13 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Zophar’s first speech.\n- Verses 1–19: Job complains to his friends that they have been speaking about him unfairly\n- Verses 20–28: Job begins to plead his case to God. He asks God to stop punishing him and to reveal any sins that are causing God to punish him with such great suffering.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n##Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### singular and plural “you”\n\nThe words “you” and “your” and the implied “you” in imperative verbs are all plural in verses 1–19 because in those verses Job is addressing his three friends. These forms are singular in verses 20–28 because Job is addressing God. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” use the appropriate forms in these different parts of the chapter.\n\n### “lift his face” (verse 8), “hide your face” (verse 24)\n\nThese expressions reflect a cultural practice. In this culture, the subject of a king would look humbly down at the ground when he came into the king’s presence. If the king was pleased with him, the king would “lift his face,” that is, get him to look up (for example, with a finger under his chin, or with a verbal command) to indicate that he could look at the king directly. In this way the king would be showing that he favored this subject. A reference to lifting someone’s face came to mean showing favoritism towards that person. That is the meaning in verse 8, where Job says that his friends are not considering his case fairly but instead showing partiality towards God. Similarly, if someone “hid his face” from someone (that is, turned his face away so that he was not looking at the person), that would be a sign that he was not pleased with the person. The expression “hide the face” came to mean “show disfavor,” even if someone was not literally looking away from someone else. That is what Job means in verse 24 when he asks God, “Why do you hide your face?” Notes to these verses suggest ways of translating these expressions.
13:1 d8w1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כֹּ֭ל רָאֲתָ֣ה עֵינִ֑י שָֽׁמְעָ֥ה אָ֝זְנִ֗י וַתָּ֥בֶן לָֽהּ 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. He uses another part of himself, his **ear**, to mean all of him in the act of hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I myself have seen all; I myself have heard and understood it” "my eye has seen all;
my ear has heard and understood it"
13:1 q1yi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כֹּ֭ל 1 Job is using the word **all** to mean everything that his friends have told him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “all that the three of you have told me” all
13:2 cq6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular כְּֽ֭דַעְתְּכֶם & מִכֶּֽם 1 The word **you** is plural here and through verse 13 because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. As you know, & below you
13:2 j410 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָדַ֣עְתִּי גַם־אָ֑נִי לֹא־נֹפֵ֖ל אָנֹכִ֣י 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the words translated **know** and **falling**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis, for example, by using the intensive pronoun “myself.” Alternate translation: “I myself also know. I myself am not falling” "I also know.
I {am} not falling"
13:2 lcm5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹא־נֹפֵ֖ל אָנֹכִ֣י מִכֶּֽם 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [12:3](../12/03.md). Alternate translation: “I do not fall short of you” or “I am not inferior to you” I {am} not falling below you
13:3 mx6r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative אֲ֭נִי אֶל־שַׁדַּ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר 1 Job is using this future statement to express a wish. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that in your translation. Alternate translation: “I wish to speak with the Almighty” or “I would rather speak with the Almighty” I will speak with the Almighty
13:4 f979 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַתֶּ֥ם טֹֽפְלֵי־שָׁ֑קֶר 1 Job is speaking as if his friends were literally plastering him with a **lie**, that is, coating him with untruth as if they were plastering a surface with it. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “you are smearing me with lies” you {are} plasterers of a lie
13:4 p89c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor רֹפְאֵ֖י אֱלִ֣ל כֻּלְּכֶֽם 1 Job is speaking as if his friends were literally doctors or **healers** who were trying to cure him of a disease but were failing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “none of you have helped me at all by what you have said” all of you {are} healers of no value
13:5 gp7i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִֽי־יִ֭תֵּן הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן 1 See how you translated the expression **Who will give** in [11:5–6](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: “I wish that being silent, you would be silent!” Who will give {that} being silent, you will be silent
13:5 j411 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן 1 Job is repeating a verb that means to **be silent** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “you would be completely silent” being silent, you will be silent
13:5 t33j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּתְהִ֖י לָכֶ֣ם לְחָכְמָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wisdom**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “That would be the wisest thing you could do” And it will be to you for wisdom
13:6 v78i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְרִב֖וֹת שְׂפָתַ֣י הַקְשִֽׁיבוּ 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **lips**, to mean all of him in the act of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and heed the things I am saying as I plead my case” and heed the pleadings of my lips
13:7 scy3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַ֭לְאֵל תְּדַבְּר֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה וְ֝ל֗וֹ תְּֽדַבְּר֥וּ רְמִיָּֽה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You have been speaking unrighteously for God! You have been talking deceitfully for him!” "Will you speak unrighteously for God,
and will you talk deceitfully for him"
13:8 x6cv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲפָנָ֥יו תִּשָּׂא֑וּן אִם־לָאֵ֥ל תְּרִיבֽוּן 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You have been lifting his face! You have been pleading for God!” "Will you lift his face?
Or will you plead for God"
13:8 gc76 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הֲפָנָ֥יו תִּשָּׂא֑וּן 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the expression **lift his face** means to show favor or favoritism towards someone. Alternate translation: “Will you show him favoritism?” or “You are showing him favoritism!” Will you lift his face
13:8 i61h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לָאֵ֥ל תְּרִיבֽוּן 1 Job is using the word **plead** to mean “argue a court case.” He is suggesting that his friends are not counseling him impartially but, rather, taking God’s side against him even though, as he sees it, he has a valid case against God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “will you take God’s side against me?” or “you are taking God’s side against me!” will you plead for God
13:9 l9wk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲ֭טוֹב כִּֽי־יַחְקֹ֣ר אֶתְכֶ֑ם אִם־כְּהָתֵ֥ל בֶּ֝אֱנ֗וֹשׁ תְּהָתֵ֥לּוּ בֽוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “It is not good that he will examine you! You will not deceive him as you might deceive a man” "Is it} good that he will examine you?
Or will you deceive him as deceiving a man"
13:9 j412 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲ֭טוֹב כִּֽי־יַחְקֹ֣ר אֶתְכֶ֑ם 1 Job means implicitly that it would not be **good** for his friends if God were to **examine** them because God would discover that they had not been telling the truth about him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “If God were to examine you, he would discover that you have not been telling the truth about him, and that would not be good for you” Is it} good that he will examine you
13:9 gk9j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בֶּ֝אֱנ֗וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a man or a woman” or “a human” a man
13:10 j413 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result הוֹכֵ֣חַ יוֹכִ֣יחַ אֶתְכֶ֑ם אִם־בַּ֝סֵּ֗תֶר פָּנִ֥ים תִּשָּׂאֽוּן 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “If in secret you were lifting faces, reproving, he would reprove you” "Reproving, he would reprove you
if in secret you were lifting faces"
13:10 ecs9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication הוֹכֵ֣חַ יוֹכִ֣יחַ 1 Job is repeating the verb **reprove** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “He would certainly reprove” Reproving, he would reprove
13:10 g5lz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom פָּנִ֥ים תִּשָּׂאֽוּן 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [13:8](../13/08.md). Alternate translation: “you were showing favoritism” you were lifting faces
13:11 j11v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֣א שְׂ֭אֵתוֹ תְּבַעֵ֣ת אֶתְכֶ֑ם וּ֝פַחְדּ֗וֹ יִפֹּ֥ל עֲלֵיכֶֽם 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “His majesty would certainly terrify you and the dread of him would certainly fall on you!” "Would} not his majesty terrify you
and the dread of him fall on you"
13:11 e6x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וּ֝פַחְדּ֗וֹ יִפֹּ֥ל עֲלֵיכֶֽם 1 Job is speaking of **dread** as if it were a living thing that could actively **fall** on his friends, either in the sense of overwhelming them or of assailing them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and would you not become extremely afraid of him” and the dread of him fall on you
13:12 s8ny rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זִֽ֭כְרֹנֵיכֶם מִשְׁלֵי־אֵ֑פֶר 1 Job is speaking as if the **maxims** that his friends have been quoting were literally made of **ashes**. Since, in this culture, garbage was burned into ashes, Job likely means that these **maxims** are worthless, at least as applied to his situation. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The memorable proverbs you have been quoting are worthless to me” Your maxims {are} proverbs of ashes
13:12 brf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְגַבֵּי־חֹ֝֗מֶר גַּבֵּיכֶֽם 1 Job is speaking as if his friends’ **defenses** of God were literally made of **clay**. He likely means that, like clay, they are fragile and would shatter if struck. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “your defenses would crumble if anyone challenged you” your defenses are defenses of clay
13:13 vp1h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְיַעֲבֹ֖ר עָלַ֣י מָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if something might literally **come upon** him when he spoke. He means that something might happen to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I will accept the consequences, whatever they may be” and let come upon me what {will
13:14 wk5u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַל־מָ֤ה ׀ אֶשָּׂ֣א בְשָׂרִ֣י בְשִׁנָּ֑י וְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗י אָשִׂ֥ים בְּכַפִּֽי 1 Job is posing to his friends a question whose answer he already knows. He is doing this to introduce the answer. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Let me tell you why I am taking my flesh in my teeth, yes, putting my life in my hands.” "Why do I take my flesh in my teeth
and put my life in my hands"
13:14 j414 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־מָ֤ה ׀ אֶשָּׂ֣א בְשָׂרִ֣י בְשִׁנָּ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally taking (that is, carrying) his own **flesh** in his **teeth**. The image seems to be that of an animal carrying in its mouth prey that it has caught and killed. Until the animal is able to bring the prey safely into its den, the prey is vulnerable and there is a risk that another animal will come and take it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Why do I put my flesh at risk” Why do I take my flesh in my teeth
13:14 j415 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עַל־מָ֤ה ׀ אֶשָּׂ֣א בְשָׂרִ֣י בְשִׁנָּ֑י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **flesh**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Why am I putting myself at risk” Why do I take my flesh in my teeth
13:14 j416 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗י אָשִׂ֥ים בְּכַפִּֽי 1 Job is speaking as if he is literally holding his **life** in his **hands**, where once again it would be vulnerable, as in the preceding image in this verse. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and jeopardize my life” and put my life in my hands
13:15 j417 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical יִ֭קְטְלֵנִי ל֣וֹ אֲיַחֵ֑ל 1 Job is using the statement form to describe a conditional relationship, that is, to say what he would do if God did a specific thing. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “even if he kills me, I will still hope in him” he kills me, I will hope in him
13:15 j418 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דְּ֝רָכַ֗י 1 Job is speaking of how he has been living as if he had been walking along certain **ways** or paths. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my conduct” my ways
13:15 j419 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶל־פָּנָ֥יו 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “in his presence” to his face
13:16 e8gk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns גַּם־הוּא־לִ֥י לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **salvation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “This is what will actually save me” Even this {will be} for salvation to me
13:16 j420 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָנֵ֥ף 1 Job is using the adjective **godless** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a godless person” the godless
13:16 t8zh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְ֝פָנָ֗יו 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “into his presence” to his face
13:17 z88n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication שִׁמְע֣וּ שָׁ֭מוֹעַ 1 Job is repeating the verb **hear** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Make sure that you hear” Hearing, hear
13:17 g1xr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝אַֽחֲוָתִ֗י 1 Job is using the term **word** to mean what he is about to say to God in his own defense by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and may what I am about to say be” and {may} my declaration {be
13:17 ppd9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝אַֽחֲוָתִ֗י בְּאָזְנֵיכֶֽם 1 Job is using the term **ears** by association to mean hearing or listening. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as a new sentence: “Yes, listen carefully to my declaration” and {may} my declaration {be} in your ears
13:18 mb7w rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲנִ֥י אֶצְדָּֽק 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **am righteous**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I am certainly righteous” or “I am certainly innocent” I am righteous
13:19 u63c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִי־ה֭וּא יָרִ֣יב עִמָּדִ֑י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I do not believe that anyone could contend successfully with me” Who {is} he {who} will contend with me
13:19 t9jj rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Job is using the word **For** to describe what would happen under the condition he has just described. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “If someone does prove me wrong,” For
13:19 b4n5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְאֶגְוָֽע 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “and pass away” and expire
13:20 j421 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַךְ־שְׁ֭תַּיִם 1 At this point in his speech, Job stops addressing his three friends and starts addressing God directly. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “God, only two things do not do to me” Only two {things
13:20 y87x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אַל־תַּ֣עַשׂ & מִ֝פָּנֶ֗יךָ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **your** and the implied “you” in the imperative **do** are singular here because Job is starting to address God directly. He continues to speak to God for the rest of this chapter and in all of chapter 14. So use singular forms of second-person pronouns and imperatives in your translation from here to the end of chapter 14 if your language marks that distinction. do not do & from your face
13:20 yzd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִ֝פָּנֶ֗יךָ 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “from you presence” from your face
13:21 l5nn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כַּ֭פְּךָ מֵעָלַ֣י הַרְחַ֑ק 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Stop using your power to make me suffer” Withdraw your hand from upon me
13:21 w19t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝אֵ֥מָתְךָ֗ 1 Job is using the term **fear** by association to mean something that causes a person to feel fear, the awesome presence of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and with your fearsome presence” and {with} your fear
13:23 adu2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet כַּמָּ֣ה לִ֭י עֲוֺנ֣וֹת וְחַטָּא֑וֹת פִּֽשְׁעִ֥י וְ֝חַטָּאתִ֗י הֹדִיעֵֽנִי 1 While the terms **iniquities**, **sins**, and **transgression** mean similar things, Job is not necessarily using the three terms together for emphasis. There is a slight distinction between the kinds of activities that these terms describe, and Job may be naming these different activities as specific examples of potential wrongdoing in order to represent all types of wrongdoing. To show this, in your translation you could use three different terms that your language may have for wrongdoing. Alternatively, you could express the general meaning. Either way, you could combine the question and the imperative into a polite request. Alternate translation: “Please tell me what crimes or misdeeds or offenses I may have committed” or “Please tell me if I have done wrong in any way” "How many iniquities and sins {are} to me?
Make me know my transgression and my sin"
13:24 i7qi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לָֽמָּה־פָנֶ֥יךָ תַסְתִּ֑יר 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the expression **hide your face** means to show disfavor or hostility to someone. Alternate translation: “Why do you treat me with hostility” Why do you hide your face
13:25 xm7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֶעָלֶ֣ה נִדָּ֣ף תַּעֲר֑וֹץ וְאֶת־קַ֖שׁ יָבֵ֣שׁ תִּרְדֹּֽף 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You do not need to terrify a driven leaf! You do not need to pursue dry stubble!” "Will you terrify a driven leaf?
Or will you pursue dry stubble"
13:25 j422 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֶעָלֶ֣ה נִדָּ֣ף תַּעֲר֑וֹץ וְאֶת־קַ֖שׁ יָבֵ֣שׁ תִּרְדֹּֽף 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally a **driven leaf** and **dry stubble**. By comparing himself to those things, he is indicating that he is fragile and insignificant and that God does not need to oppose him powerfully. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as exclamations: “You do not need to terrify someone who is as fragile as I am! You do not need to pursue someone who is as insignificant as I am!” "Will you terrify a driven leaf?
Or will you pursue dry stubble"
13:25 j423 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֶעָלֶ֣ה נִדָּ֣ף 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Job is referring to a leaf that is **driven** by the wind. Alternate translation: “a leaf that the wind is driving” or “a leaf that the wind is blowing about” a driven leaf
13:26 h6dx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תִכְתֹּ֣ב עָלַ֣י מְרֹר֑וֹת 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally writing down charges against him. In this culture, that was the way of formally filing legal charges against someone. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you charge me with bitter crimes” you write bitter things against me
13:26 j424 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תִכְתֹּ֣ב עָלַ֣י מְרֹר֑וֹת 1 Job is speaking as if the things that God is holding against him were **bitter** or bad-tasting. He means that they are things that would make someone feel unpleasant, just as bitter food or drink does. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you charge me with horrible crimes” you write bitter things against me
13:26 bc7x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝תוֹרִישֵׁ֗נִי עֲוֺנ֥וֹת נְעוּרָֽי 1 Job is speaking as if God is literally giving him an inheritance. He means that God is punishing him for the wrong things that he did in his **youth**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you punish me for the iniquities of my youth” and you make me inherit the iniquities of my youth
13:26 l6wx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝תוֹרִישֵׁ֗נִי עֲוֺנ֥וֹת נְעוּרָֽי 1 Job is suggesting implicitly that God should not judge him strictly for things he did in his **youth**, since youths are immature and impulsive and they do wrong things without having the kind of self-control and knowledge that adults should have. The Bible expresses this same perspective in [Psalm 25:7](../psa/25/07.md). You could indicate this implication in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and you judge me strictly for the immature things I did as a youth, which is not fair” and you make me inherit the iniquities of my youth
13:27 l4hx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְתָ֘שֵׂ֤ם בַּסַּ֨ד ׀ רַגְלַ֗י 1 Job is speaking as if God literally has put his **feet** in **shackles**. He means that God has restrained his actions severely by punishing him for the slightest infractions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you restrain my actions severely by punishing me for the slightest infractions” and you put my feet in shackles
13:27 v65x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְתִשְׁמ֥וֹר כָּל־אָרְחוֹתָ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if his courses of action were literally **paths** that he was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you watch everything I do” and you watch all of my paths
13:27 x3kd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־שָׁרְשֵׁ֥י רַ֝גְלַ֗י תִּתְחַקֶּֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally taking some action regarding his **feet**. Interpreters are unsure of the exact meaning of this image. Job could be speaking as if: (1) God had drawn lines in the ground to mark foot-shaped areas where Job would have to step. Alternate translation: “you only allow me to step in a few small places” or “you only permit me to do a limited number of things without being punished” (2) God had put some kind of mark on his feet so that he would leave a distinctive footprint that God could easily track. Alternate translation: “you closely watch all of my actions” you engrave around the soles of my feet
13:28 mlj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וְ֭הוּא & יִבְלֶ֑ה 1 Job is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “and I decay” And he decays
13:28 fq5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְ֭הוּא & יִבְלֶ֑ה 1 Job is using the word **and** to introduce the result of the sufferings he is experiencing, which he considers to be punishments from God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “so that he decays” or “so that I decay” And he decays
14:intro t321 0 # Job 14 General Notes\n\n##Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the conclusion of Job’s response to Zophar’s first speech.\n- Verses 1–12: Job says that God should not pay so much attention to humans, since they have short and troubled lives.\n- Verses 13–17: Job speculates about what it would be like if God could bring him back to life and be friendly towards him again.\n- Verses 18–22: Job concludes pessimistically that he will likely just die and be separated forever from human community.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Resurrection\n\nJob lived at a time when people did not know for certain whether there would be a resurrection of the dead, so Job speculates about this in his speeches. Sometimes he is more hopeful about it, and at other times he is less hopeful about it. In your translation, reflect what he is feeling and saying. It is not necessary to adjust his words in order to make them a confident proclamation about the resurrection.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### singular and plural “you”\n\nThe words “you” and “your” and the implied “you” in imperative verbs are singular throughout this chapter because Job is addressing God. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” use the singular form in your translation.\n\n### “man” in a generic sense\n\nIn several places in this chapter, Job uses the word “man” in a generic sense that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. It may be helpful in your translation to say “men and women” or to use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women, such as “people,” “mortals,” or “humans.”
14:1 j425 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אָ֭דָם יְל֣וּד אִשָּׁ֑ה קְצַ֥ר יָ֝מִ֗ים וּֽשְׂבַֽע־רֹֽגֶז 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. However, Job is being deliberately terse in order to describe the human condition as pitiful, so you may wish to translate this statement with fewer words than your language would ordinarly use. Alternate translation: “Man, who is born of woman, is few of days and full of trouble” "Man, born of woman—
few of days and full of trouble"
14:1 j426 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אָ֭דָם יְל֣וּד אִשָּׁ֑ה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Every child of a human mother” Man, born of woman
14:1 j427 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אָ֭דָם יְל֣וּד אִשָּׁ֑ה 1 Job is using the phrase **born of woman** by association to mean that people are mortal. In other words, just as they are naturally born, they will naturally die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Mortal man” Man, born of woman
14:1 d6in rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אָ֭דָם יְל֣וּד אִשָּׁ֑ה 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here and throughout the chapter the masculine term “man” has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, in all such instances you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “Mortal humans” Man, born of woman
14:1 u162 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom קְצַ֥ר יָ֝מִ֗ים וּֽשְׂבַֽע־רֹֽגֶז 1 Job does not mean that in general people live for only a few **days**. He is using the term **days** to mean time in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “His life is short and it is full of trouble” few of days and full of trouble
14:1 pfe3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽשְׂבַֽע־רֹֽגֶז 1 Job is speaking of **Man** as if he were a container that **trouble** fills. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and continually troubled” and full of trouble
14:2 bgr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism כְּצִ֣יץ יָ֭צָא וַיִּמָּ֑ל וַיִּבְרַ֥ח כַּ֝צֵּ֗ל וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֽוֹד 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. Since Job is using two different images together, it may be helpful to connect the phrases with a word other than **and** in order to show that the second phrase is conveying the same idea as the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “He comes forth and withers like a flower; yes, he flees like a shadow and does not stand” "Like a flower, he comes forth and withers,
and like a shadow, he flees and does not stand"
14:2 w4bb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּבְרַ֥ח כַּ֝צֵּ֗ל וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֽוֹד 1 In this context, the word **stand** means to stay in one place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he flees like a shadow; indeed, he does not remain” and like a shadow, he flees and does not stand
14:3 tkx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אַף־עַל־זֶ֭ה פָּקַ֣חְתָּ עֵינֶ֑ךָ וְאֹ֘תִ֤י תָבִ֖יא בְמִשְׁפָּ֣ט עִמָּֽךְ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. It may be helpful to make this two sentences. Alternate translation: “And yet on such you open your eye! You bring me into judgment with you!” "Even on such do you open your eye,
and do you bring me into judgment with you"
14:3 inl9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אַף־עַל־זֶ֭ה פָּקַ֣חְתָּ עֵינֶ֑ךָ 1 Job is using the phrase **open your eye** by association to mean watching. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Must you really watch such creatures” Even on such do you open your eye
14:3 fg87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular פָּקַ֣חְתָּ עֵינֶ֑ךָ & תָבִ֖יא & עִמָּֽךְ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the words **you** and **your** are singular here because Job is continuing to address God directly. So use the singular forms of those pronouns in your translation here and throughout this chapter if your language marks that distinction. "do you open your eye,
& do you bring & with you"
14:4 j428 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן טָ֭הוֹר מִטָּמֵ֗א לֹ֣א אֶחָֽד 1 For emphasis, Job is posing a question and then answering it himself. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one can bring clean from unclean!” "Who will bring clean from unclean?
Not one"
14:4 pls1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן טָ֭הוֹר מִטָּמֵ֗א לֹ֣א אֶחָֽד 1 Job is using the adjectives **clean** and **unclean** as nouns, probably to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Every person is unclean, so no person can bear and raise someone who is clean” "Who will bring clean from unclean?
Not one"
14:4 j429 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן טָ֭הוֹר מִטָּמֵ֗א לֹ֣א אֶחָֽד 1 Job is speaking as if people who are sinful are literally **unclean** or dirty and as if people who are not sinful are literally **clean**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Every person is sinful, so no person can bear and raise someone who is not sinful” "Who will bring clean from unclean?
Not one"
14:5 jij3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns חֲרוּצִ֨ים ׀ יָמָ֗יו 1 The pronoun **his** refers to a person in general, as in verse 2. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “a person’s days are determined” his days are determined
14:5 fm5b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive חֲרוּצִ֨ים ׀ יָמָ֗יו 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you have determined his days” or “you determine for how many days each person will live” his days are determined
14:5 iz79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִֽסְפַּר־חֳדָשָׁ֥יו אִתָּ֑ךְ 1 The expression **is with you** describes something that the person being addressed has the power and authority to decide. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “the number of his months is up to you” or “the number of his months is something that you decide” the number of his months {is} with you
14:6 j430 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result שְׁעֵ֣ה מֵעָלָ֣יו וְיֶחְדָּ֑ל 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “so that he may desist, look away from him” look away from him, that he may desist
14:6 j431 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיֶחְדָּ֑ל 1 In the context of this speech by Job, the word **desist** implicitly means to stop being continually concerned that God is watching and will judge and punish the slightest infraction. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “that he may live without continually fearing your punishment” that he may desist
14:6 w4rx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile עַד־יִ֝רְצֶ֗ה כְּשָׂכִ֥יר יוֹמֽוֹ 1 The point of this comparison is that a **hireling**, that is, someone hired by the day for manual labor, has difficult work, but he knows that it is only for a short time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “until he finishes living his difficult but short life” until he fulfills his day like a hireling
14:6 j432 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִ֝רְצֶ֗ה & יוֹמֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of a human being’s brief life as if it were literally only a **day**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he lives out his brief life” he fulfills his day
14:7 l8i1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יֵ֥שׁ לָעֵ֗ץ תִּ֫קְוָ֥ה אִֽם־יִ֭כָּרֵת וְע֣וֹד יַחֲלִ֑יף וְ֝יֹֽנַקְתּ֗וֹ לֹ֣א תֶחְדָּֽל 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hope**, you could express the same idea in another way, such as with the verb “hope.” Alternate translation: “people may hope that if a tree is cut down, it will sprout again and it will live” "there is hope for a tree if it is cut down,
that it will sprout again
and its stalk will not cease"
14:7 ezr1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יִ֭כָּרֵת 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone cuts it down” it is cut down
14:8 cqw2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר יָמ֥וּת גִּזְעֽוֹ 1 Job means implicitly that the stump of the tree he is using as an example begins to die. If the tree had died completely, it could not regenerate, as he describes in the next verse. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and its stump begins to die” and its stump dies in the ground
14:9 f92c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מֵרֵ֣יחַ מַ֣יִם 1 Job is speaking of the tree he is describing as if it could actually smell the **scent** of **waters**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as soon as the ground becomes moist,” from the scent of waters
14:9 dav4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְעָשָׂ֖ה קָצִ֣יר 1 Job is not referring to a specific **branch**. He actually means that the stump of the tree will send forth many branches or shoots. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and send forth many shoots” and make a branch
14:9 bx2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כְּמוֹ־נָֽטַע 1 Job is referring implicitly to a young **plant**, which would grow rapidly. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “as young plants do” or “as if it were a young plant” like a plant
14:10 j433 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations וְגֶ֣בֶר & אָדָ֣ם 1 In this verse, the two instances of the word **man** translate two different words that have essentially the same meaning. These masculine terms have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use terms in your language that are clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “but a mortal … a human being” But a man & a man
14:10 j434 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וַיִּגְוַ֖ע 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “and passes away” and expires
14:10 wz2a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְאַיּֽוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “and he is gone completely” and where {is} he
14:11 f32z rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 0 This verse is the beginning of a sentence that Job completes at the start of the next verse. The entire sentence draws a comparison. To show this, you could create a verse bridge for verses 11–12. Within it, this sentence might say something like this: “Just as waters disappear from a lake and a river dwindles and dries up, so a man lies down and does not arise.”
14:11 dug9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יֶחֱרַ֥ב וְיָבֵֽשׁ 1 The terms **dwindles** and **dries up** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “steadily dries up” dwindles and dries up
14:12 a5nl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism שָׁכַ֗ב וְֽלֹא־יָ֫ק֥וּם 1 Job is using the expression **lies down** as a mild way to refer to death, and he is using the expression **arise** to mean “come back to life.” Your language may have similar expressions that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “passes away and does not return to this life” lies down and does not arise
14:12 j435 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֣א יָקִ֑יצוּ וְלֹֽא־יֵ֝עֹ֗רוּ מִשְּׁנָתָֽם 1 Job is speaking of people who are dead as if they were asleep. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will remain dead; they will not be brought back to life” "they will not awake
and they will not be roused from their sleep"
14:12 j436 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֣א יָקִ֑יצוּ וְלֹֽא־יֵ֝עֹ֗רוּ מִשְּׁנָתָֽם 1 The pronoun **their** and both instances of the pronoun **they** refer to people who die. Up to this point in this speech, Job has been talking about people dying by referring to a “man.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use singular pronouns in this sentence for continuity. Alternate translation: “he will not awake, no, he will not be roused from his sleep” "they will not awake
and they will not be roused from their sleep"
14:12 h4i1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹֽא־יֵ֝עֹ֗רוּ מִשְּׁנָתָֽם 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and no one will rouse them from their sleep” or “and no one will rouse him from his sleep” and they will not be roused from their sleep
14:13 w12i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִ֤י יִתֵּ֨ן ׀ בִּשְׁא֬וֹל תַּצְפִּנֵ֗נִי תַּ֭סְתִּירֵנִי עַד־שׁ֣וּב אַפֶּ֑ךָ תָּ֤שִׁ֥ית לִ֖י חֹ֣ק וְתִזְכְּרֵֽנִי 1 See how you translated the expression **Who will give** in [11:5–6](../11/05.md). Alternate translation (as an exclamation): “I wish that you would conceal me in Sheol, {that} you would hide me until the turning of your nose, {that} you would set a limit for me and remember me!” "Who will give {that} you will conceal me in Sheol,
that} you will hide me until the turning of your nose,
that} you will set a limit for me and remember me"
14:13 j438 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַד־שׁ֣וּב אַפֶּ֑ךָ 1 Job is speaking as if God’s **anger** might literally **turn** and go in a different direction. Job actually means that God would stop being angry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “until you stop being angry with me” until the turning of your nose
14:13 is2h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תָּ֤שִׁ֥ית לִ֖י חֹ֣ק וְתִזְכְּרֵֽנִי 1 This could mean implicitly: (1) that God would set a **limit** on the time that Job had to spend in Sheol before God would **remember** him (see the explanation of the term “remember” in the next note). Alternate translation: “that you would decide how long I needed to spend in Sheol before you would remember me” (2) that God would choose a particular time sometime in the future when he would **remember** Job. Alternate translation: “that you would choose a particular time when you would remember me” that} you will set a limit for me and remember me
14:13 km9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְתִזְכְּרֵֽנִי 1 Job is using the expression **remember** in a particular sense. He is not suggesting that God would forget anything or that there are limits to God’s knowledge or memory. Rather, in contexts such as this, the word “remember” means to be aware that someone needs help and to help that person. (For example, [Genesis 8:1](../gen/08/01.md) says that at the height of the Great Flood, “God remembered Noah and all the living things and all the livestock that were with him in the ark, and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.”) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and help me” and remember me
14:14 u755 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־יָמ֥וּת גֶּ֗בֶר הֲיִ֫חְיֶ֥ה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Even if a man dies, he might live again!” If a man dies, will he live
14:14 he34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כָּל־יְמֵ֣י צְבָאִ֣י 1 Job is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Throughout the time of my hardship” All the days of my hardship
14:14 ws2y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns כָּל־יְמֵ֣י צְבָאִ֣י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hardship**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Throughout the time when things are hard for me” All the days of my hardship
14:14 j439 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כָּל־יְמֵ֣י צְבָאִ֣י 1 Since Job said in [7:1](../07/01.md) that a person experiences “hardship” on earth, in this phrase he is probably referring implicitly to life on earth. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “For as long as I live on this earth” All the days of my hardship
14:14 a2dm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲיַחֵ֑ל עַד־בּ֝֗וֹא חֲלִיפָתִֽי 1 Since Job suggests at the beginning of this verse that people could live again after they die, and since he describes his present life on earth as **hardship**, the implication seems to be that by **my change**, he means his death, which presumably would lead to a better life. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I will wait patiently to die and then live a better life” or “I will hope expectantly that after I die I will live a better life” "I will wait
until the coming of my change"
14:15 d3u1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases תִּ֭קְרָא וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ךָּ לְֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֶ֣יךָ תִכְסֹֽף 1 In this verse, Job is describing what would happen under the condition he described in the previous verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, to indicate this you could add a connecting word at the start of this verse. You could also use the conditional tense rather than the future tense if that would be more natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then you would call, and I would answer you. You would desire the work of your hands” "You would call, and I would answer you.
You would desire the work of your hands"
14:15 tbe8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תִּ֭קְרָא וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ךָּ 1 Here Job is using words that are very similar to the ones that he used in [13:22](../13/22.md) to challenge God to argue his case with him. But now he means that he and God would converse in a friendly way. To help your readers appreciate this use of language, it would be helpful to translate the terms here the same way you translated them in [13:22](../13/22.md). You would call, and I would answer you
14:15 j440 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ךָּ 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **answer**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “and I would gladly answer you” and I would answer you
14:15 j3fp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לְֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֶ֣יךָ 1 Job is using one part of God, his **hands**, to mean all of him in the act of creating Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the person whom you created” the work of your hands
14:16 q9vm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַ֭תָּה צְעָדַ֣י תִּסְפּ֑וֹר לֹֽא־תִ֝שְׁמ֗וֹר עַל־חַטָּאתִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if God literally will **number** or count the **steps** he is taking. He is speaking of living as if it were walking along a path. Job alludes to what he said in [13:27](../13/27.md), that God was watching his paths and marking places where he had to step. Job could mean here: (1) that once God was no longer angry with him, God would caringly observe all that he did to ensure that he was all right, but God would no longer be looking to see whether he was doing wrong. Alternate translation: “then you would caringly observe all that I did, but you would no longer be looking to see whether I was doing wrong” (2) that God is currently restricting his activities, but once God was no longer angry with him, God would not watch him so closely. Alternate translation: “now you are restricting my activities to keep me from doing the slightest thing wrong, but then you would no longer watch me so closely” "then you would number my steps;
you would not watch over my sin"
14:16 bay1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹֽא־תִ֝שְׁמ֗וֹר עַל־חַטָּאתִֽי 1 Job is using his **sin** to mean all of him in the act of sinning. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you would not watch over me to see whether I am doing wrong” you would not watch over my sin
14:17 zvn3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive חָתֻ֣ם בִּצְר֣וֹר פִּשְׁעִ֑י 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “You would seal my transgression in a bag” My transgression {would be} sealed in a bag
14:17 cby4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָתֻ֣ם בִּצְר֣וֹר פִּשְׁעִ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if God would literally **seal** his **transgression** in a **bag**. He means that God would forgive his transgression and no longer regard it, as if it were hidden from view and inaccessible. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You would completely forgive my transgression” My transgression {would be} sealed in a bag
14:17 qe5i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַ֝תִּטְפֹּ֗ל עַל־עֲוֺנִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if God would literally **plaster over** his **iniquity**. Once again he means that God would forgive him and no longer regard his iniquity, as if it were hidden from view. Job is using the same terminology as in [13:4](../13/04.md), where he said that his friends were plastering him with a lie. There he meant that while he was righteous, his friends were making it appear that he was sinful. Here he means that God would make him appear righteous because God would have forgiven all of his sin. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you would make me appear righteous” and you would plaster over my iniquity
14:18 j441 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 0 This verse is the beginning of a sentence that Job completes in the next verse. The entire sentence draws a comparison. To show this, you could create a verse bridge for verses 18–19. It might say something like this: “However, just a falling mountain crumbles and a rock moves from its place, just as waters wear down stones and its flooding washes away the dust of the earth, so you destroy the hope of man”
14:18 j442 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast וְ֭אוּלָם 1 Job is using the word translated **However** to indicate a strong contrast between the possibility of renewed life and reconciliation with God after death, which he was discussing in verses 14–17, and what seems to him to be the actual human condition, which he will describe in the rest of this chapter. In your translation, indicate this strong contrast in a way that is natural in your language. However
14:18 hga3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַר־נוֹפֵ֣ל יִבּ֑וֹל 1 Job is speaking as if a mountain might literally be **falling**. He means that the mountain is becoming lower in elevation because it is eroding. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “an eroding mountain crumbles” a falling mountain crumbles
14:18 h2q3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְ֝צ֗וּר יֶעְתַּ֥ק מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ 1 Job is not referring to a specific **rock**. He means rocks in general. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and rocks move from their places” and a rock moves from its place
14:18 j443 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ֝צ֗וּר יֶעְתַּ֥ק מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ 1 The meaning of this phrase may be similar to the meaning of the phrases “his place will not know him again” in [7:10](../07/10.md) and “one destroys it from its place” in [8:18](../08/18.md). The emphasis may be not on the rock moving but on its no longer being in its **place**. Alternate translation: “and yes, even large rocks disappear” and a rock moves from its place
14:19 nc2a rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תִּשְׁטֹֽף־ סְפִיחֶ֥יהָ עֲפַר־אָ֑רֶץ 1 The pronoun **its** refers to the **earth**. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the flooding of the earth washes away its dust” or “when the earth floods, that washes away its dust” its flooding washes away the dust of the earth
14:20 q4my rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תִּתְקְפֵ֣הוּ לָ֭נֶצַח 1 Job is speaking as if each person were in a lifelong struggle with God and as if God were able to **overpower** or defeat each person throughout his life. Job likely means that people struggle to live, but God is able to enforce his decree that each person must ultimately die after living for a certain time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You make people’s bodies wear out throughout their lives” You forever overpower him
14:20 uah1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וַֽיַּהֲלֹ֑ךְ 1 Job is using the expression **goes away** to mean “dies.” This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “and he passes away” and he goes away
14:20 p3dh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה פָ֝נָ֗יו 1 The expression **changing his face** describes a person’s face becoming wrinkled as that person ages. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “making his face wrinkled” changing his face
14:20 j444 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה פָ֝נָ֗יו 1 Job may be using one part of the aging process, the **changing** of the **face** to become wrinkled, to mean the entire process. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “causing him to age” changing his face
14:20 lq7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ 1 Job is implicitly describing how God will **send** a person **away** from the community of living people to the abode of the dead. Job will describe this isolation in more detail in the next two verses. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “you send him away from the community of living people to the abode of the dead” you send him away
14:21 m7cw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בָ֭נָיו 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “His children” His sons
14:22 j445 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אַךְ־בְּ֭שָׂרוֹ עָלָ֣יו יִכְאָ֑ב וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ עָלָ֥יו תֶּאֱבָֽל 1 Job is using parts of a person, his **flesh** and his **soul**, to mean all of a person in the act of grieving and mourning. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He alone grieves for himself, yes, he alone mourns for himself” "Only his flesh grieves for him,
and {only} his soul mourns for him"
15:intro p4sy 0 # Job 15 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\nIn this chapter, Job’s friend Eliphaz speaks to him once again. This time he speaks more strongly than he spoke before.\n- Verses 1–10: Eliphaz argues that the insights of traditional wisdom are on his side.\n- Verses 11–16: Eliphaz argues that Job should not defiantly insist that he is righteous.\n- Verses 17–19: Eliphaz invites Job to consider the insights of traditional wisdom.\n- Verses 20–35: Eliphaz quotes the insights of traditional wisdom.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.
15:2 mw8h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֶֽחָכָ֗ם יַעֲנֶ֥ה דַֽעַת־ר֑וּחַ וִֽימַלֵּ֖א קָדִ֣ים בִּטְנֽוֹ 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. This verse is the beginning of a question that continues into the next verse, but if you translate it as a statement or as an exclamation, it may be helpful to make it a separate sentence in your translation. Alternate translation: “A wise person does not answer with knowledge of wind or fill his belly with the east wind!” "Will the wise answer {with} knowledge of wind
and fill his belly {with} the east wind"
15:2 j446 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person הֶֽחָכָ֗ם יַעֲנֶ֥ה דַֽעַת־ר֑וּחַ וִֽימַלֵּ֖א קָדִ֣ים בִּטְנֽוֹ 1 Eliphaz is talking about Job in the third person, even though he is speaking to him directly. He is saying that Job himself must not be a wise person, since he has been talking in this way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “I can tell that you are not a wise person, because you have answered with knowledge of wind, yes, you have filled your belly with the east wind!” "Will the wise answer {with} knowledge of wind
and fill his belly {with} the east wind"
15:2 j447 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj הֶֽחָכָ֗ם יַעֲנֶ֥ה 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **wise** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “Will the wise person answer” Will the wise answer
15:2 hd46 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דַֽעַת־ר֑וּחַ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job’s **knowledge** consisted literally of **wind**. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language, as the UST models. Eliphaz could mean: (1) that Job is talking a lot, making a loud sound, but not saying anything of substance, just as the wind blows loudly but is only air. Alternate translation: “with such bluster” (2) that what Job is saying is insubstantial, as if it were the air that the wind was blowing around. Alternate translation: “with such empty statements” with} knowledge of wind
15:2 h768 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וִֽימַלֵּ֖א קָדִ֣ים בִּטְנֽוֹ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job has literally filled his **belly** with the **east wind**. In this location, the wind from the east brought hot air from the desert. Eliphaz is using this image to portray Job as taking deep breaths so that he can speak at length and then breathing out hot air as he speaks. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language, as the UST models. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “No, a wise man would not be so full of hot air” and fill his belly {with} the east wind
15:3 mka2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הוֹכֵ֣חַ בְּ֭דָבָר לֹ֣א יִסְכּ֑וֹן וּ֝מִלִּ֗ים לֹא־יוֹעִ֥יל בָּֽם 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. This verse is the continuation of a question that began in the previous verse, but it may be helpful to make it a separate sentence in your translation. Alternate translation: “No, a wise person does not reason with a word that does not benefit or with words that do not have profit in them!” "reasoning with a word {that} does not benefit
and {with} words {that} do not have profit in them"
15:3 j448 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הוֹכֵ֣חַ בְּ֭דָבָר לֹ֣א יִסְכּ֑וֹן וּ֝מִלִּ֗ים לֹא־יוֹעִ֥יל בָּֽם 1 Eliphaz is using the terms **word** and **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “reasoning by saying things that do not benefit and by making statements that do not have profit in them” "reasoning with a word {that} does not benefit
and {with} words {that} do not have profit in them"
15:4 k1xg rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַ֭תָּה תָּפֵ֣ר יִרְאָ֑ה 1 For emphasis, Eliphaz is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **destroy**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “you are completely destroying fear” you destroy fear
15:4 kfj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִרְאָ֑ה 1 By **fear**, Eliphaz implicitly means the fear of God, that is, reverent respect for God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the fear of God” or “reverent respect for God” fear
15:4 fz3c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שִׂ֝יחָ֗ה לִפְנֵי־אֵֽל 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Eliphaz is using the term to describe **devotion** that someone would offer to God as one person to another. Alternate translation: “personal devotion to God” devotion to the face of God
15:5 t4nv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יְאַלֵּ֣ף עֲוֺנְךָ֣ פִ֑יךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job’s **iniquity** were a living thing that was teaching his **mouth** what to say. He means that Job is saying wrong things about God in order to excuse his own sin. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you are saying things to excuse your inquity” your iniquity teaches your mouth
15:5 tt4g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝תִבְחַ֗ר לְשׁ֣וֹן עֲרוּמִֽים 1 Eliphaz is using the term **tongue** by association to mean speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you are deliberately speaking as the crafty do” or “you know that you are speaking deceitfully” and you choose the tongue of the crafty
15:5 gfb6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עֲרוּמִֽים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **crafty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “crafty people” the crafty
15:6 j5yb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ פִ֣יךָ וְלֹא־אָ֑נִי וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ יַעֲנוּ־בָֽךְ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of Job’s **mouth** and **lips** as if they were living things that could **condemn** and **testify against** him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It is clear from what you say that you are wrong; I do not need to prove that. Indeed, what you say provides evidence that you are wrong” "Your mouth condemns you, and not I,
and your lips testify against you"
15:7 dpx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲרִאישׁ֣וֹן אָ֭דָם תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתָּ 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You were not born the first man! No, you were not formed to the face of the hills!” "Were you born the first man,
and to the face of the hills were you formed"
15:7 a7jq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲרִאישׁ֣וֹן אָ֭דָם תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתָּ 1 Eliphaz is implicitly challenging Job not to consider himself wiser than everyone else because, after all, he is not older than everyone else. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “You should not think that you are wiser than everyone else, because you were not born the first man! No, you were not formed to the face of the hills!” "Were you born the first man,
and to the face of the hills were you formed"
15:7 j449 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole הֲרִאישׁ֣וֹן אָ֭דָם תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתָּ 1 Eliphaz is overstating his point for emphasis as he challenges Job not to consider himself wiser than others. If a speaker of your language would not make this kind of overstatement, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “You should not think that you are wiser than everyone else, because you are not older than the other wise people in our community” "Were you born the first man,
and to the face of the hills were you formed"
15:7 v4jt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲרִאישׁ֣וֹן אָ֭דָם תִּוָּלֵ֑ד 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Are you the first person who ever lived” Were you born the first man
15:7 j450 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations הֲרִאישׁ֣וֹן אָ֭דָם 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “the first human” the first man
15:7 j451 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתָּ 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of something by association with the way people can see the face of a person who is present. By asking whether Job was **formed** in the presence of **the hills**, Eliphaz is asking whether Job was formed at the same time as the hills, that is, long ago. Alternate translation: “and were you formed when the hills were formed” and to the face of the hills were you formed
15:7 j452 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתָּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and did God form you when he formed the hills” and to the face of the hills were you formed
15:7 j453 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche גְבָע֣וֹת 1 Eliphaz is using one part of the earth, its **hills**, to mean all of it as God created it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the earth” the hills
15:8 s4d8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַבְס֣וֹד אֱל֣וֹהַ תִּשְׁמָ֑ע וְתִגְרַ֖ע אֵלֶ֣יךָ חָכְמָֽה 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You do not hear the counsel of God! You cannot limit wisdom to yourself!” "Do you hear the counsel of God?
Do you limit wisdom to yourself"
15:9 afn9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־יָּ֭דַעְתָּ וְלֹ֣א נֵדָ֑ע תָּ֝בִ֗ין וְֽלֹא־עִמָּ֥נוּ הֽוּא 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You do not know anything that we do not know! You do not understand anything that we do not understand!” "What do you know, and we do not know?
What} do you understand, and it {is} not with us"
15:9 dt5n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis תָּ֝בִ֗ין וְֽלֹא־עִמָּ֥נוּ הֽוּא 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “What do you understand that we do not understand?” do you understand, and it {is} not with us
15:9 j454 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְֽלֹא־עִמָּ֥נוּ הֽוּא 1 In this context, the expression **with us** indicates understanding. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that we do not understand” and it {is} not with us
15:10 j456 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj גַּם־שָׂ֣ב גַּם־יָשִׁ֣ישׁ 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **gray-haired** and **aged** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Both gray-haired people and aged people” Both the gray-haired and the aged
15:10 j455 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet גַּם־שָׂ֣ב גַּם־יָשִׁ֣ישׁ 1 The terms **gray-haired** and **aged** mean similar things. Eliphaz is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “The most senior people” Both the gray-haired and the aged
15:10 e1wm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בָּ֑נוּ 1 In this context, the expression **with us** indicates agreement. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “agree with us” are} with us
15:10 bpjl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj כַּבִּ֖יר מֵאָבִ֣יךָ יָמִֽים 1 Eliphaz is using this adjective phrase as a noun phrase to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this phrase with an equivalent one. Alternate translation: “people who are greater than your father in days” greater than your father {in} days
15:10 j457 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כַּבִּ֖יר מֵאָבִ֣יךָ יָמִֽים 1 Eliphaz is using the term **days** to refer by association to how long a person has lived. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “people who are greater in age than your father” or “people who are older than your father” greater than your father {in} days
15:11 w8rr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַמְעַ֣ט מִ֭מְּךָ תַּנְחֻמ֣וֹת אֵ֑ל וְ֝דָבָ֗ר לָאַ֥ט עִמָּֽךְ 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You seem to consider the consolations of God to be too small for you. You seem to feel the same way about a word spoken in gentleness to you.” "Are} the consolations of God too small for you,
or a word in gentleness to you"
15:11 j458 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַמְעַ֣ט מִ֭מְּךָ תַּנְחֻמ֣וֹת אֵ֑ל 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job literally considered the **consolations of God** to be **small** in size. He means that Job does not appear to consider them significant. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do you consider the consolations of God to be insignificant” or “You seem to consider the consolations of God to be insignificant” Are} the consolations of God too small for you
15:11 lg22 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns תַּנְחֻמ֣וֹת אֵ֑ל 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **consolations**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Is what God is doing to comfort you” the consolations of God
15:11 j459 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝דָבָ֗ר לָאַ֥ט עִמָּֽךְ 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “or is a word in gentleness to you too small for you” or a word in gentleness to you
15:11 j460 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝דָבָ֗ר לָאַ֥ט עִמָּֽךְ 1 Eliphaz is using the term **word** to mean what he and the other friends have been saying to Job by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or what we have been telling you in gentleness” or a word in gentleness to you
15:11 j461 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְ֝דָבָ֗ר לָאַ֥ט עִמָּֽךְ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **gentleness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “or what we have been telling you gently” or a word in gentleness to you
15:11 j462 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝דָבָ֗ר לָאַ֥ט עִמָּֽךְ 1 It may not seem that Job’s friends have been speaking to him **in gentleness**. Eliphaz has just said that he is wicked and guilty, and the other friends have said similar things. Eliphaz could mean: (1) that he and the other friends have been trying to speak to Job as gently as they could. Alternate translation: “or words that your friends have been speaking to you as gently as they could” (2) that given Job’s apparent disregard for God’s consolations, he and the other friends have been too gentle with Job. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Perhaps we need to speak even more sternly to you!” or a word in gentleness to you
15:12 j463 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־יִּקָּחֲךָ֥ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וּֽמַה־יִּרְזְמ֥וּן עֵינֶֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. (This is the beginning of a sentence that Eliphaz completes in the next verse.) Alternate translation: “Your heart should not carry you away and your eyes should not flash” "Why does your heart carry you away
and why do your eyes flash"
15:12 bbd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מַה־יִּקָּחֲךָ֥ לִבֶּ֑ךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of Job’s **heart** as if it were a living thing that could **carry** him **away**. He is using Job’s heart to represent his emotions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Why are you allowing yourself to become so emotional” or, as a statement, “You should not allow yourself to become so emotional” Why does your heart carry you away
15:12 c87r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּֽמַה־יִּרְזְמ֥וּן עֵינֶֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking of anger by association with the way that the **eyes** of a person who is angry will appear to **flash** or give off light. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and why are you so angry” or as a statement, “and you should not be so angry” and why do your eyes flash
15:13 q3sz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כִּֽי־תָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־אֵ֣ל רוּחֶ֑ךָ 1 Eliphaz is using one part of Job, his **spirit**, to mean all of him in the act of turning against God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that you turn yourself against God” that you turn your spirit against God
15:13 v2f5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְהֹצֵ֖אתָ מִפִּ֣יךָ מִלִּֽין 1 Eliphaz is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words and the term **mouth** to mean speaking. He is suggesting that the things Job has been saying are inappropriate. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and say such inappropriate things” and bring out words from your mouth
15:14 n6c7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מָֽה־אֱנ֥וֹשׁ כִּֽי־יִזְכֶּ֑ה וְכִֽי־יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Man cannot be clean! No, one born of a woman cannot be righteous!” "What {is} man, that he should be pure,
or that one born of a woman should be righteous"
15:14 z1zl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֱנ֥וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a human being” man
15:14 u6tx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִזְכֶּ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if people who are innocent of wrongdoing are literally **clean**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he should be innocent” he should be pure
15:14 j464 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone to whom a woman has given birth” one born of a woman
15:14 j465 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה 1 Eliphaz is speaking of human mortality by association with the way that people are **born** physically and, by implication, will also die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a mortal” one born of a woman
15:15 iv3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ין 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God does not trust” he does not trust
15:15 h358 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִּ֭קְדֹשָׁיו 1 Eliphaz is using the expression **holy ones** to refer to the angels, by association with the way that angels are holy. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in his angels” in his holy ones
15:15 pd53 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝שָׁמַ֗יִם לֹא־זַכּ֥וּ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if things that are pure are literally **clean**, that is, not physically dirty. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the heavens are not pure” and the heavens are not clean
15:15 j466 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝שָׁמַ֗יִם לֹא־זַכּ֥וּ 1 By **the heavens**, Eliphaz likely means the sky, which is a created object and therefore finite and incapable of perfection. It is unlikely that Eliphaz is referring to heaven, the abode of God, and saying that it is not **clean**, meaning “pure.” You could clarify this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and not even the sky is pure” and the heavens are not clean
15:15 q77f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְעֵינָֽיו 1 Eliphaz is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from his perspective” in his eyes
15:16 j796 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַ֭ף כִּֽי־נִתְעָ֥ב וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח 1 **Indeed that** is an expression that indicates that what follows is greater in degree than what a person has just said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how much less the abominable and the corrupted” indeed that the abominable and the corrupted
15:16 j467 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אַ֭ף כִּֽי־נִתְעָ֥ב וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “how much less are the abominable and the corrupted clean in his eyes” indeed that the abominable and the corrupted
15:16 j468 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj נִתְעָ֥ב וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **abominable** and **corrupted** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “abominable and corrupt people” the abominable and the corrupted
15:16 gt36 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet נִתְעָ֥ב וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח 1 The terms **abominable** and **corrupted** mean similar things. Eliphaz is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “humans, who are so very wicked” the abominable and the corrupted
15:16 j469 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and the corrupt” and the corrupted
15:16 j470 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִישׁ־שֹׁתֶ֖ה כַמַּ֣יִם עַוְלָֽה 1 Eliphaz seems to be referring implicitly to Job when he speaks of **a man drinking iniquity like water**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “such as a man like you who drinks iniquity like water” a man drinking iniquity like water
15:16 we5g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִישׁ־שֹׁתֶ֖ה כַמַּ֣יִם עַוְלָֽה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job were literally **drinking** iniquity the way he would drink **water**. He means that Job eagerly and willingly does wrong things, the way thirsty people eagerly and willingly drink water. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a man who freely commits iniquity” or “such as a man like you who freely commits iniquity” a man drinking iniquity like water
15:18 q3uc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure אֲשֶׁר־חֲכָמִ֥ים יַגִּ֑ידוּ וְלֹ֥א כִֽ֝חֲד֗וּ מֵאֲבוֹתָֽם 1 Eliphaz is not suggesting that **the wise** might have **hidden** something from **their fathers**. He means that they have declared what they learned from their fathers and not hidden any of it from the people of their own generation. It may be helpful to move the information that the wise have **not hidden** what they learned to the end of the sentence. Alternate translation: “what the wise have declared from their fathers and not hidden” "what the wise have declared—
and not hidden—from their fathers"
15:18 j471 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חֲכָמִ֥ים 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **wise** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wise people” the wise
15:18 j472 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations מֵאֲבוֹתָֽם 1 Although the term **fathers** is masculine, Eliphaz is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “from their ancestors” from their fathers
15:19 psj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לָהֶ֣ם לְ֭בַדָּם נִתְּנָ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ וְלֹא־עָ֖בַר זָ֣ר בְּתוֹכָֽם 1 By **them**, Eliphaz means the “fathers” or ancestors whom he described in the previous verse, and by **the land** he probably means Edom and specifically his home city of Teman, which was renowned for its wisdom (see [Jeremiah 49:7](../49/07.md)). By saying that only those ancestors lived there and **no stranger** passed among them, he means that their wisdom was not diluted by outside influences. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “My wise ancestors lived by themselves in Teman, where there were no outside influences to dilute their wisdom” "To them alone the land was given,
and no stranger passed in their midst"
15:19 yjj4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נִתְּנָ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave the land” the land was given
15:20 j473 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כָּל־יְמֵ֣י רָ֭שָׁע 1 Eliphaz is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “For the whole lifetime of the wicked” All of the days of the wicked
15:20 j474 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רָ֭שָׁע 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the wicked person” the wicked
15:20 q88x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִתְחוֹלֵ֑ל 1 Eliphaz means implicitly that a wicked person will be **writhing** in pain because God will be punishing him for his sin. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “he is writhing in pain from God’s punishments” is writhing
15:20 s474 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּמִסְפַּ֥ר שָׁ֝נִ֗ים נִצְפְּנ֥וּ לֶעָרִֽיץ 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and the number of years that he must suffer punishment for his own sins, they are reserved for the oppressor” and the number of years, they are reserved for the oppressor
15:20 caz3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נִצְפְּנ֥וּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God has reserved them” they are reserved
15:21 fj8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy קוֹל־פְּחָדִ֥ים בְּאָזְנָ֑יו 1 Eliphaz is using the term **ears** by association to mean hearing. By saying that the wicked person hears **the sound of terrors**, Eliphaz means by association that he experiences those terrors. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He experiences terrible things” The sound of terrors {is} in his ears
15:21 j475 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּ֝שָּׁל֗וֹם 1 The word translated **prosperity** can also mean “peace.” Eliphaz could be describing: (1) how wicked people may become prosperous for a time. Alternate translation: “though he may become prosperous,” (2) how wicked people may enjoy peace for a time. Alternate translation: “just when he is at peace,” in prosperity
15:21 j476 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification שׁוֹדֵ֥ד יְבוֹאֶֽנּוּ 1 Eliphaz is describing how the wicked experience the destruction and loss of their property, and he is speaking of that destruction as if it were a living thing that **comes upon** the wicked. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his property is suddenly destroyed” or “he suddenly loses his property” the destroyer comes upon him
15:22 i3pk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹא־יַאֲמִ֣ין שׁ֭וּב מִנִּי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if this wicked person has literally gone to a place where there is **darkness** and as if that wicked person does not believe that he can **return** from there. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He does not believe that his troubles will ever end” He does not believe to return from darkness
15:22 j477 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives לֹא־יַאֲמִ֣ין שׁ֭וּב מִנִּי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this with a positive expression. Alternate translation: “He believes that he will always have troubles” He does not believe to return from darkness
15:22 j478 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְצָפ֖וּי & ה֣וּא אֱלֵי־חָֽרֶב 1 It is possible that this second part of the verse also describes what wicked people **believe**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and he is afraid that he is selected for the sword” and he is selected for the sword
15:22 j479 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְצָפ֖וּי ה֣וּא אֱלֵי־חָֽרֶב 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and God has selected him for the sword” or “and God has determined that someone will kill him with a sword” and he is selected for the sword
15:22 lh1i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חָֽרֶב 1 Eliphaz is using one kind of deadly weapon, the **sword**, by association to mean violent death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “violent death” the sword
15:23 j480 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes נֹ֘דֵ֤ד ה֣וּא לַלֶּ֣חֶם אַיֵּ֑ה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “He is wandering for bread, asking where it is” or “He is wandering for bread, wondering where he will find it” He {is} wandering for bread—‘Where {is it
15:23 k4qm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לַלֶּ֣חֶם 1 Eliphaz is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for food” for bread
15:23 ul3l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יֽוֹם־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Eliphaz is using the term **day** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a time of darkness” the day of darkness
15:23 j481 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יֽוֹם־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if this wicked person knows that a time is coming when there will literally be **darkness** during the day. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a time of great trouble” the day of darkness
15:23 j482 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נָכ֖וֹן בְּיָד֣וֹ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God has prepared for him is at hand” is} prepared at hand
15:23 gu8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom נָכ֖וֹן בְּיָד֣וֹ 1 Eliphaz is using the expression **at hand** to mean “nearby,” and he means near in time rather than near in place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is prepared and just about to happen” is} prepared at hand
15:24 e7mb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יְֽ֭בַעֲתֻהוּ צַ֣ר וּמְצוּקָ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **Distress** and **anguish** as if they were living things that could **terrify** a wicked person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He is so afraid of what is going to happen to him that he continually feels distress and anguish” Distress and anguish terrify him
15:24 vur7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יְֽ֭בַעֲתֻהוּ צַ֣ר וּמְצוּקָ֑ה 1 The terms **Distress** and **anguish** mean similar things. Eliphaz is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Great distress terrifies him” or “He is so afraid of what is going to happen to him that he continually feels great distress” Distress and anguish terrify him
15:24 tg34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תִּ֝תְקְפֵ֗הוּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to **Distress and anguish**. Eliphaz is speaking of these two similar things as if they were one thing. Your language may permit you to do that in your translation. Alternatively, it may be more natural in your language to use a plural pronoun. Alternate translation: “they overpower him” it overpowers him
15:25 uuk8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom נָטָ֣ה אֶל־אֵ֣ל יָד֑וֹ 1 When Eliphaz says that the wicked person has **stretched out his hand**, he means specifically that he has **stretched out** a **hand** that is holding a sword or some other weapon. In other words, this expression means to fight against someone. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he has fought against God” he has stretched out his hand against God
15:26 sx7v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָר֣וּץ אֵלָ֣יו בְּצַוָּ֑אר בַּ֝עֲבִ֗י גַּבֵּ֥י מָֽגִנָּֽיו 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if a wicked person would literally attack God in this way. He is actually making a comparison to describe the arrogant confidence with which a wicked person defies God. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this as a comparison rather than as a literal statement. Alternate translation: “He opposes God as if he were a warrior arrogantly attacking God, confident that his thick shield would protect him” "He rushes against him with the neck,
with the thickness of the bosses of his shields"
15:26 j483 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָר֣וּץ אֵלָ֣יו 1 The pronoun **He** refers to the wicked person, while the pronoun **him** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “The wicked person rushes against God” He rushes against him
15:26 j484 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּצַוָּ֑אר 1 This expression refers to the attitude of someone who is holding his neck straight and his head high, displaying arrogant confidence with his posture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “arrogantly” with the neck
15:26 b87u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בַּ֝עֲבִ֗י גַּבֵּ֥י מָֽגִנָּֽיו 1 The word “boss” describes the outwardly rounded part of a shield. A warrior would face this part of the shield against an enemy, holding the shield by a handle inside the boss. If a shield had a thick boss, that would protect the warrior against blows from swords and spears, and it would also allow a warrior to use the shield to knock an opponent down and pin him to the ground. If your readers would not be familiar with what **bosses** of **shields** are, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “confident that he can use his thick shield to protect himself and attack his opponent” with the thickness of the bosses of his shields
15:26 db71 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony בַּ֝עֲבִ֗י 1 Eliphaz speaks in this verse of the **thickness* of the shield that the wicked person would use against God, but in the next verse he indicates that the wicked person is actually “fat” and so not in shape physically for combat. So while Eliphaz seems to suggest here that the wicked person is a formidable foe, he actually means the opposite of what he is saying, as the next verse reveals. To help your readers recognize this, if your language has a word that can mean both “thick” and “fat,” it would be appropriate to use that word here in your translation. with the thickness of
15:26 j485 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural גַּבֵּ֥י מָֽגִנָּֽיו 1 By using the plural forms **bosses** and **shields**, Eliphaz seems to be portraying the wicked person as if he were an army or as if he were commanding an army. It may be more natural in your language to use singular forms. Alternate translation: “the boss of his shield” the bosses of his shields
15:27 uc39 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כִּֽי־כִסָּ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּחֶלְבּ֑וֹ וַיַּ֖עַשׂ פִּימָ֣ה עֲלֵי־כָֽסֶל 1 Eliphaz is using two parts of the wicked person, his **face** and his **flanks**, to indicate that his whole body is obese. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “though he is very fat” "though he has covered his face with his fat
and made blubber on the flanks"
15:27 j486 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִּֽי־כִסָּ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּחֶלְבּ֑וֹ וַיַּ֖עַשׂ פִּימָ֣ה עֲלֵי־כָֽסֶל 1 The implication is that the wicked person has a **face** that is **fat** and **flanks** that have **blubber** because he overeats and lives indolently. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “he is very fat because he eats too much and lives a lazy life” "though he has covered his face with his fat
and made blubber on the flanks"
15:28 ki37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וַיִּשְׁכּ֤וֹן 1 Eliphaz is using the word **And** to describe what happens to the wicked after he unsuccessfully opposes God. In the previous verse, Eliphaz was describing the former prosperity of the wicked person. In this verse, he is describing what happens to the wicked person after he loses his prosperity. The implication may be that the wicked person needs to live in abandoned places not only because he is poor but also because he is an outcast, that is, because others have rejected him. Alternate translation: “Then he becomes poor and outcast, and so” And he lives
15:29 r891 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְלֹא־יָק֣וּם חֵיל֑וֹ 1 See how you translated the term **stand** in [14:2](../14/02.md). Alternate translation: “and his wealth will not remain” and his wealth will not stand
15:29 j488 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹֽא־יִטֶּ֖ה לָאָ֣רֶץ מִנְלָֽם 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [1:10](../01/10.md). Alternate translation: “and they will not have large herds of cattle” or “and he will not have large herds of cattle” and their possessions will not spread over the land
15:29 j487 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מִנְלָֽם 1 The pronoun **their** refers to wicked people. Since Eliphaz speaks of a wicked person in the singular in the first part of this verse, it may be more natural in your language to use the singular here as well. Alternate translation: “his possessions” their possessions
15:30 jpq7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹֽא־יָס֨וּר ׀ מִנִּי־חֹ֗שֶׁךְ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [15:22](../15/22.md). Alternate translation: “His troubles will never end” He will not depart from darkness
15:30 pm4a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יֹֽ֭נַקְתּוֹ תְּיַבֵּ֣שׁ שַׁלְהָ֑בֶת 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the wicked person were literally a plant or bush whose **stalks** a **flame** could **dry up** or burn up. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will certainly perish” a flame will dry up his shoots
15:30 a9ha rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝יָס֗וּר בְּר֣וּחַ פִּֽיו 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if a hot wind that dried up plants were actually **breath** from God’s **mouth**. (The same image appears elsewhere in the Bible, for example, in [Isaiah 40:7](../isa/40/07.md), “The grass withers, the flower wilts, for the breath of Yahweh blows on it.”) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, God will destroy him” and he will depart at the breath of his mouth
15:30 j489 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns פִּֽיו 1 The pronoun **his** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God’s mouth” his mouth
15:30 rxv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְ֝יָס֗וּר 1 Eliphaz is using the word **depart** to mean “die.” This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “and he will pass away” or “and he will die” and he will depart
15:31 lr37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אַל־יַאֲמֵ֣ן בשו & נִתְעָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **emptiness** and **recompense**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “Let him not trust in things that have no value… for in return he will receive things that have no value” Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself
15:32 j490 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּֽלֹא־י֭וֹמוֹ 1 Eliphaz assumes that Job will understand that by **his day**, he means the day for the wicked to die. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “When it is not his day to die” or “Before the time would have come for him to die” When {it is} not his day
15:32 j491 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תִּמָּלֵ֑א 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this will happen” it will be fulfilled
15:32 s26k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝כִפָּת֗וֹ לֹ֣א רַעֲנָֽנָה 1 Eliphaz is continuing the image from the previous verse of the wicked person being like a plant or bush. He is speaking of this plant or bush being alive by association with the way that its branches would be **green** inside if it were alive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, he will die” and his branch will not be green
15:33 beb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יַחְמֹ֣ס כַּגֶּ֣פֶן בִּסְר֑וֹ וְיַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ כַּ֝זַּ֗יִת נִצָּתֽוֹ 1 The point of these comparisons is that the wicked person will not be able to succeed in his endeavors. They will all end in failure, just as a **grapevine** may not be able to nourish its grapes and so they will fall off while they are still **unripe**, and just as an **olive tree** might lose its **blossoms** due to cold weather in the spring and not bear any fruit that year. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “His endeavors will fail, as if he were a grapevine that lost its grapes because it could not nourish them or an olive tree that bore no fruit because it shed its blossoms due to cold weather in the spring” "He will shake off his unripe grapes like a grapevine,
and he will cast off his blossoms like an olive tree"
15:33 g676 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יַחְמֹ֣ס כַּגֶּ֣פֶן בִּסְר֑וֹ וְיַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ כַּ֝זַּ֗יִת נִצָּתֽוֹ 1 Eliphaz speaks as if the grapevine itself would **shake off** its grapes and as if the olive tree itself would **cast off** its blossoms. He means that the grapes will drop from the vine and the blossoms will fall off the tree. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will be like a grapevine whose grapes drop off and an olive tree whose blossoms fall off” "He will shake off his unripe grapes like a grapevine,
and he will cast off his blossoms like an olive tree"
15:34 rr5n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָנֵ֣ף 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **godless** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “godless people” the godless
15:34 j492 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor גַּלְמ֑וּד 1 This could mean: (1) that godless people literally will have no children or that they will have no children who survive them. Alternate translation: “will have no children who survive them” (2) that godless people will produce nothing of enduring value, as if they had no descendants. Alternate translation: “will produce nothing of enduring value” is} barren
15:34 v3q1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אָֽהֳלֵי־שֹֽׁחַד 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if **fire** would literally devour or eat up these **tents**. He means that fire would destroy them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and fire destroys the tents of bribery” and fire devours the tents of bribery
15:34 x22k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אָֽהֳלֵי־שֹֽׁחַד 1 Eliphaz is using the term **bribery** by association to mean people who pay and demand bribes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and fire destroys the tents of people who engage in bribery” and fire devours the tents of bribery
15:34 j493 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אָֽהֳלֵי־שֹֽׁחַד 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if the **tents** of people who engage in **bribery** will literally burn up in a **fire**. He means that they will be destroyed by one means or another. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the tents of people who engage in bribery will be destroyed” and fire devours the tents of bribery
15:34 j494 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אָֽהֳלֵי־שֹֽׁחַד 1 Eliphaz is using one possession of wicked people, the **tents** in which they live, to mean all of their possessions and their standing in the community. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar expression in [8:22](../08/22.md). Alternate translation: “and those who practice bribery will be without status or means” and fire devours the tents of bribery
15:35 u7sb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָרֹ֣ה עָ֭מָל וְיָ֣לֹד אָ֑וֶן וּ֝בִטְנָ֗ם תָּכִ֥ין מִרְמָֽה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if wicked people were literally women who had **trouble**, **iniquity**, and **deceit** as their children. He means that wicked people produce these things in their lives. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They think of bad things to do and they do wicked things, yes, they intentionally deceive others” "They conceive trouble and bear iniquity,
and their womb fashions deceit"
16:intro j3zc 0 # Job 16 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the beginning of Job’s response to Eliphaz’s second speech. In verses 1–6, Job complains that his friends have not helped him with their advice. In verses 7–22, Job describes how he feels God has made him suffer. Job briefly addresses God directly in verses 7 and 8.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### “witness,” “advocate,” and “intercessor”\n\nIn verses 19–21, Job describes the need for someone to plead his case to God in heaven. This is likely the same figure whom Job calls his “redeemer” in [19:25](../19/25.md). Although Job does not seem to be giving a prophecy knowingly about the Messiah, the role that he describes closely parallels the way that Jesus intercedes for people in heaven. He says that such a person would testify that he had not done wrong (be his “witness”), take his side (be his “advocate”), and plead with God not to punish him (be his “intercessor”). In your translation, use words that describe someone in your culture who does these things for another person. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/intercede]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/testimony]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\nVariation between singular and plural “you”\n\nIn verses 1–8, Job sometimes uses the singular form of “you” to address either Eliphaz or God and he sometimes uses the plural form of “you” to address all three of his friends together. Notes identify which form he is using in each instance so that you can use the appropriate form in your translation if your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you.”
16:2 j497 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular כֻּלְּכֶֽם 1 As the context suggests, the word **you** is plural here because Job is using it to refer to his three friends. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. all of you {are
16:2 t7wj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession מְנַחֲמֵ֖י עָמָ֣ל 1 Job is not using this possessive form to say that his friends are providing comfort to **trouble**. He is using the form to say that in their attempts to be his **comforters**, they are causing him further trouble. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “troublesome counselors” comforters of trouble
16:3 p7ga rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲקֵ֥ץ לְדִבְרֵי־ר֑וּחַ א֥וֹ מַה־יַּ֝מְרִֽיצְךָ֗ כִּ֣י תַעֲנֶֽה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “I wish that you would stop speaking these words of wind! I do not think anything compels you to answer.” "Is there} an end to words of wind?
Or what compels you that you answer"
16:3 g4tp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְדִבְרֵי־ר֑וּחַ 1 Job is answering Eliphaz with his own words. See how you translated the similar expression in [15:2](../15/02.md). Alternate translation: “to insubstantial words” or “to such bluster” to words of wind
16:3 j498 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular תַעֲנֶֽה 1 The word **you** is singular here because Job is using it to refer only to Eliphaz, who has just spoken to him. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you answer
16:4 j499 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche ל֤וּ־יֵ֪שׁ נַפְשְׁכֶ֡ם תַּ֤חַת נַפְשִׁ֗י 1 Job is using one part of himself and his friends, their **souls**, to mean all of them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if you were in my place” if your souls were where my soul is
16:4 j500 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular כָּכֶ֪ם & נַפְשְׁכֶ֡ם & עֲלֵיכֶ֣ם & עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם 1 The word **you** is plural in each of these instances because Job is using it to refer to his three friends. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. "like you
& your souls & against you
& at you"
16:4 mg21 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אַחְבִּ֣ירָה& בְּמִלִּ֑ים 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean the things that he would say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I would say one thing after another” I would join words together
16:4 bv7s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְאָנִ֥יעָה עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם בְּמ֣וֹ רֹאשִֽׁי 1 To **shake** the **head** at someone is a symbolic action indicating disapproval. This action may have the same meaning in your culture. If not, your culture may have a comparable gesture that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “and I would point my finger at you” and I would shake my head at you
16:5 j501 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם בְּמוֹ־פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י יַחְשֹֽׂךְ 1 For emphasis, Job is saying the opposite of what he means. He does not feel that his friends actually have been strengthening him or relieving him. If a speaker of your language would not say the opposite of what he means for emphasis, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means. Alternate translation: “I would say things such as you have been saying, thinking that I was strengthening and comforting you, even though saying such things would actually make you feel worse, as you have been making me feel worse” "I would strengthen you with my mouth,
and the moving of my lips would relieve {you"
16:5 i21i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם 1 The word **you** is plural here because Job is using it to refer to his three friends. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. I would strengthen you
16:5 dvh6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּמוֹ־פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י 1 Job is using the terms **mouth** and **lips** by association to mean speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by what I said, and the things that I spoke” "with my mouth,
and the moving of my lips"
16:6 vjz7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לֹא־יֵחָשֵׂ֣ךְ כְּאֵבִ֑י 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that does not relieve my pain” my pain is not relieved
16:6 s8sf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־מִנִּ֥י יַהֲלֹֽךְ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “that does not make the pain go away” what goes from me
16:7 t7qh rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הֶלְאָ֑נִי 1 The pronoun **he** most likely refers to God, since the following pronoun **you** seems clearly to address God. Job seems to be referring to God in the third person in order to make a transition from speaking to his friends, and he then seems to be addressing God directly in the second person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “you, God, have exhausted me” he has exhausted me
16:7 mrz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular הֲ֝שִׁמּ֗וֹתָ 1 The word **you** is singular here because Job is using it to refer to God. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you have devastated
16:8 pz4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַֽ֭תִּקְמְטֵנִי לְעֵ֣ד הָיָ֑ה וַיָּ֥קָם בִּ֥י כַ֝חֲשִׁ֗י בְּפָנַ֥י יַעֲנֶֽה 1 Job is speaking as if his **shriveled** condition, his **leanness**, were a living thing that was serving as a **witness** and testifying against him. He means that people consider him to be guilty of sin because they believe that God is punishing him with a sickness that has made him lose weight. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and because you have afflicted me with a sickness that has made me emaciated, people consider that to be evidence that I have sinned” "and you have shriveled me—
it has become a witness,
and my leanness rises up against me,
it testifies against my face"
16:8 z1f4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular וַֽ֭תִּקְמְטֵנִי 1 The word **you** is singular here because Job is using it to refer to God. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. and you have shriveled me
16:8 wiw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּפָנַ֥י 1 Here the word **face** could mean: (1) Job himself, using one part of him to represent all of him. Alternate translation: “against me” (2) Job’s reputation as a righteous person, in a specific sense of the word **face**. Alternate translation: “against my good reputation” against my face
16:9 a6fe rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor טָרַ֨ף ׀ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֵ֗נִי 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally a wild animal that had **attacked** and **torn** him. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this as a comparison. Alternate translation: “he has been like a wild animal, tearing and attacking me” he has torn {me} and he has attacked me
16:9 crc6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure טָרַ֨ף ׀ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֵ֗נִי 1 Since a wild animal would attack its prey before tearing it, it might be more natural to reverse the order of these clauses. Alternate translation: “he has attacked me and he has torn me” he has torn {me} and he has attacked me
16:9 j503 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction חָרַ֣ק עָלַ֣י בְּשִׁנָּ֑יו 1 This action expresses strong anger. If there is a similar gesture in your culture, you could consider using it here in your translation. You could also indicate the meaning of this gesture. Alternate translation: “he is so angry at me that he grinds his teeth together” he gnashes his teeth against me
16:9 c555 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִלְט֖וֹשׁ עֵינָ֣יו לִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if God, whom he believes is acting towards him as an **enemy**, were literally sharpening his **eyes**, the way one would sharpen a sword in order to use it dangerously as a weapon. Job means that God is focusing his eyes intently on him to recognize ways to attack him further and to ensure that he, Job, does not escape. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “focuses his eyes intently on me” sharpens his eyes against me
16:10 i21w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction פָּעֲר֬וּ עָלַ֨י ׀ בְּפִיהֶ֗ם 1 Opening the mouth wide at someone was a symbolic action that expressed ridicule. If there is a similar gesture in your culture, you could consider using it here in your translation. You could also indicate the meaning of this gesture. Alternate translation: “They open their mouths wide at me in order to ridicule me” They have gaped at me with their mouth
16:10 j504 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בְּפִיהֶ֗ם 1 Since Job is speaking of many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **mouth**. Alternate translation: “with their mouths” with their mouth
16:11 mm84 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יְדֵ֖י 1 Here, **hands** represents the power and control that people have over something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the power of” the hands of
16:11 j505 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Job is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
16:11 zm7g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִרְטֵֽנִי 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally throwing him **into the hands of the wicked**. He means that God is abandoning him to whatever it is that wicked people would want to do to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he abandons me” he throws me
16:12 t8kc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽיְפַרְפְּרֵ֗נִי וְאָחַ֣ז בְּ֭עָרְפִּי וַֽיְפַצְפְּצֵ֑נִי 1 Job is speaking as if God has literally **shattered** him, breaking him into many parts, and **seized** his neck and **shaken** him **to pieces**. He means that God has destroyed everything important in his life—his family, his health, and his possessions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this as a comparison, as the UST does, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he has destroyed my family, my health, and my possessions” "but he has shattered me,
and he has seized my neck and shaken me to pieces"
16:12 nt7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיְקִימֵ֥נִי ל֝֗וֹ לְמַטָּרָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God has literally **set** him **up as a target**. (He continues this image in the first line of the next verse.) He means that it seems as if God has harmed him very intentionally. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this as a comparison, as the UST does, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yes, it seems as if he has harmed me very intentionally” And he has set me up as a target for him
16:13 kx4d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ עָלַ֨י ׀ רַבָּ֗יו 1 Job is speaking as if **archers** whom God commands have literally **surrounded** him. He means that God has caused him to experience many different troubles. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, as long as you also used plain language in the last sentence of the previous verse. Alternate translation: “he has caused me to experience many troubles” his archers have surrounded me
16:13 j507 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יְפַלַּ֣ח כִּ֭לְיוֹתַי וְלֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ לָ֝אָ֗רֶץ מְרֵרָֽתִי 1 Job means implicitly that these archers are seeking mercilessly to kill him by shooting their arrows into his vital organs. (By saying that God **pours** his **bile** on the **ground**, Job means that God’s archers have pierced his liver as well as his **kidneys**, since the liver produces bile and that fluid would spill out of the body if the liver were pierced.) You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “They are seeking mercilessly to kill me by shooting their arrows into my vital organs” "He pierces my kidneys and he does not spare;
he pours my bile on the ground"
16:13 e7bp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְפַלַּ֣ח כִּ֭לְיוֹתַי וְלֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ לָ֝אָ֗רֶץ מְרֵרָֽתִי 1 Job does not mean that arrows have literally pierced his **kidneys** and liver. He is continuing the image of the archers to indicate that it feels to him as if God is mercilessly trying to kill him in a way that he could not possibly survive. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It feels to me as if God is mercilessly trying to kill me in a way that I could not possibly survive” "He pierces my kidneys and he does not spare;
he pours my bile on the ground"
16:13 j506 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְפַלַּ֣ח & וְלֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל & יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ 1 The pronouns **He** and **he** refer to God. Job means that God is doing these things through the symbolic **archers** that he describes in the previous sentence. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use plural pronouns to show that this is a continuation of the image of the archers. Alternate translation: “They pierce my kidneys and do not spare; they pour my bile on the ground” "He pierces & and he does not spare;
he pours"
16:14 lx7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִפְרְצֵ֣נִי פֶ֭רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵי־פָ֑רֶץ 1 Job is speaking as if he were a defensive wall around a city and God was smashing openings or breaches in that wall. He means that the continual sufferings that he is experiencing are making him less and less able to be resilient. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He causes me continual sufferings that are making me less and less resilient” He breaches me, breach upon the face of breach
16:14 j508 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom פֶ֭רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵי־פָ֑רֶץ 1 This expression could mean: (1) that God is smashing openings in many different places in this wall (which represents Job). Alternate translation, if you choose to represent the image in your translation: “smashing openings in many different places in my wall” (2) that after succeeding in smashing an opening in this wall, God smashes repeatedly in the same place to make that opening bigger. Alternate translation: “ever enlarging the opening in my wall” breach upon the face of breach
16:14 r9md rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָרֻ֖ץ עָלַ֣י כְּגִבּֽוֹר 1 Job is speaking as if God were literally running against him the way a **warrior** would run to attack an enemy soldier. Job is answering Eliphaz with his own words. In [15:26](../15/26.md), Eliphaz used the same image to describe how wicked people oppose God. If you used the image or represented it as a comparison in your translation in that verse, you may wish to translate the corresponding image here in the same way. If you used plain language there, you could use similar language here. Alternate translation: “he opposes me very forcefully” he runs against me like a warrior
16:15 cnt2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שַׂ֣ק תָּ֭פַרְתִּי עֲלֵ֣י גִלְדִּ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if he had literally **sewn** sackcloth onto his **skin**. He could mean: (1) that he is continually in mourning, as if he wore sackcloth (a sign of mourning) so frequently that it seemed to be **sewn** onto his skin. Alternate translation: “I am continually in mourning” (2) that he actually has been wearing sackcloth (although the narrative at the beginning of the book does not say so) and it has stuck to his skin because of his boils, as if it were sewn to his skin. Alternate translation: “The sackcloth I have been wearing in grief has stuck to my skin” I have sewn sackcloth on my skin
16:15 hil8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְעֹלַ֖לְתִּי בֶעָפָ֣ר קַרְנִֽי 1 People in the biblical culture used the **horn** of an animal to represent strength and honor. When they did, they would speak of humans as if they had horns like animals. For example, [Psalm 112:9](../psa/112/09.md) says of the person who fears Yahweh, “His horn rises high in honor.” Job is using the image in the opposite way to say that he is suffering disgrace. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I am suffering great disgrace” and I have thrust my horn into the dust
16:16 l1id rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְעַ֖ל עַפְעַפַּ֣י צַלְמָֽוֶת 1 Job is describing the fact that he has not been sleeping well, by association with the way that dark circles form around the eyes of someone who lacks sleep. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and I have dark circles around my eyes from lack of sleep” and on my eyelids {is} a dark shadow
16:17 cs74 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹא־חָמָ֣ס בְּכַפָּ֑י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **hands**, to mean all of him in the potential act of committing **violence**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have not committed any violence” violence {is} not in my hands
16:17 j509 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זַכָּֽה 1 Job is speaking as if his prayer were literally **pure**, that is, as if it were a physical substance that had nothing else mixed in. He means that when he prays, he means just what he says and he has no other motives other than sincerely speaking with God. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is sincere” is} pure
16:18 xf2z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe אֶ֭רֶץ אַל־תְּכַסִּ֣י דָמִ֑י 1 Job is speaking to something that he knows cannot hear him, the **Earth**. He is doing that to show in a strong way how he feels about what has been happening to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I hope that when I die, my blood will remain visible on the earth” Earth, do not conceal my blood
16:18 aj18 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֶ֭רֶץ אַל־תְּכַסִּ֣י דָמִ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally going to be murdered and as if his **blood** were going to fall to the ground and soak into the earth unless something prevented that. He means that he is like the victim of a deadly crime in that he deserves justice but there is a risk that he will not receive it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I want to receive justice for what is happening to me” Earth, do not conceal my blood
16:18 bg2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe וְֽאַל־יְהִ֥י מָ֝ק֗וֹם לְזַעֲקָתִֽי 1 It is likely that Job is continuing to address the **Earth** in this part of the verse. Once again he is doing that in order to show in a strong way how he feels about what has been happening to him. Job is speaking as if the earth could hear him and as if it could make sure that none of its locations would provide a **place** for anyone to hide Job’s **cry** so that it was not answered. The context makes clear that this is a cry for justice. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly Alternate translation: “and I hope that my cry for justice is answered and not hidden” and may {there} not be a {hiding} place for my cry
16:19 z7js rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַשָּׁמַ֣יִם עֵדִ֑י וְ֝שָׂהֲדִ֗י בַּמְּרוֹמִֽים 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter to decide how to translate the terms **witness** and **advocate**, which both describe the same person, someone whom Job expects will intercede for him in heaven. Alternate translation: “the person who has taken my side is pleading my case to God in heaven” "my witness {is} in the heavens,
and my advocate {is} in the heights"
16:19 ietk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural בַּמְּרוֹמִֽים 1 Job is using the term **heights** to mean heaven, which is high above the earth. The plural form probably identifies these **heights** as the supreme example of their class. That is, while being on top of a mountain gives someone a commanding position, ruling from heaven gives God the supremely commanding position. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is in highest heaven” or “is in heaven, where he rules supremely” is} in the heights
16:20 b5wz rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural מְלִיצַ֥י רֵעָ֑י 1 This could mean: (1) that Job has a single individual in mind here, the one he called his “witness” and “advocate” in the previous verse. While the terms **intercessors** and **friends** are plural, it seems Job could be using plural forms to indicate an indefinite individual. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “There is a certain intercessor who is my friend” (2) that Job is saying that by contrast with the way this “witness” and “advocate” will take his side, his friends have been scoffing at him. The word translated **intercessors** can also mean “scoffers” (although Job uses it again in [33:23](../33/23.md) to mean “intercessor”). Alternate translation: “My friends are scoffing at me” My intercessors {are} my friends
16:20 v43g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֶל־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַ דָּלְפָ֥ה עֵינִֽי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of weeping. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am pleading tearfully to God for mercy” my eye weeps to God
16:21 izh8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person לְגֶ֣בֶר 1 When he refers to a **man** in the first part of this verse, Job seems to be speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “for me” for a man
16:21 kk12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּֽבֶן־אָדָ֥ם לְרֵעֵֽהוּ 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and a son of man argues for his neighbor” and a son of man for his neighbor
16:21 j510 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וּֽבֶן־אָדָ֥ם לְרֵעֵֽהוּ 1 In this instance, Job is using the word **and** to say that the phrase it introduces is just as true as the previous phrase. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “just as a son of man argues for his neighbor” and a son of man for his neighbor
16:21 j511 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations וּֽבֶן־אָדָ֥ם לְרֵעֵֽהוּ 1 Although the terms **son** and **man** are masculine, the phrase **a son of man** has a generic sense and means “a human being.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “just as one human being argues on behalf of another human being” and a son of man for his neighbor
16:22 j512 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom שְׁנ֣וֹת מִסְפָּ֣ר יֶאֱתָ֑יוּ 1 Job is using the expression **years of number** to mean “a few years.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a few years will go by” years of number will come
16:22 z81v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְאֹ֖רַח לֹא־אָשׁ֣וּב אֶהֱלֹֽךְ 1 When Job says that he will **go** on a **path** and **not return**, he means that he will die. This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “and I will pass away” or “and then I will die” and I will go {on} a path, I will not return
17:intro rs6g 0 # Job 17 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the conclusion of Job’s response to Eliphaz’s second speech. Job expresses his disappointment with his friends’ advice, he asks Yahweh to help him, and he wishes that he had good things to hope for.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.
17:1 j513 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole רוּחִ֣י חֻ֭בָּלָה יָמַ֥י נִזְעָ֗כוּ 1 Job is making an overstatement when he says that his **spirit** has already been **destroyed** and his **days** have already been **extinguished**. He means that this is nearly the case. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My spirit is nearly destroyed, my days are nearly extinguished” My spirit is destroyed, my days are extinguished
17:1 j514 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive רוּחִ֣י חֻ֭בָּלָה יָמַ֥י נִזְעָ֗כוּ 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My troubles have nearly destroyed my spirit and extinguished my days” My spirit is destroyed, my days are extinguished
17:1 c8r6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche רוּחִ֣י 1 This could mean: (1) Job’s life. Job would be using one part of himself, his **spirit**, to mean all of him. Alternate translation: “My life” (2) Job’s strength and morale. Alternate translation: “My strength” or “My morale” My spirit
17:1 yjx4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יָמַ֥י נִזְעָ֗כוּ 1 Job is using the term **days** to mean a specific period of time, his lifetime. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my life is extinguished” my days are extinguished
17:1 j515 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָמַ֥י נִזְעָ֗כוּ 1 Job is speaking as if his life were literally a flame that something had **extinguished** or snuffed out. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my life is almost over” my days are extinguished
17:1 j516 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural קְבָרִ֥ים לִֽי 1 While the term **graves** is plural, it seems unlikely that Job means he will be buried in more than one grave. (1) Job could be using the plural form to indicate an indefinite thing. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “there is a grave ready for me somewhere” (2) Job could be speaking of a graveyard or cemetery by association with the way that such a place contains many **graves**. Alternate translation: “the graveyard is ready for me” graves {are} for me
17:1 awv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism קְבָרִ֥ים לִֽי 1 Job is saying that **graves** are ready for him to mean that he will die soon. This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “soon I will die” graves {are} for me
17:2 jf81 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “There are mockers with me, are there not?” If {there are} not mockers with me
17:2 z26q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Surely there are mockers with me!” If {there are} not mockers with me
17:2 j517 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אִם־לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י 1 By **mockers**, Job most likely means his friends. He would be speaking of them in the third person even though they are present. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “All three of you have been mocking me!” If {there are} not mockers with me
17:2 wp1h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם תָּלַ֥ן עֵינִֽי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, using the second person: “Yes, all I can see is your provocations” And on their provocations my eye lingers
17:2 wr6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם תָּלַ֥ן עֵינִֽי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **provocations**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Yes, all I can see is you provoking me” And on their provocations my eye lingers
17:2 j518 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם תָּלַ֥ן עֵינִֽי 1 The implication is that Job’s friends have only been provoking him, not comforting him, because otherwise he would be able to recognize their comfort. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “You have only been provoking me, not comforting me” And on their provocations my eye lingers
17:3 j519 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular שִֽׂימָה־נָּ֭א עָרְבֵ֣נִי עִמָּ֑ךְ 1 The word **you** and the implied “you” in the imperative **set** and in the imperative **be surety for** are singular because they refer to God. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Please set down, be surety for me with you
17:3 fwk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שִֽׂימָה־נָּ֭א עָרְבֵ֣נִי עִמָּ֑ךְ 1 Job is speaking as if God would literally **set down**, that is, surrender to a court, something of value in order to guarantee Job’s appearance in court and good conduct. Job is similarly speaking as if God would literally **be surety** for him, that is, personally guarantee his appearance and conduct. Job speaks this way even though he says at the same time that God himself would be trying his case (that is the meaning of **with you**). Your culture may have a similar custom that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “Please put up a bond for me even as you try my case” Please set down, be surety for me with you
17:3 l8dv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי ה֝֗וּא לְיָדִ֥י יִתָּקֵֽעַ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one else will strike himself to my hand” Who {is} he {who} will strike himself to my hand
17:3 j520 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction מִֽי ה֝֗וּא לְיָדִ֥י יִתָּקֵֽעַ 1 Job is speaking of one person striking his hand against a second person’s hand as a symbolic action in order to show that he was committing himself to serve as a guarantor for that second person. Your culture may have a similar practice that you could use in your translation, and you can also explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “No one else will shake hands with me to pledge that he will be my guarantor” Who {is} he {who} will strike himself to my hand
17:4 j521 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the previous verse that he believed no one else would be a guarantor for him. Alternate translation: “My friends will not be my guarantors because” For
17:4 fbr7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לִ֭בָּם צָפַ֣נְתָּ מִּשָּׂ֑כֶל 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally **hidden** the **hearts** of his friends in a place where their hearts would not come in contact with **understanding**. Within the context of this image, Job is using the heart to represent the mind. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have kept their minds from understanding” you have hidden their hearts away from understanding
17:4 wj87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֣א תְרֹמֵֽם 1 Job is speaking as if God would literally **exalt** his friends or lift them up to a height. He means that God would honor them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you will not honor them” you will not exalt {them
17:4 y4ne rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹ֣א תְרֹמֵֽם 1 Job means implicitly that since God has kept his friends from understanding that he is innocent, God will not **exalt** or honor his friends by giving a guilty verdict against him, thereby vindicating what the friends have been saying. That would be allowing error to triumph. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “you will not vindicate what they have been erroneously saying by giving a guilty verdict against me” you will not exalt {them
17:5 kb8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לְ֭חֵלֶק יַגִּ֣יד רֵעִ֑ים וְעֵינֵ֖י בָנָ֣יו תִּכְלֶֽנָה 1 Job is using one thing that God does to maintain justice, punish those who commit perjury for a bribe, to represent all that God does to maintain justice. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “After all, you maintain justice by punishing people who corrupt court proceedings” "He {who} denounces friends for a reward,
even the eyes of his sons will fail"
17:5 i5ps rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְעֵינֵ֖י בָנָ֣יו תִּכְלֶֽנָה 1 Job is speaking of how the **eyes** of people who are dying **fail** (no longer see) in order to describe those people dying. This is a poetic way of speaking about death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “his sons will certainly die” even the eyes of his sons will fail
17:5 j522 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בָנָ֣יו 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that includes both sons and daughters. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “his children” his sons
17:6 j523 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְֽ֭הִצִּגַנִי 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God. After briefly speaking directly to God in verses 3 and 4, Job now speaks of God once again in the third person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “But God has made me” But he has made me
17:6 kzr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לִמְשֹׁ֣ל עַמִּ֑ים 1 Job is using the word **saying** to mean that the **peoples** are citing him by name as an outstanding example of someone who seemed to be prospering because he was righteous but who came to ruin because he was actually wicked. Your language may have an expression for this practice of citing people by name as examples that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “a byword for the peoples” a saying of the peoples
17:6 me7l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְתֹ֖פֶת לְפָנִ֣ים אֶֽהְיֶֽה 1 People were **spitting** in Job’s **face** as a symbolic action to show their contempt for him as a wicked person, which he appeared to them to be. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and people have even been spitting in my face to show their contempt for me because they think I am a wicked person” and I have become a spitting in the face
17:7 a9ip rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַתֵּ֣כַהּ מִכַּ֣עַשׂ עֵינִ֑י 1 Job is using the term **eye** by association to mean sight. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because of my sorrow, I can only see dimly” and my eye is dim from sorrow
17:7 my86 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּצֵּ֣ל 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **shadow** is insubstantial, so Job’s **members**, that is, the parts of his body, have become very thin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “have become as thin as a shadow” are} like a shadow
17:8 g1f9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יְשָׁרִ֣ים & וְ֝נָקִ֗י & חָנֵ֥ף 1 Job is using the adjectives **upright**, **innocent**, and **godless** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Upright people … and innocent people … godless people” The upright & and the innocent & the godless
17:9 j524 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj צַדִּ֣יק & וּֽטֳהָר־יָ֝דַ֗יִם 1 Job is using the adjectives **righteous** and **clean** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “righteous people … and people whose hands are clean” the righteous & and the clean of hands
17:9 r9ay rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְיֹאחֵ֣ז & דַּרְכּ֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking of how God wants a person to live, or of the future that God has planned for a person, as if that were a **way** or path that God wants the person to walk along. When Job says that the **righteous** will **hold** his way, he means that that person will continue to walk along that path. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And … will continue to live as God desires” And & will hold his way
17:9 lqi9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽטֳהָר־יָ֝דַ֗יִם 1 Job is speaking as if people who are innocent of wrongdoing have **hands** that are literally **clean**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and innocent people” and the clean of hands
17:9 lx6m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יֹסִ֥יף אֹֽמֶץ 1 When Job says that innocent people **will add strength**, he means by this expression that they will continually grow stronger. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will grow stronger and stronger” will add strength
17:10 e43i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person כֻּלָּ֣ם 1 Job is speaking about his friends in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “all of you” all of them
17:10 e7nv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys תָּ֭שֻׁבוּ וּבֹ֣אוּ 1 This phrase may be expressing a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **return** tells in what way Job wants his friends to **come**. He wants them to try speaking with him “again.” If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “come again” may you return, and come
17:10 j525 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj בָכֶ֣ם חָכָֽם 1 Job is using the adjective **wise** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. The ULT indicates this by adding the word **person**. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “anyone among you who is wise” a wise {person} among you
17:11 nba8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יָמַ֣י עָ֭בְרוּ 1 Job is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time, his lifetime. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My life is almost over” My days have passed
17:11 j526 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive זִמֹּתַ֣י נִתְּק֑וּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will not be able to fulfill my plans” my plans are broken
17:11 f9nn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מ֖וֹרָשֵׁ֣י לְבָבִֽי 1 Job is speaking of his **heart** as if it were a living thing that could have **desires**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the things that I deeply desired” the desires of my heart
17:12 m8i8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַ֭יְלָה לְי֣וֹם יָשִׂ֑ימוּ 1 Job is speaking about troubled times in life as if they were literally **night** and happy, prosperous times in life as if they were literally **day**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They claim that what is happening to me is actually good” They change night into day
17:12 m4j6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָשִׂ֑ימוּ 1 The pronoun **They** refers to Job’s friends. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “My friends change” They change
17:12 j527 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person יָשִׂ֑ימוּ 1 Job is speaking about his friends in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “You, my friends, change” or “You change” They change
17:12 j528 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations א֝֗וֹר קָר֥וֹב מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Many interpreters believe that in this sentence, Job is summarizing what his friends have been telling him. You may wish to represent the sentence in your translation as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “You say, ‘Light is near from the face of darkness’” Light is near from the face of darkness
17:12 fif1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy א֝֗וֹר קָר֥וֹב מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of something, by association with the way that people can see the face of a person who is present. Alternate translation: “Light is near from the presence of darkness” Light is near from the face of darkness
17:12 j529 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs א֝֗וֹר קָר֥וֹב מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Job may be using a proverb, a short, popular saying about something that is generally true in life, to summarize what his friends have been telling him. Or his friends may have been quoting this proverb themselves in their advice to Job. Your language may have a similar saying that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “It’s always darkest before the dawn” Light is near from the face of darkness
17:13 h88c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בַּ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ רִפַּ֥דְתִּי יְצוּעָֽי 1 Job is using the single activity of preparing a **bed** on which to sleep to mean all that is involved in making a place one’s home. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I have made my home in the realm of the dead” if} in the darkness I have spread out my bed
17:13 j530 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בַּ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ 1 Job is using the term **darkness** to mean the realm of the dead, Sheol, by association with the way that it is dark there. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if in the realm of the dead” if} in the darkness
17:14 j531 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes לַשַּׁ֣חַת קָ֭רָאתִי אָ֣בִי אָ֑תָּה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “if I tell the pit that it is my father” or “if I call the pit my father” if} I call to the pit, ‘You {are} my father
17:14 uwb3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לַשַּׁ֣חַת קָ֭רָאתִי אָ֣בִי אָ֑תָּה 1 If Job said this, he would be saying that **the pit** was his home, by association with the way that a person lives in the home of his **father**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I call to the pit, ‘You {are} my home’” if} I call to the pit, ‘You {are} my father
17:14 j532 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe לַשַּׁ֣חַת קָ֭רָאתִי אָ֣בִי אָ֑תָּה 1 If Job did speak this way to **the pit**, that is, to the realm of the dead, he would be speaking to something that he knew could not hear and understand him in order to make an emphatic statement. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I said that the pit was certainly going to be my home” if} I call to the pit, ‘You {are} my father
17:14 j533 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אִמִּ֥י וַ֝אֲחֹתִ֗י לָֽרִמָּֽה 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “or if I call to the worm and say, ‘You are my mother,’ or, ‘You are my sister’” to the worm, ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister
17:14 e6lb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אִמִּ֥י וַ֝אֲחֹתִ֗י לָֽרִמָּֽה 1 If Job said this to a **worm**, such as would be found in a grave, he would be saying that the grave was going to be his home, by association with the way that a person shares a home with his **mother** and **sister**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or if I call to the worm, ‘I am going to share the grave with you’” or “or if I call to the worm, ‘I am going to be in a grave, just as you are’” to the worm, ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister
17:14 j534 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe אִמִּ֥י וַ֝אֲחֹתִ֗י לָֽרִמָּֽה 1 If Job did speak this way to a **worm**, he would be speaking to something that he knew could not hear and understand him in order to make an emphatic statement. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I said that I was certainly going to be in a grave” to the worm, ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister
17:14 j535 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לָֽרִמָּֽה 1 Job is not referring to a specific **worm**. He means any worm. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to a worm” to the worm
17:14 nrr3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown לָֽרִמָּֽה 1 A **worm** is a small, legless creature that burrows through the ground, passing the soil through its digestive system in order to extract the nutrients that the soil contains. Worms also pass whatever else they find underground through their digestive systems, including dead bodies. If your readers would not be familiar with what a worm is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable creature in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “to a small burrowing creature” to the worm
17:15 zb7d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְ֭אַיֵּה אֵפ֣וֹ תִקְוָתִ֑י וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י מִ֣י יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “then I would not have any real hope! No, I would not have any hope that anyone could see!” "where then {would be} my hope?
And my hope, who would see it"
17:15 j536 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְ֭אַיֵּה אֵפ֣וֹ תִקְוָתִ֑י וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י מִ֣י יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hope**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “then I would not really have anything to hope for! No, I would not have anything to hope for that anyone could see!” "where then {would be} my hope?
And my hope, who would see it"
17:16 h77p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּדֵּ֣י שְׁאֹ֣ל תֵּרַ֑דְנָה אִם־יַ֖חַד עַל־עָפָ֣ר נָֽחַת 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Then they would descend to the bars of Sheol! Then our rest would be together in the dust!” "Will they descend to the bars of Sheol?
If {our} rest {will be} together in the dust"
17:16 j537 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural תֵּרַ֑דְנָה 1 The pronoun **they** refers to the hope that Job described in the previous verse. Job may be using a plural term to speak of the hope that he said would not be and the hope that he said no one would see, even though this is basically the same hope. If it would be more natural in your language, you could use a singular pronoun in your translation. Alternate translation: “Will it descend” or, as a statement, “Then it would descend” Will they descend
17:16 yx83 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בַּדֵּ֣י שְׁאֹ֣ל 1 Job is using the term **bars** to mean “gates,” by association with the way that bars keep a gate locked. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to the gates of Sheol” to the bars of Sheol
17:16 j538 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּדֵּ֣י שְׁאֹ֣ל 1 Job means implicitly that if his hope went down to the **bars** or gates of Sheol, it would be admitted there. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to Sheol and be admitted there” to the bars of Sheol
17:16 z16e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism אִם־יַ֖חַד עַל־עָפָ֣ר נָֽחַת 1 When Job speaks of having **rest** in the **dust**, he means having died. This is a poetic way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “Will we die together” or “Will my hope die with me” If {our} rest {will be} together in the dust
17:16 ajw5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אִם־יַ֖חַד עַל־עָפָ֣ר נָֽחַת 1 Job is speaking of his hope as if it were a living thing that could have **rest**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do I have nothing more to hope for in this life” If {our} rest {will be} together in the dust
18:intro qk5f 0 # Job 18 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Job’s friend Bildad speaks to him for a second time. As Eliphaz did in his second speech to Job in chapter 15, Bildad speaks more strongly to Job in this speech than he did in his first speech. Using much of the same language that Job used in chapters 16 and 17, Bildad defends himself and the other two friends and warns Job that God will punish him severely if he continues to be wicked (as Bildad believes him to be).\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.
18:2 b4en rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַד־אָ֤נָה ׀ תְּשִׂימ֣וּן קִנְצֵ֣י לְמִלִּ֑ין 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should make an end of words right now!” or “It is not helpful for you to keep saying such things!” Until when will you make ends of words
18:2 jpp1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַד־אָ֤נָה ׀ תְּשִׂימ֣וּן קִנְצֵ֣י לְמִלִּ֑ין 1 Bildad is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Bildad is answering Job by using the same language that Job used in [16:3](../16/03.md). See how you translated the expression “an end to words” there; **ends of words** here is a slight variation. Alternate translation: “For how long will you keep talking” Until when will you make ends of words
18:2 j539 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural תְּשִׂימ֣וּן & תָּ֝בִ֗ינוּ 1 The pronoun **you** and the implied “you” in the imperative **Consider** are plural. Bildad may be using these plural forms because he is answering Job in his own words and Job addressed “all of you” (meaning his three friends) when he asked in 16:3](../16/03.md), “Is there an end to words of wind?” Bildad could be portraying Job as representative of a group of people who think and speak as he does. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” it may be more natural to use singular forms in your translation. will you make & Consider
18:3 b16n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַ֭דּוּעַ נֶחְשַׁ֣בְנוּ כַבְּהֵמָ֑ה נִ֝טְמִ֗ינוּ בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “We should not be regarded as beasts, stupid in your eyes!” "Why are we regarded as beasts,
as if} we are stupid in your eyes"
18:3 v7r1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מַ֭דּוּעַ נֶחְשַׁ֣בְנוּ כַבְּהֵמָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Why do you regard us as beasts” Why are we regarded as beasts
18:3 j540 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַבְּהֵמָ֑ה 1 Bildad is using this comparison to say that just as **beasts** have no understanding, so Job regards his friends as having no understanding. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “as beasts that have no understanding” as beasts
18:3 yk9u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם 1 Bildad is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from your perspective” in your eyes
18:3 pdy5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם 1 The word **your** is plural here, like the word “you” in the previous verse. Since Bildad is addressing Job, it may be more natural to use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. in your eyes
18:4 zm4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person טֹֽרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֗וֹ בְּאַ֫פּ֥וֹ 1 Bildad is speaking about Job in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “You who tear yourself in your nose” The one tearing himself in his nose
18:4 j542 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit טֹֽרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֗וֹ בְּאַ֫פּ֥וֹ 1 Bildad is continuing to answer Job in his own words. In [16:9](../16/09.md), Job spoke as if God were literally a wild animal that had **torn** him in his anger. Bildad is saying that it is actually Job who is tearing himself apart in his own anger. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “It is you who are tearing yourself apart in your anger” The one tearing himself in his nose
18:4 ug9i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַ֭לְמַעַנְךָ תֵּעָ֣זַב אָ֑רֶץ וְיֶעְתַּק־צ֝֗וּר מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “The earth will not be forsaken for your sake, and the rock will not move from its place!” "will the earth be forsaken for your sake,
or will the rock move from its place"
18:4 r5lg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תֵּעָ֣זַב אָ֑רֶץ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “will people forsake the earth” or “will people stop living on the earth” will the earth be forsaken
18:4 zyh5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיֶעְתַּק־צ֝֗וּר מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ 1 Bildad is continuing to answer Job in his own words. In [14:18–19](../14/19.md), Job said to God, “you destroy the hope of man,” and he compared that to the way “a rock moves from its place.” This could be a reference to an earthquake or a landslide. Bildad is implying that Job is being overly grandiose by comparing his individual situation with great natural events. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “It is not as if your individual situation is a great earthquake!” or will the rock move from its place
18:5 e2fi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor א֣וֹר רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִדְעָ֑ךְ וְלֹֽא־יִ֝גַּ֗הּ שְׁבִ֣יב אִשּֽׁוֹ 1 Bildad is speaking of the happiness and prosperity of a wicked person as if those things were literally a **light** or **flame**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “any happiness or prosperity that wicked people enjoy will not last for very long” "the light of the wicked goes out;
the flame of his fire will not shine"
18:5 d868 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Bildad is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” or, since Bildad uses the singular **his** later in the verse, “a wicked person” the wicked
18:6 uj2t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor א֭וֹר חָשַׁ֣ךְ בְּאָהֳל֑וֹ וְ֝נֵר֗וֹ עָלָ֥יו יִדְעָֽךְ 1 Bildad is continuing to speak of the happiness and prosperity of a wicked person as if those things were literally a **light** or **lamp**. He is also continuing to answer Job in his own words. In [17:12](../17/12.md), Job said that his friends were telling him that light must be near because it was presently so dark in his life. Bildad is saying here in response that wicked people may be in the light, but soon it will become dark for them. To help make this clear to your readers, it may be helpful to use the same language here that you used in [17:12](../17/12.md). Alternate translation: “Even though a wicked person may have light, darkness is near” or “Even though a wicked person may experience prosperity, soon he will have trouble instead” "The light in his tent will be dark,
and his lamp will go out above him"
18:7 fxl3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יֵֽ֭צְרוּ צַעֲדֵ֣י אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 Bildad is using one sign of weakness, a shortening stride, to indicate weakness in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will become weak” The steps of his strength will shorten
18:7 j543 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession צַעֲדֵ֣י אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 Bildad is using this possessive form to speak of **steps** that are characterized by **strength**. It may be more natural for you to express this meaning using a form other than a possessive. Alternate translation: “His vigorous stride” The steps of his strength
18:7 bgk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְֽתַשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ עֲצָתֽוֹ 1 Bildad is speaking of a **plan** that a wicked person might make as if it were a living thing that could **cast him down**, that is, throw him or make him fall onto the ground. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and his schemes will only harm him in the end” and his plan will cast him down
18:8 t3iw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּרֶ֣שֶׁת בְּרַגְלָ֑יו וְעַל־שְׂ֝בָכָ֗ה יִתְהַלָּֽךְ 1 Bildad is speaking as if a wicked person would literally be caught in a **net** or **pitfall**. He means that such a person will experience troubles that will keep him from fulfilling his plans. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he will experience troubles that will keep him from fulfilling his plans” "he will be cast into a net by his feet,
and he will wander into a pitfall"
18:8 fl11 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּרֶ֣שֶׁת בְּרַגְלָ֑יו 1 Bildad is speaking of the **feet** of a wicked person as if they were a living thing that could **cast** him **into a net**. The implication seems to be that if the feet of the wicked person, rather than his eyes and his mind, are determining where he is going, he will walk into dangers unawares. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he will walk unawares into a net” he will be cast into a net by his feet
18:8 wa1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown שְׂ֝בָכָ֗ה 1 A **pitfall** is a type of trap for animals. To make it, people dig a pit in the ground and cover it with netting. They then put plant materials all over the netting to make it appear that the ground above the pit is just ordinary ground. If your readers would not be familiar with what a pitfall is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a concealed trap” a pitfall
18:9 t6fv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יֹאחֵ֣ז בְּעָקֵ֣ב פָּ֑ח יַחֲזֵ֖ק עָלָ֣יו צַמִּֽים 1 Bildad is continuing to speak of a wicked person as if he would literally be caught in a **snare** or **trap**. If you decided in the previous verse to express the meaning of this image rather than retain it in your translation, you could restate the meaning here. Alternate translation: “Yes, a wicked person will not be able to succeed; he will fail because of all the trouble that he causes for himself” "A snare will seize {him} by the heel;
a trap will hold onto him"
18:9 jr8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown יֹאחֵ֣ז בְּעָקֵ֣ב פָּ֑ח 1 A **snare** was a device that people in this culture used to catch birds. It consisted of a loose loop of cord. A hunter would put seeds or other bait inside the loop. When a bird came inside the loop to eat the bait, the hunter would pull on the cord and catch the bird by its feet. A snare might also have a mechanism that a bird would trigger automatically by stepping inside the loop. Bildad is speaking as if this would happen to a wicked person, so that he would be caught **by the heel**. If your readers would not be familiar with what a snare is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “He will step into a device that will seize his foot” A snare will seize {him} by the heel
18:9 j544 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown צַמִּֽים 1 By **trap**, Bildad means some other device for catching birds or animals. Interpreters are unsure exactly what this device is. The word Bildad uses suggests the idea of braiding, and so this could be a net of some kind. Alternate translation: “a net” a trap
18:10 u5yk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor טָמ֣וּן בָּאָ֣רֶץ חַבְל֑וֹ וּ֝מַלְכֻּדְתּ֗וֹ עֲלֵ֣י נָתִֽיב 1 Bildad is continuing to speak of a wicked person as if he would literally be caught by a **rope** or **trap**. If you decided in the previous two verses to express the meaning of this image rather than retain it in your translation, you could restate the meaning in another way here. "His rope is hidden in the ground,
and his trap for him {on} the path"
18:10 j545 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession חַבְל֑וֹ וּ֝מַלְכֻּדְתּ֗וֹ עֲלֵ֣י 1 In these possessive forms, **His** and **his** are the objects rather than the subjects of **rope** and **trap**. That is, Bildad is not speaking of a rope and trap that the wicked person owns but of a rope and trap that will catch the wicked person. Alternate translation: “The rope that will catch him … and the trap that will catch him is hidden” His rope & and his trap for him
18:10 q4wx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive טָמ֣וּן בָּאָ֣רֶץ חַבְל֑וֹ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The ground is concealing the rope that will catch him” His rope is hidden in the ground
18:10 xp42 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown חַבְל֑וֹ 1 By **rope**, Bildad means some further device for catching birds or animals. He seems to mean some larger device for catching animals that would work the same way as a “snare” that catches birds. A hunter might hide a loop of rope **in the ground** and pull on the rope to catch an animal once it stepped inside the loop. Alternate translation: “a loop of rope to catch him” His rope
18:10 f193 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּ֝מַלְכֻּדְתּ֗וֹ עֲלֵ֣י נָתִֽיב 1 Bildad is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and a trap is hidden for him on the path” and his trap for him {on} the path
18:10 j546 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וּ֝מַלְכֻּדְתּ֗וֹ 1 It is unclear whether Bildad is talking about a specific type of **trap** here. He may be using a general term for any device that would catch a bird or animal. If your language has such a general term, it would be appropriate to use it here in your translation. and his trap
18:11 ln1g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וֶהֱפִיצֻ֥הוּ לְרַגְלָֽיו 1 Bildad is speaking of these **Terrors** as if they were a living thing that could **chase** a wicked person the way a dog or wolf would, nipping at his **feet** to disable him so that he could not run away to safety. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he will not be able to escape from these troubles” and they will chase him at his feet
18:12 v7el rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יְהִי־רָעֵ֥ב אֹנ֑וֹ 1 Bildad is speaking of the **strength** of a wicked person as if it were a living thing that could become **hungry**. He means that a wicked person’s strength becomes weakened as if by hunger. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He is weakened as if by hunger” His strength becomes hungry
18:12 j547 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֝אֵ֗יד נָכ֥וֹן 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who has done the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “and God has prepared disaster” and disaster {is} prepared
18:12 zbs5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְצַלְעֽוֹ 1 Bildad is speaking as if **disaster** were literally at the **side** of a wicked person. He means that it will strike him as soon as there is opportunity. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to strike him as soon as there is opportunity” at his side
18:13 u5is rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יֹ֭אכַל בַּדֵּ֣י עוֹר֑וֹ יֹאכַ֥ל בַּ֝דָּ֗יו בְּכ֣וֹר מָֽוֶת 1 The pronoun **It** refers to **the firstborn of death** later in the verse. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put the noun phrase in the first part of the verse and the pronoun in the second part of the verse. Alternate translation: “The firstborn of death devours parts of his skin; it devours his parts” "It devours parts of his skin;
the firstborn of death devours his parts"
18:13 mrr7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּכ֣וֹר מָֽוֶת 1 The expression **the firstborn of death** means the strongest kind of death or a terrible kind of death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a deadly disease” the firstborn of death
18:13 j548 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בַּ֝דָּ֗יו 1 Since the pronoun **his** in this possessive form refers to the wicked person as a whole, it is likely that the word **parts** describes his arms and his legs. Alternate translation: “his arms and his legs” his parts
18:14 j549 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִנָּתֵ֣ק & וְ֝תַצְעִדֵ֗הוּ 1 If terror is indeed the agent that Bildad says pulls the wicked person from his tent, then Bildad is speaking of terror as if it were a living thing that could do this. He actually means that the disasters that cause a wicked person to feel terror also deprive him of safety and security. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The disasters that cause him to feel terror take him away … and they march him” He is pulled & and one marches him
18:14 m1gl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יִנָּתֵ֣ק 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, from the context it appears that this may be terror itself, since terror seems to be personified in the second part of the verse. Alternate translation: “Terror pulls him” He is pulled
18:14 r3dq rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְ֝תַצְעִדֵ֗הוּ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בַּלָּהֽוֹת 1 The pronoun **one** probably refers to terror. The pronoun is feminine, as is the word “terror,” and Hebrew speakers sometimes used feminine pronouns to represent feminine subjects they had not yet named but which they had in mind. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and terror marches him to its king” and one marches him to the king of terrors
18:14 atl1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝תַצְעִדֵ֗הוּ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בַּלָּהֽוֹת 1 If the pronoun **one** does refer to terror, then Bildad is speaking of terror as if it were a living thing, a soldier, who could march a captured enemy to his **king** as a prisoner. Once again Bildad would be using terror to mean the disasters that cause a wicked person to feel terror. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the disasters that cause him to feel terror bring him to the king of terrors” and one marches him to the king of terrors
18:14 j550 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ֝תַצְעִדֵ֗הוּ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בַּלָּהֽוֹת 1 Like the expression “the firstborn of death” in the previous verse, the expression **the king of terrors** here is a superlative. It means the worst terror there is, specifically, death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the disasters that cause him to feel terror ultimately cause him to die” and one marches him to the king of terrors
18:15 j551 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תִּשְׁכּ֣וֹן בְּ֭אָהֳלוֹ 1 The pronoun **One** is feminine in this verse, as in the previous verse, and so it may refer once again to terror. (However, interpreters have a range of understandings of what this verse means.) Alternate translation: “Terror will dwell in his tent” One will dwell in his tent
18:15 n4sy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִבְּלִי־ל֑וֹ 1 Bildad means implicitly that the **tent** will no longer belong to the wicked person, probably because he will be dead (a prisoner of the “king of terrors,” death, as the previous verse describes). You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “which will be abandoned because he is dead” which is} not to him
18:15 fpm9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְזֹרֶ֖ה עַל־נָוֵ֣הוּ גָפְרִֽית 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God scatters sulfur upon his home” or “God destroys his home by raining burning sulfur on it” sulfur is scattered upon his home
18:16 uul5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִ֭תַּחַת שָֽׁרָשָׁ֣יו יִבָ֑שׁוּ וּ֝מִמַּ֗עַל יִמַּ֥ל קְצִירֽוֹ 1 Bildad is speaking as if the wicked person were literally a tree that dies from lack of moisture. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He fails in every aspect of life and finally he dies” "Below, his roots dry up,
and above, his branch withers"
18:16 u1by rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun יִמַּ֥ל קְצִירֽוֹ 1 Bildad is not referring to a specific **branch**. He means every branch on the tree that he is using to symbolize the wicked person. If you retain the image in your translation, it may be more natural in your language to use a plural form. Alternate translation: “his branches wither” his branch withers
18:17 m6xw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession זִֽכְרוֹ 1 Bildad is using this possessive form to mean other people’s **memory** of the wicked person, not the wicked person’s memory of things. Alternate translation: “The memory of him” His memory
18:17 j552 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִנִּי־אָ֑רֶץ 1 Bildad is using the term **earth** by association to mean the people who live on the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from among the people who live on the earth” from the earth
18:17 y9j9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שֵׁ֥ם 1 Here, **name** represents a person’s fame and reputation. Alternate translation: “reputation” name
18:17 fs6r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־פְּנֵי־חֽוּץ 1 Bildad is speaking as if the surface of the land or ground were literally its **face**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “upon the surface of the land” upon the face of the land
18:18 er2m rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יֶ֭הְדְּפֻהוּ מֵא֣וֹר אֶל־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 The pronoun **They** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be more natural in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “He will be driven from light into darkness” They will drive him from light into darkness
18:18 w8ix rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יֶ֭הְדְּפֻהוּ מֵא֣וֹר אֶל־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 Bildad is using the term **light** to represent life and the term **darkness** to represent death. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will be driven from among the living into the abode of the dead” They will drive him from light into darkness
18:18 dr9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וּֽמִתֵּבֵ֥ל יְנִדֻּֽהוּ 1 The pronoun **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “yes, he will be chased from the world” and they will chase him from the world
18:20 wn9y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism עַל־י֭וֹמוֹ נָשַׁ֣מּוּ אַחֲרֹנִ֑ים וְ֝קַדְמֹנִ֗ים אָ֣חֲזוּ שָֽׂעַר 1 Bildad is using two groups of people to mean all people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. This could mean: (1) people who live after God punishes the wicked person and people who were alive beforehand and recognized that God would punish the wicked person. Alternate translation: “The way God punishes him will make a great impression on everyone who ever hears of him” (2) people who live to the west of the wicked person and people who live to the east of the wicked person. Alternate translation: “The way God punishes him will make a great impression on the people who live all around him” "The ones after will wonder at his day,
and the ones before will seize horror"
18:20 j553 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אַחֲרֹנִ֑ים וְ֝קַדְמֹנִ֗ים 1 If Bildad is speaking of people who live **after** and **before** God punishes the wicked person, then he is using those adjectives as nouns to mean certain groups of people. The ULT adds the word **ones** in each case to suggest this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Those who live after him … and those who see what is going to happen to him” The ones after & and the ones before
18:20 r4pt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom י֭וֹמוֹ 1 Bildad is using the term **day** to mean what happens to the wicked person at a particular time, the time when God punishes him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what happens to him when God punishes him” his day
18:20 j554 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָ֣חֲזוּ שָֽׂעַר 1 Bildad is speaking as if **horror** were literally an object that people could **seize**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will become horrified” will seize horror
18:21 da3s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַךְ־אֵ֭לֶּה מִשְׁכְּנ֣וֹת עַוָּ֑ל וְ֝זֶ֗ה מְק֣וֹם לֹא־יָדַֽע־אֵֽל 1 Bildad is speaking as if all the misfortunes he has described were literally the **dwellings** of wicked people, the **place** where they live. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “this is what will happen to the wicked, yes, this is the fate of one who does not know God” "Surely these {are} the dwellings of the wicked,
and this {is} the place of one {who} does not know God"
18:21 j555 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עַוָּ֑ל 1 Bildad is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
19:intro vq57 0 # Job 19 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is Job’s response to Bildad’s second speech. It is structured as a chiasm. (See the discussion of that poetic form in the General Introduction to Job.)\n- Verses 1–7: Job rebukes his friends for not being sympathetic to him.\n- Verses 8–1: Job uses images to describe how God has made him suffer.\n- Verses 13–19: Job describes how his family and friends have abandoned him.\n- Verses 20–21: Job uses images to describe how God has made him suffer.\n- Verse 22: Job rebukes his friends for not being sympathetic to him.\n- Verses 23–24: Job wishes that people would hear his defense and he foresees that God will vindicate him.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Job’s Faith\n\nIn verses 25–27, Job shows the great depth of his faith in God even after suffering so much. Job believes that even if God is treating him unfairly now, God will ultimately do the right thing. Job does not understand that God is actually not treating him unfairly. But the faith and confidence that he nevertheless has in God are remarkable. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])
19:2 xxa9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַד־אָ֭נָה תּוֹגְי֣וּן נַפְשִׁ֑י וּֽתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי בְמִלִּֽים 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You have afflicted my soul and crushed me with words for long enough!” "Until when will you afflict my soul
and crush me with words"
19:2 j556 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular תּוֹגְי֣וּן & וּֽתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי 1 The word **you** is plural here and through verse 5 because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. will you afflict & and crush me
19:2 j557 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נַפְשִׁ֑י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **soul**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “me” my soul
19:2 r3lw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי בְמִלִּֽים 1 Job is speaking as if his friends could literally **crush** him with their **words**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and discourage me deeply with your words” and crush me with words
19:2 j558 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְמִלִּֽים 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what his friends have been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by what you have been saying” with words
19:3 k4th rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּ֭עָמִים 1 The expression **ten times** means “many times,” not literally ten times, no more and no less. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “many times” ten times
19:3 uy8e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-sentences לֹֽא־תֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ תַּהְכְּרוּ־לִֽי 1 In this sentence structure, the verb **mistreat** is dependent on the verb **ashamed**. It may be more natural in your language to use a different sentence structure. Alternate translation: “you are not ashamed to mistreat me” you are not ashamed, you mistreat me
19:4 bfn1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִ֝תִּ֗י תָּלִ֥ין מְשׁוּגָתִֽי 1 Interpreters are not certain what Job means by this statement. He could mean: (1) that any sin he might have committed would be his own private concern. This would be consistent with his rebuke of his friends for reproaching him publicly as a sinner. Alternate translation: “that would be my own private concern” (2) that he would be the only one who would know for sure whether he had sinned. Alternate translation: “that would be for me to determine” my error remains with me
19:5 z7gm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עָלַ֣י תַּגְדִּ֑ילוּ וְתוֹכִ֥יחוּ עָ֝לַ֗י חֶרְפָּתִּֽי 1 See how you translated the similar use of the term **exalt** in [17:4](../17/04.md). Alternate translation: “you want to prove that you are right and I am wrong by appealing to the way that I am suffering” "you will exalt yourselves above me
and plead my disgrace against me"
19:6 gb9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝מְצוּד֗וֹ עָלַ֥י הִקִּֽיף 1 Job is speaking as if a **net** that God had set as a trap had literally **closed around** him. Job is answering Bildad in his own words, but Job is making the net a symbol of the unjust punishment of the innocent rather than of the just punishment of the wicked. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, he has unfairly punished me even though I am innocent” and his net has closed around me
19:7 zyg9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֶצְעַ֣ק חָ֭מָס 1 The expression **Violence!** refers generally to mistreatment, including but not limited to actual violence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I cry, ‘Someone is mistreating me’” I cry, ‘Violence
19:7 j559 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אֶצְעַ֣ק חָ֭מָס 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “I protest that someone is mistreating me” I cry, ‘Violence
19:7 j560 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹ֣א אֵעָנֶ֑ה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but no one answers me” but I am not answered
19:7 i4w8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְאֵ֣ין מִשְׁפָּֽט 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “but no one ensures that I am treated justly” but {there is} no justice
19:8 dpr7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָרְחִ֣י גָ֭דַר וְלֹ֣א אֶעֱב֑וֹר 1 Job is speaking of his life as if it were a **way** or path that he was walking along, and he is speaking as if God had built a wall to block that path so that he could not continue on it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar image in [3:23](../03/23.md). Alternate translation: “God has kept me from being able to overcome my troubles and resume my regular life” He has walled up my way and I do not pass
19:8 ly9g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְעַ֥ל נְ֝תִיבוֹתַ֗י חֹ֣שֶׁךְ יָשִֽׂים 1 In a parallel image, Job is speaking of his activities as if they were **paths** on which he was walking, and he is speaking as if God had made it so dark on those paths that he could not walk on them because he could not see where he was going. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, God has prevented me from knowing the right things to do” and he has set darkness upon my paths
19:9 hjr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כְּ֭בוֹדִי מֵעָלַ֣י הִפְשִׁ֑יט 1 Job is speaking as if the **glory** or honor that he formerly had were literally an article of clothing that God had **stripped** from him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He has taken away the honor that I formerly had” He has stripped my glory from upon me
19:9 rf7s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַ֝יָּ֗סַר עֲטֶ֣רֶת רֹאשִֽׁי 1 Job is speaking as if he had formerly been wearing an actual **crown**, a symbol of ruling authority, and that God had **removed** that crown from his **head**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, he has deprived me of the authority I once had” and he has removed the crown of my head
19:9 j561 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession עֲטֶ֣רֶת רֹאשִֽׁי 1 Job is using this possessive form to speak symbolically of a crown that he once wore on his head. In the context, the phrase **the crown of my head** does not mean the very top of Job’s head. Alternate translation: “the crown that I once wore on my head” the crown of my head
19:10 tiq1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִתְּצֵ֣נִי סָ֭בִיב 1 Job is speaking as he were literally a building and God had **broken** him **down** completely. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He has destroyed everything in my life” He has broken me down on every side
19:10 r4pd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וָאֵלַ֑ךְ 1 Job is speaking as if he has literally **gone away** or left the area where he was formerly living. See how you translated the similar expression in [14:20](../14/20.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Job is speaking of what he expects to happen imminently as if it had already happened. Alternate translation: “and I am about to die” and I have gone away
19:10 jd8w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וַיַּסַּ֥ע כָּ֝עֵ֗ץ תִּקְוָתִֽי 1 Job is using this comparison to say that just as a tree will not grow again once it has been completely uprooted, so he believes that God has taken away his hope forever. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and he has taken away my hope forever, just as an uprooted tree will never grow back” and he has removed my hope like a tree
19:10 v64y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַיַּסַּ֥ע כָּ֝עֵ֗ץ תִּקְוָתִֽי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hope**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and he has kept me from ever hoping again, just as an uprooted tree will never grow back” and he has removed my hope like a tree
19:11 p3my rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיַּ֣חַר עָלַ֣י אַפּ֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally **kindled** his anger or set it on fire. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And he has allowed himself to become very angry with me” And he has kindled his nose against me
19:12 wkz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַ֤חַד ׀ יָ֘בֹ֤אוּ גְדוּדָ֗יו וַיָּסֹ֣לּוּ עָלַ֣י דַּרְכָּ֑ם וַיַּחֲנ֖וּ סָבִ֣יב לְאָהֳלִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally a city and God had sent **troops** to lay siege to that city, building **ramps** by which they could get over its walls. Job is likely speaking of the troubles he is experiencing as if they were soldiers whom God had sent to attack him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God has made me experience many kinds of troubles, and they are causing me more and more distress” "His troops come together,
and they build up their ramps against me,
and they encamp around my tent"
19:12 fg89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיַּחֲנ֖וּ סָבִ֣יב לְאָהֳלִֽי 1 Job continues the military image but changes it slightly when he speaks as if he were literally a **tent** around which an enemy army had encamped. Job may be picturing himself as one of a number of soldiers who are all staying in tents but whose camp an enemy army has surrounded. Or Job may be using the word **tent** simply to mean the place where he lives, that is, his life. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, I am experiencing troubles in many different aspects of my life” and they encamp around my tent
19:13 zk2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַ֭חַי מֵעָלַ֣י הִרְחִ֑יק 1 Job is speaking as if God had removed his **brothers** to a distance from him. Job is actually speaking of the diminished quality of the relationship he now has with them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He has caused my brothers to withdraw from me” He has put my brothers far from me
19:13 j563 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַ֭חַי 1 Job is probably using the word **brothers** to mean close relatives, both male and female, who may not literally be his siblings. Your language may use that word or an equivalent term in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in plain language. Alternate translation: “my close relatives” my brothers
19:13 iv61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝יֹדְעַ֗י אַךְ־זָ֥רוּ מִמֶּֽנִּי 1 Job is speaking as if his **acquaintances** had literally **turned away** from him, that is, turned to face in another direction so that they could not see him or turned and walked away from him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and my acquaintances now act as if they do not even know me” and my acquaintances indeed have turned away from me
19:14 l2e7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽמְיֻדָּעַ֥י שְׁכֵחֽוּנִי 1 Job is speaking as if his **familiar friends** had literally **forgotten** him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “act as if they never knew me” and my familiar friends have forgotten me
19:15 kz75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession גָּ֘רֵ֤י בֵיתִ֣י 1 Job is using this possessive form to refer to people who have stayed in his **house** as **Guests**. Alternate translation: “People who once stayed in my house as guests” Guests of my house
19:15 y376 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְעֵינֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from their perspective” or “as far as they are concerned” in their eyes
19:16 x8ak rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְעַבְדִּ֣י קָ֭רָאתִי וְלֹ֣א יַעֲנֶ֑ה 1 In this context, the word **call** implicitly means “summon” and the word **answer** implicitly means “obey.” You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I summon my servant, but he does not obey and come to me” I call to my servant, but he does not answer
19:16 j564 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לְעַבְדִּ֣י 1 Job is not referring to a specific **servant**. He means all of his servants. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “to my servants“ to my servant
19:16 hds8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּמוֹ־פִ֝֗י אֶתְחַנֶּן־לֽוֹ 1 Job is using the term **mouth** to mean by association what he has to say with his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have to speak pleadingly to him” with my mouth I entreat him
19:17 dgg7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche ר֭וּחִֽי זָ֣רָה לְאִשְׁתִּ֑י 1 This could mean: (1) that Job is using one part of himself, his **breath**, to mean all of himself. In verses 13–19, Job is talking about how all of his friends and relatives now treat him as if they did not know him. In verses 13 and 15, Job uses words related to the word that the ULT translates as **strange** in this verse. Alternate translation: “I am like a stranger to my wife” (2) that Job is referring literally to his **breath** and saying that because of his sickness, it smells bad and is offensive to his wife. Alternate translation: “Because of my sickness, my breath smells bad and is offensive to my wife” My breath is strange to my wife
19:17 ufr3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְ֝חַנֹּתִ֗י לִבְנֵ֥י בִטְנִֽי 1 Job is the possessive form **of my womb** to mean the womb of his wife. He is speaking of the children that they had together. Alternate translation: “even though we had children together and I treated them kindly” though I was gracious to the sons of my womb
19:18 fp7g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אָ֝ק֗וּמָה וַיְדַבְּרוּ־בִֽי 1 This could mean implicitly: (1) that when Job stands up to speak, younger people who should listen respectfully (see [32:6–7](../32/06.md)) contradict him instead. Alternate translation: “when I stand up to speak, younger people disrespectfully contradict me” (2) that when Job tries to stand up, struggling because of his sickness, children make fun of him. Alternate translation: “when I struggle to stand up, they make fun of me” let me arise, and they speak against me
19:19 uf7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession מְתֵ֣י סוֹדִ֑י 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe the **friends** with whom he took **counsel**, that is, the friends with whom he shared his private thoughts and whose advice he asked. Alternate translation: “the friends in whom I confided” the friends of my counsel
19:19 t7hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נֶהְפְּכוּ־בִֽי 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “have turned against me” have been turned against me
19:20 j565 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בְּעוֹרִ֣י וּ֭בִבְשָׂרִי דָּבְקָ֣ה עַצְמִ֑י 1 Job is not referring to a specific **bone**. He means all of his bones. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh” My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh
19:20 lt45 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בְּעוֹרִ֣י וּ֭בִבְשָׂרִי דָּבְקָ֣ה עַצְמִ֑י 1 Job is speaking of this representative **bone** as if it were living thing that could **cling** to his **skin** and **flesh**. He means that his bones are right next to his skin and flesh, that is, all of the muscle in between has wasted away. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am just skin and bones” My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh
19:20 ud4z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וָ֝אֶתְמַלְּטָ֗ה בְּע֣וֹר שִׁנָּֽי 1 Job is speaking as if he had barely **escaped** from some disaster, and he is describing what he was able to escape with. Interpreters have different ideas about what he is describing, but they generally agree that it means something insignificant. Alternate translation: “and there is practically nothing left of me” and I have escaped with the skin of my teeth
19:21 ux63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication חָנֻּ֬נִי חָנֻּ֣נִי 1 Job is repeating the verb **Pity** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Please have pity on me” Pity me, pity me
19:21 tbg5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַד־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ נָ֣גְעָה בִּֽי 1 Here the **hand of God** represents the power and activity of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God is powerfully afflicting me” the hand of God has touched me
19:22 g28h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לָ֭מָּה תִּרְדְּפֻ֣נִי כְמוֹ־אֵ֑ל וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י לֹ֣א תִשְׂבָּֽעוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You should not pursue me as God would! You should be satisfied with my flesh!” "Why do you pursue me as God {would}?
And will you not be satisfied with my flesh"
19:22 c296 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile לָ֭מָּה תִּרְדְּפֻ֣נִי כְמוֹ־אֵ֑ל 1 The point of this comparison is that just as God would **pursue** someone relentlessly to make sure that sin was punished appropriately, so Job’s friends have been relentlessly insisting that he has sinned. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Why do you insist relentlessly that I have sinned” or, as a statement, “You should not insist relentlessly that I have sinned” Why do you pursue me as God {would
19:22 y17f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י לֹ֣א תִשְׂבָּֽעוּ 1 Job is likely alluding to a popular expression. In this culture, if someone accused another person maliciously, people said that he was “eating the pieces” of that person. Job is suggesting that his friends are ”eating“ him in this sense (that is, accusing him maliciously) and they are not yet **satisfied** with the amount of his **flesh** that they have ”eaten.“ If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And will you never stop accusing me maliciously” or, as a statement, “Yes, you should stop accusing me so maliciously” And will you not be satisfied with my flesh
19:23 r9n7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֵ֭פוֹ וְיִכָּתְב֣וּן מִלָּ֑י מִֽי־יִתֵּ֖ן בַּסֵּ֣פֶר וְיֻחָֽקוּ 1 See how you translated the expression **Who will give** in [11:5–6](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: “I wish that my words would now be written down! I wish that they would be inscribed on a scroll!” "Who will give {that} now my words will be written down?
Who will give {that} they will be inscribed on a scroll"
19:23 j566 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֵ֭פוֹ וְיִכָּתְב֣וּן מִלָּ֑י מִֽי־יִתֵּ֖ן בַּסֵּ֣פֶר וְיֻחָֽקוּ 1 In context, Job is suggesting that this is actually unlikely, even though he wishes that it could happen. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “It is unfortunate that my words cannot be written down. It is unfortunate that they cannot be inscribed on a scroll” "Who will give {that} now my words will be written down?
Who will give {that} they will be inscribed on a scroll"
19:23 j567 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְיִכָּתְב֣וּן מִלָּ֑י 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone will write down my words” my words will be written down
19:23 llm4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלָּ֑י 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what he has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I have been saying” my words
19:23 ti7g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בַּסֵּ֣פֶר וְיֻחָֽקוּ 1 Job is speaking as if he wanted his **words** literally to be **inscribed** or engraved on a **scroll**. He could mean: (1) that he wants someone to record them meticulously on a scroll. Alternate translation: “they will be recorded on a scroll” (2) that he wants someone to engrave them onto a copper sheet. Alternate translation: “they will be inscribed on a copper sheet” they will be inscribed on a scroll
19:23 j568 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְיֻחָֽקוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone will inscribe them” they will be inscribed
19:24 gz9c rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בְּעֵט־בַּרְזֶ֥ל 1 A **stylus** was an iron tool that people in this culture used to engrave writing onto hard surfaces. They would strike the stylus with another tool such as a hammer in order to remove tiny pieces of the surface a little at a time in order to create letters. For better visibility, they would sometimes then fill these letters with lead, which is a soft metal that they could pound into shape. If your readers would not be familiar with what a stylus is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “With a small iron tool cutting tool” With a stylus of iron
19:25 j569 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast וַאֲנִ֣י יָ֭דַעְתִּי 1 Job is using the word translated **But** to draw a contrast between what he has just suggested is unlikely, that his claims of innocence will be recorded for posterity, and something that he is very confident about, that his **redeemer** will ultimately vindicate him as innocent. In your translation, you may wish to introduce this verse in a way that will indicate this contrast more explicitly. Alternate translation: “But even though it is unlikely that my claims of innocence will be recorded for posterity, I still know that” But I know {that
19:25 j570 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַאֲנִ֣י יָ֭דַעְתִּי 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the word translated **know**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “But I know very well {that}” But I know {that
19:25 j571 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit גֹּ֣אֲלִי חָ֑י 1 Job means implicitly that even though he expects to die, his **redeemer** will still be alive to vindicate him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “even though I expect to die soon, my redeemer will still be alive” my redeemer lives
19:25 q57z rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown גֹּ֣אֲלִי 1 A **redeemer** was a close relative who would take responsibility to do whatever was necessary to help another family member who was threatened or in need. Your language and culture may have a name for a person who fulfills this role, and you could use that name in your translation. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “the close relative who will vindicate me” my redeemer
19:25 j573 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-extrainfo גֹּ֣אֲלִי 1 As Job indicates in the next verse, he believes that God will be his **redeemer**. This is similar to the way that Job speaks in [16:19](../16/19.md) of having an “advocate” in heaven and to the way that he asks God in [17:3](../17/03.md) to be his “surety.” Since Job speaks of God in the next verse, you do not need to explain in this verse that God is the **redeemer** whom Job is expecting. It may even be that Job wishes to generate some suspense and attention by not naming the redeemer right away, and it would be good to give your readers that same experience. my redeemer
19:25 j574 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְ֝אַחֲר֗וֹן 1 Job is using the adjective **last** as a noun to mean a certain time. This could mean: (1) a “later” time, after Job has died. Alternate translation: “after I have died” (2) that Job is the “last” time, the time at the end of the world. Alternate translation: “and that at the end of the world” and {that at} the last
19:25 yy3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction יָקֽוּם 1 In this culture, people stood up when they were about to speak. This was a symbolic action by which they indicated that they had something important to say. Standing up commanded the attention of the people they wanted to listen to them. In this context, the important thing that the redeemer had to say would be that Job was innocent. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “he will stand and speak in my defense” he will stand
19:25 j575 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַל־עָפָ֥ר 1 Job is using the term **dust** by association to mean the earth, on whose surface there is dust. This may also be a poetic allusion to the fact that Job would be dead and at “rest” in the “dust,” as he said in [17:16](../17/16.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “upon the earth” upon the dust
19:26 j576 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאַחַ֣ר ע֭וֹרִֽי נִקְּפוּ־זֹ֑את 1 The pronoun **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “and that after my skin has been stricken off” and {that} after my skin, they strike this off
19:26 t5gt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאַחַ֣ר ע֭וֹרִֽי נִקְּפוּ־זֹ֑את 1 Job is speaking as if someone or something might literally **strike** the **skin** off his bones. He could mean: (1) that his body will decay so that only the bones are left. Alternate translation: “and that even after my body decays so that only the bones are left” (2) that worms, such as he mentioned in [17:14](../17/14.md), will eat the skin off his bones. Alternate translation: “and that even after worms eat the skin off my bones” and {that} after my skin, they strike this off
19:26 j577 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י 1 Job could be saying that he will **behold God**: (1) from the vantage point of his flesh, that is, from within his body. This would be an implicit expression of faith and confidence in the resurrection of the body. Alternate translation: “yet from my resurrected body” (2) apart from his flesh, that is, as a spirit after death. Alternate translation: “yet as a spirit after death” yet from my flesh
19:26 p2pl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶֽחֱזֶ֥ה אֱלֽוֹהַּ 1 As the General Notes to chapter 13 discuss, in this culture, a subject would be able to look a sovereign in the face if the sovereign favored that subject. Job seems to be alluding here to that cultural norm. The implication is that God will no longer consider him guilty but acknowledge that he was innocent all along. Job indicates in the previous verse that God will also acknowledge his innocence publicly to everyone on earth. Alternate translation: “I will be able to look God in the face because he will affirm that I am innocent” I will behold God
19:27 j578 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism אֲנִ֨י ׀ אֶֽחֱזֶה־לִּ֗י וְעֵינַ֣י רָא֣וּ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “I myself will see very clearly” "I will behold for myself
and my eyes will see"
19:27 j579 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲנִ֨י ׀ אֶֽחֱזֶה 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **will behold**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I will certainly behold” I will behold
19:27 m1wt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעֵינַ֣י רָא֣וּ 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **eyes**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “and see with my own eyes” and my eyes will see
19:27 k566 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְלֹא־זָ֑ר 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. In this context, the word **stranger** means “someone else.” But it is also an allusion to what Job said in verse 15, that people who knew him now regard him as a “stranger.” Alternate translation: “and it will not be someone else who beholds him” and not a stranger
19:27 c3pc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כָּל֖וּ כִלְיֹתַ֣י בְּחֵקִֽי 1 Here, the **kidneys** represents the emotions. Job is saying that he is overcome with emotion at the thought of seeing God. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am overcome with emotion at this thought” My kidneys fail within my belly
19:28 np8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כִּ֣י תֹ֭אמְרוּ מַה־נִּרְדָּף־ל֑וֹ וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ דָּ֝בָ֗ר נִמְצָא־בִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “If you say that you are still going to persecute me because you believe that the root of the matter is found in me” "If you say, ‘How we will persecute him!
For the root of the matter is found in me"
19:28 j580 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular תֹ֭אמְרוּ 1 The word **you** is plural here because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you say
19:28 ddd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ דָּ֝בָ֗ר 1 Job is saying that his friends might speak as if his situation were literally a plant that had a **root**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “For the cause of the problem” For the root of the matter
19:28 j581 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person בִֽי 1 Job seems to begin this hypothetical saying of the three friends as a direct quotation but finish it as an indirect quotation, saying **in me** rather than “in him.” It may be more natural in your language to finish the quotation as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “in him” in me
19:29 j582 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵי־חֶ֗רֶב 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of someone or something by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “of the presence of the sword” of the face of the sword
19:29 tw35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִפְּנֵי־חֶ֗רֶב 1 Job is using one kind of severe punishment, execution by a **sword**, to mean severe punishment in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that God may punish you severely” of the face of the sword
19:29 t8gg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns חֵ֭מָה עֲוֺנ֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wrath**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “when God becomes angry at people for being wicked, God punishes them severely” from} wrath {is} the punishment of the sword
19:29 n1i1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns שדין 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **judgment**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “that God punishes wickedness justly” that there is judgment
20:intro p78g 0 # Job 20 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the second speech of Job’s friend Zophar. In this chapter, Zophar speaks more strongly to Job than he did the first time spoke to him.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Zophar answering Job with his own words\n\nIn [7:8](../07/08.md), as Job was appealing to God, he said, “The eye of the one seeing me will not regard me; your eyes will be on me, but I will not exist.” Zophar says in [20:9](../20/09.md) about the wicked person, “The eye that saw him will not continue.” Job said in [7:10](../01/01.md) of himself as a mortal person, “He will not return again to his house, and his place will not know him again.” Zophar says of the wicked person in [20:9](../01/01.md), “his place will no longer observe him.” In both instances Zophar is suggesting that Job himself is a wicked person, using Job’s own words.\n\nSimilarly, Zophar says in [20:27](../20/27.md) of the wicked person that “the heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will raise itself up against him” as a witness. In [16:18](../16/18.md), Job called upon the earth to see that he received justice, and in [16:19](../16/19.md), Job said that he had an advocate in the heavens. So Zophar is likely answering Job once again in his own words, implying that Job himself is a wicked person of the type that he has been describing in his speech.\n\nTo help your readers appreciate how Zophar is answering Job with his own words, you may wish to translate what Zophar says in these instances similarly to the way you translated what Job said earlier.\n\n### Indelicate images that Zophar uses\n\nAs noted above, Zophar speaks strongly to Job in this speech. He uses a couple of images drawn from bodily functions that people in your culture might consider indelicate to include in a Bible translation. If so, you could use comparable images. Zophar says in [20:7](../20/07.md) of the wicked person, “he will perish forever like his dung.” You could refer to something else that disappears completely, saying, for example, “he will perish forever like the dust that the wind blows away.” Zophar says of the wicked person in [20:15](../20/15.md), “He swallows wealth, but he will vomit it.” You might say instead something such as, “Though he may become rich, he will lose all his money.”
20:2 j583 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases לָ֭כֵן 1 Zophar is using the word **Therefore** to introduce the reason he is about to give for why he is speaking to Job again. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “This is why” Therefore
20:2 eef1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification שְׂעִפַּ֣י יְשִׁיב֑וּנִי 1 Zophar is speaking of his **thoughts** as if they were a living thing that could **turn** him **back**, that is, make him turn around and return to Job as if he had left him. He means that he wants to speak to Job again and share what he is thinking in response to what Job has just said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I need to speak to you again and tell you what I am thinking” my thoughts turn me back
20:2 wy6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וּ֝בַעֲב֗וּר ח֣וּשִׁי בִֽי 1 It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “because I feel such urgency” because of my urgency in me
20:3 m5c5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession מוּסַ֣ר כְּלִמָּתִ֣י 1 Zophar is using this possessive form to describe a **rebuke** that he feels has brought **dishonor** to him. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “a rebuke that dishonors me” a rebuke of dishonor to me
20:3 pk2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝ר֗וּחַ מִֽבִּינָתִ֥י יַעֲנֵֽנִי 1 Zophar is speaking as if there were a **spirit** in his **understanding** that could **answer** him, that is, show him how to respond to Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but I have had a good idea that enables me to understand how I should respond” but a spirit from my understanding answers me
20:4 um5p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲזֹ֣את יָ֭דַעְתָּ מִנִּי־עַ֑ד מִנִּ֤י שִׂ֖ים אָדָ֣ם עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Zophar is using the question form for emphasis. (The question continues into the next verse.) If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Surely you are aware of this from long ago, from the placing of man upon the earth” "Do you {not} know this from long ago,
from the placing of man upon the earth"
20:4 j584 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche הֲזֹ֣את יָ֭דַעְתָּ מִנִּי־עַ֑ד מִנִּ֤י שִׂ֖ים אָדָ֣ם עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Zophar is speaking as if Job himself should have known **from long ago** what he is about to say. He means that Job is one member of the human community that has known this for as long as it has existed. As a member of that community, Job should know it because it has been passed down to him through traditional wisdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Surely you are aware of this traditional wisdom that we have received from our earliest ancestors” "Do you {not} know this from long ago,
from the placing of man upon the earth"
20:4 j585 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִנִּ֤י שִׂ֖ים אָדָ֣ם עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Zophar is using one thing that God did when he created people, **placing** them on the **earth**, to mean all that God did in creating people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “ever since God created man” from the placing of man upon the earth
20:4 j586 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations מִנִּ֤י שִׂ֖ים אָדָ֣ם עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “ever since God created people” from the placing of man upon the earth
20:5 nhc5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כִּ֤י רִנְנַ֣ת רְ֭שָׁעִים מִקָּר֑וֹב וְשִׂמְחַ֖ת חָנֵ֣ף עֲדֵי־רָֽגַע 1 In this verse, Zophar completes the question that he began in the previous verse, using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “that the triumph of the wicked {is} from near, and the joy of the godless {is} for a moment!” "that the triumph of the wicked {is} from near,
and the joy of the godless {is} for a moment"
20:5 ubq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְ֭שָׁעִים 1 Zophar is using the adjective **wicked**, which is plural, as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
20:5 j587 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִקָּר֑וֹב 1 Zophar is using this expression to mean that the **triumph** of the **wicked** does not extend very far. He means that it does not extend very far in time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “does not last very long” is} from near
20:5 u62f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָנֵ֣ף 1 Job is using the adjective **godless**, which is singular, as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the godless person” the godless
20:5 j588 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun חָנֵ֣ף 1 Zophar is not referring to a specific **godless** person. He means all godless people. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “godless people” the godless
20:6 v8z8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה לַשָּׁמַ֣יִם שִׂיא֑וֹ וְ֝רֹאשׁ֗וֹ לָעָ֥ב יַגִּֽיעַ 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person might literally become so tall that his head would be at the same level as **cloud** in the **skies**. He means that a wicked person might become very prosperous and powerful. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Though a wicked person may become very prosperous and powerful” "Though his height rises to the skies
and his head reaches to the cloud"
20:6 by93 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לָעָ֥ב 1 Zophar is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means the many clouds that appear in the sky. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “to the clouds” to the cloud
20:7 b9xv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ 1 The point of this comparison may be the one that Zophar makes explicitly, that a wicked person will perish **forever** as **dung** perishes forever. However, the point of the comparison could also be that just as people consider **dung** a loathsome substance and dispose of it, people will consider a wicked person to be loathsome and not commemorate him in any way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and no on will commemorate him, because they consider him so loathsome” like his dung
20:7 sfs4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes יֹאמְר֥וּ אַיּֽוֹ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “will ask where he has gone” will say, ‘Where {is he
20:7 j589 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אַיּֽוֹ 1 The people who are asking about the wicked person are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “He is gone completely!” Where {is he
20:8 rep3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָ֭עוּף 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person would literally **fly away**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will vanish” He will fly away
20:8 j590 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּחֲל֣וֹם 1 The point of this comparison is that just as when a **dream** ends, the person who had the dream realizes that it was not real, so it will be as if the wicked person had never existed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “as if he had never existed” like a dream
20:8 byk9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָא֑וּהוּ 1 **They** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “and no one will be able to find him” and they will not find him
20:8 j591 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֝יֻדַּ֗ד 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he will flee” and he will be chased away
20:8 j592 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝יֻדַּ֗ד 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person would literally **be chased away** or flee. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he will vanish” and he will be chased away
20:9 xu8t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עַ֣יִן שְׁ֭זָפַתּוּ וְלֹ֣א תוֹסִ֑יף 1 Zophar is using one part of a person, his **eye**, to mean all of that person in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Anyone who previously saw him will not continue to see him” The eye {that} saw him will not continue
20:9 x7cu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְלֹא־ע֝֗וֹד תְּשׁוּרֶ֥נּוּ מְקוֹמֽוֹ 1 As Job did in [7:10](../07/10.md), Zophar is speaking here of a person’s **place** of residence as if it were a living thing that could **observe** that person. The idea is that the place where the person once lived will not have occasion to observe him again because he will never return to that place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he will no longer live in his former place of residence” and his place will no longer observe him
20:10 v5ee rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure בָּ֭נָיו יְרַצּ֣וּ דַלִּ֑ים וְ֝יָדָ֗יו תָּשֵׁ֥בְנָה אוֹנֽוֹ 1 You may find it more natural to put the information about what a wicked person will have to do while he is still alive before the information about what his children will have to do after he dies. Alternate translation: “His hands will return his wealth, and his children will recompense the poor” "His children will recompense the poor,
and his hands will return his wealth"
20:10 lji7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְ֝יָדָ֗יו תָּשֵׁ֥בְנָה אוֹנֽוֹ 1 Zophar is using one part of a wicked person, his **hands**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he will return his wealth” and his hands will return his wealth
20:10 j593 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝יָדָ֗יו תָּשֵׁ֥בְנָה אוֹנֽוֹ 1 The implication is that this is **wealth** that a wicked person obtained fraudulently or by oppression and that he has been required to **return**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and he will have to return the wealth that he obtained fraudulently and by oppression” and his hands will return his wealth
20:11 re6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עַ֭צְמוֹתָיו מָלְא֣וּ 1 Zophar is using one part of a wicked person, his **bones**, to mean his whole body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “His body is full” His bones are full of
20:11 je7r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְ֝עִמּ֗וֹ עַל־עָפָ֥ר תִּשְׁכָּֽב 1 Zophar is using the phrase **lie down … in the dust** to mean “die.” This is a poetic way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “but it will die with him” but it will lie down with him in the dust
20:11 j594 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝עִמּ֗וֹ עַל־עָפָ֥ר תִּשְׁכָּֽב 1 Zophar is speaking of the **vigor** of a wicked person as if it were a living thing that could **lie down in the dust** or die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he will die while he is still young and strong” but it will lie down with him in the dust
20:12 w36z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תַּמְתִּ֣יק בְּפִ֣יו רָעָ֑ה 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person could literally put **wickedness** in his **mouth** and taste it and find it **sweet**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he enjoys wickedness” wickedness is sweet in his mouth
20:12 j595 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns תַּמְתִּ֣יק בְּפִ֣יו רָעָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wickedness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “wicked things are sweet in his mouth” or “he enjoys doing wicked things” wickedness is sweet in his mouth
20:12 nj4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗נָּה תַּ֣חַת לְשׁוֹנֽוֹ 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person might hide wickedness **under his tongue**. The image is of a person tucking something sweet under his tongue to make it last longer so that he can savor it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he savors it” or “he savors doing wicked things” he hides it under his tongue
20:13 d1n2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַחְמֹ֣ל עָ֭לֶיהָ וְלֹ֣א יַֽעַזְבֶ֑נָּה 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person would literally have **pity** on wickedness and **not forsake it**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he is reluctant to let it go” or “he is reluctant to stop doing wicked things” he has pity on it and does not forsake it
20:13 j596 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝יִמְנָעֶ֗נָּה בְּת֣וֹךְ חִכּֽוֹ 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person would literally hold wickedness against the roof of his mouth so that he could savor it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but continues to savor it” or “but continues to savor doing them” but keeps it in the midst of his palate
20:14 n7jw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַ֭חְמוֹ בְּמֵעָ֣יו נֶהְפָּ֑ךְ מְרוֹרַ֖ת פְּתָנִ֣ים בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person literally eats wickedness and that it turns into **the bitterness of asps** (that is, the poison of those snakes) when he starts to digest it. Zophar means, within the context of the image, that the wicked person gets a painfully upset stomach. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the consequences of his wicked actions turn out to be very unpleasant, and he suffers greatly from them” "his food changes in his bowels;
it becomes} the bitterness of asps inside him"
20:14 lnj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מְרוֹרַ֖ת פְּתָנִ֣ים 1 The term **asps** describes a certain type of poisonous snake. If this snake, or snakes in general, would not be familiar to your readers, you could use a general term. Alternate translation: “it becomes snake poison” or “it becomes reptile poison” it becomes} the bitterness of asps
20:15 hs62 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חַ֣יִל בָּ֭לַע וַיְקִאֶ֑נּוּ מִ֝בִּטְנ֗וֹ יוֹרִשֶׁ֥נּוּ אֵֽל 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person would literally swallow **wealth** but then **vomit** it back up again, and as if God would literally **expel it** or force it out of **his belly**, presumably by causing him to vomit. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He is greedy to become rich, but he will lose all his money; God will cause him to lose it” "He swallows wealth, but he will vomit it;
God will expel it from his belly"
20:16 l7yk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor רֹאשׁ־פְּתָנִ֥ים יִינָ֑ק 1 Zophar is speaking as if a wicked person would literally **suck** the **poison of asps**. This could mean: (1) that Zophar is alluding to the images in verses 12 and 13 of a wicked person savoring wickedness as if it were something he held under his tongue or against the roof of his mouth. Zophar would be saying that the delicacy that the wicked person savors or sucks turns out to be poison, meaning something that will kill him. Alternate translation: “In the end, the wickedness that he savors will kill him” (2) that an asp will bite the wicked person and he will absorb its **poison** as if he had sucked it in. This would be a more general statement. Alternate translation: “Something deadly will destroy him” He will suck the poison of asps
20:16 m2pa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תַּֽ֝הַרְגֵ֗הוּ לְשׁ֣וֹן אֶפְעֶֽה 1 Zophar may be reflecting a belief of his culture that the forked tongue of a snake was sharp and that snakes injected poison into people and animals by piercing them with their tongues. If Zophar understood, as people today now understand, that snakes inject their poison through their fangs after biting their victims, then Zophar would be using the term **tongue** by association to mean the mouth and thus the fangs. Alternate translation: “the fangs of the viper will kill him” or “a viper will kill him by biting him and injecting him with poison through his fangs” the tongue of the viper will kill him
20:16 dg2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown פְּתָנִ֥ים & אֶפְעֶֽה 1 See how you translated the word “asps” in in [20:14](../20/14.md). A **viper** is another kind of poisonous snake If these snakes, or snakes in general, would not be familiar to your readers, you could use general terms. Alternate translation: “snakes … the poisonous snake” or “reptiles … the poisonous reptile” "asps;
& the viper"
20:16 rf6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אֶפְעֶֽה 1 Zophar is not referring to a specific **viper**. He means one that might bite a wicked person. Alternate translation: “a viper” the viper
20:17 nb52 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בִפְלַגּ֑וֹת נַהֲרֵ֥י נַ֝חֲלֵ֗י דְּבַ֣שׁ וְחֶמְאָֽה 1 Zophar is speaking as if **streams**, **rivers**, and **torrents** could literally flow with **honey** and **butter**. He is referring to the abundant quantities of these things with which God would bless a righteous person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the abundant quantities of honey and butter with which God blesses righteous people” "the streams,
the rivers of torrents of honey and butter"
20:17 w9e5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בִפְלַגּ֑וֹת נַהֲרֵ֥י נַ֝חֲלֵ֗י דְּבַ֣שׁ וְחֶמְאָֽה 1 Zophar is using two agricultural products, **honey** and **butter**, to mean agricultural products in general and thus, in this culture, wealth in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the abundant wealth with which God blesses righteous people” "the streams,
the rivers of torrents of honey and butter"
20:17 j597 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet בִפְלַגּ֑וֹת נַהֲרֵ֥י נַ֝חֲלֵ֗י 1 The terms **streams**, **rivers**, and **torrents** mean similar things. Zophar is using the three terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the deeply flowing streams of” "the streams,
the rivers of torrents of"
20:18 th8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָ֭גָע 1 It is clear from the next verse, as well as from v. 10, that by **gain** here, Zophar implicitly means money that a wicked person has made by dishonest means. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “his ill-gotten gain” his} gain
20:19 j598 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj דַּלִּ֑ים 1 Zophar is using the adjective **poor** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “poor people” the poor
20:19 j599 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְלֹ֣א יִבֶנֵֽהוּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a positive expression. Alternate translation: “that someone else built” or “that belonged to someone else” and he did not build it
20:20 j600 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹא־יָדַ֣ע שָׁלֵ֣ו בְּבִטְנ֑וֹ 1 Here, the **belly** or stomach represents a person’s desires, and specifically in this context, greedy desires. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he has not experienced the satisfaction of his greedy desires” he has not known satisfaction in his belly
20:20 j601 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לֹא־יָדַ֣ע שָׁלֵ֣ו בְּבִטְנ֑וֹ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **satisfaction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “he could never satisfy his greedy desires” he has not known satisfaction in his belly
20:20 j602 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj בַּ֝חֲמוּד֗וֹ לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּֽט 1 Zophar is using the adjective **desired** as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. The ULT adds the word **thing** to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “he will not rescue any of the things that he desired” he will not rescue {any} desired {thing} of his
20:20 zi35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives בַּ֝חֲמוּד֗וֹ לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּֽט 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this with a positive expression. Alternate translation: “he will lose all of the things that he desired” he will not rescue {any} desired {thing} of his
20:21 e2vt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֵין־שָׂרִ֥יד לְאָכְל֑וֹ 1 This could mean implicitly: (1) Alternate translation: “There is nothing left after he has eaten” (2) Alternate translation: “There is nothing left for him to eat” There is no remnant for his eating
20:22 j603 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בִּמְלֹ֣אות שִׂ֭פְקוֹ 1 Zophar is speaking of the **wealth** of a wicked person as if he were a container that could become full. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Even if he becomes very wealthy,” In the filling of his wealth
20:22 k3n2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יֵ֣צֶר ל֑וֹ 1 Zophar is using this expression to mean that the wicked person will experience great distress. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “he will be in dire straits” or “he will experience great distress” it will become narrow to him
20:22 j604 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj כָּל־יַ֖ד עָמֵ֣ל תְּבוֹאֶֽנּוּ 1 Zophar is using the adjective **troubling** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the hand of every person who causes trouble will come against him” every hand of the troubling will come against him
20:22 tq3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כָּל־יַ֖ד עָמֵ֣ל תְּבוֹאֶֽנּוּ 1 Here, **hand** represents the power and activity of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “every person who causes trouble will work against him” every hand of the troubling will come against him
20:22 j605 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כָּל־יַ֖ד עָמֵ֣ל תְּבוֹאֶֽנּוּ 1 Zophar says **every** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “people who cause trouble will work against him” every hand of the troubling will come against him
20:23 j606 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְהִ֤י ׀ לְמַלֵּ֬א בִטְנ֗וֹ יְֽשַׁלַּח־בּ֭וֹ חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ וְיַמְטֵ֥ר עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ בִּלְחוּמֽוֹ 1 The pronoun **He** at the start of this verse, the two instances of **him**, and the second instance of **his** refer to the wicked person, while the two instances of **he** later in the verse and the first instance of **his** refer to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “The wicked person will be about to fill his belly, and God will send the burning of his nose against that wicked person, yes, God will rain it upon that person while that person is eating” "He will be {about} to fill his belly, he will send the burning of his nose against him,
and he will rain {it} upon him in his eating"
20:23 i6l2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְיַמְטֵ֥ר עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ 1 Zophar is speaking as if God would literally make his anger **rain** on a wicked person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, he will punish him severely” and he will rain {it} upon him
20:23 d4yy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בִּלְחוּמֽוֹ 1 Interpreters are not certain what Zophar means by this expression, which can be translated in various ways. It could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “while he is eating” (2) Alternate translation: “upon his flesh” or “upon his body” (3) Alternate translation: “with his arrows” or “with his weapons” in his eating
20:24 x5uw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִ֭בְרַח מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק בַּרְזֶ֑ל תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 Zophar is speaking as if different soldiers were using a **weapon of iron** and a **bow of bronze** to attack the wicked person he is describing. Zophar is using these weapons to represent dangers. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He may escape from one danger, but another danger will overtake him” "He flees from a weapon of iron,
a bow of bronze pierces him"
20:24 kj9m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִ֭בְרַח מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק בַּרְזֶ֑ל תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 Since a **bow of bronze** is a more powerful and deadly weapon than a **weapon of iron** such as a sword or spear, Zophar implicitly means that if a wicked person escapes from one danger, a greater danger will overtake him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “He may escape from one danger, but a greater danger will overtake him” "He flees from a weapon of iron,
a bow of bronze pierces him"
20:24 j607 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 Zophar is using the term **bow** by association to mean an arrow from a bow. If you decide to retain this image in your translation, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “an arrow that someone shoots using a bronze bow” a bow of bronze
20:25 j608 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שָׁלַף֮ וַיֵּצֵ֪א מִגֵּ֫וָ֥ה וּ֭בָרָק מִֽמְּרֹרָת֥וֹ יַהֲלֹ֗ךְ עָלָ֥יו אֵמִֽים 1 Zophar is continuing to speak as if someone had shot an arrow into the wicked person he is describing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The wicked person realizes that the danger that has overtaken him is going to destroy him” "He pulls, and it comes out of his back,
and the gleaming goes out of his liver.
Terrors {are} upon him"
20:25 j609 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּ֭בָרָק 1 Zophar is using the term **gleaming** by association to mean an arrow whose metal point gleams in the sunlight. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the point of the arrow” and the gleaming
20:25 puf6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural עָלָ֥יו אֵמִֽים 1 Zophar could be using the plural form **Terrors** in an intensive sense to mean the worst of terrors, that is, death, as in [18:14](../18/14.md). Alternate translation: “He is terrified because he realizes that he is going to die” Terrors {are} upon him
20:26 w5yg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כָּל־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ טָמ֪וּן 1 Zophar says **All** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “Great darkness is hidden” All darkness is hidden
20:26 j610 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כָּל־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ טָמ֪וּן 1 Zophar is using the term **darkness** to represent troubles. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Great troubles are hidden” All darkness is hidden
20:26 j611 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive כָּל־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ טָמ֪וּן 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who has done the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God has hidden great troubles” All darkness is hidden
20:26 j612 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כָּל־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ טָמ֪וּן 1 Zophar is speaking as if God had literally **hidden** darkness, representing troubles. He could mean: (1) that God has reserved those troubles to destroy the treasured possessions of the wicked person he is describing. Alternate translation: “God has reserved great troubles” (2) that it is as if those troubles were an animal that had **hidden** itself so that it could pounce on the possessions of the wicked person. Alternate translation: “Great troubles are lying in wait” All darkness is hidden
20:26 j613 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לִצְפּ֫וּנָ֥יו 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for the things that he treasures” for his treasured {things
20:26 syj5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תְּ֭אָכְלֵהוּ אֵ֣שׁ לֹֽא־נֻפָּ֑ח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a fire that no one has blown on to kindle will devour him” a fire not blown will devour him
20:26 w47r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תְּ֭אָכְלֵהוּ אֵ֣שׁ לֹֽא־נֻפָּ֑ח 1 The implication is that no human being will have **blown** on this **fire** to kindle it; God will send the fire. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “A fire that God sends will devour him” or “God will send fire that will devour him” a fire not blown will devour him
20:26 qsw9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תְּ֭אָכְלֵהוּ אֵ֣שׁ לֹֽא־נֻפָּ֑ח 1 Zophar is speaking as if **fire** were literally going to **devour** or eat up this wicked person. Within the context of the image, he means that the fire will burn him up, and the image of fire itself represents God destroying the wicked person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will destroy him” a fire not blown will devour him
20:26 j614 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יֵ֖רַע שָׂרִ֣יד בְּאָהֳלֽוֹ 1 Zophar is continuing to speak as if **fire** were literally going to **consume** this wicked person and his possessions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, God will completely destroy everything in his tent, leaving nothing” it will consume the remnant in his tent
20:26 j615 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יֵ֖רַע שָׂרִ֣יד בְּאָהֳלֽוֹ 1 Zophar is using one possession of this wicked person, the **tent** in which he lives, to mean all of his possessions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, God will completely destroy all of his possessions, leaving nothing” it will consume the remnant in his tent
20:27 v1vg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יְגַלּ֣וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם עֲוֺנ֑וֹ וְ֝אֶ֗רֶץ מִתְקוֹמָ֘מָ֥ה לֽוֹ 1 Zophar is speaking as if the **heavens** and the **earth** were living things that could testify against this wicked person. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “If the sky could speak, it would testify that it had observed his iniquity; if the earth could speak, it would raise itself up against him” "The heavens will reveal his iniquity,
and the earth will raise itself up against him"
20:27 j616 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝אֶ֗רֶץ מִתְקוֹמָ֘מָ֥ה לֽוֹ 1 Zophar means that the earth would **raise itself up**, that is, stand up, against this wicked person in order to bring charges against him or to serve as a witness in a legal proceeding. In this culture, in order to begin a case against someone, a person would stand up among those who had gathered in the public square. Someone who had evidence to bring in such a proceeding would similarly stand up. Either way, the earth, Zophar says, would testify that the wicked person was guilty. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and the earth will stand and bring charges against him” or “and the earth will stand and be a witness against him” and the earth will raise itself up against him
20:28 j617 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִ֭גֶל יְב֣וּל בֵּית֑וֹ 1 Zophar is speaking of the **wealth** that the wicked person has in his **house** as if it were a living thing that could **depart**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He will lose the wealth that is in his house” The wealth of his house will depart
20:28 j618 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נִ֝גָּר֗וֹת 1 Zophar is speaking as if the wicked person’s **wealth** were a liquid that could literally be **flowing away**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “vanishing” or “being destroyed” flowing away
20:28 j620 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּי֣וֹם אַפּֽוֹ 1 While God would punish the wicked person on a specific **day**, Zophar is using the term **day** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the time when God angrily punishes him” on the day of his nose
20:29 j621 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זֶ֤ה ׀ חֵֽלֶק־אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְנַחֲלַ֖ת אִמְר֣וֹ מֵאֵֽל 1 Zophar is speaking as if God were literally giving a **wicked man** a **portion**, probably meaning a portion of family property, and a **heritage**, similarly meaning an inheritance. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This is the punishment that the wicked man deserves, and God will punish him in that way” "This {is} the portion of the wicked man from God,
and the heritage of his appointment from God"
20:29 j622 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “the wicked person” the wicked man
20:29 j623 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע 1 Zophar is not referring to a specific **wicked man** or person. He means wicked people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked man
20:29 j624 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְנַחֲלַ֖ת אִמְר֣וֹ מֵאֵֽל 1 Zophar is using this possessive form to describe a symbolic **heritage** or inheritance that God has appointed to a wicked person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and his appointed heritage from God” or “and the heritage that God has appointed to him” and the heritage of his appointment from God
21:intro k6tx 0 # Job 21 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is Job’s response to Zophar’s second speech.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Punishment for the sins of one’s parents or ancestors\nIn the culture in which the book of Job was composed, people commonly believed that God might punish someone for the sins of their parents or ancestors. Job says in verse 19 of this chapter that this is what his three friends believe. However, while people’s sins may have consequences for their children and descendants, God does not punish people directly for their parents’ or ancestors’ sins. Be sure that this is clear in your translation.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### The adjective “wicked” as a noun\n\nIn verses 7, 16, 17, and 28, Job uses the adjective “wicked” as a noun to mean wicked people in general. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase such as “wicked people.”
21:2 ztr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular שָׁ֭מוֹעַ & תַּנְח֥וּמֹֽתֵיכֶֽם 1 The word **your** and the implied “you” in the imperative **hear** are plural because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Hearing, & your consolation
21:2 l3vp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication שִׁמְע֣וּ שָׁ֭מוֹעַ מִלָּתִ֑י 1 Job is repeating the verb **hear** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Listen carefully to my words” Hearing, hear my words
21:2 j625 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלָּתִ֑י 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what he is about to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I am about to say” my words
21:2 j626 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession תַּנְח֥וּמֹֽתֵיכֶֽם 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe not the **consolation** that his friends will have but the **consolation** that he wants them to offer him. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the consolation that you offer to me” your consolation
21:3 x7gy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular שָׂ֭אוּנִי & תַלְעִֽיג 1 The implied “you” in the imperative **Tolerate** is plural because Job is addressing his three friends, but the pronoun **you** later in the verse is singular because Job is responding directly to Zophar. Use the corresponding forms in your translation if your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you.” Tolerate me & you may mock
21:3 j627 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb **speak**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “and I will take my turn and speak” and I will speak
21:3 w3a4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony תַלְעִֽיג 1 For emphasis, Job is saying the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means. Alternate translation: “you will probably continue to mock me, even though you should not do so” you may mock
21:4 d6w5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לְאָדָ֣ם שִׂיחִ֑י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “my complaint is not to a man!” is} my complaint to a man
21:4 j628 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations לְאָדָ֣ם שִׂיחִ֑י 1 Although the term **man** is masculine, Job does not mean specifically a male human. He is using the term to mean a mortal as opposed to God. Alternate translation: “my complaint is not to a mortal!” is} my complaint to a man
21:4 j629 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives לְאָדָ֣ם שִׂיחִ֑י 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a positive expression. Alternate translation: “my complaint is to God!” is} my complaint to a man
21:4 j630 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְאִם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. (Some languages may be able to say simply “And if not” to follow up on a question that expects a negative answer.) Alternate translation: “And if my complaint is not to a mortal but to God” And if
21:4 j631 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַ֝דּ֗וּעַ לֹא־תִקְצַ֥ר רוּחִֽי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “then my breath may certainly be short!” why may my breath not be short
21:4 j632 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מַ֝דּ֗וּעַ לֹא־תִקְצַ֥ר רוּחִֽי 1 Job is using his **breath** being **short** (that is, the fact that he is breathing quickly) by association to mean him being upset. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “why may I not be upset” or, as a statement, “then I may certainly be upset!” why may my breath not be short
21:5 j633 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular פְּנוּ & וְשִׂ֖ימוּ 1 The implied “you” in the imperatives **Look** and **lay** is plural because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Look & and lay
21:5 j634 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וְשִׂ֖ימוּ יָ֣ד עַל־פֶּֽה 1 Since Job is speaking to three people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural forms of **hand** and **mouth**. Alternate translation: “and lay your hands upon your mouths” and lay the hand upon the mouth
21:5 lu7q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְשִׂ֖ימוּ יָ֣ד עַל־פֶּֽה 1 Covering the **mouth** with the **hand** prevents a person from speaking. Job is suggesting that his three friends perform this symbolic action to indicate that his situation is so tragic and distressing that nothing can be said about it. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and lay your hands upon your mouths to show that my situation is so tragic and distressing that nothing can be said about it” and lay the hand upon the mouth
21:6 j635 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit זָכַ֥רְתִּי 1 Job is referring implicitly to when he remembers or is mindful of his sufferings. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I think about my sufferings” I remember
21:6 j636 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּי 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “then that terrifies me” then I am terrified
21:6 f8uu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְאָחַ֥ז בְּ֝שָׂרִ֗י פַּלָּצֽוּת 1 Job is speaking of **trembling** as if it were a living thing that could seize his **flesh**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and my flesh trembles” and trembling seizes my flesh
21:6 suz1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְאָחַ֥ז בְּ֝שָׂרִ֗י פַּלָּצֽוּת 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **flesh**, to mean his whole body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and my whole body trembles” and trembling seizes my flesh
21:7 i446 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַדּ֣וּעַ רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִחְי֑וּ עָ֝תְק֗וּ גַּם־גָּ֥בְרוּ חָֽיִל 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “The wicked should not live, grow old, and become mighty in power!” "Why do the wicked live,
grow old, and become mighty {in} power"
21:7 j637 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here, as in several other places in the chapter, Job is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
21:8 w7je rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom זַרְעָ֤ם נָכ֣וֹן 1 Here, **seed** means “children.” Alternate translation: “Their children are established” Their seed is established
21:8 j638 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive זַרְעָ֤ם נָכ֣וֹן 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Their children grow up” Their seed is established
21:8 j639 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לִפְנֵיהֶ֣ם 1 Here the word **faces** represents the presence of people by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “in their presence” or “in their homes” to their faces
21:8 n4np rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝צֶאֱצָאֵיהֶ֗ם לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and their descendants in their sight” or “and their descendants where they can see them” and their descendants to their eyes
21:8 j640 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝צֶאֱצָאֵיהֶ֗ם לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and their descendants grow up where they can see them” and their descendants to their eyes
21:9 j641 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם שָׁל֣וֹם 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **peace**, you could express the same idea in another way. In this instance, Job is using an abstract noun with the sense of an adjective. Alternate translation: “Their houses are peaceful” Their houses {are} peace
21:9 e8z5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם 1 Job could be using the term **houses** by association to mean the households of wicked people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Their households” Their houses
21:9 u9sb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹ֤א שֵׁ֖בֶט אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is using the term **rod** by association to mean punishment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as in UST: “and God does not punish them” and the rod of God {is} not upon them
21:10 za7c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun שׁוֹר֣וֹ עִ֭בַּר וְלֹ֣א יַגְעִ֑ל תְּפַלֵּ֥ט פָּ֝רָת֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א תְשַׁכֵּֽל 1 Although Job uses singular pronouns in this verse, he is not referring to a specific wicked person. He is still speaking of wicked people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express his meaning by using plural pronouns. Alternate translation: “Their bulls breed and they do not fail; their cows calve and they do not miscarry” "His bull breeds and it does not fail;
his cow calves and it does not miscarry"
21:11 f9ae rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יְשַׁלְּח֣וּ כַ֭צֹּאן עֲוִילֵיהֶ֑ם 1 The point of this comparison is that just as shepherds send their flocks out to pasture, so the wicked people whom Job is describing send their young children out to play in the fields around their homes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “They send their young children out to play in the fields around their homes as if they were a flock of sheep going out to pasture” They send out their babes like a flock
21:11 j642 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יְשַׁלְּח֣וּ & עֲוִילֵיהֶ֑ם 1 The implication is that wicked people can **send** their **babes** (young children) out to play because they are safe, as Job says in verse 9. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Because they are so safe, they can allow their young children to play outside” They send out their babes
21:11 j643 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝יַלְדֵיהֶ֗ם יְרַקֵּדֽוּן 1 The implication is that the **children** of wicked people **dance** because they are happy and carefree. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and their children dance because they are happy and carefree” and their children dance
21:12 j644 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִ֭שְׂאוּ כְּתֹ֣ף וְכִנּ֑וֹר 1 The implication is that the children **lift up** these musical instruments in order to play them. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “They play the tambourine and the harp” or “They play tambourines and harps” They lift up the tambourine and the harp
21:12 elg8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִ֭שְׂאוּ & וְ֝יִשְׂמְח֗וּ 1 In this verse, the pronouns **They** and **they** refer to the children of wicked people, not to wicked people themselves. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Their children lift up … and those children rejoice” They lift up & and they rejoice
21:12 w5nf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun כְּתֹ֣ף וְכִנּ֑וֹר & עוּגָֽב 1 Job is not referring to a specific **tambourine** or **harp** or **flute**. He means those musical instruments in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “tambourines and harps … flutes” "the tambourine and the harp,
& the flute"
21:13 s7tf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְמֵיהֶ֑ם 1 Job is using the term **days** to mean a specific period of time, the lifetime of wicked people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “their lifetime” their days
21:13 bx7u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝בְרֶ֗גַע 1 The implication is that wicked people do not die a painful, lingering death. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “quickly and painlessly” in a moment
21:14 j645 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ לָ֭אֵל ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וְדַ֥עַת דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א חָפָֽצְנוּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “They tell God to turn away from them because they do not desire knowledge of his ways” "They say to God, ‘Turn away from us,
for we do not desire knowledge of your ways"
21:14 j646 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ 1 The wicked people are speaking as if they wanted God literally to **turn away** from them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do not be concerned with us” Turn away from us
21:14 j647 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְדַ֥עַת דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א חָפָֽצְנוּ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “for we do not want to know your ways” for we do not desire knowledge of your ways
21:14 fm9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ 1 The wicked people are speaking of how God wants people to live as if that were a series of **ways** or paths that God wanted people to walk along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how you want people to live” your ways
21:15 j648 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes מַה־שַׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־בּֽוֹ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could continue to translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “They ask who the Almighty is, that they should serve him, and how they would profit, that they should pray to him” "Who {is} the Almighty, that we should serve him?
And how will we profit, that we should pray to him"
21:15 j649 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person מַה־שַׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־בּֽוֹ 1 Job is continuing to quote what wicked people say. The wicked people may no longer be speaking “to God,” as in the previous verse, but speaking about God. Alternatively, they may be speaking to God but using the third person. You might choose to translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “Who are you, the Almighty, that we should serve you? And how will we profit, that we should pray to you?” "Who {is} the Almighty, that we should serve him?
And how will we profit, that we should pray to him"
21:15 k5g5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־שַׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־נַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־בּֽוֹ 1 The wicked people are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “The Almighty is not important, so we do not have to serve him! It would not benefit us, so we do not have to pray to him!” "Who {is} the Almighty, that we should serve him?
And how will we profit, that we should pray to him"
21:16 ke4m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations הֵ֤ן לֹ֣א בְיָדָ֣ם טוּבָ֑ם עֲצַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים רָ֣חֲקָה מֶֽנִּי 1 Job is making two statements in this verse that express strong feelings. In the previous verse, he described how wicked people say that they do not need to pray to God because that would not benefit them. In his first statement here, he insists in response that any benefit or **prosperity** that the wicked enjoy is something that God has generously given to them even though they do not deserve it. In his second statement, Job reacts strongly against the **counsel** or advice that he said wicked people give themselves, that they should not serve the Almighty or pray to him. The ULT places exclamation marks at the end of these sentences to show that they communicate strong emotion. In your translation, use your own language’s way of showing that. "Behold, their prosperity {is} not in their hand!
May} the counsel of the wicked {be} far from me"
21:16 t984 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לֹ֣א בְיָדָ֣ם 1 Job is using the word **hand** to represent the power and control that people have over something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is not of their own making” or “is not something that they have gained by themselves” is} not in their hand
21:16 j650 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עֲצַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים רָ֣חֲקָה מֶֽנִּי 1 Job is speaking as if he wanted the **counsel of the wicked** literally to be **far** away from him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I want nothing to do with the counsel of the wicked” May} the counsel of the wicked {be} far from me
21:17 d4mw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כַּמָּ֤ה ׀ נֵר־רְשָׁ֘עִ֤ים יִדְעָ֗ךְ וְיָבֹ֣א עָלֵ֣ימוֹ אֵידָ֑ם חֲ֝בָלִ֗ים יְחַלֵּ֥ק בְּאַפּֽוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “The lamp of the wicked does not often go out! No, their calamity does not come upon them often! God does not distribute pains to them in his anger!” "How often does the lamp of the wicked go out,
or does their calamity come upon them?
How often,} in his nose, does he distribute pains"
21:17 c9nn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כַּמָּ֤ה ׀ נֵר־רְשָׁ֘עִ֤ים יִדְעָ֗ךְ 1 Job is speaking as if wicked people literally had a **lamp** that might **go out** or stop burning. He is using this image to represent them dying. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “How often do the wicked die” How often does the lamp of the wicked go out
21:17 g7cl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְיָבֹ֣א עָלֵ֣ימוֹ אֵידָ֑ם 1 Job is speaking as if **calamity** were literally an object that **comes upon** people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or how often do they experience their calamity” or does their calamity come upon them
21:17 bmg2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo אֵידָ֑ם 1 It might seem that the expression **their calamity** contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “calamity” their calamity
21:17 j651 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns חֲ֝בָלִ֗ים יְחַלֵּ֥ק בְּאַפּֽוֹ 1 The pronouns **his** and **he** refer to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Does God distribute pains to them in his anger” How often,} in his nose, does he distribute pains
21:18 lhr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion יִהְי֗וּ כְּתֶ֥בֶן לִפְנֵי־ר֑וּחַ וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “They are not often like stubble to the face of the wind or like chaff that a storm carries away!” "How often} are they like stubble to the face of the wind
or like chaff that a storm carries away"
21:18 a6g9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יִהְי֗וּ כְּתֶ֥בֶן לִפְנֵי־ר֑וּחַ וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה 1 Job is comparing God’s punishment to the **wind** and a **storm**, and he is comparing wicked people to **stubble** and **chaff** that strong winds drive away quickly and completely. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this in plain language. Alternate translation: “How often does God destroy them quickly and completely in punishment for their sins” or, as a statement, “God does not often destroy them quickly and completely in punishment for their sins” "How often} are they like stubble to the face of the wind
or like chaff that a storm carries away"
21:18 j652 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לִפְנֵי־ר֑וּחַ 1 Here the phrase **to the face of** means “in the presence of,” by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. To say that something is in the presence of the wind is to say that the wind is blowing on it. Alternate translation: “when the wind blows on it” to the face of the wind
21:19 gwj5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֱל֗וֹהַּ יִצְפֹּן־לְבָנָ֥יו אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 Since this sentence does not agree with what Job says in the rest of this speech, Job must be quoting a popular saying that he knows Zophar would agree with (see, for example, [20:10](../20/10.md)). You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “You say, ‘God lays up his guilt for his sons’” God lays up his guilt for his sons
21:19 sac1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אֱל֗וֹהַּ יִצְפֹּן־לְבָנָ֥יו אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 If you decide to identify this explicitly as a popular saying that Job is quoting, if it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “You say that God lays up his guilt for his sons” God lays up his guilt for his sons
21:19 ev9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱל֗וֹהַּ יִצְפֹּן־לְבָנָ֥יו אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 This saying speaks of **guilt** as something that can be stored for later use. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God remembers what he is guilty of doing and punishes his sons for it” God lays up his guilt for his sons
21:19 j653 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations לְבָנָ֥יו 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that includes both male and female children. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use translate this in a way that shows that. Alternate translation: “for his sons and daughters” or “for his children” for his sons
21:19 j654 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְשַׁלֵּ֖ם אֵלָ֣יו וְיֵדָֽע 1 The first instance of **him** refers to God, while the second instance of **him** and the word **he** refer to a wicked person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Let God repay to the wicked person, and that person will know” Let him repay to him, and he will know
21:19 j655 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְשַׁלֵּ֖ם אֵלָ֣יו 1 Here the word **repay** has the sense of “punish.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Let God punish him” Let him repay to him
21:19 iyl4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיֵדָֽע 1 Job means implicitly that if God would **repay** or punish the wicked person, then that person would **know** that he was guilty of sinning. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and he will know that he is guilty of sinning” and he will know
21:20 j2ut rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יִרְא֣וּ עֵינָ֣יו & כִּיד֑וֹ 1 Job is using one part of the wicked person, his **eyes**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Let him see his own destruction” Let his eyes see his destruction
21:20 wq4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמֵחֲמַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יִשְׁתֶּֽה 1 Job is speaking as if **the wrath of the Almighty** were a liquid that a wicked person could literally **drink**. He means that he wishes that wicked people would experience that wrath. Alternate translation: “and let him experience the wrath of the Almighty” or “and let the Almighty punish him in his wrath” and from the wrath of the Almighty let him drink
21:21 j656 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the previous two verses that God should punish wicked people themselves rather than their children. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Let the wicked person himself suffer, for” For
21:21 vtu2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־חֶפְצ֣וֹ בְּבֵית֣וֹ אַחֲרָ֑יו וּמִסְפַּ֖ר חֳדָשָׁ֣יו חֻצָּֽצוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “he has no interest in his house after him when the number of his months is cut off!” "what {is} his interest in his house after him
when the number of his months is cut off"
21:21 j657 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּבֵית֣וֹ 1 Job is most likely using the term **house** by association to mean the household or family of a wicked person. The popular saying that he quoted in verse 19 suggested that God would punish a wicked person by making his children suffer, but Job is saying here that after a wicked person dies, he will not care about that. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in his family” or “in his children” in his house
21:21 rky2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּמִסְפַּ֖ר חֳדָשָׁ֣יו חֻצָּֽצוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when God cuts off the number of his months” when the number of his months is cut off
21:21 m58j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמִסְפַּ֖ר חֳדָשָׁ֣יו חֻצָּֽצוּ 1 Job is speaking as if the **number** of **months** that a wicked person would live might literally be **cut off**, as if it were a branch on a tree, for example. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when the number of his months ends” or “when his lifetime ends” or “when God ends his lifetime” when the number of his months is cut off
21:22 ail2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַלְאֵ֥ל יְלַמֶּד־דָּ֑עַת וְ֝ה֗וּא רָמִ֥ים יִשְׁפּֽוֹט 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one can teach knowledge to God, since he judges the ones being high!” "Will one teach knowledge to God,
since he judges the ones being high"
21:22 x9p8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רָמִ֥ים 1 Job is probably using the term **high** by association to mean angels, who are high in heaven. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “even the angels” the ones being high
21:23 j658 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns זֶ֗ה 1 The pronoun **This** does not refer to a specific person. Job is using it to describe one kind of person and to introduce a contrast with a different kind of person, whom he describes as “That one” in verse 25. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “One person” This one
21:23 krv3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּעֶ֣צֶם תֻּמּ֑וֹ 1 In this expression, the word **bone** indicates the essence of something. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “at the height of his perfection” in the bone of his perfection
21:23 j659 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּעֶ֣צֶם תֻּמּ֑וֹ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **perfection**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “while he is still perfectly healthy” in the bone of his perfection
21:23 j660 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כֻּ֝לּ֗וֹ שַׁלְאֲנַ֥ן וְשָׁלֵֽיו 1 Job says **all** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “he is very tranquil and secure” all of him {is} tranquil and secure
21:23 j661 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet כֻּ֝לּ֗וֹ שַׁלְאֲנַ֥ן וְשָׁלֵֽיו 1 The terms **tranquil** and **secure** mean similar things. Job may be using the two terms together for emphasis. However, there is a slight difference between them. The word **tranquil** refers more to a person not having to worry about threats, while the word **secure** refers more to a person being wealthy. You could express both words with a single phrase that would communicate emphasis, or you could use two words to bring out the different shades of meaning. Alternate translation: “he is very comfortable” or “he is so wealthy that he does not worry” all of him {is} tranquil and secure
21:24 mli3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עֲ֭טִינָיו מָלְא֣וּ חָלָ֑ב 1 Interpreters are not entirely sure of the meaning of the word translated as **pails**. One likely interpretation is that it describes pails that people would use to collect milk from their cattle. If that is the meaning, then Job is using one aspect of this person’s prosperity, the fact that his cattle give milk abundantly, to indicate that the person is prosperous in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “His cattle give milk abundantly” or “He is very prosperous” His pails are full of milk
21:24 uug7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וּמֹ֖חַ עַצְמוֹתָ֣יו יְשֻׁקֶּֽה 1 Job is using one aspect of this person’s health, the fact that the **marrow of his bones** is healthy, to indicate that the person is healthy in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he is very healthy” and the marrow of his bones is moistened
21:24 sa7q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְשֻׁקֶּֽה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “is moist” is moistened
21:25 s5ge rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְזֶ֗ה 1 See how you translated the expression “This one” in [21:23](../21/23.md). Alternate translation: “But another person” But that one
21:25 m7zq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ מָרָ֑ה 1 Like the word “bone” in verse 21, in this expression, the word **soul** indicates the essence of something. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “in the depths of bitterness” in the soul of bitterness
21:25 k7cw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ מָרָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **bitterness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “when his life is very bitter” in the soul of bitterness
21:25 j662 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹֽא־אָ֝כַ֗ל בַּטּוֹבָֽה 1 Job is talking about more than food here, and so when he speaks as if a person could literally have **eaten** things that are **good** (although in this case the person did not), he means experiencing those things. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he has not experienced the good” and he has not eaten the good
21:25 xpm3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְלֹֽא־אָ֝כַ֗ל בַּטּוֹבָֽה 1 Job is using the adjective **good** as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “and he has not experienced good things” or “and he has not enjoyed good things” and he has not eaten the good
21:26 fc95 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism יַ֭חַד עַל־עָפָ֣ר יִשְׁכָּ֑בוּ 1 Job is using the phrase **lie down … in the dust** to mean “die.” This is a poetic way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “They both die and are buried” They lie down alike in the dust
21:26 j663 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְ֝רִמָּ֗ה תְּכַסֶּ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is not referring to a specific **worm**. He means worms in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “and worms cover them both” and the worm covers over them
21:26 tyf2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝רִמָּ֗ה תְּכַסֶּ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם 1 The implication of worms covering the bodies of these dead people is that the worms are eating their bodies. For clarity, you could indicate that in your. Alternate translation: “and worms eat their bodies” and the worm covers over them
21:27 veu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָ֭דַעְתִּי מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹת 1 Job implicitly means that he knows his friends are thinking of him when they speak of a wicked person. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I know that when you speak of a wicked person, you are speaking of me, and I know the notions” "I know your thoughts
and the notions"
21:27 j664 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם & תַּחְמֹֽסוּ 1 The words **your** and **you** are plural here because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. The words “you” and “your” are plural in the rest of the chapter as well, specifically in verses 29 and 34. "your thoughts
& you wrest"
21:27 jy5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹת עָלַ֥י תַּחְמֹֽסוּ 1 Job is speaking as if his friends would literally **wrest**, or yank violently out of place, **notions** or ideas to use against him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the ideas you misappropriate to use against me” and the notions you wrest against me
21:28 j665 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כִּ֤י תֹֽאמְר֗וּ אַיֵּ֥ה בֵית־נָדִ֑יב וְ֝אַיֵּ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “For you ask where the house of the tyrant is and where the tent of the habitation of the wicked is” "For you say, ‘Where {is} the house of the tyrant?
Where {is} the tent of the habitation of the wicked"
21:28 n1y2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אַיֵּ֥ה בֵית־נָדִ֑יב וְ֝אַיֵּ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “The house of the tyrant is gone! The tent of the habitation of the wicked is gone!” "Where {is} the house of the tyrant?
Where {is} the tent of the habitation of the wicked"
21:28 j666 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אַיֵּ֥ה בֵית־נָדִ֑יב וְ֝אַיֵּ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים 1 In this quotation that Job attributes to his friends, he is using one possession of a **prince**, his **house**, and one possession of the wicked, their **tent**, to mean all of their possessions and ultimately their lives. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as exclamations: “The tyrant no longer lives among us! The wicked no longer live among us!” "Where {is} the house of the tyrant?
Where {is} the tent of the habitation of the wicked"
21:28 j667 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַיֵּ֥ה בֵית־נָדִ֑יב וְ֝אַיֵּ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים 1 This quotation means implicitly that the **tyrant** and the **wicked** are no longer alive because God has killed them to punish them for doing wrong. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “God punishes the tyrant by killing him! God punishes the wicked by killing them!” "Where {is} the house of the tyrant?
Where {is} the tent of the habitation of the wicked"
21:28 j668 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אַיֵּ֥ה בֵית־נָדִ֑יב 1 Job is not referring to a specific **tyrant**. He means tyrants in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “Where are the houses of tyrants?” or “Tyrants no longer live among us!” or “God punishes tyrants by killing them!” Where {is} the house of the tyrant
21:28 j670 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְ֝אַיֵּ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים 1 Job is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Since Job is speaking of more than one person, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of “tent.” Alternate translation: “Where are the tents in which wicked people lived?” or “Wicked people no longer live among us!” or “God punishes wicked people by killing them!” Where {is} the tent of the habitation of the wicked
21:28 j669 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **habitation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the tent in which the wicked lived” is} the tent of the habitation of the wicked
21:29 asa9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֣א שְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּם ע֣וֹבְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You must have asked travelers of the way!” Have you not asked travelers of the way
21:29 czd4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲלֹ֣א שְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּם ע֣וֹבְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ 1 Job means implicitly that his friends must have heard from widely traveled people that the wicked are not always punished as they have been claiming. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “You must have asked travelers of the way, and they must have told you what really happens to wicked people!” Have you not asked travelers of the way
21:29 j671 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun ע֣וֹבְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ 1 Job is not referring to a specific **way**, that is, to a specific road or route. He means roads in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “people who travel on roads” or “people who have traveled widely” travelers of the way
21:29 j672 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְ֝אֹתֹתָ֗ם לֹ֣א תְנַכֵּֽרוּ 1 This is the beginning of a sentence in which Job is using the question form for emphasis. The sentence continues into the next verse. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should acknowledge their signs” Or do you not acknowledge their signs
21:29 j673 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ֝אֹתֹתָ֗ם 1 Job is using the word **signs** in a specific sense. He means proofs or tokens that something is true. He is probably referring to stories that travelers tell of wicked people whom they have seen or heard about. These stories, in Job’s opinion, would offer evidence that he is right and his friends are wrong about what happens to wicked people. (Job describes the content of these stories in the next verse.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or … the truth of the stories they tell about wicked people” Or & their signs
21:30 q7hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כִּ֤י לְי֣וֹם אֵ֭יד יֵחָ֣שֶׂךְ רָ֑ע לְי֖וֹם עֲבָר֣וֹת יוּבָֽלוּ׃ 1 In this verse, Job completes a sentence that he began in the previous verse using the question form for emphasis. If in the previous verse you said something such as “You should acknowledge their signs,” you may be able to translate this much as it appears in the ULT, treating it as the continuation of a statement or exclamation. Alternate translation: “that the wicked is spared in the day of calamity, that in the day of wrath they are brought forth.” "that the wicked is spared in the day of calamity;
in the day of wrath they are brought forth"
21:30 wy2e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יֵחָ֣שֶׂךְ רָ֑ע 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God spares the wicked” the wicked is spared
21:30 j674 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רָ֑ע 1 Job is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a wicked person” the wicked
21:30 j675 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לְי֣וֹם אֵ֭יד 1 Job is using the term **day** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the time of calamity” or “when calamity happens” in the day of calamity
21:30 j676 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לְי֖וֹם עֲבָר֣וֹת 1 Job is once again using the term **day** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the time of wrath” in the day of wrath
21:30 x25q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְי֖וֹם עֲבָר֣וֹת 1 Job is using the term **wrath** by association to mean God punishing people in his wrath. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the time when God punishes people,” in the day of wrath
21:30 j677 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יוּבָֽלוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The idea is that wicked people are **brought forth** from, that is, taken out of, the group of people whom God is punishing. Alternate translation: “God brings them forth” or “God does not punish them” they are brought forth
21:31 b6yh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־יַגִּ֣יד עַל־פָּנָ֣יו דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וְהֽוּא־עָ֝שָׂ֗ה מִ֣י יְשַׁלֶּם־לֽוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “No one declares his way to his face! No one repays him for what he has done!” "Who will denounce his way to his face?
And what he has done, who will repay to him"
21:31 ri98 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דַּרְכּ֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking of how a person lives as if that were a **way** or path that the person was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his manner of life” his way
21:31 wlf1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַל־פָּנָ֣יו 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “to him personally” to his face
21:31 wn61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְהֽוּא־עָ֝שָׂ֗ה מִ֣י יְשַׁלֶּם־לֽוֹ 1 As in verse 19, here the word **repay** has the sense of “punish.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as a statement: “God does not punish him for what he has done.” And what he has done, who will repay to him
21:32 j678 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast וְ֭הוּא לִקְבָר֣וֹת יוּבָ֑ל 1 The word that the ULT translates as **brought forth** here is the same word that it translates as “brought forth” in verse 30. Job is saying that a wicked person is not only spared from God’s punishment, he is buried with honor in a great procession (which Job describes further in the next verse). Your language may similarly have a term that you could use in both contexts to show the contrast that Job is drawing here between what a wicked person deserves and what he gets. Indeed, he will be brought forth to the grave
21:32 g68a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֭הוּא & יוּבָ֑ל 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Indeed, people will carry him” Indeed, he will be brought forth
21:32 j679 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽעַל־גָּדִ֥ישׁ יִשְׁקֽוֹד 1 The implication is that people will keep **watch** over the wicked person’s **burial mound** to make sure that it is kept in good order and not desecrated. In other words, even in death the wicked person has an honored place in the community. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and people from the community will watch his burial mound to make sure that no one desecrates it” and one will watch over the burial mound
21:32 j680 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown גָּדִ֥ישׁ 1 In this culture, to show special honor to a person after his death, people might build a **mound** of stones or earth over his grave. If your readers would not be familiar with this practice, in your translation you could name a comparable practice of your own culture, or you could convey the meaning with a general expression. Alternate translation: “his honorable burial site” the burial mound
21:33 eqt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רִגְבֵ֫י נָ֥חַל 1 Job is using the phrase **The clods of the torrent** by association to mean the burial mound that the wicked person’s mourners build up over his grave. He is using the word **torrent** to mean the course that a torrent or stream flows through, from which people could take **clods** of dirt to build a mound. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “His burial mound” The clods of the torrent
21:33 j681 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מָֽתְקוּ־ל֗וֹ 1 Job is speaking as if the wicked person, even after death, could literally taste his burial mound and find it to be **sweet**. Job means that the wicked person would enjoy being honored with a burial mound. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will honor him” will be sweet to him
21:33 p9wd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כָּל־אָדָ֣ם 1 Job says **every** here as a generalization for emphasis. He means that a procession consisting of a large number of people will follow the wicked person’s body to its grave. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “a long procession” every man
21:33 j682 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּ֝לְפָנָ֗יו 1 In this context, the phrase **to his face** means “in front of him” or “ahead of him.” It is a further reference to the funeral procession for the wicked person. Alternate translation: “and ahead of him” and to his face
21:33 j683 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּֽר 1 As a generalization for emphasis, Job is saying that a number of people too great to count will walk in front of the wicked person’s body to lead it in an honorary procession to his grave. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “people in great numbers are also walking” there is not numbering
21:34 j6yy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְ֭אֵיךְ תְּנַחֲמ֣וּנִי הָ֑בֶל 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You are comforting me in vain!” So how do you comfort me in vain
21:34 aa8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּ֝תְשֽׁוּבֹתֵיכֶ֗ם נִשְׁאַר־מָֽעַל 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Job is saying that once he disregards everything that seems to be present in his friends’ **answers** but is not actually present, falsehood is the only thing that will remain. Alternate translation: “And your answers are nothing but falsehood” And falsehood is left in your answers
21:34 j684 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֝תְשֽׁוּבֹתֵיכֶ֗ם נִשְׁאַר־מָֽעַל 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **falsehood**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “And what you are saying in answer to me is entirely false” And falsehood is left in your answers
22:intro m13v 0 # Job 22 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the third and last speech of Job’s friend Eliphaz. What he says in this speech is stronger than what he says in his previous two speeches. He insists that Job must have done wrong, and he suggests several specific evil things that Job may have done.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Eliphaz answering Job with his own words\n\nIn several places in this chapter, Eliphaz answers Job with his own words. That is, Eliphaz uses the same expressions that Job did earlier, but with different meaning and implications. To help your readers appreciate this, you may wish to translate Eliphaz’s expressions in these places in the same way that you translated Job’s similar expressions earlier. Notes will suggest ways to do this.
22:2 r9kd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַלְאֵ֥ל יִסְכָּן־גָּ֑בֶר 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “A man cannot be useful to God!” Can a man be useful to God
22:2 j685 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations גָּ֑בֶר 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person” a man
22:3 h3pe rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַחֵ֣פֶץ לְ֭שַׁדַּי כִּ֣י תִצְדָּ֑ק וְאִם־בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־תַתֵּ֥ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “It is not pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous! It is not gain to him that you perfect your ways!” "Is it} pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous?
Or if {it is} gain that you perfect your ways"
22:3 j686 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאִם־בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־תַתֵּ֥ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the word **if** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “it is not gain to him that you perfect your ways, is it” Or if {it is} gain that you perfect your ways
22:3 j687 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דְּרָכֶֽיךָ 1 Job is speaking of how a person lives as if that were a series of **ways** or paths that the person was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your manner of life” your ways
22:4 s9qh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲֽ֭מִיִּרְאָ֣תְךָ יֹכִיחֶ֑ךָ יָב֥וֹא עִ֝מְּךָ֗ בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “God is certainly not rebuking you and entering into judgment with you because of your reverent respect for him!” "For your fear does he rebuke you,
enter into judgment with you"
22:4 g1nn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲֽ֭מִיִּרְאָ֣תְךָ 1 By **fear**, Eliphaz implicitly means the fear of God, that is, reverent respect for God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “For your reverent respect for him” For your fear
22:5 zd3w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֣א רָעָֽתְךָ֣ רַבָּ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Your wickedness is great!” Is not your wickedness great
22:5 j688 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְאֵֽין־קֵ֝֗ץ לַעֲוֺנֹתֶֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz says **no end** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “And you are guilty of very many iniquities” And there is no end to your iniquities
22:6 z1dn rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Eliphaz is not saying that Job has definitely done the wrongs that he describes in this verse and the next three verses. He is using the word **For** to encourage Job to consider what he might have done wrong, since God seems to be punishing him for something. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Perhaps” or “Consider whether” For
22:6 hip2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תַחְבֹּ֣ל אַחֶ֣יךָ חִנָּ֑ם 1 By **without cause**, Eliphaz probably means that Job did not need to take a garment in pledge as security for the kind of small loan that a laborer in this culture would require. Job was a wealthy man, Eliphaz notes in verse 8, and he could afford a relatively small loss, while the outer garment the laborer would have to give in pledge (described in the second half of the verse) probably represented his most valuable possession. Eliphaz may also be suggesting that the laborer was trustworthy and Job could have and should have trusted him to repay the loan without demanding security. Your culture may have terms and customs relating to loans and pledges that you could use in your translation to bring out the implicit meaning here. Alternate translation: “you have forced your brother to give you his outer garment as security for a loan, even though you did not need to do that” you have bound your brother {with a pledge} without cause
22:6 j689 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַחֶ֣יךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the term **brother** figuratively to mean a fellow human being. He is suggesting that Job should feel an affinity for any fellow human. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your fellow human being” your brother
22:6 qq5g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּבִגְדֵ֖י עֲרוּמִּ֣ים תַּפְשִֽׁיט 1 The word translated **naked** can describe people who have little clothing, and that seems to be the meaning here. It would not make sense to speak of the **clothing** of people who were **naked** in the sense of having no clothing. The idea seems to be that by taking in pledge an outer garment that a laborer would also use as a blanket at night, Job was leaving that person without enough clothing to stay warm. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “indeed, you have left that person without enough clothing to stay warm” and you have stripped off the clothing of the naked
22:7 j690 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עָיֵ֣ף & וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗ב 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **weary** and **hungry** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “weary people … and from hungry people” the weary & and from the hungry
22:7 q9nb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לָֽחֶם 1 Eliphaz is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “food” bread
22:8 j691 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וְאִ֣ישׁ זְ֭רוֹעַ ל֣וֹ הָאָ֑רֶץ וּנְשׂ֥וּא פָ֝נִ֗ים יֵ֣שֶׁב בָּֽהּ 1 Eliphaz could mean: (1) that Job himself was this **man of arm**. In that case he would be speaking of Job in the third person, even though he was speaking directly to Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “even though, as a man of arm, the earth was to you, and you dwelt upon it as someone lifted of face” (2) that Job showed favoritism to powerful and honored people. Alternate translation: “but you decided in favor of the man of arm and the lifted of face, so that the earth was to them and they dwelt upon it” "but the man of arm, the earth {was} to him,
and the lifted of face dwelt upon it"
22:8 dj3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאִ֣ישׁ זְ֭רוֹעַ ל֣וֹ הָאָ֑רֶץ 1 The expression **the man of arm** means a powerful person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but the powerful person, the earth was to him” or “but as a powerful person, the earth was to you” but the man of arm, the earth {was} to him
22:8 gry9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole ל֣וֹ הָאָ֑רֶץ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if this **man of arm** possessed the entire **earth**. He likely means that this person (possibly Job) owned much land. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “he owned much land” the earth {was} to him
22:8 ti2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וּנְשׂ֥וּא פָ֝נִ֗ים יֵ֣שֶׁב 1 The expression **lifted of face** means to be favored or honored. (See the discussion of the phrase “lift his face” in the General Notes to chapter 13.) Alternate translation: “and honored people dwelt” or “and you as an honored person dwelt” and the lifted of face dwelt
22:8 u5gg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּנְשׂ֥וּא פָ֝נִ֗ים 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and people who received honors” and the lifted of face
22:9 kyr7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּזְרֹע֖וֹת יְתֹמִ֣ים יְדֻכָּֽא 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and you have broken the arms of the fatherless” and the arms of the fatherless have been broken
22:9 j692 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וּזְרֹע֖וֹת יְתֹמִ֣ים יְדֻכָּֽא 1 Job is using the adjective **fatherless** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent word or phrase. Alternate translation: “and you have broken the arms of orphans” and the arms of the fatherless have been broken
22:9 pdd7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּזְרֹע֖וֹת יְתֹמִ֣ים יְדֻכָּֽא 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job had literally **broken** the **arms** of **fatherless** people. He means that Job has not helped orphans but has treated them in a way that has made them even weaker and more destitute. (As in the previous verse, the arm is a symbol of power.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you have taken advantage of orphans” or “and you have exploited orphans” and the arms of the fatherless have been broken
22:10 wdg6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor סְבִיבוֹתֶ֣יךָ פַחִ֑ים 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if **snares** or traps were literally surrounding Job. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you are having many different kinds of trouble” snares {are} around you
22:10 j693 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָ פַּ֣חַד פִּתְאֹֽם 1 Eliphaz is using the term **fear** by association to mean things that cause fear. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and fearful things suddenly terrify you” and fear suddenly terrifies you
22:11 j694 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אוֹ־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ לֹֽא־תִרְאֶ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “And that is why you are in darkness and cannot see” Or darkness—you cannot see
22:11 kz5f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אוֹ־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ לֹֽא־תִרְאֶ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job were literally in **darkness** and could not **see** anything. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And that is why your troubles are so great that you do not know what to do about them” Or darkness—you cannot see
22:11 a6pa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְֽשִׁפְעַת־מַ֥יִם תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job were literally engulfed in deep **waters**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yes, that is why you feel completely overwhelmed” And an abundance of waters covers you
22:12 st8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲֽלֹא־אֱ֭לוֹהַּ גֹּ֣בַהּ שָׁמָ֑יִם 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “God is in the height of the heavens!” Is not God in the height of the heavens
22:12 n1zi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession גֹּ֣בַהּ שָׁמָ֑יִם 1 Eliphaz is using this possessive form to describe the highest part of the **heavens**. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “in the highest heaven” or “in heaven, above the sky” in the height of the heavens
22:12 rtk3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וּרְאֵ֤ה רֹ֖אשׁ כּוֹכָבִ֣ים כִּי־רָֽמּוּ 1 In this context, the word **head** means “height.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And behold how high the stars are” And behold the head of the stars, that they are high
22:12 j695 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּרְאֵ֤ה רֹ֖אשׁ כּוֹכָבִ֣ים כִּי־רָֽמּוּ 1 The implication is that since God is above the stars, and the stars are very high up, the highest things that people can see, then God must be supremely high. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “God is even above the stars, even though those are the highest things that we can see” And behold the head of the stars, that they are high
22:13 j696 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְֽ֭אָמַרְתָּ מַה־יָּ֣דַֽע אֵ֑ל הַבְעַ֖ד עֲרָפֶ֣ל יִשְׁפּֽוֹט 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “But you say that God does not know what is happening here on earth and that he cannot judge through thick darkness” "But you say, ‘What does God know?
Will he judge through thick darkness"
22:13 y6zh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־יָּ֣דַֽע אֵ֑ל הַבְעַ֖ד עֲרָפֶ֣ל יִשְׁפּֽוֹט 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “God does not know what is happening here on earth! He cannot judge through thick darkness!” "What does God know?
Will he judge through thick darkness"
22:13 j697 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַבְעַ֖ד עֲרָפֶ֣ל יִשְׁפּֽוֹט 1 As is clear from the next verse, Eliphaz is using the expression **thick darkness** by association to mean dark clouds. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as a statement: “He cannot see through dark clouds in order to know how to judge people!” Will he judge through thick darkness
22:14 j698 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes עָבִ֣ים סֵֽתֶר־ל֭וֹ וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֶ֑ה וְח֥וּג שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם יִתְהַלָּֽךְ 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation as an indirect quotation, you can continue to do that in this verse. In many languages it will not be necessary to change the wording from that of a direct quotation. "Clouds {are} a covering to him and he does not see;
indeed, he walks around on the dome of the heavens"
22:14 j699 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֶ֑ה 1 Eliphaz implicitly means that by saying this, Job means that God does not **see** what is happening on earth. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and he does not see what is happening on earth” and he does not see
22:14 x5ap rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְח֥וּג שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם יִתְהַלָּֽךְ 1 The implication is that because the **dome of the heavens** is above the clouds, the clouds block God’s view of the earth. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “indeed, he walks around on the dome of the heavens, where the clouds block his view of the earth” indeed, he walks around on the dome of the heavens
22:15 cvp4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַאֹ֣רַח עוֹלָ֣ם תִּשְׁמֹ֑ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר דָּרְכ֣וּ מְתֵי־אָֽוֶן 1 Eliphaz is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. This sentence continues for the next two verses. Alternate translation: “You should not keep the old way that men of iniquity have walked” "Will you keep the old way
that men of iniquity have walked"
22:15 j700 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַאֹ֣רַח עוֹלָ֣ם תִּשְׁמֹ֑ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר דָּרְכ֣וּ מְתֵי־אָֽוֶן 1 Eliphaz is speaking of how people live as if that were a **way** or path that people were walking along. When Eliphaz asks whether Job will **keep** that way or stay on that path, he is asking whether Job really wants to live that way himself. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Will you live as men of iniquity have customarily lived” or, as a statement, “You should not live as men of iniquity have customarily lived” "Will you keep the old way
that men of iniquity have walked"
22:15 j701 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מְתֵי־אָֽוֶן 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **iniquity**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “wicked people” men of iniquity
22:16 j702 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲשֶֽׁר־קֻמְּט֥וּ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if these “men of iniquity” were literally **carried off** as if they were a bundle of sticks that someone had collected. He means that they died. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who died” who were carried off
22:16 j703 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אֲשֶֽׁר־קֻמְּט֥וּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom death carried off” who were carried off
22:16 j704 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹא־עֵ֑ת 1 Eliphaz implicitly means that these wicked men died before it was their **time** to die. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “before it was their time to die” or “while they were still young” and {it was} not time
22:16 j705 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נָ֝הָ֗ר יוּצַ֥ק יְסוֹדָֽם 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a torrent washed away their foundations” their foundations were washed away by a torrent
22:16 lc5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נָ֝הָ֗ר יוּצַ֥ק יְסוֹדָֽם 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if these wicked men were buildings that collapsed when a **torrent** of water destroyed their **foundations**. The suggestion in the image is that the men died unexpectedly and violently. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, they died unexpectedly and violently” their foundations were washed away by a torrent
22:17 j706 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הָאֹמְרִ֣ים לָ֭אֵל ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וּמַה־יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “the ones who told God to turn away from them and asked what the Almighty would do to them” "the ones saying to God, ‘Turn away from us,’
and, ‘What will the Almighty do to them"
22:17 j707 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ 1 Eliphaz depicts these wicked people as speaking as if they wanted God literally to **turn away** from them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the same expression in [21:14](../21/14.md). Alternate translation: “Do not be concerned with us” Turn away from us
22:17 j708 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וּמַה־יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ 1 The wicked people are speaking about themselves in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “and, ‘What will the Almighty do to us’” and, ‘What will the Almighty do to them
22:17 q2mt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַה־יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ 1 The wicked people are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “and, ‘The Almighty will not do anything to us!’” and, ‘What will the Almighty do to them
22:17 j709 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּמַה־יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ 1 The wicked people implicitly mean that the Almighty will not do anything to punish them if they do the wrong actions that they are contemplating. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and, ‘The Almighty will not do anything to us if we do evil things!’” and, ‘What will the Almighty do to them
22:18 jh2r rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְה֤וּא מִלֵּ֣א בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם ט֑וֹב 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God. Eliphaz is echoing what Job said about wicked people in [21:16](../21/16.md), “their prosperity is not in their hand,” that is, their prosperity is not of their own making. Eliphaz is saying, as Job did, that any **good** the wicked enjoy is something that God has generously given to them even though they do not deserve it. Eliphaz is agreeing with Job on that point, although he is making it in support of a different conclusion, that in the end, God actually does punish the wicked in this life. Alternate translation: “Yet God filled their houses with good” Yet he filled their houses with good
22:18 nr68 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְה֤וּא מִלֵּ֣א בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם ט֑וֹב 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **good** as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “Yet he filled their houses with good things” Yet he filled their houses with good
22:18 j710 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְה֤וּא מִלֵּ֣א בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם ט֑וֹב 1 Eliphaz says **filled** here as an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “Yet he generously gave them many good things” Yet he filled their houses with good
22:18 l57x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַעֲצַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים רָ֣חֲקָה מֶֽנִּי 1 Eliphaz is echoing what Job said in [21:16](../21/16.md). He is speaking as if he wanted the **counsel of the wicked** literally to be **far** away from him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar expression in [21:16](../21/16.md). Alternate translation: “so I want nothing to do with the counsel of the wicked” so {may} the counsel of the wicked {be} far from me
22:19 ku9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִרְא֣וּ צַדִּיקִ֣ים 1 Eliphaz implicitly means that the righteous **see** what happens to wicked people. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “The righteous see what happens to wicked people” The righteous see
22:19 q2jl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj צַדִּיקִ֣ים & וְ֝נָקִ֗י 1 Eliphaz is using the adjectives **righteous** and **innocent** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Righteous people … and innocent people” The righteous & and the innocent
22:20 j4fq rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ 1 The pronoun **their** refers to the **enemy** mentioned in the first part of the verse. It may be more natural in your language to make the pronoun agree in number. Since Eliphaz speaks of wicked people in the plural in these verses, you may find it appropriate to do that by saying “enemies.” Alternate translation: “If our enemies are not cut off? And fire has devoured their possessions” "If our enemy is not cut off?
And fire has devoured their possessions"
22:20 j711 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ 1 Eliphaz is quoting what righteous and innocent people say about wicked people whom God destroys. If that would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that in your translation. Alternate translation: “They say, ‘If our enemies are not cut off? And fire has devoured their possessions!’” "If our enemy is not cut off?
And fire has devoured their possessions"
22:20 j712 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “They say that their enemies have been cut off and that fire has devoured their possessions” "If our enemy is not cut off?
And fire has devoured their possessions"
22:20 j713 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ 1 The righteous and innocent people are using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Our enemies have been cut off, have they not” If our enemy is not cut off
22:20 j714 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ 1 The righteous and innocent people are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Our enemies have been cut off!” If our enemy is not cut off
22:20 jwg8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God has cut off our enemies!” If our enemy is not cut off
22:20 j715 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ 1 To make a different point, that God actually judges wicked people in this life, Eliphaz is echoing what Job said in [21:21](../21/21..md). There Job spoke of a wicked person dying as if he were literally being **cut off**, like a branch from a tree. See how you translated the similar expression there. Alternate translation: “God has ended the lives of our enemies!” If our enemy is not cut off
22:20 j716 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ 1 Eliphaz depicts innocent and righteous people as speaking as if **fire** had destroyed the **possessions** of wicked people. Eliphaz depicts them as speaking as if the fire had literally **devoured** or eaten the possessions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And they have lost their possessions” or “And other people will now get their possessions” And fire has devoured their possessions
22:21 aj2c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַסְכֶּן־נָ֣א עִמּ֑וֹ וּשְׁלם 1 Eliphaz is echoing his own words at the beginning of this speech and Job’s words in his preceding speech. In verse 2, Eliphaz insisted that a person cannot be “useful to God,” that is, a person can do nothing to win God’s favor or to put God under obligation. Here Eliphaz uses a different form of the same verb to encourage Job to **Reconcile** with God. A person, he says, can at least cultivate a good relationship with God. Job said in [21:19](../21/19.md) that he wished God would “repay” wicked people, that is, punish them. Eliphaz uses the same verb here to encourage Job to be **at peace** with God, with the suggestion that to that end, Job should do whatever is necessary to make up for any wrong things he has done. Your language may have terms that you could use here and in [21:19](../21/19.md) and [22:2](../22/02.md) in order to show these connections. Reconcile now with him and be at peace
22:21 z6jk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּשְׁלם 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **peace**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and have a peaceful relationship with him” and be at peace
22:21 j717 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בָּ֝הֶ֗ם 1 The pronoun **these** refers to the actions of reconciling and being at peace with God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “if you do these things” by these
22:21 j718 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj תְּֽבוֹאַתְךָ֥ טוֹבָֽה 1 Eliphaz is using the adjective **good** as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “good things will come to you” good will come to you
22:21 j719 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תְּֽבוֹאַתְךָ֥ טוֹבָֽה 1 Eliphaz is speaking of **good** as if it were a living thing that could **come** to Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you will have good things once again” good will come to you
22:22 ll7g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy קַח & מִפִּ֣יו תּוֹרָ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is using the term **mouth** by association to mean what God says by using his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “let what God says instruct you” accept instruction from his mouth
22:22 y867 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְשִׂ֥ים אֲ֝מָרָ֗יו בִּלְבָבֶֽךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job could literally **set** God’s **words** in his **heart**. He is using the **heart** to represent the memory. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, carefully remember his words” and set his words in your heart
22:22 dp7d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְשִׂ֥ים אֲ֝מָרָ֗יו בִּלְבָבֶֽךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the term **words** to mean what God says by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, carefully remember what he says” and set his words in your heart
22:23 x1jk rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result תִּבָּנֶ֑ה תַּרְחִ֥יק עַ֝וְלָ֗ה מֵאָהֳלֶֽךָ 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the phrase **if you distance unrighteousness from your tent**, like the phrase ** If you return to the Almighty**, gives the reason for the result that would follow, **you will be built up**. Alternate translation: “if you distance unrighteousness from your tent, you will be built up” "you will be built up,
if you distance unrighteousness from your tent"
22:23 j720 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תִּבָּנֶ֑ה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he will build you up” you will be built up
22:23 mz1i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תִּבָּנֶ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job were a building that God would rebuild after it had been ruined. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will restore you to health and prosperity” you will be built up
22:23 kbt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תַּרְחִ֥יק עַ֝וְלָ֗ה מֵאָהֳלֶֽךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if **unrighteousness** were an object that Job could literally set at some **distance** from the **tent** in which he lives. In this image, the tent represents Job’s life. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if you stop practicing unrighteousness in your life” if you distance unrighteousness from your tent
22:23 j721 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns תַּרְחִ֥יק עַ֝וְלָ֗ה מֵאָהֳלֶֽךָ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **unrighteousness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “if you stop doing unrighteous things” if you distance unrighteousness from your tent
22:24 j722 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative וְשִׁית־עַל־עָפָ֥ר בָּ֑צֶר וּבְצ֖וּר נְחָלִ֣ים אוֹפִֽיר 1 Eliphaz is using an imperative sentence to tell the condition under which something would happen. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate this as a conditional sentence. Alternate translation: “Now if you set your gold in the dust, and Ophir among the stones of the torrents” "And set gold in the dust,
and Ophir among the stones of the torrents"
22:24 u6qk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְשִׁית־עַל־עָפָ֥ר בָּ֑צֶר וּבְצ֖וּר נְחָלִ֣ים אוֹפִֽיר 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if he wants Job literally to throw away his **gold**, including the fine gold he has from the land of **Ophir**, so that it lands **in the dust** and **among the stones of the torrents**. He means that Job should not depend on gold as a source of security. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, combining the parallel statements into a single statement and conveying the emphasis of the parallelism in another way: “Now if you do not rely on gold at all” "And set gold in the dust,
and Ophir among the stones of the torrents"
22:24 j723 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְשִׁית־עַל־עָפָ֥ר בָּ֑צֶר וּבְצ֖וּר נְחָלִ֣ים אוֹפִֽיר 1 Eliphaz is using one type of wealth, **gold**, including fine gold from **Ophir**, to mean wealth in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And abandon all of your wealth” or “Now if you do not rely on wealth at all” "And set gold in the dust,
and Ophir among the stones of the torrents"
22:24 g8dq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אוֹפִֽיר 1 The word **Ophir** is the name of a land that produced gold of excellent quality. Ophir
22:24 m1gk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אוֹפִֽיר 1 Eliphaz is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “set Ophir” Ophir
22:24 j724 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אוֹפִֽיר 1 Eliphaz is using the name **Ophir** by association to mean gold from the country of Ophir. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “set the gold of Ophir” Ophir
22:25 wg73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְהָיָ֣ה שַׁדַּ֣י בְּצָרֶ֑יךָ וְכֶ֖סֶף תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת לָֽךְ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if **the Almighty** would literally be precious metals that Job owned. He means that Job would value the Almighty more than anything else. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “then you will value the Almighty more than anything else” "then the Almighty will be your golds
and silver of heights to you"
22:25 j725 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural בְּצָרֶ֑יךָ 1 Eliphaz is using the plural form **golds** to indicate gold of supreme excellence. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “more valuable to you than the finest gold you could possess” your golds
22:25 wd8v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural וְכֶ֖סֶף תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת 1 Eliphaz is using the plural form **heights** to indicate silver of superlative quality. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “and silver of the highest quality” and silver of heights
22:26 l352 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְתִשָּׂ֖א אֶל־אֱל֣וֹהַּ פָּנֶֽיךָ 1 In [10:15](../10/15.md), Job said to God, “I will not lift my head.” He means that he would look down as a symbolic action to express that he was feeling shame. Here Eliphaz responds that Job will no longer need to do that. See how you translated the similar expression in [10:15](../10/15.md). Alternate translation: “and you will no longer need to look down, away from God, in shame” or “and you will be confident that God accepts you” and you will lift your face to God
22:27 j726 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ 1 In this context, the word **hear** means to grant a request. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he will grant your request” and he will hear you
22:27 j727 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ תְשַׁלֵּֽם 1 Eliphaz assumes that Job will understand that by **vows** he means the vows that a person in this culture would make to God to promise public recognition of mercies granted. The implication is that God would grant such mercies to Job and so he would have occasion to **pay** such **vows**. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and you will have occasion to thank God publicly for mercies that he has granted to you” and your vows you will pay
22:28 j728 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְֽתִגְזַר־א֭וֹמֶר 1 Eliphaz is using the term **word** to mean what Job might say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And you will say what you want to happen” or “And you will say what you plan to do” And you will decree a word
22:28 ldp9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיָ֣קָם לָ֑ךְ 1 In this context, the word **stand** means “happen,” with the idea of surety and durability. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and it will certainly happen for you” or “and you will certainly be able to do it” and it will stand for you
22:28 k1nu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְעַל־דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ נָ֣גַֽהּ אֽוֹר 1 Eliphaz is speaking of the plans Job might want to carry out as if they were a series of **paths** that Job would be walking along. When he says that **light** will **shine** on these paths, he means that Job will know clearly how to carry out his plans. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you will know clearly how to carry out your plans successfully” and on your paths light will shine
22:29 j729 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הִ֭שְׁפִּילוּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּוָ֑ה 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if people might literally **cast** Job **down**, that is, throw him down from a height or throw him onto the ground. He is also speaking as if Job might ask God to lift him up from where people had thrown him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you are in difficult circumstances and you say, ‘Help me!’” they cast down and you say, ‘Lifting up
22:29 yck5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הִ֭שְׁפִּילוּ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “when you are cast down” they cast down
22:29 j730 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַתֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּוָ֑ה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “and you ask God to lift you up” and you say, ‘Lifting up
22:29 j731 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יוֹשִֽׁעַ 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God. Eliphaz is talking about the results of prayer, as he described in verse 27. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God will save” he will save
22:29 j732 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְשַׁ֖ח עֵינַ֣יִם 1 Job is using the adjective phrase **the lowered of eyes** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “then … the person who has lowered his eyes” or “then … the who is looking down” then & the lowered of eyes
22:29 xgw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְשַׁ֖ח עֵינַ֣יִם 1 In this culture, lowering one’s **eyes** was a symbolic action that indicated that one was in difficult circumstances and felt humbled by them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “then … the person who is humbled by being in difficult circumstances” then & the lowered of eyes
22:29 j733 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וְשַׁ֖ח עֵינַ֣יִם 1 Eliphaz is speaking about Job in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “then … you from the difficult circumstances that have humbled you” then & the lowered of eyes
22:30 j734 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְֽמַלֵּ֥ט & וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט 1 The pronoun **He** in the first part of this verse refers to God, while the pronoun **he** in the second part of the verse refers to a person who is not innocent. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God will rescue … indeed, that person will be rescued” He will rescue & indeed, he will be rescued
22:30 j735 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אִֽי־נָקִ֑י 1 Job is using the adjective **not-innocent** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are not innocent” or “people who are guilty of sin” the not-innocent
22:30 j736 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “indeed, God will rescue him” indeed, he will be rescued
22:30 wrz4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּבֹ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is likely using the term **hands** by association to mean “prayers,” since people in this culture lifted their hands when they prayed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “through the cleanness of your prayers” through the cleanness of your hands
22:30 f84n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּבֹ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ 1 Eliphaz is speaking as if Job would have literally refrained from doing things that would make his **hands** dirty. He means that Job would not have done wrong things, and so he could offer prayers to God as an innocent person whose prayers God would answer. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “through the prayers that you, as an innocent person, offer for him” through the cleanness of your hands
23:intro fb42 0 # Job 23 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the beginning of Job’s response to Eliphaz’s third and final speech. Job’s response continues in the next chapter.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Legal proceeding\n\nIn this chapter, Job speaks of making a legal case to prove his innocence to God. As a note to [9:3](../09/03.md) explains, in this culture, people typically presented such cases to community leaders in public places such as the gate of a town. Each party in a dispute would question the other party in the presence of the leaders, and the leaders would then discuss the case and decide which party was guilty and which party was innocent. However, the Bible indicates that judges would also travel around from place to place and hear cases. For example, [1 Samuel 7:16–17](../1sa/07/16.md) says that Samuel “went around to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah and judged Israel in all those places.” Job is envisioning God serving as this kind of judge and hearing his case. In your translation, express his language in such a way that readers who are familiar with the legal process in your own culture will recognize what Job is saying.\n\n## Translation issues in This chapter\n\n### “he,” “him,” and “his”\n\nThe pronouns “he,” “him,” and “his” refer to God throughout this chapter. The UST models how a translation may say “God” regularly in order to make this clear.\n\n### “my hand” or “his hand” (23:2)\n\nIn verse 2, Hebrew manuscripts read “my hand.” The ULT follows that reading. Some ancient translations of the Hebrew Bible into other languages say “his hand,” and some modern versions follow that reading. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the readingof the ULT.
23:2 fi9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit גַּם־הַ֭יּוֹם 1 Job is using this expression to emphasize to his friends that their arguments have not changed his situation at all. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Despite all the things you have said to me,” Even today
23:2 ke1p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מְרִ֣י שִׂחִ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if his **complaint** about what has happened to him is **bitter** or bad-tasting. The image is that what he says is so unpleasant that it leaves a bad taste in his mouth when he says it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have many unpleasant things to complain about” my complaint is bitter
23:2 cm2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָ֝דִ֗י כָּבְדָ֥ה עַל־אַנְחָתִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if he were literally holding his **hand** down hard on his **groaning** in order to suppress it. He means that there is more that he could groan or complain about than he has actually stated yet. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have been suppressing my groaning” my hand is heavy upon my groaning
23:3 pn2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן יָ֭דַעְתִּי וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ 1 See how you translated the expression **Who will give** in [11:5–6](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: “I wish that I knew and I would find him!” Who will give {that} I knew and I would find him
23:3 rpr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys יָ֭דַעְתִּי וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **knew** tells in what way Job would be able to **find** God. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “I knew where to find him” I knew and I would find him
23:3 j737 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָ֭דַעְתִּי וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ & תְּכוּנָתֽוֹ 1 The pronouns **him** and **his** refer to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “I knew where to find God … the place where God lives” "I knew and I would find him?
& his place"
23:4 u14t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְפָנָ֣יו 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “in his presence” or “to him personally” to his face
23:4 vtm3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝פִ֗י אֲמַלֵּ֥א תוֹכָחֽוֹת 1 Job is speaking as if **arguments** were objects with which he could literally **fill** his mouth. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I would make many arguments as I spoke” and I would fill my mouth with arguments
23:5 s5td rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֵ֭דְעָה מִלִּ֣ים יַעֲנֵ֑נִי 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what God would say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I would know what he would tell me in response” I would know the words he would answer me
23:6 p72s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אַךְ־ה֝֗וּא יָשִׂ֥ם בִּֽי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words of a characteristic Hebrew expression that occurs in full form in [1:8](../01/08.md), [2:3](../02/03.md), and [7:17](../07/17.md). Alternate translation: “he would only set his heart upon me” he would only set upon me
23:6 tw6n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַךְ־ה֝֗וּא יָשִׂ֥ם בִּֽי 1 See how you translated this expression in [1:8](../01/08.md), [2:3](../02/03.md), and [7:17](../07/17.md). Alternate translation: “he would only consider what I had to say” he would only set upon me
23:7 lx63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שָׁ֗ם 1 **There** implicitly means in God’s presence, as Job describes in verses 3 and 4. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “In God’s presence,” There
23:7 j738 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense יָ֭שָׁר נוֹכָ֣ח עִמּ֑וֹ 1 Job is using the participle **arguing** to depict action as occurring regularly in order to indicate that it is possible. Alternate translation: “the upright can reason with him” the upright is arguing with him
23:7 j739 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person יָ֭שָׁר נוֹכָ֣ח עִמּ֑וֹ 1 Job is likely referring to himself when he speaks of an **upright** person. In that case, he would be speaking of himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “an upright person like me can reason with him” or “I, as an upright person, can reason with him” the upright is arguing with him
23:7 aw1l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יָ֭שָׁר 1 Job is using the adjective **upright** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “an upright person” the upright
23:8 tfb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 0 In this verse and the next verse, Job is using the four major directions to mean everywhere in creation. He is speaking of looking everywhere for the “place” where God lives, as he described in verse 3. To show this, you could create a verse bridge for verses 8–9. It might say something like this: “Behold, I could go everywhere in creation, and I might see evidence of God at work, but I would not find him personally”
23:9 ja9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שְׂמֹ֣אול בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹ וְלֹא־אָ֑חַז 1 Many interpreters believe that when Job refers to God’s **working in the north**, he means the northern lights (the aurora borealis). You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “when I see the northern lights, I believe that God must be present to create such beauty, but if I went to the north, I would not behold him personally” in his working in the north, I do not behold {him
23:10 lq4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דֶּ֣רֶךְ עִמָּדִ֑י 1 Job is speaking of how he has been living as if that were a **way** or path that he has been walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how I have been living” the way {that is} with me
23:10 x7cb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture בְּ֝חָנַ֗נִי כַּזָּהָ֥ב אֵצֵֽא 1 Job is using the past tense in order to refer to something that he hopes will happen in the future. He is doing this to describe what he is confident the outcome would be. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the future tense. Alternate translation: “when he tests me, I will come out like gold” he has tested me, I have come out like gold
23:10 v4c5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile בְּ֝חָנַ֗נִי כַּזָּהָ֥ב אֵצֵֽא 1 The point of this comparison is that just as genuine **gold** is shown to be pure when it is **tested**, so God giving Job a hearing would show that he is innocent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “when he tests me, this will show that I am innocent, just as testing gold shows its purity” he has tested me, I have come out like gold
23:11 w13v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בַּ֭אֲשֻׁרוֹ אָחֲזָ֣ה רַגְלִ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if he has used his **foot** literally to hold onto each place where God had stepped. He means that he has walked exactly where God had walked, putting his feet down right where God put his feet down. Job is using this image to mean that he has obeyed God exactly. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have obeyed God exactly” My foot has held onto his step
23:11 xw5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דַּרְכּ֖וֹ שָׁמַ֣רְתִּי וְלֹא־אָֽט 1 Job is speaking of how God wants a person to live as if that were a **way** or path that the person should walk along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have lived consistently in the way God wants people to live” I have kept {to} his way and I have not turned aside
23:12 fg26 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִצְוַ֣ת שְׂ֭פָתָיו וְלֹ֣א אָמִ֑ישׁ 1 Job is speaking as if he had not physically gone away from or **departed** from God’s **commandment**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have not disobeyed the commandment of his lips” or, positively, “I have obeyed the commandment of his lips” I have not departed from the commandment of his lips
23:12 m22y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִצְוַ֣ת שְׂ֭פָתָיו 1 Job is using the term **lips** by association to mean speaking, since people use their lips when they speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the commandment that he has spoken” from the commandment of his lips
23:12 j740 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun מִצְוַ֣ת שְׂ֭פָתָיו 1 Job is not referring to a specific **commandment**. He means God’s commandments in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “from the commandments that he has spoken” from the commandment of his lips
23:12 tcz4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אִמְרֵי־פִֽיו 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what God has commanded by using words, and he is similarly using the term **mouth** to mean speaking, since people use their mouths when they speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the things his mouth has said” the words of his mouth
23:12 xe4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִמְרֵי־פִֽיו 1 Job is using one part of God, his **mouth**, to mean all of him in the act of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the things that he has said” the words of his mouth
23:12 j741 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מֵ֝חֻקִּ֗י 1 By **portion**, Job implicitly means his daily portion of food. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “more than the food that I eat” more than my portion
23:13 j742 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְה֣וּא בְ֭אֶחָד 1 Job is leaving out a word that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. The context suggests that Job means that God **is of one** opinion, that is, he has decided one thing definitively. If it would be clearer in your language, you can supply the missing word. Your language may have a natural expression that would suit this context. Alternate translation: “But he is of one mind” But he {is} of one
23:13 j743 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ 1 Job is speaking as if someone might physically **turn** God **back** from going in one direction and make God go in a different direction. He is speaking of someone making God change his mind. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and who will make him change his mind” and who will turn him back
23:13 l1d5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “and no one will turn him back” or “and no one can make him change his mind” and who will turn him back
23:13 if99 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹ אִוְּתָ֣ה וַיָּֽעַשׂ 1 Job is using one part of God, his **soul**, to mean all of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “For he desires to do something, and he does it” or “For he does whatever he desires” For his soul desires, and he does
23:14 g641 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession חֻקִּ֑י 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe what God has decreed for him, not a **decree** that he has made himself. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “what he has decreed for me” or “what he has decided to do to me” my decree
23:14 i8u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְכָהֵ֖נָּה רַבּ֣וֹת עִמּֽוֹ 1 The pronoun **these** probably refers to the sufferings that Job is already experiencing. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and he is capable of afflicting me with many more sufferings if my present ones are not sufficient to fulfill his purpose” and many like these {are} with him
23:15 n27i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפָּנָ֣יו אֶבָּהֵ֑ל 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “I am too terrified to be in his presence” I am terrified from his face
23:15 sw44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶ֝תְבּוֹנֵ֗ן 1 Job is implicitly referring to when he might **consider** all that God might still do to him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I consider all that he might still do to me” I consider
23:16 d4fw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֭אֵל הֵרַ֣ךְ לִבִּ֑י 1 Here, the **heart** represents the emotions and specifically the emotion of courage. Job is speaking as if God had literally made his heart **soft**. He means that God has caused him to lose courage. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “For God has caused me to lose courage” For God has softened my heart
23:17 j744 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he is terrified of God, as he described in the previous two verses. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I am terrified of God because” For
23:17 j745 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לֹ֣א נִ֭צְמַתִּי 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God did not cut me off” I was not cut off
23:17 dng4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֣א נִ֭צְמַתִּי 1 Job is speaking as if he might literally have been **cut off**, as if he were a branch on a tree, for example. He is talking about dying. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I did not die” or “God did not let me die” I was not cut off
23:17 j746 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 In this instance, the phrase **from the face of** means “in front of” or “before.” It refers to time rather than to place. Alternate translation: “before the time of darkness” or “before the darkness came” from the face of the darkness
23:17 j747 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִפְּנֵי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ 1 Job is using the term **darkness** to represent troubles. See how you translated the similar expression in [20:26](../20/26.md). Alternate translation: “before these troubles began” from the face of the darkness
23:17 qpa8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י כִּסָּה־אֹֽפֶל 1 In this instance, the phrase **from my face ** means “in front of.” It could refer either to place or to time. Alternate translation: “and gloom covers everything in front of me” or “and gloom covers everything that will happen to me in the future” and from my face gloom covers
23:17 j748 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י כִּסָּה־אֹֽפֶל 1 Job is speaking as if **gloom** were literally covering everything in front of him or everything that would happen to him in the future. He is using **gloom**, like **darkness** earlier in the verse, to represent troubles. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and there is trouble everywhere I look” or “and I can only anticipate further trouble happening to me” and from my face gloom covers
24:intro e2gb 0 # Job 24 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the continuation of Job’s response to Eliphaz’s third and final speech. Job’s response began in the previous chapter.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### God’s judgment of wicked people\n\nIn verses 1–17, Job protests that God does not judge wicked people. He lists many oppressive things that wicked people do to vulnerable, innocent people, and he complains that God acts as if there were nothing wrong with those things. But in verses 18–24, Job then describes how God actually does judge wicked people. There is an explanation for this apparent contradiction. In the speech as a whole, Job is saying that he knows God will judge wicked people in the end, but it is very distressing to him that God does not judge and punish them now in order to keep them from continuing to oppress vulnerable people. In your translation, you can use language that shows that Job firmly believes what he says in both parts of the chapter, since it is actually consistent for him to say both that God seemingly does not judge wicked people now and that God ultimately will judge wicked people in the end. This is not a contradiction, it is a paradox, and the Bible speaks of it in other passages as well. For example, [Ecclesiastes 8:11](../08/11.md) says that because God does not immediately punish people who do wrong, people feel that they can get away with doing wrong. But Ecclesiastes goes on to say in the next verse that even if a sinner might do a hundred evil things and live a long time, it is still better to obey God.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Changing referents of “they”\n\nJob uses the word “they” throughout this chapter to mean both wicked people and the poor people whom they exploit. He does not often indicate when he changing the referent of the word. Notes indicate the referent in each verse. In your translation, to be helpful to your readers, you may wish to specify “wicked people” or “poor people” each time the referent changes.
24:1 thc8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַדּ֗וּעַ מִ֭שַּׁדַּי לֹא־נִצְפְּנ֣וּ עִתִּ֑ים וְ֝יֹדְעָ֗יו & לֹא־חָ֥זוּ יָמָֽיו 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Times should be set by the Almighty! The ones knowing him ought to see his days!” "Why are times not set by the Almighty?
And {why} do the ones knowing him not see his days"
24:1 ej3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מַדּ֗וּעַ מִ֭שַּׁדַּי לֹא־נִצְפְּנ֣וּ עִתִּ֑ים 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Why does the Almighty not set times” or, as an exclamation, “The Almighty should set times!” Why are times not set by the Almighty
24:1 mg7h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עִתִּ֑ים 1 Job implicitly means **times** for judgment. (See the discussion in the General Notes to chapter 23 of how judges in Israel would come to specific places at appointed times.) You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “times for judgment” times
24:1 j749 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ֝יֹדְעָ֗יו לֹא־חָ֥זוּ יָמָֽיו 1 In this context, to **see** means to experience. See how you translated the similar expression in [7:7](../07/07.md). Alternate translation: “And why do the ones knowing him not experience his days?” And {why} do the ones knowing him not see his days
24:1 j750 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָמָֽיו 1 Job implicitly means **days** on which God would judge wicked people. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “days on which God judges wicked people” his days
24:2 h88w rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns גְּבֻל֥וֹת יַשִּׂ֑יגוּ 1 The pronoun **They** refers to wicked people, not to “the ones knowing” God, as it does in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. The pronoun **they** in the second part of the verse also refers to wicked people, and that is also the reference in the next two verses. Alternate translation: “Wicked people remove boundary markers” They remove boundary markers
24:2 pse5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit גְּבֻל֥וֹת יַשִּׂ֑יגוּ 1 Job implicitly means that wicked people steal land from others by removing the **boundary markers** that indicate property lines and arguing that their property extends farther into their neighbor’s land than it actually does. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “They steal land from others by removing boundary markers” They remove boundary markers
24:2 mn98 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun עֵ֥דֶר גָּ֝זְל֗וּ וַיִּרְעֽוּ 1 Job is not referring to a specific **flock**. He means flocks in general that wicked people steal from vulnerable people such as widows and orphans, whom he names specifically in the next verse. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “they seize flocks and pasture them” they seize the flock and pasture {it
24:2 j751 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּרְעֽוּ 1 Job implicitly means that wicked people steal flocks from others and **pasture** them with their own flocks as if they had owned them all along. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and put others’ animals in with their own as if those animals belonged to them” and pasture {it
24:3 fml5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun חֲמ֣וֹר יְתוֹמִ֣ים יִנְהָ֑גוּ יַ֝חְבְּל֗וּ שׁ֣וֹר אַלְמָנָֽה 1 Job is not referring to a specific **donkey**, **fatherless** person, **ox**, or **widow**. He means those animals and people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “Wicked people lead away donkeys that belong to fatherless people; they take in pledge oxen that belong to widows” "The donkey of the fatherless they lead away;
they take in pledge the ox of the widow"
24:3 y9i2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יְתוֹמִ֣ים 1 Job is using the adjective **fatherless** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “children whose fathers have died” or “orphans” the fatherless
24:3 m884 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יַ֝חְבְּל֗וּ 1 See the note to [22:6](../22/06.md) about the cultural practice of taking possessions **in pledge**. See how you translated the similar expression there. they take in pledge
24:4 lzi7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יַטּ֣וּ אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים מִדָּ֑רֶךְ 1 This could mean: (1) that needy people avoid walking on the main road or **way** in order to avoid wicked people who would exploit them. In that sense, it is as if the wicked people are actively forcing the needy people off the road. Alternate translation: “Needy people stay off the main roads in order to avoid wicked people” (2) that wicked people push needy people aside on the road so that they can go ahead of them. Alternate translation: “Wicked people push needy people aside on the road so that they can go ahead of them” They turn the needy from the way
24:4 j752 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים & עֲנִיֵּי 1 Job is using the adjectives **needy** and **poor** as nouns to mean certain groups of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “needy people … the poor people of” the needy & the poor of
24:4 r5d2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יַ֥חַד חֻ֝בְּא֗וּ עֲנִיֵּי־אָֽרֶץ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Wicked people are the implied agent. Job is not saying simply that poor people hide themselves to avoid the wicked; he is saying that wicked people force poor people to hide themselves to escape oppression. Alternate translation: “all the poor people of the land have to hide in order to avoid the wicked people who would oppress them” the poor of the land are hidden together
24:5 m813 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile פְּרָאִ֨ים ׀ בַּֽמִּדְבָּ֗ר יָצְא֣וּ בְּ֭פָעֳלָם 1 The point of this comparison is that the need to escape from oppressive wicked people forces poor people to go far away from human community, **like wild donkeys in the wilderness**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “like wild donkeys in the wilderness, far away from human community,” like} wild donkeys in the wilderness they go out in their work
24:5 d79k rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָצְא֣וּ 1 Here and through verse 8, the pronoun **they** refers to poor people. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “poor people go out” they go out
24:5 yaj6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun ל֥וֹ לֶ֝֗חֶם לַנְּעָרִֽים 1 The pronoun **him** does not refer to a specific poor person. Job means poor people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “provides them with bread for their children” is} to him bread for their children
24:5 j753 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche ל֥וֹ לֶ֝֗חֶם לַנְּעָרִֽים 1 Job is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a general term in your translation, or you could name the kind of food that people would find in the **Arabah** or desert. Alternate translation: “provides them with roots and herbs to feed to their children” is} to him bread for their children
24:6 j8dx rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בַּ֭שָּׂדֶה בְּלִיל֣וֹ יִקְצ֑וֹרוּ וְכֶ֖רֶם רָשָׁ֣ע יְלַקֵּֽשׁוּ 1 The pronoun **him** could refer to: (1) the wicked person whom Job mentions in the second part of the verse. If that is the meaning, it may be helpful to mention the wicked person in the first part of the verse instead. Alternate translation: “Poor people gather fodder for their animals from what the wicked person has left in his field, and they glean in his vineyard” (2) an individual poor person. Alternate translation: “Each of these poor people gathers his fodder in the field, and they all glean the vineyard of the wicked” "They gather his fodder in the field,
and the vineyard of the wicked they glean"
24:6 j754 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְכֶ֖רֶם רָשָׁ֣ע 1 Job is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “and the vineyard of a wicked person” and the vineyard of the wicked
24:6 j755 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְכֶ֖רֶם רָשָׁ֣ע 1 Job is not referring to a specific **wicked** person. He means wicked people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “and the vineyards of wicked people” and the vineyard of the wicked
24:7 u7w8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עָר֣וֹם 1 As in [22:6](../22/06.md), the word **naked** here does not mean without any clothing. Rather, as the context indicates, it means without sufficient clothing, in this case **without** an outer **garment** that would also serve as a blanket. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “exposed” naked
24:7 j756 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִבְּלִ֣י לְב֑וּשׁ 1 The poor people whom Job is talking about may be **without a garment** because: (1) wicked people have taken their outer garments in pledge and not returned them, as Eliphaz describes in [22:6](../22/06.md). This would suit the context, in which Job is describing how wicked people oppress poor people. Alternate translation: “without a garment because wicked people have taken their garments in pledge and not returned them” (2) they are too poor to afford outer garments. Alternate translation: “without outer garments because they have become too poor to afford them” without a garment
24:8 a2gx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּֽמִבְּלִ֥י מַ֝חְסֶ֗ה 1 In this instance, the word **without** means “without any other.” You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and because they have no other shelter,” and from {being} without shelter
24:8 j5eb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun חִבְּקוּ־צֽוּר 1 Job is not referring to a specific **rock**. He means rocks in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “they hug the rocks” they hug the rock
24:8 j757 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom חִבְּקוּ־צֽוּר 1 Job is using this expression to mean that poor people huddle up close to rocks in order to seek shelter from the rain. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they huddle up close to rocks” they hug the rock
24:9 ma3c rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִ֭גְזְלוּ & יַחְבֹּֽלוּ 1 The pronoun **They** in the first part of the verse and the pronoun **they** in the second part of the verse refer to wicked people. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Wicked people snatch … wicked people bind a pledge” They snatch & they bind {a pledge
24:9 ahj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יָת֑וֹם & עָנִ֥י 1 Job is using the adjectives **fatherless** and **poor** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “fatherless children … poor people” or “children whose fathers have died … people who are poor” the fatherless & the poor
24:9 t1ki rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִ֭גְזְלוּ מִשֹּׁ֣ד יָת֑וֹם 1 Job implicitly means that wicked people snatch **fatherless** children **from the breast** of their mother, that is, while they are nursing, in order to claim the children as slaves in payment of a debt. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Wicked people even take infants away from their mothers while they are nursing, in order to claim the children as slaves in payment of a debt” They snatch the fatherless from the breast
24:9 yq41 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽעַל־עָנִ֥י יַחְבֹּֽלוּ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [22:6](../22/06.md). Alternate translation: “and they require the poor to give them their outer garments as security for loans” and upon the poor they bind {a pledge
24:10 u922 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הִ֭לְּכוּ & נָ֣שְׂאוּ 1 The pronoun **They** in the first part of the verse and the pronoun **they** in the second part of the verse refer to poor people. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Poor people go about … poor people carry” They go about & they carry
24:10 eps1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עָר֣וֹם הִ֭לְּכוּ בְּלִ֣י לְב֑וּשׁ 1 As in [22:6](../22/06.md), the word **naked** here does not mean without any clothing. Job is describing the result of what he said at the end of the previous verse, that wicked people “bind a pledge” upon the poor, that is, they take their outer garments as security for loans. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Because wicked people take their outer garments in pledge, poor people go about exposed to the elements, not having sufficient clothing” They go about naked, without clothing
24:10 j758 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וּ֝רְעֵבִ֗ים נָ֣שְׂאוּ עֹֽמֶר 1 Job is not referring to a specific **sheaf**. He means sheaves in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “and, hungry, they carry sheaves” and, hungry, they carry a sheaf
24:10 qj7x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝רְעֵבִ֗ים נָ֣שְׂאוּ עֹֽמֶר 1 Job is saying that poor people must try to earn money to feed themselves by working as day laborers, harvesting the grain in the fields of wicked people. But those poor people still go **hungry**, even with all that food around them, because the wicked people do not pay or feed their workers adequately. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and they are hungry, even though they work as harvesters, because the wicked people who own the fields they are harvesting do not pay or feed them adequately” and, hungry, they carry a sheaf
24:11 fp3g rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בֵּין־שׁוּרֹתָ֥ם יַצְהִ֑ירוּ יְקָבִ֥ים דָּ֝רְכ֗וּ וַיִּצְמָֽאוּ 1 In this verse, the pronoun **they** refers to poor people and the pronoun **their** refers to wicked people. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Within the walls of wicked people, poor people press oil; poor people tread the winepresses of wicked people, but those poor people suffer thirst” "Within their walls they press oil;
they tread their winepresses, but they thirst"
24:11 rks1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יַצְהִ֑ירוּ 1 Job is referring to the way that workers would **press oil** from olives, which were a staple food in this culture. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. You could also use a general expression if your readers might not be familiar with olives. Alternate translation: “they press oil from olives” or “they work hard to produce oil from plants” they press oil
24:11 a1m7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יְקָבִ֥ים דָּ֝רְכ֗וּ וַיִּצְמָֽאוּ 1 Job is commenting here on the injustice of wicked people having poor people **tread their winepresses** but then not giving them any of the wine to drink. (In this culture, the water was often unsafe to drink. People drank wine to quench their thirst, and, because the wine had a low alcohol content, they could do that without getting drunk. Job is not saying that the wicked people should have given the poor people wine so that they could get drunk, only that they should have given them wine to quench their thirst.) See how you expressed the implicit meaning in the previous verse, where Job described how poor people carried grain but went hungry. Alternate translation: “they are thirsty, even though they work treading winepresses, because the wicked people who own the presses do not give them any of the wine to quench their thirst” they tread their winepresses, but they thirst
24:12 j759 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations מְתִ֨ים 1 Here the masculine term **men** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “men and women” men
24:12 j760 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְנֶֽפֶשׁ־חֲלָלִ֥ים תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַ 1 Job is using the adjective **wounded** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “and the souls of wounded people cry out” and the soul of the wounded cries out
24:12 j761 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְנֶֽפֶשׁ־חֲלָלִ֥ים תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַ 1 Job is using one part of a **wounded** person, his **soul**, to mean all of him in the act of crying out. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and wounded people cry out” and the soul of the wounded cries out
24:12 j762 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְנֶֽפֶשׁ־חֲלָלִ֥ים תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַ 1 Job implicitly means that these people are crying out to God for justice. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and wounded people cry out to God for justice” and the soul of the wounded cries out
24:12 j763 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וֶ֝אֱל֗וֹהַּ לֹא־יָשִׂ֥ים תִּפְלָֽה 1 Job implicitly means that God seems to feel that there is nothing wrong with what the wicked people are doing, and so God does not punish them in response to the poor people’s cries for justice. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “but God does not punish the wicked people who have caused their suffering” but God does not ascribe impropriety
24:13 m581 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הֵ֤מָּה & לֹֽא־הִכִּ֥ירוּ & וְלֹ֥א יָ֝שְׁב֗וּ 1 The pronoun **They** at the start of the verse and the two instances of the pronoun **they** later in the verse refer to the wicked people whom Job has been describing. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “These wicked people … these wicked people … and they do not stay” They & they do not regard & and they do not stay
24:13 dl4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor א֥וֹר 1 Job is speaking as if **light** were an authority and these wicked people were **rebelling** against it. Job is using light to represent what God has revealed to humans about how they should live. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “against God’s moral revelation” against} the light
24:13 djk4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹֽא־הִכִּ֥ירוּ דְרָכָ֑יו וְלֹ֥א יָ֝שְׁב֗וּ בִּנְתִיבֹתָֽיו 1 Job is speaking as if **light** maintained certain **ways** and **paths** that people should walk along. He means that God’s revelation shows people how they should conduct their lives. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they do not regard the manner of life that God has shown people they should follow; no, they live in a different way” "they do not regard its ways,
and they do not stay in its paths"
24:13 j764 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹֽא־הִכִּ֥ירוּ דְרָכָ֑יו 1 Here the word **regard** means “look at” with the implication of looking with approval. Alternate translation: “they do not admire its ways” they do not regard its ways
24:13 j765 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְלֹ֥א יָ֝שְׁב֗וּ בִּנְתִיבֹתָֽיו 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a positive expression. Alternate translation: “and they leave its paths” and they do not stay in its paths
24:14 j766 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לָא֡וֹר 1 This expression describes the time of day when it is just beginning to get **light**. There is enough light for the **murderer** to see, but not enough light for him to be identified. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “In the morning twilight,” At light
24:14 j767 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun יָ֘ק֤וּם רוֹצֵ֗חַ יִֽקְטָל & יְהִ֣י כַגַּנָּֽב 1 Job is not referring to a specific **murderer**. He means murderers in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “murderers arise; they kill … they are like thieves” "the murderer arises;
he kills & he is like a thief"
24:14 j768 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְי֑וֹן 1 Job is using the adjectives **poor** and **needy** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “poor people and needy people” the poor and the needy
24:14 u116 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְי֑וֹן 1 The terms **poor** and **needy** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “desperately poor people” the poor and the needy
24:14 d2ft rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וּ֝בַלַּ֗יְלָה יְהִ֣י כַגַּנָּֽב 1 The point of this comparison is that the **murderer** escapes apprehension because he commits his crime in dim light and at a time when people are sleeping. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and he is like a thief in the night, whom no one sees commit his crime” and he is like a thief in the night
24:15 mza9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעֵ֤ין נֹאֵ֨ף 1 Job is using one part of an **adulterer**, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of watching. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And the adulterer” And the eye of the adulterer
24:15 jp3l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun נֹאֵ֨ף 1 Job is not referring to a specific **adulterer**. He is describing the behavior that is characteristic of any adulterer. It may be more natural in your language to make **adulterer** an indefinite noun rather than a definite one. Alternate translation: “an adulterer” the adulterer
24:15 ymp3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes לֵ֭אמֹר לֹא־תְשׁוּרֵ֣נִי עָ֑יִן 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “saying to himself that no one will perceive him” saying, ‘No eye will perceive me
24:15 ewy1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹא־תְשׁוּרֵ֣נִי עָ֑יִן 1 The characteristic adulterer is using one part of someone who might **perceive** him, that person’s **eye**, to mean all of that person in the act of perceiving him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “No one will perceive me” No eye will perceive me
24:15 j769 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְסֵ֖תֶר פָּנִ֣ים יָשִֽׂים 1 Job is not speaking of a **cover** that would keep the **adulterer** from seeing. He is speaking of a disguise intended to keep people from recognizing who the adulterer is. You could express this in a way that would be familiar in your culture. Alternate translation: “and he pulls his hat down low over his face” and he puts a cover {over} {his} face
24:16 j770 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns חָתַ֥ר & בָּ֫תִּ֥ים 1 The pronoun **One** refers to a wicked person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Since, as the rest of the verse shows, Job is actually describing behavior that is characteristic of wicked people in general, you may wish to use a plural term. Alternate translation: “Wicked people dig into houses” One digs {into} houses
24:16 c35g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit חָתַ֥ר בַּחֹ֗שֶׁךְ בָּ֫תִּ֥ים 1 In this culture, **houses** were made of clay or sun-dried brick, so thieves could gain entry to a house most easily by digging through one of its walls. If houses in your culture are made of different materials that a thief would not or could not dig through, you may wish to use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “Wicked people break into houses” One digs {into} houses in the darkness
24:16 k9sq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom חִתְּמוּ־לָ֗מוֹ 1 This expression means ”they stay indoors.“ If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they stay indoors” they shut themselves up
24:16 j771 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־יָ֥דְעוּ אֽוֹר 1 This expression means that wicked people are not familiar with **light**, and the reason is that they do not leave their homes when it is light. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they do not go out when it is light” they do not know the light
24:16 j772 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹא־יָ֥דְעוּ אֽוֹר 1 While the word **light** here is literal, since Job is using it to mean **day**, there is also a moral overtone, as in verse 13, where Job said that wicked people rebel against the light, meaning God’s revelation. If your language has a term for “light” that also has these moral connotations, it would be appropriate to use it here in your translation. they do not know the light
24:17 j773 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י יַחְדָּ֨ו בֹּ֣קֶר לָ֣מוֹ 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the preceding verse that wicked people do not go out during the day. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “They do not go out because for all of them, morning” For together, morning for them
24:17 g55x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֹּ֣קֶר לָ֣מוֹ צַלְמָ֑וֶת 1 Job is speaking as if **morning** were literally **deep darkness** for wicked people. He means that they dread and avoid morning just as honest people dread and avoid the night. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they dread the morning as if it were deep darkness” morning for them {is} deep darkness
24:17 j774 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לָ֣מוֹ & יַ֝כִּ֗יר 1 The pronoun **them** refers to wicked people, and the pronoun **one** refers to a representative or characteristic wicked person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “for wicked people … each one of them regards” for them {& one regards
24:17 y5ib rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יַ֝כִּ֗יר 1 As in [24:13](../24/13.md), here the word **regards** means “looks at” with the implication of looking with approval. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “each one of them admires” one regards
24:18 ay3v rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast קַֽל־ה֤וּא ׀ עַל־פְּנֵי־מַ֗יִם 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, at this point in his speech, Job implicitly begins to draw a contrast between the present situation of wicked people and their ultimate fate. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “Nevertheless, he is swift” He (is} swift on the face of the waters
24:18 lat6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom קַֽל־ה֤וּא ׀ עַל־פְּנֵי־מַ֗יִם 1 Job is speaking as if the surface of the **waters** were literally their **face**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He (is} swift on the surface of the waters” He (is} swift on the face of the waters
24:18 f772 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor קַֽל־ה֤וּא ׀ עַל־פְּנֵי־מַ֗יִם 1 Job is speaking as if a wicked person were literally something light that would float on the surface of the **waters** of a brook or river and pass swiftly downstream. He means that a wicked person only flourishes for a short time and then is gone. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Since Job speaks of wicked people in the plural in the next phrase, you may wish to use the plural in this phrase as well. Alternate translation: “Wicked people flourish only for a short time, then they are gone, like debris that water carries swiftly downstream” He (is} swift on the face of the waters
24:18 j775 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לֹֽא־יִ֝פְנֶה דֶּ֣רֶךְ כְּרָמִֽים 1 This expression means that no one goes to work in the **vineyards** of wicked people. Since Job says in verse 13 that poor people do work in their vineyards, he is talking here about what will happen to wicked people in the future. Alternate translation: “their vineyards will be abandoned” one does not turn {to} the way of their vineyards
24:19 u6db rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis צִיָּ֤ה גַם־חֹ֗ם יִגְזְל֥וּ מֵֽימֵי־שֶׁ֗לֶג שְׁא֣וֹל חָטָֽאוּ 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Job is drawing a comparison. Alternate translation: “Just as drought and heat strip away the waters of snow, so Sheol strips away those who have sinned.” "Drought and heat strip away the waters of snow;
Sheol, {those who} have sinned"
24:19 b8g4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִגְזְל֥וּ מֵֽימֵי־שֶׁ֗לֶג 1 Job is speaking as if, in the hot season, **Drought** and **heat** literally **strip away** the **waters** in his arid region that come from melting **snow** in the mountains. He means that the heat makes these waters evaporate. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “make water from melted snow evaporate” strip away the waters of snow
24:20 hnl6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִשְׁכָּ֘חֵ֤הוּ רֶ֨חֶם ׀ מְתָ֘ק֤וֹ רִמָּ֗ה ע֥וֹד לֹֽא־יִזָּכֵ֑ר 1 The pronouns **him** and **he** refers to a wicked person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “The womb will forget a wicked person, the worm will dine on that person, until he is not remembered” "The womb will forget him,
the worm will dine on him,
until he is not remembered"
24:20 dg9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יִשְׁכָּ֘חֵ֤הוּ רֶ֨חֶם 1 Job is using the term **womb** by association to mean the mother who carried the wicked person in her womb and gave birth to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “As for a wicked person, even his own mother will forget him” The womb will forget him
24:20 ja3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony מְתָ֘ק֤וֹ רִמָּ֗ה 1 The term translated **dine** means to eat with enjoyment. Job is describing an ironic consequence that wicked people will experience. During their lives, as he said earlier, they had oil and wine and grain that they enjoyed but did not share with others. Now, after death, they provide a satisfying meal for the worms that eat them in their graves. Your language may have a term similar to **dine** that you could use in your translation. the worm will dine on him
24:20 auf1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive ע֥וֹד לֹֽא־יִזָּכֵ֑ר וַתִּשָּׁבֵ֖ר כָּעֵ֣ץ עַוְלָֽה 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “until no one remembers him and wickedness is like a tree that a windstorm has broken” "until he is not remembered
and wickedness is broken like a tree"
24:20 k6gl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וַתִּשָּׁבֵ֖ר כָּעֵ֣ץ עַוְלָֽה 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **tree** may be **broken** (by a powerful wind, for example) so that it falls over and dies, so a wicked person will lose his possessions and status and ultimately die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and wickedness is broken, just as a windstorm knocks down a tree and it dies” and wickedness is broken like a tree
24:21 j776 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns רֹעֶ֣ה עֲ֭קָרָה 1 The pronoun **one** refers to a wicked person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “A wicked person devours the barren” the one devouring the barren
24:21 ys4w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor רֹעֶ֣ה 1 Job is speaking as if a wicked person would literally devour or eat up childless women and widows. He means that the wicked person would cheat and exploit them in the ways he described earlier in this speech. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one exploiting” the one devouring
24:21 j777 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עֲ֭קָרָה לֹ֣א תֵלֵ֑ד 1 Job is using the adjective **barren** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the barren woman, who has not borne” the barren, who has not borne
24:21 m9u5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo עֲ֭קָרָה לֹ֣א תֵלֵ֑ד 1 It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “the childless woman” the barren, who has not borne
24:21 j778 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun עֲ֭קָרָה לֹ֣א תֵלֵ֑ד 1 Job is not referring to a specific **barren** woman. He means women in general who have not had children. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “childless women” the barren, who has not borne
24:21 i5m9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְ֝אַלְמָנָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְיֵטִֽיב 1 Job is not referring to a specific **widow**. He means widows in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “and he does not do good to widows” and he does not do good {to} the widow
24:21 j779 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְ֝אַלְמָנָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְיֵטִֽיב 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a positive expression. Alternate translation: “and he harms the widow” or “and he harms widows” and he does not do good {to} the widow
24:22 xl8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וּמָשַׁ֣ךְ אַבִּירִ֣ים בְּכֹח֑וֹ 1 In this first part of the verse, the pronouns **he** and **his** refer to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “But God drags away the mighty by his power” But he drags away the mighty by his power
24:22 ps1m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמָשַׁ֣ךְ 1 Job is speaking as if God literally **drags away** people who are **mighty**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “But he destroys” But he drags away
24:22 j780 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אַבִּירִ֣ים 1 Job is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “mighty people” the mighty
24:22 x59s rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָ֝ק֗וּם וְֽלֹא־יַאֲמִ֥ין בַּֽחַיִּֽין 1 Interpreters are uncertain as to whom the pronoun **he** refers in the two instances in the second part of this verse. This could mean: (1) that God **arises** against mighty people, so that each one of them realizes that he is doomed. Alternate translation: “God arises against them, so that each one of them despairs of life” (2) that a wicked person **arises** or prospers for a time, but he has no assurance of a long life. Alternate translation: “a wicked person may prosper for a time, but he has no assurance of a long life” he arises and he does not believe in life
24:23 j781 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ לָ֭בֶטַח וְיִשָּׁעֵ֑ן וְ֝עֵינֵ֗יהוּ עַל־דַּרְכֵיהֶֽם 1 The pronoun **He** in its first instance and the pronoun **his** refer to God, and the pronoun **he** in its second instance and the pronoun **him** refer to a wicked person. The pronoun **them** refers to wicked people in general. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God gives a wicked person security, and that person is supported, but God’s eyes are on the ways of wicked people” "He gives him security and he is supported,
but his eyes are on their ways"
24:23 j782 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ לָ֭בֶטַח וְיִשָּׁעֵ֑ן 1 If your language would not use the passive form **he is supported**, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you would need to say who does the action, the context indicates that it is God. Alternate translation: “God gives him security and supports him” He gives him security and he is supported
24:23 j783 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ לָ֭בֶטַח וְיִשָּׁעֵ֑ן 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. While Job seems to say that God actively **gives** security and support to wicked people, the idea is that God actually allows these things. Alternate translation: “God may allow a wicked person to feel a sense of security” He gives him security and he is supported
24:23 qks3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְ֝עֵינֵ֗יהוּ עַל־דַּרְכֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is using one part of God, his **eyes**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. Sight, in turn, represents awareness. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he watches their ways carefully” or “but he is very aware of their ways” but his eyes are on their ways
24:23 j784 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝עֵינֵ֗יהוּ עַל־דַּרְכֵיהֶֽם 1 Job is speaking of how a person lives as if that were a **way** or path that the person was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he is very aware of how wicked people are living” but his eyes are on their ways
24:24 yq9p rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns ר֤וֹמּוּ 1 The pronoun **They** (or **they**) refers to wicked people in all of its instances in this verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers in the first instance. Alternate translation: “Wicked people are exalted” They are exalted
24:24 j785 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ר֤וֹמּוּ 1 Job is speaking of wicked people as if they were literally **exalted** or raised up to a high position. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They achieve greatness” They are exalted
24:24 j786 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive ר֤וֹמּוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “They achieve greatness” They are exalted
24:24 j787 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מְּעַ֨ט 1 This could mean: (1) that wicked people are exalted for a **little** while. Alternate translation: “for a short time” (2) that wicked people are exalted a **little** bit. Alternate translation: “to a limited extent” a little
24:24 b7v1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְֽהֻמְּכ֗וּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “indeed, God brings them low” indeed, they are brought low
24:24 j797 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְֽאֵינֶ֗נּוּ 1 This expression means that these “mighty” people no longer exist. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “then they no longer exist” then there is not to them
24:24 j788 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְֽהֻמְּכ֗וּ 1 Job is speaking as if wicked people were literally **brought low** or moved down to a low position. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Since this phrase repeats the meaning of **then they do not exist**, the meaning seems to be that they die. Alternate translation: “indeed, they die” indeed, they are brought low
24:24 j5za rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כַּכֹּ֥ל יִקָּפְצ֑וּן וּכְרֹ֖אשׁ שִׁבֹּ֣לֶת יִמָּֽלוּ 1 The phrase **they are gathered** could be: (1) a characteristic Hebrew expression that describes death. Alternate translation: “like all people, they are die; yes, like the tops of ears of grain, they are cut off” (2) part of the comparison to **ears of grain**. In that case, it would be appropriate to translate it literally. Alternate translation: “like all people, they are gathered and cut off like the tops of ears of grain” "like all, they are gathered and,
like the tops of ears of grain, they are cut off"
24:24 ix1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive כַּכֹּ֥ל יִקָּפְצ֑וּן וּכְרֹ֖אשׁ שִׁבֹּ֣לֶת יִמָּֽלוּ 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: (1) “God gathers them among the dead, as he does all people; yes, God cuts them off like the tops of ears of grain” or (2) “as he does to all people, God gathers them and cuts them off like the tops of ears of grain” "like all, they are gathered and,
like the tops of ears of grain, they are cut off"
24:25 cfk7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְאִם־לֹ֣א אֵ֭פוֹ מִ֣י יַכְזִיבֵ֑נִי וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְ֝אַ֗ל מִלָּתִֽי 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “And if anyone believes that what I have said is not true, then I challenge him to prove me wrong and show that what I have said is not valid” "And if not, then who will falsify me
and make my word nothing"
24:25 j789 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְאִם־לֹ֣א 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “And if what I am saying is not true” And if not
24:25 iy58 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְ֝אַ֗ל מִלָּתִֽי 1 This expression means to show that something is of no value, that is, not valid. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and show that my word is not valid” and make my word nothing
24:25 j790 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלָּתִֽי 1 Job is using the term **word** to mean what he has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I have said” my word
25:intro yz1x 0 # Job 25 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the third and final speech of Job’s friend Bildad.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### The brevity of Bildad’s speech\n\nThis speech by Bildad is much shorter than his first two speeches. It is also much shorter than the three speeches that Eliphaz has given to this point in the book and the two speeches that Zophar has given. The likely explanation is that Job’s friends are running out of things to say to him. Indeed, Zophar does not give a third speech at all. The narrator says in [32:3](../32/03.md) that the three friends “found no answer” for Job’s arguments. The brevity of Bildad’s third speech and the absence of a third speech by Zophar dramatize this. Since the narrator eventually offers an explanation, it would not be necessary to put an explanation in your translation at the end of this chapter such as, “And that was all that Job’s friends had to say to him.”\n\n### God’s holiness and human sinfulness\nIn this short speech, Bildad describes God’s holiness and human sinfulness. While the points he makes are accurate, they are not convincing for Job, because he has actually been righteous. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Bildad using the words of Eliphaz\n\nAlthough Bildad speaks only briefly, he repeats significant phrases from Eliphaz’s first and second speeches. Bildad asks in verse 4, “So how will a man be righteous with God? Or how will one born of a woman be pure?” Eliphaz had asked similarly in 4:17, “Will a man be more righteous than God? If a man will be more pure than his Maker?” and in 15:14, “What is man, that he should be pure, or that one born of a woman should be righteous?” To show this, it would be helpful to use the same wording in your translation of 25:4 that you used in 4:17 and 15:14.
25:2 vb52 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הַמְשֵׁ֣ל וָפַ֣חַד עִמּ֑וֹ 1 The pronoun **him** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Dominion and awe are with God” or “God possesses dominion and awe” Dominion and fear {are} with him
25:2 j791 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys הַמְשֵׁ֣ל וָפַ֣חַד עִמּ֑וֹ 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **fear** tells what response God’s **Dominion** produces in those who recognize its powerful and holy character. (In this context, the word **fear** describes reverence and respect for God and awe at his greatness.) If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “Fearful dominion is with him” or “Awesome dominion is with him” Dominion and fear {are} with him
25:2 cz5c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הַמְשֵׁ֣ל וָפַ֣חַד עִמּ֑וֹ 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **Dominion** and **fear**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “God rules in a way that inspires great respect” Dominion and fear {are} with him
25:2 t8t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עֹשֶׂ֥ה שָׁ֝ל֗וֹם בִּמְרוֹמָֽיו 1 The word translated **peace** could mean: (1) harmonious order. Alternate translation: “the one who establishes harmonious order” (2) the absence of conflict. Alternate translation: “the one who rules without opposition” or “the one who rules without rebellion” the one making peace in his heights
25:2 j792 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural בִּמְרוֹמָֽיו 1 See how you translated the same expression in [16:19](../16/19.md). Alternate translation: “in his highest heaven” or “in heaven, where he rules supremely” in his heights
25:3 agz7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיֵ֣שׁ מִ֭סְפָּר לִגְדוּדָ֑יו וְעַל־מִ֝֗י לֹא־יָק֥וּם אוֹרֵֽהוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “There is no number to his troops! His light arises on everyone!” "Is there a number to his troops?
And upon whom does his light not arise"
25:3 tb5c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲיֵ֣שׁ מִ֭סְפָּר לִגְדוּדָ֑יו 1 In this verse, Bildad is describing God’s greatness by saying that at night, there are too many stars in the sky to count, and by day, the sun shines all over the world. So in this context, the word **troops** implicitly refers to the stars as if they were soldiers. Alternate translation: “Is there a number to the stars?” or “There are too many stars in the sky to count!” Is there a number to his troops
25:3 j793 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְעַל־מִ֝֗י לֹא־יָק֥וּם אוֹרֵֽהוּ 1 Bildad is using the term **light** by association to mean the sun. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And upon whom does the sun not rise?” or “And the sun shines on everyone!” And upon whom does his light not arise
25:4 w2pf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַה־יִּצְדַּ֣ק אֱנ֣וֹשׁ עִם־אֵ֑ל וּמַה־יִּ֝זְכֶּ֗ה יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה 1 Bildad is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “A man cannot be righteous with God! One born of a woman cannot be clean!” "So how will a man be righteous with God?
Or how will one born of a woman be pure"
25:4 v4y8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֱנ֣וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person” a man
25:4 kx6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה 1 See how you translated this expression in [15:14](../15/14.md). Alternate translation: “a mortal” one born of a woman
25:5 un12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָ֭רֵחַ וְלֹ֣א יַאֲהִ֑יל 1 Bildad implicitly means that compared with God’s holiness, the **moon** does not **shine** with the brightness of a pure, holy thing. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the moon has no holy brightness” the moon does not shine
25:5 kt4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְעֵינָֽיו 1 Bildad is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in his perspective” in his eyes
25:6 c7kh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַ֭ף כִּֽי־אֱנ֣וֹשׁ רִמָּ֑ה 1 **Indeed that** is an expression that indicates that what follows is greater in degree than what a person has just said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “How much less a man, a worm” Indeed that a man, a worm
25:6 j794 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אַ֭ף כִּֽי־אֱנ֣וֹשׁ רִמָּ֑ה 1 Bildad is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “How much less could a man, a worm, be pure” Indeed that a man, a worm
25:6 l7b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֱנ֣וֹשׁ & וּבֶן־אָ֝דָ֗ם 1 Although the terms **man** and **son** are masculine, here both words have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use terms in your language that are clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a human … or a human child” a man, & or a son of man
25:6 h6x7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱנ֣וֹשׁ רִמָּ֑ה 1 Bildad is speaking as if a human were literally a **worm**. He probably means that humans are lowly, just as worms are lowly, living in the dirt. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that lowly creature” a man, a worm
25:6 j795 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבֶן־אָ֝דָ֗ם תּוֹלֵעָֽה 1 Bildad is similarly speaking as if a human were literally a **grub**. Once again the basis of the comparison seems to be that just as grubs live in the earth, God originally formed humans from the earth. So this is a parallel poetic reference to human mortality. Rather than repeat the image, it may be more natural in your language to translate this as an explanatory phrase. Alternate translation, not preceded by a comma: “whom God formed from the earth” or a son of man, a grub
26:intro f665 0 # Job 26 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter begins a long response by Job first to Bildad’s last speech and then to the friends in general. Bildad had spoken briefly of the greatness of God. Job shows that he is a truly godly man who appreciates God’s greatness by describing it in this chapter at greater length and in more eloquent language. Job told the friends in 12:3 that he had just as much wisdom as they did, and he demonstrates that in this chapter.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Litany\n\nIn verses 7–9, Job makes a series of statements about God that have a similar form. A series of statements such as this is known as a litany. If your readers would recognize what Job is doing, you can translate and format this litany the way the ULT does. If the litany form would not be familiar to your readers, you could help them appreciate it by putting each sentence of the litany on a separate line. See what you did with the similar litany in chapter 12. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make each verse in the litany a separate sentence. For example, you could begin verse 7, “God stretches out.” Notes to verses 7–9 offer further suggestions.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Reference of “he,” “him,” and “his”\n\nThe pronouns “he,” “him,” and “his” all refer to God throughout this chapter. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify the referent and say “God” or “God’s” at regular intervals for clarity.
26:2 lud4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony מֶה־עָזַ֥רְתָּ לְלֹא־כֹ֑חַ ה֝וֹשַׁ֗עְתָּ זְר֣וֹעַ לֹא־עֹֽז 1 For emphasis, Job is saying the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means. Alternate translation: “You have not helped the one without power! You have not saved the arm of no strength” "How you have helped {the one} without power!
You have saved the arm of no strength"
26:2 j798 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person מֶה־עָזַ֥רְתָּ לְלֹא־כֹ֑חַ ה֝וֹשַׁ֗עְתָּ זְר֣וֹעַ לֹא־עֹֽז 1 Job is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “You have not helped me, even though I was without power! You have not saved me, even though my arm had no strength” "How you have helped {the one} without power!
You have saved the arm of no strength"
26:2 j799 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular עָזַ֥רְתָּ & ה֝וֹשַׁ֗עְתָּ 1 In this verse, as well as in verses 3 and 4, the word **you** is singular because Job is addressing Bildad directly. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you have helped {& You have saved
26:2 j800 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche זְר֣וֹעַ לֹא־עֹֽז 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **arm**, to mean all of him as someone who is struggling to have **strength** during difficulties. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a person of no strength” or “me, even though I had no strength” the arm of no strength
26:3 s1r5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony מַה־יָּ֭עַצְתָּ לְלֹ֣א חָכְמָ֑ה וְ֝תוּשִׁיָּ֗ה לָרֹ֥ב הוֹדָֽעְתָּ 1 For emphasis, Job is continuing to say the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means. Alternate translation: “You have not really advised one without wisdom! You have not really made known insight in abundance” "How you have advised {one} without wisdom!
Insight in abundance, you have made known"
26:3 y2kk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person מַה־יָּ֭עַצְתָּ לְלֹ֣א חָכְמָ֑ה 1 Job is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “You have not really advised me, even though I was without wisdom” How you have advised {one} without wisdom
26:4 n9vj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אֶת־מִ֭י הִגַּ֣דְתָּ מִלִּ֑ין וְנִשְׁמַת־מִ֝י יָצְאָ֥ה מִמֶּֽךָּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Someone must have helped you declare those words! Someone else’s breath must have come out from you!” "With whom did you declare words?
And the breath of whom came out from you"
26:4 j801 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶת־מִ֭י הִגַּ֣דְתָּ מִלִּ֑ין וְנִשְׁמַת־מִ֝י יָצְאָ֥ה מִמֶּֽךָּ 1 Job is implying that God must have helped Bildad speak, although he does not really mean it (see next note). You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “God must have helped you declare those words! God’s own breath must have come out from you!” "With whom did you declare words?
And the breath of whom came out from you"
26:4 j802 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony אֶת־מִ֭י הִגַּ֣דְתָּ מִלִּ֑ין וְנִשְׁמַת־מִ֝י יָצְאָ֥ה מִמֶּֽךָּ 1 For emphasis, Job is continuing to say the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Job actually means. Alternate translation: “You are merely sharing human opinions! You have no divinely granted insights!” "With whom did you declare words?
And the breath of whom came out from you"
26:4 j803 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־מִ֭י הִגַּ֣דְתָּ מִלִּ֑ין 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what Bildad has just said by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God must have helped you say what you did!” or, showing that Job is saying the opposite of what he means, “What you said was merely your own human opinion” With whom did you declare words
26:4 j804 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְנִשְׁמַת־מִ֝י יָצְאָ֥ה מִמֶּֽךָּ 1 The word translated **breath** can also mean “spirit,” so this could mean: (1) that Job is making a parallel statement to the first part of the verse, using the **breath** that comes out of a person’s mouth while he is speaking to mean the act of speaking itself. Alternate translation: “And who was speaking with you as you spoke” or “And who enabled you to speak so well” or “It is certainly not as if God was helping you speak!” (2) that Job is suggesting (while meaning the opposite of what he is saying) that an angel or God’s Spirit must have inspired Bildad to say what he did. Alternate translation: “And what spirit inspired you to speak so well” or “And was it not God’s Spirit who inspired you to speak so well” And the breath of whom came out from you
26:5 xqx7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הָרְפָאִ֥ים יְחוֹלָ֑לוּ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, at this point in this speech, Job begins a description of the greatness of God. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “But as for the greatness of God, the Raphaites tremble” The Raphaites tremble
26:5 c81a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִתַּ֥חַת מַ֝֗יִם וְשֹׁכְנֵיהֶֽם 1 Job implicitly means that the spirits of dead people **tremble** from their abode in Sheol, which he names specifically in the next verse but which he identifies by its location in this verse. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “from their abode deep below the sea, deep below the creatures that live in the sea” "from below the waters
and the ones inhabiting them"
26:6 j805 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עָר֣וֹם שְׁא֣וֹל נֶגְדּ֑וֹ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the pronoun **him** in this verse refers to God, as do the pronouns “he,” “him,” and “his” throughout the chapter. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, here and at selected other places in the chapter. Alternate translation: “Sheol is naked before God” Sheol {is} naked before him
26:6 c8rl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עָר֣וֹם שְׁא֣וֹל נֶגְדּ֑וֹ 1 Job is speaking of **Sheol** as if it were literally not wearing any clothing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Sheol is open before God” or “God can look right into Sheol” Sheol {is} naked before him
26:6 v85x rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְאֵ֥ין כְּ֝ס֗וּת לָֽאֲבַדּֽוֹן 1 The word **Abaddon**, which means “destruction,” is another name for Sheol. and {there is} no covering to Abaddon
26:6 j806 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֵ֥ין כְּ֝ס֗וּת לָֽאֲבַדּֽוֹן 1 Job is speaking as if it might be possible to put an actual **covering** over **Abaddon** to keep God from seeing into it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and nothing keeps God from seeing into Abaddon” and {there is} no covering to Abaddon
26:7 j807 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism נֹטֶ֣ה צָפ֣וֹן עַל־תֹּ֑הוּ תֹּ֥לֶה אֶ֝֗רֶץ עַל־בְּלִי־מָֽה 1 Job is using the two major components of creation, the sky (which he calls the **north**) and the **earth**, to mean all of creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the one having made all of creation where previously nothing was” "the one stretching out the north over nothingness,
hanging the earth upon nothing"
26:7 j808 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נֹטֶ֣ה צָפ֣וֹן עַל־תֹּ֑הוּ תֹּ֥לֶה אֶ֝֗רֶץ עַל־בְּלִי־מָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally stretched out the **north** (the sky) over **nothingness** and hung the **earth** on **nothing**. Since he speaks of the “pillars” of the heavens in verse 11, he is probably not saying directly that the sky and the earth are suspended over empty space. Instead, he is probably referring to God having created the sky and the land by bringing order to watery chaos. Job says this specifically in verses 12 and 13. Alternate translation: “the one having created the sky and the land by bringing order to watery chaos” "the one stretching out the north over nothingness,
hanging the earth upon nothing"
26:7 j809 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany נֹטֶ֣ה 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, this is the beginning of a litany that extends through verse 9. See that discussion and the notes to verses 7–9 for suggestions of how to present this material in a way that may be helpful to your readers. the one stretching out
26:7 j810 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns נֹטֶ֣ה 1 The pronoun **one** refers to God, not to Abaddon. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God is the one stretching out” the one stretching out
26:7 ts32 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy צָפ֣וֹן 1 Job is using the term **north** by association to mean the bright constellations in the northern sky, and so by further association the stars, and by even further association the sky itself, where the stars appear. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the sky” the north
26:8 q4f6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor צֹרֵֽר־מַ֥יִם בְּעָבָ֑יו וְלֹא־נִבְקַ֖ע עָנָ֣ן תַּחְתָּֽם 1 Job is speaking as if God literally uses **clouds** to bind or tie up the waters that eventually fall from those clouds to earth as rain. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as a new sentence: “God makes rainclouds that contain much water” "the one binding the waters in his clouds,
but the cloud is not torn under them"
26:8 j811 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְלֹא־נִבְקַ֖ע עָנָ֣ן תַּחְתָּֽם 1 Job is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means clouds, specifically rainclouds, in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “but those rainclouds are not torn under those waters” but the cloud is not torn under them
26:8 sxg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹא־נִבְקַ֖ע עָנָ֣ן תַּחְתָּֽם 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but those waters do not tear the clouds under them” or “but the weight of those waters does not tear the clouds apart” but the cloud is not torn under them
26:9 r35v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פְּנֵי 1 Job is speaking as if the surface of the **moon** were literally its **face**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the surface of” the face of
26:9 j812 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun עֲנָנֽוֹ 1 Job is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means all the clouds that God would use to cover the moon. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “his clouds” his cloud
26:10 l8k5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חֹֽק־חָ֭ג עַל־פְּנֵי־מָ֑יִם 1 Job is speaking as if the surface of the **waters** or oceans were literally their **face**. He is describing the horizon, which, to a land-bound observer, seems to be a limit on how far the oceans extend. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God has placed a circular limit on the surface of the oceans” He has circled a limit on the face of the waters
26:10 j813 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית א֣וֹר עִם־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Job implicitly means that the **limit** that God has placed on the extent of the oceans coincides with the bottom of the dome of the sky, which people in this culture considered to be a solid object. Beneath the dome, in which the sun, moon, and stars shone, there was light. Beyond the dome was darkness. So Job is using **the boundary of light with darkness** to refer by association to the sky. You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “at the bottom of the dome of the sky” unto the boundary of light with darkness
26:11 n3vz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification עַמּוּדֵ֣י שָׁמַ֣יִם יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ וְ֝יִתְמְה֗וּ מִגַּעֲרָתֽוֹ 1 Many interpreters believe that here Job is speaking of high mountains as if they were the **pillars of the heavens**, since they appear to hold up the sky. Job would also be speaking as if God were literally issuing a **rebuke** to the mountains and that in response, they **tremble and marvel**. The reference may be to an earthquake, which causes mountains to shake. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God sends earthquakes that make even the high mountains shake” "The pillars of the heavens tremble
and marvel at his rebuke"
26:11 f7hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ וְ֝יִתְמְה֗וּ 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **marvel**, a reference to being astonished by the power of God, tells why the pillars of the heavens **tremble**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “shake with fear” "tremble
and marvel"
26:12 x7ti rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מָ֣חַץ רָֽהַב 1 See how you translated the name Rahab in [9:13](../09/13.md). Alternate translation: ”he defeated the sea monster that is associated with chaos“ he shattered Rahab
26:13 c72v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּ֭רוּחוֹ שָׁמַ֣יִם שִׁפְרָ֑ה 1 Job is probably speaking as if strong winds, which clear the clouds from the sky after a storm, are the **breath** of God. Even though the word translated **breath** can also mean “wind” or “Spirit,” Job is probably using a poetic image rather than a literal statement to describe the power of God. If it would be more natural in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God sends strong winds to clear the sky of clouds after a storm” By his breath the skies {become} clearness
26:13 c2jc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נָחָ֥שׁ בָּרִֽיחַ 1 The expression **the fleeing serpent** is another name for the sea monster. (In [Isaiah 27:1](../27/01.md), the sea monster is called ”the fleeing serpent“ and Leviathan.) See how you translated the name Leviathan in [3:8](../03/08.md) and the name Rahab in the previous verse. Alternate translation: ”the sea monster that is associated with chaos“ the fleeing serpent
26:13 r5le rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche חֹֽלֲלָ֥ה יָ֝ד֗וֹ נָחָ֥שׁ בָּרִֽיחַ 1 Job is using one part of God, his **hand**, to mean all of him in the act of doing combat with the chaos monster. He means that with a weapon such as a sword, God **pierced** the monster, that is, stabbed it to death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in combat, he killed the chaos monster” his hand pierced the fleeing serpent
26:14 j814 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor קְצ֬וֹת דְּרָכָ֗יו 1 Job is speaking of the things that God does as if they were **ways** or paths that God was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “are a small part of his actions” are the edges of his ways
26:14 k819 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּמַה־שֵּׁ֣מֶץ דָּ֭בָר נִשְׁמַע־בּ֑וֹ 1 Job may be using the term **word** in the sense of the sound of a word, in which case the term **small** would indicate a faint sound or whisper. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and how faint a whisper we hear of him” and how small a word we hear of him
26:14 b468 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְרַ֥עַם גְּ֝בוּרוֹתָ֗יו מִ֣י יִתְבּוֹנָֽן 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No, no one can understand the thunder of his power!” And the thunder of his power, who will understand
26:14 j815 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְרַ֥עַם גְּ֝בוּרוֹתָ֗יו 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe **thunder** that is characterized by **power**. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “And his powerful thunder” And the thunder of his power
27:intro mkb5 0 # Job 27 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Bildad and the other two friends.\n- Verses 1–10: Job insists that he is godly and will continue to live that way\n- Verses 11–23: Job describes how God punishes wicked people\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Reference of “he,” “him,” and “his”\n\nFrom verse 14 through to the end of the chapter, the pronouns “he,” “him,” and “his” refer to the “wicked man” whom Job first mentions in verse 13. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify the referent and say “a wicked man” at regular intervals for clarity. Notes suggest how you might do this at various places.
27:1 j816 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיֹּ֣סֶף אִ֭יּוֹב שְׂאֵ֥ת מְשָׁל֗וֹ וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 The narrator is speaking as if Job’s **discourse** or speech were an object that he could **take up** or pick up. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “As Job continued his speech, he said” or “Job continued speaking and he said” And Job continued to take up his discourse, and he said
27:2 tp23 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis חַי־אֵ֭ל הֵסִ֣יר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י הֵמַ֥ר נַפְשִֽׁי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “As God lives, who has taken away my justice; as the Almighty lives, who has made my life bitter” "As} God lives, {who} has taken away my justice,
the Almighty, {who} has made my life bitter"
27:2 vm9g rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula חַי־אֵ֭ל הֵסִ֣יר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י הֵמַ֥ר נַפְשִֽׁי 1 Job is swearing an oath in the way that was characteristic in his culture. In your translation, you can translate this in the way that would be characteristic in your culture. Alternate translation: “I swear by God, who has turned away my justice; I swear by the Almighty, who has made my life bitter” "As} God lives, {who} has taken away my justice,
the Almighty, {who} has made my life bitter"
27:2 zm2r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֵסִ֣יר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י 1 Job is speaking of his **justice** as if it were an object that God had **taken away** from him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who has denied justice to me” who} has taken away my justice
27:3 j817 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula כִּֽי 1 Job is using the word **that** to introduce the content of the oath that he began to swear in the previous verse. In some cases, if you translated the previous verse to reflect the way people swear oaths in your culture, you may not need to include the word **that** here. If you chose to reflect the way Job swore this oath following the practices of his own culture, it may be helpful to show what he is using the word **that** to mean. Alternate translation: “I swear that” that
27:3 xg5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְר֖וּחַ אֱל֣וֹהַּ בְּאַפִּֽי 1 Job is using the **breath** in his **nose** by association to mean breathing, and he is using breathing by association to mean being alive. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and for as long as I draw the breath of life” or “and for as long as I am alive” and breath from God {being} in my nose
27:4 xct5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula אִם־תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה וּ֝לְשׁוֹנִ֗י אִם־יֶהְגֶּ֥ה רְמִיָּֽה 1 This is the conclusion of the oath that Job is swearing. In this culture, people would swear an oath by stating the first part of a condition but not the second part. (But see the General Notes to chapter 31, which explain how Job does state the second part of many conditions in the oaths that he swears in that chapter.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explicitly state the implied second part of the condition. Alternate translation: “if my lips speak wickedness, or if my tongue utters deceit, may God punish me severely!” "if my lips speak wickedness,
or my tongue, if it utters deceit"
27:4 j818 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִם־תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה וּ֝לְשׁוֹנִ֗י אִם־יֶהְגֶּ֥ה רְמִיָּֽה 1 Job is using parts of himself, his **lips** and his **tongue**, to mean all of him in the act of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I speak wickedness or utter deceit” "if my lips speak wickedness,
or my tongue, if it utters deceit"
27:4 vg54 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִם־תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה וּ֝לְשׁוֹנִ֗י אִם־יֶהְגֶּ֥ה רְמִיָּֽה 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **wickedness** and **deceit**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “if I say anything that is wicked or deceitful” "if my lips speak wickedness,
or my tongue, if it utters deceit"
27:5 tp64 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom חָלִ֣ילָה לִּי֮ אִם־אַצְדִּ֪יק אֶ֫תְכֶ֥ם 1 Job is using this expression to mean that he would no more **justify** his friends (that is, agree that they are right) than he would commit a **Sacrilege**, that is, do something that he knew would be offensive to God in a religious sense. Your language may have an expression with a similar sense that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “God forbid that I justify you” or “Far be it from me to justify you” Sacrilege to me if I justify you
27:5 n6mb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אֶ֫תְכֶ֥ם 1 The word **you** is plural here because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you
27:5 j819 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism אֶגְוָ֑ע 1 See how you translated the term **expire** in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “I pass away” I expire
27:5 uy2n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹא־אָסִ֖יר תֻּמָּתִ֣י מִמֶּֽנִּי 1 Job is speaking as if his **integrity**, meaning in this case his conviction that he has been acting properly, were a person whom he could **turn away** and make go somewhere else. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will keep insisting that I have been acting properly” I will not turn my integrity away from me
27:6 rv4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּצִדְקָתִ֣י הֶ֭חֱזַקְתִּי וְלֹ֣א אַרְפֶּ֑הָ 1 Job is speaking as if his **righteousness** were literally an object that he was holding onto. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am going to continue to insist that I am righteous” I grasp my righteousness and I will not let it go
27:6 ttu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לֹֽא־יֶחֱרַ֥ף לְ֝בָבִ֗י 1 Job is speaking as if his **heart**, which in this context represents his conscience, were a person who might **reproach** him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will not have a guilty conscience” my heart will not reproach {me
27:6 j820 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives לֹֽא־יֶחֱרַ֥ף לְ֝בָבִ֗י 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **reproach**. Alternate translation: “I will be confident that I have acted properly” my heart will not reproach {me
27:6 j821 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִיָּמָֽי 1 Job is using this expression to describe his lifetime. He means the period extending from his earliest **days** of life to the present. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for as long as I live” from my days
27:7 qkh5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְהִ֣י כְ֭רָשָׁע אֹ֣יְבִ֑י וּמִתְקוֹמְמִ֥י כְעַוָּֽל 1 In this culture, people would make clear that they did not want something to happen to them by saying they wanted it to happen to their enemies. That showed that it was the opposite of what they wanted for themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I do not want to be anything like the wicked or the unrighteous” "May my enemy be like the wicked,
and the one rising up against me like the unrighteous"
27:7 j822 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj כְ֭רָשָׁע & כְעַוָּֽל 1 Job is using the adjectives **wicked** and **unrighteous** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “like wicked people … like unrighteous people” "like the wicked,
& like the unrighteous"
27:7 j823 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּמִתְקוֹמְמִ֥י כְעַוָּֽל 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and may the one rising up against me be like the unrighteous” and the one rising up against me like the unrighteous
27:7 cin4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמִתְקוֹמְמִ֥י 1 Job is speaking as if this person were literally **rising up**, that is, standing up from a seating or lying position, in order to attack him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the one opposing me” and the one rising up against me
27:8 m193 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כִּ֤י מַה־תִּקְוַ֣ת חָ֭נֵף כִּ֣י יִבְצָ֑ע כִּ֤י יֵ֖שֶׁל אֱל֣וֹהַּ נַפְשֽׁוֹ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “For the godless has no hope when he cuts him off, when God takes away his life.” "For what {is} the hope of the godless when he cuts {him} off,
when God takes away his life"
27:8 j824 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns כִּ֤י מַה־תִּקְוַ֣ת חָ֭נֵף 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **hope**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “For what does the godless hope for” or, as a statement, “For the godless has nothing to hope for” For what {is} the hope of the godless
27:8 j825 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָ֭נֵף 1 Job is using the adjective **godless** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a godless person” the godless
27:8 twt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns כִּ֣י יִבְצָ֑ע כִּ֤י יֵ֖שֶׁל אֱל֣וֹהַּ נַפְשֽׁוֹ 1 As the context makes clear, the pronoun **he** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers by naming God in the first part of the verse and using a pronoun in the second part of the verse. Alternate translation: “when God cuts him off, when he takes away his life” "when he cuts {him} off,
when God takes away his life"
27:8 d94d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִבְצָ֑ע 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [6:9](../06/09.md). Alternate translation: “he kills him” or “God kills him” he cuts {him} off
27:9 jh1p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽ֭צַעֲקָתוֹ יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ אֵ֑ל כִּֽי־תָב֖וֹא עָלָ֣יו צָרָֽה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “God will not hear his cry when trouble comes upon him!” "Will God hear his cry
when trouble comes upon him"
27:9 a8tx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הַֽ֭צַעֲקָתוֹ יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ אֵ֑ל 1 Job is using the term **hear** in a specific sense to mean “answer.” Alternate translation: “Will God answer his cry for help” Will God hear his cry
27:9 j826 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification כִּֽי־תָב֖וֹא עָלָ֣יו צָרָֽה 1 Job is speaking of **trouble** as if it were a living thing that could **come upon** a wicked person (for example, as an animal might pounce on its prey). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when he experiences trouble” or “when he gets into trouble” when trouble comes upon him
27:10 kq3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־עַל־שַׁדַּ֥י יִתְעַנָּ֑ג יִקְרָ֖א אֱל֣וֹהַּ בְּכָל־עֵֽת 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “He will not delight himself in the Almighty! He will not call to God in every time!” "If he will delight himself in the Almighty?
Will he call {to} God in every time"
27:11 s3uq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אֶתְכֶ֣ם 1 The word **you** is plural here because Job is addressing his three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. you
27:11 fyx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּיַד־אֵ֑ל 1 Here, **hand** represents the activity of a person by association with the way that people use their hands to do things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “about the activity of God” about the hand of God
27:11 j827 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִם־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י 1 Job is not using this expression to suggest that there are certain things **with** the Almighty, that is, objects that are in his presence. Rather, the expression refers to the things that pertain to the Almighty, meaning his characteristic ways of doing things. In this context, the expression refers to the way that the Almighty actually treats the wicked. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how the Almighty does things” or “how the Almighty actually treats the wicked,” what {is} with the Almighty
27:11 re4m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives לֹ֣א אֲכַחֵֽד 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **conceal**. Alternate translation: “I will reveal” I will not conceal
27:12 j828 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַתֶּ֣ם כֻּלְּכֶ֣ם חֲזִיתֶ֑ם 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **know**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. The ULT does so by using the intensive pronoun **yourselves**. Alternate translation: “all of you have seen this quite clearly” you have seen {this} yourselves, all of you
27:12 j830 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַתֶּ֣ם כֻּלְּכֶ֣ם חֲזִיתֶ֑ם 1 In this context, to **see** means to “experience.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all of you have experienced this quite consistently” you have seen {this} yourselves, all of you
27:12 pnx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְלָמָּה־זֶּ֝֗ה הֶ֣בֶל תֶּהְבָּֽלוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “therefore you should not vainly speak this vanity” why then do you vainly speak this vanity
27:12 j831 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry וְלָמָּה־זֶּ֝֗ה הֶ֣בֶל תֶּהְבָּֽלוּ 1 For emphasis, Job is using a construction in which a subject and its verb come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “why then do you speak this utter vanity” or, as a statement, “you should therefore not speak this utter vanity” why then do you vainly speak this vanity
27:13 g6qh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זֶ֤ה ׀ חֵֽלֶק־אָדָ֖ם רָשָׁ֥ע ׀ עִם־אֵ֑ל 1 Job is speaking as if the punishment that God assigns to a **wicked man** were literally a **portion** or share of goods that God allotted to that person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This is the punishment that God assigns to a wicked man” This {is} the portion of a wicked man with God
27:13 j832 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אָדָ֖ם רָשָׁ֥ע 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a wicked person” a wicked man
27:13 djh6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְֽנַחֲלַ֥ת עָ֝רִיצִ֗ים מִשַּׁדַּ֥י יִקָּֽחוּ 1 Job is speaking as if the punishment that the Almighty assigns to **oppressors** were literally a **heritage** or inheritance that he leaves to them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and this is the punishment that oppressors receive from the Almighty” and the heritage of oppressors, they receive {it} from the Almighty
27:14 f7mj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אִם־יִרְבּ֣וּ בָנָ֣יו לְמוֹ־חָ֑רֶב 1 Job is using the term **sword** by association to mean death, since in this culture people killed others with swords. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Even if a wicked person has many children, they will all die” If his children multiply, {it is} for the sword
27:14 j833 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לָֽחֶם 1 Job is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “food” bread
27:15 dic8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche שְׂ֭רִידָיו בַּמָּ֣וֶת יִקָּבֵ֑רוּ 1 The term **death** could mean: (1) death literally. Alternate translation: “His survivor will die and be buried” (2) a plague, in which case Job would be using a general term for death to mean one specific cause of death. There is a similar use in [Jeremiah 15:2](../15/02.md). In that case Job could also be speaking as if the plague itself had buried this **survivor**, meaning that it had caused his death. Alternate translation: “His survivor will be buried by a plague” or “A plague will kill his survivor” His survivor will be buried in death
27:15 mbb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שְׂ֭רִידָיו 1 This could mean: (1) the wicked person’s last surviving descendant. Alternate translation: “his last survivor” or “the end of his line” (2) not a specific **survivor** but his surviving descendants in general. Alternate translation: “his descendants” His survivor
27:15 p4u3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝אַלְמְנֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִבְכֶּֽינָה 1 In this culture, a man might marry more than one woman, so by **widows**, Job means implicitly that this “wicked man” had more than one wife. You may find it more suitable to use a singular form in your translation. Alternate translation: “and his widow will not lament” and his widows will not lament
27:16 nm9m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יִצְבֹּ֣ר כֶּעָפָ֣ר כָּ֑סֶף וְ֝כַחֹ֗מֶר יָכִ֥ין מַלְבּֽוּשׁ 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **dust** is abundant and **clay mounds** contain great quantities of clay, so a wicked person might acquire **silver** in abundance and **clothing** in great quantities. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “a wicked person acquires an abundant amount of silver and great quantities of clothing” "he heaps up silver like the dust
and he piles up clothing like clay mounds"
27:16 j834 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כָּ֑סֶף 1 Job is using one valuable commodity, **silver**, to represent wealth in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “wealth” silver
27:17 bh15 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְצַדִּ֣יק & נָקִ֥י 1 Job is using the adjectives **righteous** and **innocent** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “but a righteous person … an innocent person” but the righteous & the innocent
27:18 q8ia rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile בָּנָ֣ה כָעָ֣שׁ בֵּית֑וֹ וּ֝כְסֻכָּ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה נֹצֵֽר 1 The point of these comparisons is that the **house** of a **moth**, that is, its cocoon, is very fragile, as is a **hut** that a **guard** would build in a field out of branches to watch over crops during harvest time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “The house that he builds is as fragile as a moth’s cocoon, as rickety as a hut that a guard would build out of branches” "He builds his house as a moth {does},
and like a hut {that} a guard makes"
27:18 inb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בָּנָ֣ה כָעָ֣שׁ בֵּית֑וֹ וּ֝כְסֻכָּ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה נֹצֵֽר 1 While the actual house of a wicked person might become abandoned and collapse from neglect, Job could be using the term **house** to represent the life of that person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The life that he creates for himself is as fragile as a moth’s cocoon, as rickety as a hut that a guard would build from branches” "He builds his house as a moth {does},
and like a hut {that} a guard makes"
27:18 j835 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בָּנָ֣ה כָעָ֣שׁ בֵּית֑וֹ 1 A **moth** is a flying insect that is typically active at night. It begins life as a wingless larva. The larva eventually spins a silk cocoon around itself, and inside that cocoon, it changes into a flying moth. If your readers would not be familiar with what a moth is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable creature that your readers would recognize and that similarly builds a fragile structure. The UST models one way to do this. He builds his house as a moth {does
27:19 la2p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עָשִׁ֣יר יִ֭שְׁכַּב & עֵינָ֖יו פָּקַ֣ח 1 Job is speaking of going to sleep and waking up by association with things that people do when they go to sleep (lie down in bed) and wake up (open their eyes). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He goes to sleep rich … he wakes up” He lies down rich, & he opens his eyes
27:19 b9sa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole עָשִׁ֣יר יִ֭שְׁכַּב & עֵינָ֖יו פָּקַ֣ח 1 Job is making an overstatement to emphasize how quickly a wicked person loses his wealth. He is speaking as if that person would go to sleep rich and wake up with nothing, that is, as if he would lose all of his riches in a single night. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “He may be rich … only a short time passes” He lies down rich, & he opens his eyes
27:19 i6ex rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְלֹ֣א יֵאָסֵ֑ף 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “but he does not continue to be rich” but he does not continue
27:19 x5lq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ 1 This expression means that the wicked person no longer has any possessions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he discovers that he no longer has any possessions” and there is not to him
27:20 zw56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַ֝֗יְלָה גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if a **storm** would literally carry a wicked person away. He means that that person perishes as quickly and unexpectedly as he would if a storm carried him away. It may be more natural in your language to represent this image as a comparison. Alternate translation: “he perishes quickly and unexpectedly, as if a storm had carried him away in the night” a storm carries him away in the night
27:21 l4at rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִשָּׂאֵ֣הוּ קָדִ֣ים וְיֵלַ֑ךְ וִֽ֝ישָׂעֲרֵ֗הוּ מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ 1 Job is continuing to speak as if a **wind** would literally pick up a wicked person and carry him away. If you decided to represent this image as a comparison in the previous verse, you can continue to do that in this verse. Alternate translation: “Yes, it is as if the east wind takes him away, blowing him right out of his home, so that he is gone” "The east wind takes him away, and he leaves;
indeed, it blasts him from his place"
27:21 j836 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit קָדִ֣ים 1 Job lived in a place where there was desert to the **east**, so he is referring implicitly to a strong, hot wind coming from the desert. In your translation, you could refer to the direction from which the strongest and stormiest winds come in your area. The east wind
27:22 wmn4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְיַשְׁלֵ֣ךְ עָ֭לָיו וְלֹ֣א יַחְמֹ֑ל 1 Job is speaking of this wind as if it were a living thing that could hurl itself upon a wicked person and not **pity** him, that is, not show him any mercy. If you decided to represent this image as a comparison in the previous two verses, you can continue to do that in this verse. Alternate translation: “It is as if a violent wind is blowing against him relentlessly” And it hurls {itself} upon him and does not pity
27:22 xs2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication בָּר֥וֹחַ יִבְרָֽח 1 Job is repeating the verb “flee” in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. The specific sense here is that the wicked person is trying desperately to flee from this strong wind. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “he tries desperately to escape” or “it is as if he is trying desperately to escape” fleeing, he flees
27:22 fa8c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִ֝יָּד֗וֹ 1 Here, **hand** represents power. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from its power” from its hand
27:23 kvs2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction יִשְׂפֹּ֣ק עָלֵ֣ימוֹ כַפֵּ֑ימוֹ 1 In this culture, people would clap their hands together as a symbolic action to express negative emotions such as grief, indignation, or derision. In this context, Job is speaking as if the wind were expressing derision at the wicked person. If it would be helpful to your readers, particularly if people in your culture clap their hands together to express positive emotions such as approval and admiration, you could explain the significance of this action in your translation. You could also name a gesture that people in your culture use to express derision. Alternate translation: “It is as if such a wind claps its hands at him in derision” or “It is as if such a wind points its finger derisively at him” It claps its hands at him
27:23 r28v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְיִשְׁרֹ֥ק עָ֝לָ֗יו 1 In this culture, people would make a hissing sound in order to express derision. Job is speaking as if the wind were also expressing derision at the wicked person by making such a sound. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action in your translation. You could also name a sound that people in your culture make in order to express derision. Alternate translation: “and makes a derisive hissing sound” or “and laughs derisively at him” and hisses at him
27:23 j837 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ 1 This could mean: (1) that the wind Job is describing **hisses** at the wicked person from within the home that it has forced him to abandon. (Job says of the wind in verse 21, “it blasts him from his place.”) Alternate translation: “from within his former home, which this wind now occupies” (2) that the wind **hisses** at the wicked person now that he is out of **his place**. Alternate translation: “because he has had to abandon his home” from his place
28:intro i55c 0 # Job 28 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to Bildad and the other two friends. In this part of his speech, Job discusses how people can obtain wisdom. Both he and his friends have stressed the importance of wisdom (for example, in 12:2, 15:8, and 26:3). Job says at the end of this eloquent discussion, “Behold, the fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding.” The implication is that Job, who prizes wisdom so much, would not have disrespected God, committed evil, and thus missed out on having wisdom. So in this chapter, Job gives another important defense of his innocence.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Reference of “it” in verses 13–18\n\nJob introduces the subject of “wisdom” in verse 12. Then, from verse 14 through to the end of the chapter, he refers to wisdom most of the time with the pronouns “it” and “its.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify the referent and say “wisdom” at regular intervals for clarity. Notes suggest how you might do this at various places.
28:1 fb4g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּ֝מָק֗וֹם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and surely there is a place” and a place
28:1 zr9q rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לַזָּהָ֥ב יָזֹֽקּוּ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “where gold is refined” or “where people refine gold” where} they refine gold
28:2 j838 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בַּ֭רְזֶל מֵעָפָ֣ר יֻקָּ֑ח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People take iron from the dust” Iron is taken from the dust
28:2 a9j8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מֵעָפָ֣ר 1 Job is using one part of the ground, the **dust** on its surface, to mean the ground itself. **Iron** is actually **taken** from deep in the ground. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the ground” from the dust
28:2 b12i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝אֶ֗בֶן יָצ֥וּק נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 Job is speaking of the ore from which **copper** is **smelted** as **stone**, since that ore is a type of stone. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and people smelt copper from ore” and one smelts copper {from} stone
28:2 uui9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וְ֝אֶ֗בֶן יָצ֥וּק נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 The term “smelt” means to break ore into pieces and to use great heat to melt it so that a metal such as **copper** will separate from it. If your readers would not be familiar with the process of smelting, you could describe it with a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “and people break up ore and melt it in order to extract copper from it” and one smelts copper {from} stone
28:3 fm47 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit קֵ֤ץ ׀ שָׂ֤ם לַחֹ֗שֶׁךְ 1 Job means implicitly that the person he is describing either brings lights underground, where there is otherwise **darkness**, or opens a mineshaft that lets light in. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Bringing torches underground” or Opening a mine shaft” Setting an end to darkness
28:3 j839 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וּֽלְכָל־תַּ֭כְלִית ה֣וּא חוֹקֵ֑ר אֶ֖בֶן 1 The pronoun **he** refers to a person who is mining for precious metals. It does not refer back to anyone whom Job has mentioned previously. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “a miner searches, to every extremity, for a stone of” "he is searching out, to every extremity,
a stone of"
28:3 l74r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וּֽלְכָל־תַּ֭כְלִית ה֣וּא חוֹקֵ֑ר אֶ֖בֶן 1 Job says **every** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “a miner searches everywhere he can to try to find a stone of” "he is searching out, to every extremity,
a stone of"
28:3 j840 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession אֶ֖בֶן אֹ֣פֶל וְצַלְמָֽוֶת 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe a **stone** that can only be found in **gloom and deep darkness**. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “a stone that can only be found in gloom and deep darkness” a stone of gloom and deep darkness
28:3 j841 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אֶ֖בֶן אֹ֣פֶל וְצַלְמָֽוֶת 1 Job is not referring to a specific **stone**. He means in general stone that contains precious metal, that is, ore. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “ore that can only be found in gloom and deep darkness” a stone of gloom and deep darkness
28:3 sce6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet אֶ֖בֶן אֹ֣פֶל וְצַלְמָֽוֶת 1 The terms **gloom** and **deep darkness** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “ore that can only be found where it is very dark” a stone of gloom and deep darkness
28:3 j842 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶ֖בֶן אֹ֣פֶל וְצַלְמָֽוֶת 1 Job is using the phrase **gloom and deep darkness** by association to mean deep underground, where it is very dark. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “ore that can only be found deep underground” a stone of gloom and deep darkness
28:4 kp1m rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns פָּ֤רַץ נַ֨חַל ׀ מֵֽעִם־גָּ֗ר 1 The pronoun **He** refers once again to a person who is mining for precious metals. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Since Job uses plural forms in the rest of this verse, you may wish to use a plural form here. Alternate translation: “Miners open shafts” He opens a shaft away from habitation
28:4 j843 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מֵֽעִם־גָּ֗ר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **habitation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “far from where people live” away from habitation
28:4 j844 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun הַֽנִּשְׁכָּחִ֥ים מִנִּי־רָ֑גֶל 1 Job is not referring to a specific **foot**. He means feet in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “the ones forgotten by feet” the ones forgotten by the foot
28:4 hz3j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הַֽנִּשְׁכָּחִ֥ים מִנִּי־רָ֑גֶל 1 Job is speaking of a **foot** as if it were a living thing that could be unaware of something. (That is what the term **forgotten** indicates here.) This could be describing: (1) the location of the mines. Job would be saying that they are in remote places where people do not go. In that case the word **foot** would represent people traveling. Alternate translation: “in places where people do not go”(2) the way that people walk on the ground above mines without realizing that miners are at work deep below them. Alternate translation, beginning a new sentence: “The people walking on the ground high above miners do not realize that they are there” the ones forgotten by the foot
28:4 j845 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations מֵאֱנ֣וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “Away from other people” Away from man
28:4 yed2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit דַּ֖לּוּ & נָֽעוּ 1 Job means implicitly that these miners **dangle and swing** from ropes in order to get down into the mines. He is emphasizing the risks that people will take in order to find precious metals. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “they dangle and swing dangerously from ropes in order to get down into their mines” they dangle and swing
28:5 j846 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אֶ֗רֶץ מִמֶּ֥נָּה יֵֽצֵא־לָ֑חֶם וְ֝תַחְתֶּ֗יהָ נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ כְּמוֹ־אֵֽשׁ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. In this verse, Job is drawing a contrast between the ordinary activities that take place on the surface of the earth and the extraordinary, dangerous activities that take place in mines below the earth. Alternate translation: “People grow food on the surface of the earth, but below the surface, people transform the earth by means such as fire” "The earth, from it comes bread,
but beneath it, it is overturned as with fire"
28:5 r3d3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לָ֑חֶם 1 Job is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “food” bread
28:5 mha5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ כְּמוֹ־אֵֽשׁ 1 Job is speaking as if miners literally **overturned** the earth, that is, put on top what had been on the bottom. He is speaking generally of how miners reshape the terrain in which they work. (This could include actual overturning in some cases.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the terrain is reshaped as with fire” or “miners reshape the terrain as with fire” it is overturned as with fire
28:5 p8vk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ כְּמוֹ־אֵֽשׁ 1 Job assumes that his friends will understand that he is using the term **fire** to refer to an ancient mining practice. Miners would build fires against the walls of mines to heat the rock. They would then splash water against the heated rock to cause it to crack. This allowed them to extract ore more readily. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “miners reshape the terrain as they heat rock with fire and then douse it with water to crack it” it is overturned as with fire
28:6 c4dw rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מְקוֹם־סַפִּ֥יר אֲבָנֶ֑יהָ וְעַפְרֹ֖ת זָהָ֣ב לֽוֹ 1 The pronouns **Its** and **it** refer to the earth. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “The stones of the earth contain sapphire, and there is gold in some of the dusts of the earth” "Its stones {are} the place of sapphire,
and dusts of gold {are} to it"
28:6 lw93 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown סַפִּ֥יר 1 A **sapphire** is a rare and valuable blue gemstone. If your readers would not be familiar with what a sapphire is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar gemstone that they would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “valuable gemstones” sapphire
28:7 c71r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נָ֭תִיב לֹֽא־יְדָ֣עוֹ עָ֑יִט 1 Job is referring implicitly to the **path** that miners take into the depths of the earth in search of gemstones and precious metals. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Miners take a route into the depths of the earth that not even a sharp-eyed bird of prey can detect” No bird of prey knows the path
28:7 u8np rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְלֹ֥א שְׁ֝זָפַ֗תּוּ עֵ֣ין אַיָּֽה 1 Job is using one part of a **falcon**, its **eye**, to mean all of it in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “nor has the falcon has seen it” and the eye of the falcon has not seen it
28:7 j847 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְלֹ֥א שְׁ֝זָפַ֗תּוּ עֵ֣ין אַיָּֽה 1 Job is not referring to a specific **falcon**. He means falcons in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “nor have falcons have seen it” and the eye of the falcon has not seen it
28:7 ft9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אַיָּֽה 1 A **falcon** is a bird that eats animals and other birds. If your readers would not be familiar with what a falcon is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar bird that they would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a hawk” the falcon
28:8 zce2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹֽא־הִדְרִיכֻ֥הוּ בְנֵי־שָׁ֑חַץ 1 The expression **son of** describes a person or animal that possesses a certain quality. The word **pride** indicates that the animals Job is describing are confident in their strength and fierceness and are not afraid of other animals. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent idiom from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Even wild beasts that have no fear of going anywhere have not walked it” The sons of pride have not walked it
28:8 j848 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹֽא־הִדְרִיכֻ֥הוּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the “path” that Job described in the previous verse, that is, the route that miners take into the earth. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “have not walked on that path” have not walked it
28:8 ad94 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לֹֽא־עָדָ֖ה עָלָ֣יו שָֽׁחַל 1 Job is not referring to a specific **lion**. He means lions in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “and lions have not passed over it” and the lion has not passed over it
28:9 d3ss rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בַּֽ֭חַלָּמִישׁ שָׁלַ֣ח יָד֑וֹ 1 The pronouns **He** and **his** refer to a miner. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be more natural in your language to use plural forms. Alternate translation: “Miners stretch out their hands against flinty rock” He stretches out his hand against flinty rock
28:9 nh4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בַּֽ֭חַלָּמִישׁ שָׁלַ֣ח יָד֑וֹ הָפַ֖ךְ 1 The expression “stretch out one’s hand against” means to attack something. Job is saying that miners will attack, that is, break up even the hardest kinds of rock in search of valuable materials. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Miners break up even the hardest kinds of rock in search of valuable materials; they overturn” "He stretches out his hand against flinty rock;
he overturns"
28:9 j849 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָפַ֖ךְ מִשֹּׁ֣רֶשׁ הָרִֽים 1 Job is speaking of the ground below mountains as if it were the **roots** of those mountains. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, using a plural form: “they overturn mountains, digging deep below them” he overturns mountains from their roots
28:9 ng34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole הָפַ֖ךְ מִשֹּׁ֣רֶשׁ הָרִֽים 1 Job is speaking as if miners literally turn entire **mountains** upside down. He may be using the term **mountains** to represent great quantities of material. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, and once again it may be more natural in your language to use a plural form. Alternate translation: “miners dislodge great quantities of material from the depths of the earth” he overturns mountains from their roots
28:10 j850 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בַּ֭צּוּרוֹת יְאֹרִ֣ים בִּקֵּ֑עַ וְכָל־יְ֝קָ֗ר רָאֲתָ֥ה עֵינֽוֹ 1 The pronouns **He** and **his** refer to a miner. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be more natural in your language to use plural forms. Alternate translation: “Miners cut out channels among the rocks, and their eyes see every valuable thing” "He cuts out channels among the rocks,
and his eye sees every valuable thing"
28:10 h31b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche רָאֲתָ֥ה עֵינֽוֹ 1 Job is using one part of a miner, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he sees” or “they see” his eye sees
28:10 j851 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְכָל־יְ֝קָ֗ר 1 Job says **every** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and … the many valuable things that the rocks contain” and & every valuable thing
28:11 j852 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מִ֭בְּכִי נְהָר֣וֹת חִבֵּ֑שׁ וְ֝תַעֲלֻמָ֗הּ יֹ֣צִא אֽוֹר 1 The pronouns **He** and **he** refer to a miner. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be more natural in your language to use plural forms. Alternate translation: “Miners bind the torrents from flowing, and they bring hidden things to light” "He binds the torrents from flowing,
and he brings a hidden thing {to} light"
28:11 ar22 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִ֭בְּכִי נְהָר֣וֹת חִבֵּ֑שׁ וְ֝תַעֲלֻמָ֗הּ יֹ֣צִא אֽוֹר 1 Job is speaking as if a miner literally **binds** streams of water to keep them from **flowing**. He means that miners temporarily dam up streams or divert their flow to expose the materials that their waters usually hide. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Miners dam up or divert streams in order to expose what their waters usually hide” "He binds the torrents from flowing,
and he brings a hidden thing {to} light"
28:11 c3wt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֽוֹר 1 Job is using the term **light** by association to describe something that is in view, since people need light in order to see things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “into view” to} light
28:12 n9fd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א וְאֵ֥י זֶ֝ה מְק֣וֹם בִּינָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if **wisdom**, which he also calls **understanding**, could literally be **found** in a **place**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “But how can wisdom be obtained? How can a person get understanding?” "But where is wisdom found?
And where is that, the place of understanding"
28:12 n9fx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א וְאֵ֥י זֶ֝ה מְק֣וֹם בִּינָֽה 1 Job is not using the question form simply for emphasis. He wants his listeners to consider these questions in light of what he has just said. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements. Alternate translation: “But now I want you to consider where wisdom is found. I want you to consider where the place of understanding is” or “But now I want you to consider how wisdom can be obtained. I want you to consider how a person can get understanding” "But where is wisdom found?
And where is that, the place of understanding"
28:12 k2hz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א וְאֵ֥י זֶ֝ה מְק֣וֹם בִּינָֽה 1 Job is drawing an implicit comparison between the difficulty of finding gemstones and precious metals and the even greater difficulty of finding **wisdom** and **understanding**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “But wisdom is even harder to find than gemstones and precious metals. It is harder to know where the place of understanding is than it is to find those things. So I want you to consider how one can obtain wisdom.” "But where is wisdom found?
And where is that, the place of understanding"
28:12 j853 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א וְאֵ֥י זֶ֝ה מְק֣וֹם בִּינָֽה 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “But wisdom is even harder to find than gemstones and precious metals. So I want you to consider how one can obtain wisdom.” "But where is wisdom found?
And where is that, the place of understanding"
28:12 bcr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “But where does one find wisdom” But where is wisdom found
28:13 j854 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations לֹא־יָדַ֣ע אֱנ֣וֹשׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “People do not know” Man does not know
28:13 drv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עֶרְכָּ֑הּ 1 The word translated **disposition** could mean implicitly: (1) where God has put wisdom. Alternate translation: “its location” (2) the value of wisdom. Alternate translation: “its price” its disposition
28:13 j855 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עֶרְכָּ֑הּ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the pronoun **it** refers to wisdom here and through the rest of the chapter. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers at various points in your translation. Alternate translation: “the disposition of wisdom” its disposition
28:13 z9ip rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹ֥א תִ֝מָּצֵ֗א 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “nor can anyone find it” and it is not found
28:13 j856 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַֽחַיִּֽים 1 Job is using the adjective **living** as a noun to mean a certain group of people, those who are alive on earth. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “among the people who live on earth” in the land of the living
28:14 j857 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes תְּה֣וֹם אָ֭מַר לֹ֣א בִי־הִ֑יא וְיָ֥ם אָ֝מַ֗ר אֵ֣ין עִמָּדִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “The deep says that wisdom is not in it, and the sea says that it is not with it” "The deep says, ‘It {is} not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me"
28:14 xi4c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תְּה֣וֹם אָ֭מַר לֹ֣א בִי־הִ֑יא וְיָ֥ם אָ֝מַ֗ר אֵ֣ין עִמָּדִֽי 1 Job is speaking of the **deep** (that is, the depths of the ocean) and of the **sea** (probably meaning its broad expanse) as if they were living things that could speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If the deep could speak, it would say, ‘Wisdom {is} not in me,’ and if the sea could speak, it would say, ‘It is not with me.’” "The deep says, ‘It {is} not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me"
28:14 j858 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism תְּה֣וֹם אָ֭מַר לֹ֣א בִי־הִ֑יא וְיָ֥ם אָ֝מַ֗ר אֵ֣ין עִמָּדִֽי 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “The deep, wide ocean says, ‘It is not in me’” "The deep says, ‘It {is} not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me"
28:15 h4ty rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לֹא־יֻתַּ֣ן סְג֣וֹר תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ וְלֹ֥א יִ֝שָּׁקֵ֗ל כֶּ֣סֶף מְחִירָֽהּ 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “One cannot give gold in exchange for wisdom, nor can one weigh out silver to pay for it” "Gold is not given for it,
nor is silver weighed {for} its price"
28:16 j859 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לֹֽא־תְ֭סֻלֶּה בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִ֑יר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “One cannot measure the value of wisdom with the gold of Ophir” It is not valued with the gold of Ophir
28:16 hg4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis בְּשֹׁ֖הַם יָקָ֣ר וְסַפִּֽיר 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “nor is it valued with precious onyx or sapphire” or “nor can one measure its value with precious onyx or sapphire” with precious onyx or sapphire
28:16 ui38 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בְּשֹׁ֖הַם יָקָ֣ר וְסַפִּֽיר 1 An **onyx** is a valuable gemstone that comes in many colors but is best known in its black color. If your readers would not be familiar with what an onyx is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar gemstone that they would recognize, or you could use a general expression. See how you translated the term “sapphire” in [28:6](../28/06.md). Alternate translation: “with valuable black or blue gemstones” with precious onyx or sapphire
28:17 z7jx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וּזְכוֹכִ֑ית 1 The term **crystal** could be describing: (1) a beautiful natural form that a clear or colored mineral might take, allowing light to shine through it. Your readers might be familiar with a mineral that forms crystals, and if so, you could use its name here in your translation. Alternate translation: “nor quartz” (2) clear, sparkling glass. Alternate translation: “nor sparkling glass” nor crystal
28:18 hgr1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive רָאמ֣וֹת וְ֭גָבִישׁ לֹ֣א יִזָּכֵ֑ר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “One does not mention coral or jasper” Coral and jasper are not mentioned
28:18 j860 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis רָאמ֣וֹת וְ֭גָבִישׁ לֹ֣א יִזָּכֵ֑ר 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “One does not even mention coral or jasper when discussing things that might be worth as much as wisdom” Coral and jasper are not mentioned
28:18 vgj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown רָאמ֣וֹת 1 **Coral** is a beautiful, hard substance that grows on ocean reefs. If your readers would not be familiar with what coral is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “Beautiful seashells” Coral
28:18 sqn7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וְ֭גָבִישׁ 1 The word **jasper** describes a precious stone, often reddish-brown, that often has streaks and markings of other colors. If your readers would not be familiar with what jasper is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable precious stone that they would recognize. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “and precious stones” and jasper
28:18 j861 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מִפְּנִינִֽים 1 The word **rubies** describes brilliant gemstones that are often deep red. If your readers would not be familiar with what rubies are, in your translation you could use the name of a gemstone that they would recognize. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “is more than that of red gemstones” is} more than rubies
28:19 nxz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown פִּטְדַת־כּ֑וּשׁ 1 The word **topaz** describes a valuable gemstone that is often blue or yellow. If your readers would not be familiar with what topaz is, in your translation you could use the name of a gemstone that they would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “The gemstones that come from Cush” The topaz of Cush
28:19 mwy7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names כּ֑וּשׁ 1 The word **Cush** is the name of a place. It is the ancient name for the upper Nile region. Cush
28:19 ycn8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בְּכֶ֥תֶם טָ֝ה֗וֹר לֹ֣א תְסֻלֶּֽה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “one cannot value wisdom in terms of pure gold” it is not valued in pure gold
28:20 jiu5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תָּב֑וֹא וְאֵ֥י זֶ֝֗ה מְק֣וֹם בִּינָֽה 1 See how you translated the similar questions in [28:12](../28/12.md). Alternate translation: “So then people do need to consider very carefully how to obtain wisdom. They should think deeply about how to get understanding.” "From whence, then, does wisdom come?
And where {is} that, the place of understanding"
28:21 j3u4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְֽ֭נֶעֶלְמָה מֵעֵינֵ֣י כָל־חָ֑י וּמֵע֖וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם נִסְתָּֽרָה 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The eyes of no living thing can see it; not even the birds of the heavens can spot it” "It is hidden from the eyes of each living {thing};
even from the birds of the heavens it is concealed"
28:21 bj7x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מֵעֵינֵ֣י 1 Job is using one part of a **living thing**, its **eyes**, to mean all of it in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the sight of” from the eyes of
28:22 j862 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אֲבַדּ֣וֹן וָ֭מָוֶת אָ֣מְר֑וּ בְּ֝אָזְנֵ֗ינוּ שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ שִׁמְעָֽהּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Abaddon and death say that they have heard a rumor of it with their ears” "Abaddon and death say,
We have heard a rumor of it with our ears"
28:22 y7e5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אֲבַדּ֣וֹן וָ֭מָוֶת אָ֣מְר֑וּ בְּ֝אָזְנֵ֗ינוּ שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ שִׁמְעָֽהּ 1 Job is speaking as if **Abaddon** and **death** were living things that could speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If Abaddon and death could speak, they would say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears’” "Abaddon and death say,
We have heard a rumor of it with our ears"
28:22 j863 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet אֲבַדּ֣וֹן וָ֭מָוֶת אָ֣מְר֑וּ בְּ֝אָזְנֵ֗ינוּ שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ שִׁמְעָֽהּ 1 The terms **Abaddon** and **death** mean similar things. As a note to [26:6](../26/06.md) explains, Abaddon is another name for Sheol, the abode of the dead. In this context, the term **death** likely refers by association to the abode of the dead. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “The underworld says, ‘I have heard a rumor of it with my ears’” "Abaddon and death say,
We have heard a rumor of it with our ears"
28:22 j864 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo בְּ֝אָזְנֵ֗ינוּ שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ שִׁמְעָֽהּ 1 The speakers mean that while they have **heard** of wisdom with their **ears**, they have not seen it with their eyes or encountered it in person. So the mention of the **ears**, which might otherwise seem like extra information because the notion is already implicit in the term **heard**, actually serves to limit the statement, You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “We have only heard a rumor of it” We have heard a rumor of it with our ears
28:23 qlj3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱ֭לֹהִים הֵבִ֣ין דַּרְכָּ֑הּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יָדַ֥ע אֶת־מְקוֹמָֽהּ 1 Job is continuing to speak as if wisdom could literally be found in a **place** and that there was a **way** to get there. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God understands how humans can obtain wisdom, yes, he knows how they can become wise” "God understands its way,
and he knows its place"
28:23 j865 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession דַּרְכָּ֑הּ 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe not the **way** that wisdom takes but the **way** that leads to wisdom. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the way that leads to wisdom” its way
28:24 j866 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּי 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the preceding verse that God knew where to find wisdom. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “God knows where to find wisdom because” For
28:24 q6zd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism ה֭וּא לִקְצוֹת־הָאָ֣רֶץ יַבִּ֑יט תַּ֖חַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם יִרְאֶֽה 1 Job is using the two main components of creation, **earth** and the **heavens**, to mean the entire creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “he can see everything in the entire creation” "he looks to the ends of the earth;
he sees beneath all of the heavens"
28:24 j867 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns ה֭וּא & יַבִּ֑יט 1 For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun **he**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **looks**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “he is the one who looks” he looks
28:25 j868 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לָר֣וּחַ מִשְׁקָ֑ל 1 Job is using the term **weight** to mean “force.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “When he determined the force of the wind” When he made the weight for the wind
28:25 l7lk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝מַ֗יִם תִּכֵּ֥ן בְּמִדָּֽה 1 Job is referring implicitly to the rain **waters** that clouds contain. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and apportioned rain waters to the clouds by measure” and apportioned the waters by measure
28:25 j869 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝מַ֗יִם תִּכֵּ֥ן בְּמִדָּֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God literally used a **measure** in order to put the right amount of rain **waters** in the clouds. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and carefully apportioned rain waters to the clouds” and apportioned the waters by measure
28:26 qy1s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לַחֲזִ֥יז קֹלֽוֹת 1 Job is using the expression **the flash of the thunders** by association to mean the bolts of lightning that accompany thunder. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for the lightning bolts” for the flash of the thunders
28:27 j870 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אָ֣ז רָ֭אָהּ וַֽיְסַפְּרָ֑הּ 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God, and the pronoun **it** refers to wisdom. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “then God recognized what wisdom would be, and he described it” then he saw it and recounted it
28:28 j871 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּ֤אמֶר ׀ לָֽאָדָ֗ם הֵ֤ן יִרְאַ֣ת אֲ֭דֹנָי הִ֣יא חָכְמָ֑ה וְס֖וּר מֵרָ֣ע בִּינָֽה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “And he told man that the fear of the Lord was indeed wisdom and that to turn from evil was understanding” "And he said to man,
Behold, the fear of the Lord—that {is} wisdom,
and to turn from evil {is} understanding"
28:28 j872 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations לָֽאָדָ֗ם 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “to humankind” to man
28:28 l4bu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person יִרְאַ֣ת אֲ֭דֹנָי 1 The Lord is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “to fear me” or “to reverence me” the fear of the Lord
28:28 m7dq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְס֖וּר מֵרָ֣ע בִּינָֽה 1 The Lord is speaking as if people should physically **turn** away from evil. He means that if people want to have **understanding**, they should not live in an evil way but instead live in a good way. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and people will obtain understanding if they reject what is evil” and to turn from evil {is} understanding
29:intro eli2 0 # Job 29 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Job’s final response to his three friends. In this chapter, Job recalls the honor he enjoyed and the influence he exercised within his community before he suffered so many misfortunes.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Litany\n\nIn verses 2–6, Job makes a series of statements about what his life was like before his present troubles. He expresses a wish in verse 2 that his life could be like this again, and in verses 3–6 he offers a series of descriptions that each begin with “when” or “as that.” A series of statements such as this is known as a litany. If your readers would recognize what Job is doing, you can translate and format this litany the way the ULT does. If the litany form would not be familiar to your readers, you could help them appreciate it by putting each sentence of the litany on a separate line. See what you did with the similar litany in chapter 12. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make each verse in the litany a separate sentence. For example, you could begin verse 3, “At that time.”\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Reference of “they” in verses 21–25\n\nJob uses “they” in verses 21–25 as an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify a general referent such as “people” at regular intervals for clarity. Notes suggest how you might do that at various places.
29:1 j873 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיֹּ֣סֶף אִ֭יּוֹב שְׂאֵ֥ת מְשָׁל֗וֹ וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 See how you translated the same expression in [27:1](../27/01.md). Alternate translation: “As Job continued his speech, he said” or “Job continued speaking and he said” And Job continued to take up his discourse, and he said
29:2 h8k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִֽי־יִתְּנֵ֥נִי כְיַרְחֵי 1 See how you translated the expression **Who will give** in [11:5–6](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: “Oh that I were as I was in the months of” Who will give me {to be} as {in} the months of
29:2 j875 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כְיַרְחֵי־קֶ֑דֶם כִּ֝ימֵ֗י אֱל֣וֹהַּ יִשְׁמְרֵֽנִי 1 Job is using the terms **months** and **days** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to be as I was in time past, as in the time when God kept me” "to be} as {in} the months of the past,
as {in} the days {when} God was keeping me"
29:3 n6gg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּהִלּ֣וֹ נֵ֭רוֹ עֲלֵ֣י רֹאשִׁ֑י לְ֝אוֹרוֹ אֵ֣לֶךְ חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Job is speaking as if God literally **shone** a **lamp** above and around him so that he could see where to walk even in the **darkness**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when God showed me clearly what to do so that I could make the right choices even in confusing situations” "when his lamp shone over my head,
when} I walked {in} darkness by his light"
29:3 z42n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עֲלֵ֣י רֹאשִׁ֑י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **head**, to mean all of him when speaking as if God **shone** a **lamp** above and around him. He is probably speaking of himself in terms of his head because that would have been the part of him closest to the lamp. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “above and around me” over my head
29:4 bk56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בִּימֵ֣י חָרְפִּ֑י 1 Job is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the time when I was in my prime” in the days of my prime
29:4 j876 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּס֥וֹד אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ עֲלֵ֣י אָהֳלִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if God’s **friendship** were literally an object that had rested **upon** his tent. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when God in friendship blessed my tent” when the friendship of God {was} upon my tent
29:4 d6y9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אָהֳלִֽי 1 As the next two verses indicate, Job is referring to his family by association with the **tent** in which they lived and to his possessions by association with the same **tent**, in which he kept them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my family and my possessions” my tent
29:5 j877 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis סְבִ֖יבוֹתַ֣י נְעָרָֽי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “when my children were still around me” my children around me
29:6 xbc3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בִּרְחֹ֣ץ הֲלִיכַ֣י בְּחֵמָ֑ה וְצ֥וּר יָצ֥וּק עִ֝מָּדִ֗י פַּלְגֵי־שָֽׁמֶן 1 Job is speaking as if his herds used to produce so much milk that there was **butter** everywhere he went, so that when he walked anywhere, it was as if his feet were literally being **bathed** in butter. He is also speaking as if his olive trees used to produce so many olives that it was as if there were literally **streams** of oil coming to him out of the rocks. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when my herds produced milk in great abundance and my olive trees yielded great quantities of oil for me” "when my steps were bathed in butter
and the rock poured out streams of oil for me"
29:6 j878 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בִּרְחֹ֣ץ הֲלִיכַ֣י בְּחֵמָ֑ה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when butter bathed my steps” when my steps were bathed in butter
29:6 bt34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְצ֥וּר 1 Job is not referring to a specific **rock**. He means rocks in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “and the rocks” and the rock
29:7 tvt7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction בָּ֝רְח֗וֹב אָכִ֥ין מוֹשָׁבִֽי 1 Taking a **seat** in the public **square** by the city **gate** was a symbolic action by which Job showed that he was a recognized community leader, a member of the council that settled legal matters for the city residents. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “when I took my seat in the square as a recognized community leader” when} I took my seat in the square
29:8 j879 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְנֶחְבָּ֑אוּ 1 This expression does not mean that these **young men** looked for hiding places where no one would find them. It means that they moved back from the place where the leaders sat, blending into the crowd. The idea is that before Job came, they thought they might have something to contribute to the deliberations after their elders had spoken, as Elihu does in this book starting in chapter 32. But once Job arrived, they knew that his wise counsel would settle matters and they would have no need or opportunity to contribute. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and withdrew” or “and stepped aside out of respect” and hid themselves
29:8 e835 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וִֽ֝ישִׁישִׁים קָ֣מוּ עָמָֽדוּ 1 Rising and standing when Job arrived was a symbolic action that showed respect for his wisdom and place in the community. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and old men rose and stood out of respect for me” and old men rose, they stood
29:8 j880 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet קָ֣מוּ עָמָֽדוּ 1 The terms **rose** and **stood** mean similar things. Job is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “stood to their feet” rose, they stood
29:9 c8d6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עָצְר֣וּ בְמִלִּ֑ים 1 Job is using the term **words** to mean what these **princes** had been saying by using words before he arrived. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “stopped speaking” refrained from words
29:9 j881 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וְ֝כַ֗ף יָשִׂ֥ימוּ לְפִיהֶֽם 1 Since Job is speaking of many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural forms of **hand** and **mouth**. Alternate translation: “and they put their hands on their mouths” or “and they covered their mouths with their hands” and they put a hand on their mouth
29:9 v8ym rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְ֝כַ֗ף יָשִׂ֥ימוּ לְפִיהֶֽם 1 Covering the **mouth** with the **hand** prevents a person from speaking. While the **princes** could simply have stopped talking without doing that, they did it as a symbolic action to show respect for Job, indicating that there was nothing they could say that would be more valuable than what he would say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and they covered their mouths with their hands to indicate respectfully that there was nothing they could say that would be more valuable than what I would say” and they put a hand on their mouth
29:10 j882 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns קוֹל & וּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗ם & לְחִכָּ֥ם 1 Since Job is speaking of many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural forms of **voice**, **tongue**, and **palate**. Alternate translation: “The voices of … and their tongues … to their palates” The voice of & and their tongue & to their palate
29:10 u1bb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive קוֹל־נְגִידִ֥ים נֶחְבָּ֑אוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The nobles hushed their voices” The voice of the nobles—they were hushed
29:10 nm6j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗ם לְחִכָּ֥ם דָּבֵֽקָה 1 Job is speaking as if the **tongue** of each noble literally **stuck** to his **palate**, that is, to the roof of his mouth. He means that they did not say anything, as no one could say anything if his tongue truly had become stuck in this way. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they did not say anything” and their tongue stuck to their palate
29:11 j883 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the preceding verses that these various groups of people kept silent when he arrived at the city gate. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “They all kept silent because” For
29:11 n94l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֹ֣זֶן שָׁ֭מְעָה וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי 1 Job is using one part of each of these community members, his **ear**, to mean all of him in the act of hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they heard me and they blessed me” the ear heard, and they blessed me
29:11 j884 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns אֹ֣זֶן שָׁ֭מְעָה 1 If you decide to retain the term **ear** in your translation to mean hearing, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of that word, since Job is speaking about many people. Alternate translation: “their ears heard” the ear heard
29:11 j885 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַֽתְּאַשְּׁרֵ֑נִי 1 Job means implicitly that the people **blessed** him for giving such wise, godly counsel. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and they blessed me for giving such wise, godly counsel” and they blessed me
29:11 t3tu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְעַ֥יִן רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה וַתְּעִידֵֽנִי 1 Job is using the term **eye** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and when they perceived that the advice I had given was wise, they attested that I had said the right thing” and the eye saw, and they attested me
29:11 j886 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וְעַ֥יִן רָ֝אֲתָ֗ה 1 If you decide to retain the term **ear** in your translation to mean hearing, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of that word, since Job is speaking about many people. Alternate translation: “and their eyes saw” and the eye saw
29:12 j887 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עָנִ֣י & וְ֝יָת֗וֹם & לֽוֹ 1 Job is using the adjectives **afflicted** and **fatherless** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “poor people who were … and fatherless people … to them” the afflicted & and the fatherless & to him
29:12 amrf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive עָנִ֣י 1 The term **afflicted** may seem like a passive verbal form, but it is actually an adjective. It indicates people who are suffering from affliction, not people whom others have afflicted. However, if your language does not use passive verbal forms, it may be more natural to express this idea with a term other than “afflicted.” Alternate translation: “people who were suffering from affliction” the afflicted
29:13 ui1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בִּרְכַּ֣ת אֹ֭בֵד עָלַ֣י תָּבֹ֑א וְלֵ֖ב אַלְמָנָ֣ה אַרְנִֽן 1 Job is not referring to a specific person who was **perishing** or to a specific **widow**. He means those types of people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “The blessing of people who were perishing came upon me, and I gladdened the hearts of widows” "The blessing of the one perishing came upon me,
and I gladdened the heart of the widow"
29:13 qs27 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בִּרְכַּ֣ת אֹ֭בֵד עָלַ֣י תָּבֹ֑א 1 Job is speaking of the **blessing** that he received from someone who was **perishing** as if it were a living thing that could come **upon** him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “People who were perishing blessed me” The blessing of the one perishing came upon me
29:13 v84a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְלֵ֖ב אַלְמָנָ֣ה אַרְנִֽן 1 Job is using one part of a **widow**, her **heart**, to mean all of her in the act of feeling joy. Here the **heart** represents the feelings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I made widows rejoice” or “and I gave widows reason to rejoice” and I gladdened the heart of the widow
29:14 j888 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication צֶ֣דֶק לָ֭בַשְׁתִּי וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁ֑נִי 1 Job is repeating the verb **clothed** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “I wrapped righteousness all around me” I clothed myself {with} righteousness, and it clothed me
29:14 r9i7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor צֶ֣דֶק לָ֭בַשְׁתִּי וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁ֑נִי 1 Job is speaking as if he literally **clothed** himself with **righteousness** during the time that he is describing. In this context, the image of clothing represents the character of a person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I was very careful to practice righteousness” I clothed myself {with} righteousness, and it clothed me
29:14 j889 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns צֶ֣דֶק לָ֭בַשְׁתִּי וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁ֑נִי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **righteousness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “I was very careful to be righteous in my dealings with people” I clothed myself {with} righteousness, and it clothed me
29:14 rc4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כִּֽמְעִ֥יל וְ֝צָנִ֗יף מִשְׁפָּטִֽי 1 In this comparison, clothing once again represents the character of a person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I was also careful to make sure that people received justice” my justice {was} like a robe and a turban
29:14 qe3s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession מִשְׁפָּטִֽי 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe not **justice** that he received but just decisions that he helped the city leaders make. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the just decisions that I helped the city leaders make were” my justice {was
29:15 z9qd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עֵינַ֣יִם הָ֭יִיתִי לַֽעִוֵּ֑ר וְרַגְלַ֖יִם לַפִּסֵּ֣חַ אָֽנִי 1 Job is speaking as if he had literally been **eyes** and **feet** that other people needed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I saw and read things to help people who could not see, and I went places on behalf of people who could not go to those places themselves” "I was eyes to the blind,
and I {was} feet to the lame"
29:15 qwg2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לַֽעִוֵּ֑ר & לַפִּסֵּ֣חַ 1 Job is using the adjectives **blind** and **lame** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “for blind people … for lame people” "to the blind,
& to the lame"
29:16 dv24 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָ֣ב & לָֽאֶבְיוֹנִ֑ים 1 Job is speaking as if he had literally been a **father** to **needy** people. He means that he fulfilled the role of a father by being a protector and advocate. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a protector of the needy” or “an advocate for the needy” a father to the needy
29:16 j890 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לָֽאֶבְיוֹנִ֑ים 1 Job is using the adjective **needy** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “to needy people” to the needy
29:16 j891 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְרִ֖ב לֹא־יָדַ֣עְתִּי אֶחְקְרֵֽהוּ 1 Job is referring implicitly to a **case** whose details he did not **know** before someone brought it to the city gate for adjudication. Job did not know these details because he was not personally acquainted with the person bringing the case. So he was not motivated by friendship or family loyalty, but simply by the interests of justice. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and I made sure that each person got justice even if he was not a friend or relative of mine” and the case {that} I did not know, I examined it
29:17 rxh7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וָֽ֭אֲשַׁבְּרָה מְתַלְּע֣וֹת עַוָּ֑ל וּ֝מִשִּׁנָּ֗יו אַשְׁלִ֥יךְ טָֽרֶף 1 Job is speaking as if an **unrighteous** person had been a wild animal that was holding a vulnerable person like captured **prey** in its **teeth** and as if he had broken the **jaws** of this animal so that they could no longer hold the vulnerable person, who would **drop** out to safety. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And when an unrighteous person had coerced a vulnerable person into an oppressive arrangement, I made the unrighteous person release the vulnerable person from that arrangement” "And I broke the jaws of the unrighteous,
and I made the prey drop from his teeth"
29:17 h48z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עַוָּ֑ל & וּ֝מִשִּׁנָּ֗יו 1 Job is using the adjective **unrighteous** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “unrighteous people, and … from their teeth” "the unrighteous,
and & from his teeth"
29:18 j892 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וָ֭אֹמַר עִם־קִנִּ֣י אֶגְוָ֑ע וְ֝כַח֗וֹל אַרְבֶּ֥ה יָמִֽים 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “And I said that I would expire in my nest and that I would multiply days like sand” "And I said, ‘I will expire in my nest,
and I will multiply days like sand"
29:18 j893 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure וָ֭אֹמַר עִם־קִנִּ֣י אֶגְוָ֑ע וְ֝כַח֗וֹל אַרְבֶּ֥ה יָמִֽים 1 Since Job would live a long life before expiring, it might be more natural to put the second phrase before the first one. Alternate translation: “I will multiply days like sand, and then I will expire in my nest” "And I said, ‘I will expire in my nest,
and I will multiply days like sand"
29:18 j894 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism אֶגְוָ֑ע 1 See how you translated the term **expire** in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “I will pass away” I will expire
29:18 mx7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עִם־קִנִּ֣י 1 Job is speaking of his home as if it were literally a **nest** such as a bird would live in. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in my own home” in my nest
29:18 ree7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְ֝כַח֗וֹל אַרְבֶּ֥ה יָמִֽים 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **sand** consists of a very large number of grains, so Job expected to live for a very large number of days. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “after I have lived for very many days” or “after I have lived for a long time” and I will multiply days like sand
29:19 j895 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes שָׁרְשִׁ֣י פָת֣וּחַ אֱלֵי־מָ֑יִם וְ֝טַ֗ל יָלִ֥ין בִּקְצִירִֽי 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation in a such way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: “I said that my root was spread out to the waters and that the dew lodged on my branch” "My root is spread out to the waters,
and the dew lodges on my branch"
29:19 f52q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שָׁרְשִׁ֣י פָת֣וּחַ אֱלֵי־מָ֑יִם וְ֝טַ֗ל יָלִ֥ין בִּקְצִירִֽי 1 Job spoke of himself in those days as if he were literally a tree that was healthy and flourishing because it was getting all the moisture that it required. Since Job is describing what he used to say, it may be good to retain this image in your translation, but if it would be more natural in your language, you could express it as a comparison. Alternate translation: “I said that I was like a tree that was healthy and flourishing because it was getting all the moisture that it required through roots that reached down to ground water and through dew that formed at night on its branches” "My root is spread out to the waters,
and the dew lodges on my branch"
29:19 j896 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns שָׁרְשִׁ֣י פָת֣וּחַ & בִּקְצִירִֽי 1 Since Job was speaking of many roots and branches, it may be more natural in your language to use plural forms here. Alternate translation: “My roots are spread out … on my branches” My root is spread out & on my branch
29:19 j897 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝טַ֗ל יָלִ֥ין בִּקְצִירִֽי 1 Job was speaking as if the **dew** had been a traveler that had found lodging for the night on a **branch** of the tree that he was using to represent himself. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and dew forms at night on my branches” and the dew lodges on my branch
29:20 j898 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כְּ֭בוֹדִי חָדָ֣שׁ עִמָּדִ֑י וְ֝קַשְׁתִּ֗י בְּיָדִ֥י תַחֲלִֽיף 1 If you have been translating this quotation in such a way that there is not a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: “I said that my glory was fresh in me and that my bow sprouted in my hand” "My glory {is} fresh in me,
and my bow sprouts in my hand"
29:20 j899 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כְּ֭בוֹדִי חָדָ֣שׁ עִמָּדִ֑י 1 Job means implicitly that the **glory** or honor that he enjoys is always **fresh** because people keep honoring him in new ways. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “People keep honoring me in new ways” My glory {is} fresh in me
29:20 bz9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝קַשְׁתִּ֗י בְּיָדִ֥י תַחֲלִֽיף 1 Job is speaking as if he had a **bow**, a weapon that he used with arrows, and that it grew freshly in his **hand** the way that a branch sprouts from a tree trunk. (Job uses the same verb for “sprout” in [14:7–9](../14/07.md) to describe a tree reviving and sending out shoots when moisture returns to the ground.) He means that the bow, which represents his strength, is lively and vigorous. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I stay vigorously strong” and my bow sprouts in my hand
29:21 j901 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לִֽי־שָׁמְע֥וּ וְיִחֵ֑לּוּ 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Because people were waiting to hear what I would say, they listened to me” They listened to me and they waited
29:21 j900 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns שָׁמְע֥וּ 1 **They** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. (As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Job continues to use the pronoun “they” with this same indefinite sense through to the end of the chapter.) If it would be helpful in your language, here and in the following verses you could translate the term with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “People listened” They listened
29:22 j902 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אַחֲרֵ֣י דְ֭בָרִי 1 Job is using the term **word** to mean what he said by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “After I had spoken” After my word
29:22 l3t7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝עָלֵ֗ימוֹ תִּטֹּ֥ף מִלָּתִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if his speech literally **dripped**, that is, fell in drops, on his listeners. He means that it was refreshing and invigorating to them, like gentle rain. This enabled them to recognize that he was giving sound advice. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for what I said was refreshing to them” for my speech dripped on them
29:23 g4bi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְיִֽחֲל֣וּ כַמָּטָ֣ר לִ֑י 1 The point of this comparison is that just as people are eager for rain to fall and water their crops, so Job’s listeners were eager to hear him speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “And people as waited eagerly to hear me speak as they wait for rain to fall on their crops” And they waited for me as {for} rain
29:23 dye5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝פִיהֶ֗ם פָּעֲר֥וּ לְמַלְקֽוֹשׁ 1 Job is using a complex image here. First, he is speaking as if the people listening to him were literally the ground. Second, he is speaking of the ground soaking up rainfall as if it were opening its **mouth** to drink water. Job does not mean that the people opened their mouths to speak; he is actually describing them listening. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Yes, they were eager to listen to everything I said, just as the dry ground soaks up the latter rain when it falls” and they opened their mouth {as} for the latter rain
29:23 v5kv rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown לְמַלְקֽוֹשׁ 1 In the region where the book of Job was composed, people would plant crops in the fall. Rain at that time would help the crops start growing. But farmers depended on later rains, which would fall in the spring after an interval during which little rain fell, to enable the crops grow to maturity. Express this in a way that would be meaningful to your readers. Alternate translation: “as for the rain that falls again after the dry season” as} for the latter rain
29:24 j903 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֶשְׂחַ֣ק אֲ֭לֵהֶם לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ינוּ 1 The pronouns **them** and **they** refer to people who were in desperate situations and did not **believe** that they would get justice or receive help. Alternate translation: “I smiled on people who felt desperate and hopeless” I smiled on them {when} they did not believe
29:24 vxz9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֶשְׂחַ֣ק אֲ֭לֵהֶם לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ינוּ 1 Job is describing one thing he did to encourage despondent people, he **smiled on them**, to mean all that he did to encourage them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I encouraged people who felt desperate and hopeless” I smiled on them {when} they did not believe
29:24 b3dw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְא֥וֹר פָּ֝נַ֗י לֹ֣א יַפִּילֽוּן 1 Job is speaking as if there had been light shining from his face. He is describing a cheerful facial expression that indicated hope and a favorable disposition. Job is also using a further characteristic image for facial expressions. In this culture, people would say that someone “lifted up” his face if he made a cheerful expression but that his face “fell” if he made a gloomy expression. Job means that he did not let the situations of the people he wanted to help discourage him. Job is combining the two images and saying that they did not cause the light of his face to fall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a different image that has this meaning or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I did not let their situations discourage me” and they did not cause the light of my face to fall
29:25 azd4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure אֶֽבֲחַ֣ר דַּרְכָּם֮ וְאֵשֵׁ֪ב רֹ֥אשׁ 1 Since Job **chose** the **way** for the people of his community because he was their **chief**, it might be more natural to reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “I sat as a chief and I chose their way” I chose their way and I sat as a chief
29:25 nhm5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֶֽבֲחַ֣ר דַּרְכָּם֮ 1 Job is speaking of what he determined his community should do as if that were a **way** or path for the people to walk along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I guided them about the right things to do” I chose their way
29:25 gh9m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאֵשֵׁ֪ב רֹ֥אשׁ 1 Job is describing how he held the position of a **chief** by association with the way he **sat** in a place reserved for such a leader. (He refers similarly to “my seat” in verse 7.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I was their chief” and I sat as a chief
29:25 dv86 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְ֭אֶשְׁכּוֹן כְּמֶ֣לֶךְ בַּגְּד֑וּד 1 In this culture, kings would accompany their armies into the field as their commanders. The point of this comparison is probably that just as the authority of a **king** would be unquestioned within his **army**, so people did not question Job’s directions as their leader. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and everyone respected my authority” and I dwelt like a king in an army
29:25 nmq6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲבֵלִ֣ים יְנַחֵֽם 1 Job makes this further comparison to specify that he led the community gently and in its own best interests. He did not exercise his authority in an arbitrary, despotic way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “but I was gentle and encouraging as a leader” as when one comforts mourners
30:intro u96h 0 # Job 30 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Job’s final response to his three friends.\n- Verses 1–14: Job describes the disrespect he now experiences because he has suffered so many misfortunes\n- Verses 15–19: Job describes his sufferings\n- Verses 20–23: Job addresses God directly to complain that God has not helped him\n- Verses 34–31: Job describes how he is suffering even though he helped others when they suffered\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Reference of “they” in verses 2–10\n\nIn verses 2–10, Job uses the pronouns “they,” “them,” and “their” to mean the young men who now treat him disrespectfully. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify this reference at regular intervals for clarity. Various notes suggest ways to do that. (In verse 5, as a note will clarify, one instance of “they” refers to other people.)
30:1 bw8l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj צְעִירִ֥ים מִמֶּ֗נִּי לְיָ֫מִ֥ים 1 Job is using the adjective phrase **fewer in days** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. (He is contrasting his present situation, in which younger people now disrespect him, with the way that “young men” formerly withdrew respectfully from his presence and “old men” stood up out of respect for him, as he described in [29:8](../29/08.md).) Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “those who are much younger than I am” the fewer in days than me
30:1 ghr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲשֶׁר־מָאַ֥סְתִּי אֲבוֹתָ֑ם לָ֝שִׁ֗ית עִם־כַּלְבֵ֥י צֹאנִֽי 1 The implications of this statement is that the **fathers** of the young men who now **laugh at** Job were shiftless and incompetent. This could mean: (1) that Job would not employ these men to do even such menial tasks as shepherd **dogs** do. Alternate translation: “whose fathers I could not even employ to do menial tasks” (2) that Job would not specifically employ these men as shepherds for his flocks, working with his sheepdogs. Alternate translation: “whose fathers I would not even employ as shepherds” whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock
30:2 dkd7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion כֹּ֣חַ יְ֭דֵיהֶם לָ֣מָּה לִּ֑י 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I have no use for the strength of their hands!” or “the strength of their hands is useless to me!” the strength of their hands, for what {is it} to me
30:2 j904 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כֹּ֣חַ יְ֭דֵיהֶם לָ֣מָּה לִּ֑י 1 Job is using one part of these young men, their **hands**, to mean all of them in the act of using **strength** to work. As the rest of the verse indicates, these young men have only feeble strength. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have no use for their feeble strength!” or “their feeble strength is useless to me!” the strength of their hands, for what {is it} to me
30:2 n58x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ אָ֣בַד כָּֽלַח 1 Job is speaking of **old age** as if it were a living thing that has **perished** in these young men. Eliphaz uses the same term for “old age” in 5:26. There it means the maturity and accomplishment that come from a long life well lived. Here the term seems to indicate the vigor that someone would have in his youth that would enable him to live such a long life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They have lost the vigor that would have enabled them to live a long life” or “They have lost their youthful vigor” In them old age has perished
30:2 b5gi rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the pronoun **them** refers to the young men who now treat Job disrespectfully, as do the pronouns “they,” “them,” and “their” in verses 4–10. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “In these young men” In them
30:3 j6n1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַֽעֹרְקִ֥ים צִיָּ֑ה 1 Job is speaking of the **dry land** by association to mean the roots that grow in the land, as the next verse makes clear. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. It may also be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “These young men gnaw on the roots that they find in the ground” ones gnawing the dry land
30:3 j905 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom צִיָּ֑ה אֶ֝֗מֶשׁ שׁוֹאָ֥ה וּמְשֹׁאָֽה 1 The term **yesterday** could mean: (1) time gone by. Alternate translation: “the land that has long been dry, a waste and desolation” (2) the darkness of the night that precedes day. Alternate translation: “the dry land in the gloom of waste and desolation” the dry land yesterday {in} waste and desolation
30:3 i6mn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys שׁוֹאָ֥ה וּמְשֹׁאָֽה 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **desolation** tells what kind of **waste** this is. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “in a desolate wasteland” in} waste and desolation
30:4 lbt6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מַלּ֣וּחַ 1 The word **mallow** describes a kind of flowering plant whose leaves are edible. Your language may have a name of its own for this plant that you could use in your translation. If your readers would not be familiar with the plant, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “desert plants” mallow
30:4 dz4r rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וְשֹׁ֖רֶשׁ רְתָמִ֣ים לַחְמָֽם 1 Since Job is speaking of many roots, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **root**. Alternate translation: “and the roots of broom trees are their bread” and the root of broom trees {is} their bread
30:4 j906 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown רְתָמִ֣ים 1 A **broom** tree is a kind of shrub that grows in desert areas. If your readers would not be familiar with this shrub, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable one that they would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “shrubs” broom trees
30:4 c9mn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לַחְמָֽם 1 Job is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. While the roots of the **broom** tree are edible, they have a bitter taste, and only a desperate person would eat them. So there is a sense here that the people whom Job is describing eat these roots out of desperation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is their food” or “is all they have to eat” is} their bread
30:5 k9yz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְגֹרָ֑שׁוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People drive these young men out” They are driven out
30:5 j907 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִן־גֵּ֥ו 1 Job means implicitly that these young men are **driven out** from the **midst** of human community. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “from society” from the midst
30:5 j908 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָרִ֥יעוּ עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ 1 Here the pronoun **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. It means the people of society in general. (The pronoun **them** refers to the young men whom Job has been describing.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “people shout after these young men” they shout after them
30:5 lwr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּגַּנָּֽב 1 Job is speaking of people chasing others away, so this seems to be a reference to people shouting at a would-be **thief** in order to call attention to him and get him to flee before he steals something. Job is probably not referring to people shouting to get others to pursue and apprehend a thief who has already stolen something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “as they would shout to chase away a would-be thief” as {after} a thief
30:6 f7j8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לִשְׁכֹּ֑ן 1 This phrase indicates the result of what Job describes in the previous verse, “They are driven out from the midst.” It may be helpful to indicate that explicitly, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “As a result, they have to live” to dwell
30:6 j909 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בַּעֲר֣וּץ נְחָלִ֣ים 1 Since Job is speaking of the slopes of many **wadis**, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **slope**. Alternate translation: “on the slopes of wadis” on the slope of wadis
30:6 j910 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche חֹרֵ֖י עָפָ֣ר 1 Job is using one part of the ground, the **dust** on its surface, to mean the ground itself. **Iron** is actually **taken** from deep in the ground. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in holes in the ground” in} holes of the dust
30:7 kkv4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִנְהָ֑קוּ 1 Job is speaking as if these young men literally **bray** as if they were donkeys. He likely means that they moan with hunger, as wild animals cry out when they need food. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “these young men moan with hunger” they bray
30:7 dmg5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְסֻפָּֽחוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they gather together” they are gathered together
30:8 juk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בְּֽנֵי־נָ֭בָל גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י בְלִי־שֵׁ֑ם 1 Job is not referring to a specific **fool** or person **without a name**. He means such people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express these meanings by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “Sons of fools, indeed, sons of people without names” Sons of a fool, indeed, sons of {one} without a name
30:8 h66q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis בְּֽנֵי־נָ֭בָל גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י בְלִי־שֵׁ֑ם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be helpful to your readers. However, you might also leave the words out in order to show the force of this exclamation, with which Job concludes his description of these young men. Alternate translation: “These young men are sons of fools! Indeed, they are sons of people without names” Sons of a fool, indeed, sons of {one} without a name
30:8 i8tx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּֽנֵי־נָ֭בָל גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י בְלִי־שֵׁ֑ם 1 In this context, the expression **sons of** describes people who share the qualities of something. Job is using this expression to describe the behavior and character of these young men. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. The word **fool** here does not indicate someone who lacks intelligence or education; it means someone who chooses to disobey God, thinking there will be no consequences. The word **name** here means a good reputation. Alternate translation: “People who foolishly think they can disobey God! No wonder they are people of no reputation” Sons of a fool, indeed, sons of {one} without a name
30:8 wl4w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נִ֝כְּא֗וּ מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People scourge them from the land” They are scourged from the land
30:8 r31i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נִ֝כְּא֗וּ מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ 1 Job is using one means by which authorities might drive such young men out of the community, by scourging (whipping) them, to mean all of the ways in which they would drive them out. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They are driven from the land” or “People drive them from the land” They are scourged from the land
30:9 v6wt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נְגִינָתָ֣ם 1 Job means implicitly that these young men are singing about him disrespectfully. Your language may have a term that you could use to indicate that in your translation. Alternate translation: “the subject of their taunt-song” their song
30:9 u5hm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וָאֱהִ֖י לָהֶ֣ם לְמִלָּֽה 1 The meaning of the term **word** here is the same as the meaning of the term “saying” in [17:6](../17/06.md). Job means that these young men are citing him by name as an outstanding example of someone who seemed to be prospering because he was righteous but who came to ruin because he was actually wicked. Your language may have an expression for this practice of citing people by name as examples, and you may be able to use that expression in your translation. See how you translated the term “saying” in [17:6](../17/06.md). and I am a word for them
30:10 j911 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction רָ֣חֲקוּ מֶ֑נִּי 1 Staying **away from** Job, that is, not approaching him or speaking with him, was a symbolic action that conveyed disrespect and disapproval. Even though physically it was the same thing that young men formerly did to show respect for Job, discreetly withdrawing from his presence, now it had the opposite meaning. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “they stay away from me to show their disapproval” or “they shun me” they stay away from me
30:10 sx1h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י לֹא־חָ֥שְׂכוּ רֹֽק 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **withhold**. Alternate translation: “but they spit in my face” but from my face they do not withhold spit
30:10 j912 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י לֹא־חָ֥שְׂכוּ רֹֽק 1 Spitting in Job’s face was a symbolic action that showed contempt for him as someone who was presumably a sinner. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. See how you translated the similar expression in [17:6](../17/06.md). Alternate translation: “but they spit contemptuously in my face” but from my face they do not withhold spit
30:10 j913 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י לֹא־חָ֥שְׂכוּ רֹֽק 1 Job does not mean that these young men **spit** at him from a distance, even though he says that they **stay away** from him. He means that when they must unavoidably pass near him, they use the occasion to spit in his face. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “but they spit contemptuously in my face when they pass by” but from my face they do not withhold spit
30:11 j914 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns פִ֭תַּח & שִׁלֵּֽחוּ 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God, and the pronoun **they** refers to the young men whom Job has been describing. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God has loosed … these young men cast away” he has loosed & they cast away
30:11 r95h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִתְרִ֣י פִ֭תַּח 1 Job is speaking as if God has in some way literally **loosed** a **cord** that belongs to him or pertains to him. This could mean: (1) that God has loosened the bowstring on a bow that belongs to Job, so that the bow is no longer useful. The bow would represent Job’s strength. Alternate translation: “he has taken away my strength” (2) that God has released a cord that was holding up the tent in which Job lived, so that the tent has collapsed. The tent would represent Job’s life. Alternate translation: “he has ruined my life” he has loosed my cord
30:11 sq6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝רֶ֗סֶן & שִׁלֵּֽחוּ 1 Job is speaking as if **restraint** were literally an object that people could **cast away**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so they act without restraint” so they cast away restraint
30:11 pll3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפָּנַ֥י 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “in my presence” from my face
30:12 j915 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עַל־יָמִין֮ פִּרְחַ֪ח יָ֫ק֥וּמוּ 1 Job is using the adjective **right** as a noun to mean his right side. Your language may also use adjectives this way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “On my right side the brood arise” On {my} right the brood arise
30:12 z8g5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַל־יָמִין֮ פִּרְחַ֪ח יָ֫ק֥וּמוּ 1 The right side was usually the most dangerous side on which to approach an enemy soldier, since a majority of soldiers were right-handed and would use their right hands and arms to wield their swords. The implication is that these young men have no fear of what Job might do to them. Alternate translation: “Without fear the brood arise” On {my} right the brood arise
30:12 u9wm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פִּרְחַ֪ח 1 Job is speaking of these young men as if they were the **brood** of a bird or animal. The image is of a cluster of immature offspring moving agitatedly about. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “the rabble” the brood
30:12 l5wg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche רַגְלַ֥י שִׁלֵּ֑חוּ 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **foot**, to mean all of him in the act of walking. He probably means that as he is walking on the road, when these young men are approaching from the opposite direction, they do not stand respectfully aside so that he can pass. Instead, they shove him out of the way so that they can pass. When young men traveling in the same direction overtake him, they similarly push him aside so that they can go by. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “on the roads, they push me out of the way” they thrust aside my foot
30:12 j916 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיָּסֹ֥לּוּ עָ֝לַ֗י אָרְח֥וֹת אֵידָֽם 1 Job is speaking of siege mounds by association with the way that they provide **roads** or ways for attacking armies to get into cities and cause their **destruction**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they build siege mounds against me” and they pile up roads of destruction against me
30:12 tdu8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּסֹ֥לּוּ עָ֝לַ֗י אָרְח֥וֹת אֵידָֽם 1 Job is speaking as if he were a city and these young men were literally building siege mounds in order to conquer that city. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they look for ways to attack me” and they pile up roads of destruction against me
30:13 sv3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נָתְס֗וּ נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥י 1 Job is speaking as if there were literally a **path** that he could take to escape from the attacks of these young men and that they are destroying it so that Job cannot use it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They prevent me from escaping” They destroy my path
30:13 x9pd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְהַוָּתִ֥י יֹעִ֑ילוּ 1 Job is speaking as if **calamity** were literally an object that these young men could move forward, farther along its route to a destination. He means that in addition to all the bad things that have happened to him, they do further bad things to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they add to my sufferings” they advance my calamity
30:13 ayx7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹ֖א עֹזֵ֣ר לָֽמוֹ 1 This could mean: (1) that they do despicable things to Job that no decent person would join them in doing. Alternate translation: “they do things to me that no decent person would do” (2) that they are contemptible people. This may be a popular expression indicating that. Alternate translation: “they are contemptible people” there is} no help for them
30:14 b1fx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כְּפֶ֣רֶץ רָחָ֣ב יֶאֱתָ֑יוּ תַּ֥חַת שֹׁ֝אָ֗ה הִתְגַּלְגָּֽלוּ 1 Job is continuing the image of himself as a city and these young men as a besieging army. He is describing an attack in full force: The army has made a **wide breach** in the city wall and the soldiers are pouring through it. Job says within this image that they **roll on**, perhaps like waves of the sea, one wave after another. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “These young men attack me without restraint, time and time again” "As {through} a wide breach they come;
amid the ruin they roll on"
30:15 su3j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הָהְפַּ֥ךְ עָלַ֗י בַּלָּ֫ה֥וֹת 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The word **Terrors** could indicate: (1) things that create fear or terror. Alternate translation: “Terrible things keep happening to me” (2) terrors or fears themselves. Alternate translation: “I have many fears” Terrors are turned against me
30:15 j917 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תִּרְדֹּ֣ף & נְדִבָתִ֑י 1 Job is speaking of these **Terrors** as if they were living things that could **pursue** him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “each one deprives me of dignity” each} one pursues my dignity
30:15 y58l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כָּ֭רוּחַ 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a strong wind relentlessly drives away light objects, so the **Terrors** that Job is experiencing are relentlessly depriving him of dignity. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “relentlessly” like the wind
30:15 qzd6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וּ֝כְעָ֗ב עָבְרָ֥ה יְשֻׁעָתִֽי 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **cloud** fades from the sky, so all hope of **deliverance** has faded for Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and I no longer have any hope of deliverance” and my deliverance passes away like a cloud
30:15 j918 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֝כְעָ֗ב עָבְרָ֥ה יְשֻׁעָתִֽי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **deliverance**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and I no longer have any hope that someone will deliver me” and my deliverance passes away like a cloud
30:16 vq4c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עָ֭לַי תִּשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ נַפְשִׁ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if his **life** were a liquid that was being poured out of a container so that soon none of it would be left in the container. (Although the verb is reflexive, it has a passive sense; Job is not saying, within this image, that his life is doing this on its own initiative.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my life is ebbing away within me” my life pours itself out within me
30:16 yd79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יֹ֭אחֲז֣וּנִי יְמֵי־עֹֽנִי 1 Job is speaking of these **days** as if they were living things that could **seize** him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am continually experiencing days of affliction” days of affliction seize me
30:16 j919 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יְמֵי־עֹֽנִי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **affliction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “days during which I am afflicted” days of affliction
30:17 j920 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לַ֗יְלָה עֲ֭צָמַי נִקַּ֣ר 1 Job is speaking of **Night** as if it were a living thing that could pierce his **bones**. He is doing this to describe the pain that he feels more keenly at night. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “At night, pain pierces my bones” Night pierces my bones
30:17 j921 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לַ֗יְלָה עֲ֭צָמַי נִקַּ֣ר 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **bones**, to mean all of him in the act of feeling pain. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “At night, pain pierces my body” Night pierces my bones
30:17 s5h2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַ֗יְלָה עֲ֭צָמַי נִקַּ֣ר 1 Job is speaking as if pain were literally piercing his body or putting holes in it. He means that he gets a stabbing sensation of pain as if he were actually being stabbed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “At night, I have stabbing sensations of pain” Night pierces my bones
30:17 j922 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מֵעָלָ֑י 1 It is not entirely clear what Job means by this expression. He uses the same expression in [30:30](../30/30.md) to describe how his skin, darkened by disease, is peeling off. So this could be a reference to the pain from his sores radiating deep into his body. Alternate translation: “from the sores on my skin” from upon me
30:17 q849 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝עֹרְקַ֗י לֹ֣א יִשְׁכָּבֽוּן 1 Job is speaking of the pains he is suffering as if they were living things that could be **gnawing** him and could **rest** (although they do not). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the pain is like someone chewing on me, and it never stops” and the ones gnawing me do not rest
30:18 x296 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּרָב־כֹּ֭חַ 1 Job is referring implicitly to the **great force** of his skin disease, its power to do so much damage. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Because of my serious disease,” By great force
30:18 wpi4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִתְחַפֵּ֣שׂ לְבוּשִׁ֑י 1 Job is probably speaking of his skin as if it were his **clothing**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my skin is changed” or “my skin is disfigured” my clothing is changed
30:18 j923 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns כְּפִ֖י כֻתָּנְתִּ֣י יַֽאַזְרֵֽנִי 1 The pronoun **it** refers to Job’s skin disease. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “my skin disease binds me like the collar of my tunic” it binds me like the collar of my tunic
30:18 tm94 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כְּפִ֖י כֻתָּנְתִּ֣י יַֽאַזְרֵֽנִי 1 Job is speaking as if his disease were literally binding him, or wrapping him up tightly, the way a person in his culture would put on a **tunic** and then wrap its **collar** tightly around his neck. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my skin disease afflicts me continually” it binds me like the collar of my tunic
30:19 j924 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הֹרָ֥נִי לַחֹ֑מֶר 1 The pronoun **He** refers to text. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God has thrown me into the mud” He has thrown me into the mud
30:19 aa4h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֹרָ֥נִי לַחֹ֑מֶר 1 Job is speaking as if God had literally **thrown** him into **mud**. This could mean: (1) that Job is using the image of being **thrown** into **mud** to represent his loss of position and status. Alternate translation: “God has reduced me to meager circumstances” (2) that Job is referring to the way he has been demonstrating his distress by sitting in the midst of the ash pile outside the city, as [2:8](../02/08.md) describes. Alternate translation: “God has caused me such distress that I have been sitting in this ash heap” He has thrown me into the mud
30:19 m43k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וָ֝אֶתְמַשֵּׁ֗ל כֶּעָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר 1 Job is speaking as if he had literally become like **dust** and **ashes**. This could be: (1) a physical description. Job may mean that the dust and ashes from the pile where he is sitting have stuck to his skin because of his oozing sores and so now he physically resembles dust and ashes himself. Job describes the appearance of his body in the previous verse, and this could be a continuation of that description. Alternate translation: “and I now appear to have become dust and ashes” (2) a comparison. Job may be saying that in some way his situation resembles some characteristic of **dust and ashes**, perhaps their lowliness of being on the ground. Alternate translation: “and I am greatly humiliated” and I have become like dust and ashes
30:20 j925 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction עָ֝מַ֗דְתִּי 1 Standing up was a symbolic action by which someone in this community would call attention to the fact that they needed help. Job may mean that he does this literally as an appeal to God for help, or he may be speaking as if he does it when actually he appeals for help in some other way, such as by praying, as he describes in the first part of the verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “I stand to get your attention and appeal for help” I stand
30:20 k1ga rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַתִּתְבֹּ֥נֶן בִּֽי 1 Job means implicitly that God does nothing but **gaze** at him without helping him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “but you only look at me and do not help me” but you gaze at me
30:21 xk2h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בְּעֹ֖צֶם יָדְךָ֣ 1 Here, God’s **hand** represents his power. Job is using this possessive form to describe how God’s **strength** is characterized by power, that is, God’s strength is very great. Alternate translation: “with your great strength” with the strength of your hand
30:22 zy94 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תִּשָּׂאֵ֣נִי אֶל־ר֭וּחַ תַּרְכִּיבֵ֑נִי וּ֝תְמֹגְגֵ֗נִי תּוּשִׁיָּֽה 1 Job is speaking as if God uses the wind to **lift** him off the ground and as if the wind carries him away as if he were riding on it the way a person would **ride** a horse. He is also speaking as if God uses a **storm** to **toss** him about. He means that God is causing him such great distress that he feels as if these things are happening to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You are causing me such great distress that it feels as if a storm wind is picking me up, carrying me away, and tossing me about” "You lift me up on the wind; you make me ride on it,
and you toss me about {in} a storm"
30:23 j926 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מָ֣וֶת & וּבֵ֖ית מוֹעֵ֣ד לְכָל־חָֽי 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Job is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that by using a word other than “and” in your translation. Alternate translation: “to death, yes, to the house of appointment to all the living” "to} death
and {to} the house of appointment to all the living"
30:23 py4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מָ֣וֶת 1 As the rest of the verse shows, Job is using the term **death** by association to mean Sheol, the abode of the dead. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to Sheol” to} death
30:23 a3ym rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבֵ֖ית מוֹעֵ֣ד לְכָל־חָֽי 1 Job is speaking as if Sheol were a **house** in which dead people lived. He means that it is the place to which people go when they die. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and to the place of appointment to all the living” and {to} the house of appointment to all the living
30:23 j927 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וּבֵ֖ית מוֹעֵ֣ד לְכָל־חָֽי 1 Job is using this possessive form to indicate that God has appointed Sheol as the place where living people are to go when they die. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and to the place God has appointed for living people to go when they die” and {to} the house of appointment to all the living
30:23 nf6m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חָֽי 1 Job is using the adjective **living** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “living people” the living
30:24 s7pp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לֹא־בְ֭עִי יִשְׁלַח־יָ֑ד אִם־בְּ֝פִיד֗וֹ לָהֶ֥ן & שֽׁוּעַ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “one in a heap certainly stretches out a hand! He certainly cries out because he is in trouble!” "does not one in a heap stretch out a hand?
If in his trouble he does {not} therefore cry out"
30:24 j928 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo לֹא־בְ֭עִי יִשְׁלַח־יָ֑ד 1 Job is using a hypothetical situation as an example and applying it by implication to his own situation. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “if someone is in a heap of ruins, then he certainly stretches out a hand, and in the same way I am calling to you for help.” does not one in a heap stretch out a hand
30:24 giv9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction לֹא־בְ֭עִי יִשְׁלַח־יָ֑ד 1 Reaching out with one’s **hand** when in a desperate situation is a symbolic action that constitutes an appeal for help. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “does not one in a heap of ruins appeal for help” does not one in a heap stretch out a hand
30:24 ly2e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־בְּ֝פִיד֗וֹ לָהֶ֥ן שֽׁוּעַ 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a contrary answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “He cries out because he is in trouble, does he not” If in his trouble he does {not} therefore cry out
30:25 j929 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־לֹ֣א בָ֭כִיתִי לִקְשֵׁה־י֑וֹם 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a contrary answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I wept for the difficult of day, did I not?” If I did not weep for the difficult of day
30:25 k5gw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־לֹ֣א בָ֭כִיתִי לִקְשֵׁה־י֑וֹם 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I certainly wept for the difficult of day!” If I did not weep for the difficult of day
30:25 j930 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לִקְשֵׁה־י֑וֹם 1 Job is using the adjective phrase **difficult of day** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. (In this phrase, the word **day** indicates a time, and the possessive form indicates that this time was characterized by difficulty.) Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “for people who were going through difficult times” for the difficult of day
30:25 j932 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עָֽגְמָ֥ה נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י לָאֶבְיֽוֹן 1 Job is suggesting implicitly that since he helped others who were in trouble, it is only fair for him to ask God for help now that he is in trouble himself. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “My soul grieved for the needy, so it is only fair for me to ask you for help now” My soul grieved for the needy
30:25 j931 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עָֽגְמָ֥ה נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **soul**, to mean all of him in the act of grieving sympathetically. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I grieved sympathetically” My soul grieved
30:26 j933 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he has been saying that he can legitimately appeal for help. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I can legitimately appeal for help because” For
30:26 dxl4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj ט֣וֹב & וַיָּ֣בֹא רָ֑ע 1 Job is using the adjectives **good** and **bad** as nouns to mean certain kinds of things. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “for good things … but bad things happened to me instead” for} good, but bad came
30:26 n1jn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְ֝א֗וֹר וַיָּ֥בֹא אֹֽפֶל 1 Job is speaking as if helpful things were literally **light** and harmful things were literally **darkness**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for helpful things, but harmful things happen instead” for light, but darkness comes
30:27 r36u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מֵעַ֖י רֻתְּח֥וּ וְלֹא־דָ֗מּוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My innards are boiling and they do not rest” My innards are boiled and they do not rest
30:27 j934 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מֵעַ֖י רֻתְּח֥וּ וְלֹא־דָ֗מּוּ 1 Job is speaking as if his **innards** have literally **boiled** and that they are literally not taking any opportunity to **rest**. This could mean: (1) that his abdomen continually has a hot, painful sensation because he is very upset and this has affected his digestion. Alternate translation: “My stomach is continually upset” (2) that he continually has feelings, which he is using his **innards** to represent, of anger and frustration. Alternate translation: “I continually feel anger and frustration” My innards are boiled and they do not rest
30:27 u2gl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification קִדְּמֻ֥נִי יְמֵי־עֹֽנִי 1 Job is speaking of the difficult **days** he is experiencing as if they were living things that could **confront** him. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “I am facing day after day of affliction” or “I am experiencing day after day of affliction” days of affliction confront me
30:28 fj2n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit קֹדֵ֣ר הִ֭לַּכְתִּי בְּלֹ֣א חַמָּ֑ה 1 Job means that his skin disease, **not** the **sun**, has darkened his skin, as he says explicitly in verse 30. The implication is that this darkened skin makes him appear as if he is a manual laborer who works out in the sun. [Song of Songs 1:6](../sng/01/06.md) suggests that in this culture, a person in that situation would be less respected than someone who could employ others to do outdoor work and so did not have sun-darkened skin. You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “My disease-darkened skin makes me appear to be a manual laborer” I go about being dark not by the sun
30:28 i5gu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit קַ֖מְתִּי בַקָּהָ֣ל אֲשַׁוֵּֽעַ 1 Job may be implicitly indicating a further loss of dignity here. He has had to appeal for help in a public place where people gather. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I have had to humiliate myself by appealing for help in public” I stand up in the assembly and cry out
30:29 f66b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָ֭ח הָיִ֣יתִי לְתַנִּ֑ים וְ֝רֵ֗עַ לִבְנ֥וֹת יַעֲנָֽה 1 Job is speaking as if he had literally become a **brother** to **jackals** and a **companion** to ostriches. These wild dogs and wild birds live in deserted areas, and Job is suggesting that they are now his only relatives and friends, since he has become an outcast. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have become such an outcast that it is as if I live far away from other people” "I have become a brother to jackals
and a companion to the daughters of clamor"
30:29 j935 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִבְנ֥וֹת יַעֲנָֽה 1 In this context, the expression **daughters of** describes creatures that share the qualities of something. The word **clamor** is one possible meaning of an uncertain term that interpreters suggest could also mean “greed” or “the desert.” Whatever the meaning of that term, interpreters agree that the reference is to ostriches. If your language can refer to this kind of bird with a descriptive phrase rather than with a name, you could use that phrase in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “to ostriches” to the daughters of clamor
30:29 jsv3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown לִבְנ֥וֹת יַעֲנָֽה 1 An ostrich is a large, heavy bird that cannot fly but can run very fast. If your readers would not be familiar with ostriches, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “to large, flightless, desert birds” to the daughters of clamor
30:30 j936 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis ע֭וֹרִי שָׁחַ֣ר מֵעָלָ֑י 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “My skin has turned black and it is falling off from upon me” My skin is black from upon me
30:30 udu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעַצְמִי־חָ֝֗רָה מִנִּי־חֹֽרֶב 1 Job is using one part of himself, a **bone**, to mean all of him in the act of feeling hot. He is likely referring to the **heat** of fever. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and my body is hot with fever” and my bone burns from heat
30:31 qj9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיְהִ֣י לְ֭אֵבֶל כִּנֹּרִ֑י וְ֝עֻגָבִ֗י לְק֣וֹל בֹּכִֽים 1 Job is using musical instruments, the **harp** and the **flute**, to represent happiness, by association with the way that people play music when they are happy. He is using **mourning** and **the sound of weeping** to represent sorrow, since people mourn and weep when they are sad. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “So while I used to be joyful, now I am very sorrowful” "So my harp is to mourning
and my flute to the sound of ones weeping"
31:intro leq9 0 # Job 31 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the conclusion of Job’s final response to his three friends.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in This Chapter\n\n### Litany\n\nIn verses 1–34 and 38–40, Job swears a series of oaths to insist on his innocence. Typically he uses a statement that begins with “if” to suggest something he might have done wrong, and he then uses a statement that uses verbal forms such as “may” or “let” to wish that he would receive an appropriate punishment if he has indeed committed such a sin. In some cases, rather than wish for punishment, Job gives a reason why he would not have committed the sin he has described. In some other cases, Job makes only the “if” statement, leaving the rest of the conditional statement to be inferred. Notes throughout the chapter indicate how Job responds to each of the “if” statements that he makes.\n\nA series of similar statements such as this is known as a litany. If your readers would recognize what Job is doing, you can translate and format this litany the way the ULT does. If the litany form would not be familiar to your readers, you could help them appreciate it by putting each sentence of the litany on a separate line. See what you did with the similar litanies in chapters 9, 12, 26, and 29. (See: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany and rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula)\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Job’s understanding of appropriate punishment for sin\n\nIn this chapter, Job insists that he has been righteous by wishing aloud that he would receive the just punishment for any crimes that he may have committed. In most cases, Job himself would suffer the punishment that he describes. But in verses 9 and 10, Job says that if he has committed adultery with another man’s wife, then may other men have sexual relations with his wife. It seems that Job is wishing that God would punish his wife for something that he himself had done. Since the book describes Job as a wise and righteous, it appears that readers are supposed to consider that this would be a just punishment, but it does not seem to be just or fair. One way to understand this may be to consider that Job is saying that if he has been unfaithful to his wife, then may his wife be unfaithful to him in return. This is not the ideal that the Bible as a whole teaches. As Christians, we are not supposed to take revenge on others by doing to them what they have done to us. But in this specific context, in which Job is swearing oaths to guarantee his innocence, having his wife be unfaithful to him if he had been unfaithful to her would be a punishment that fit the crime, and Job is insisting on his innocence by saying that he is prepared to receive the punishments that fit any crimes he has committed.
31:1 af9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּ֭רִית כָּרַ֣תִּי לְעֵינָ֑י 1 In this culture, people would say that they had **cut** a **covenant** because making a covenant often involved a ceremony in which the two parties would cut up an animal and walk between the cut-up pieces. [Jeremiah 34:18](../34/18.md) refers to such a ceremony, and [Genesis 15:8–19](../01/01.md) describes God making a covenant with Abraham in this way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have made a covenant with my eyes” I have cut a covenant with my eyes
31:1 ka6e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בְּ֭רִית כָּרַ֣תִּי לְעֵינָ֑י 1 Job is speaking of his **eyes** as if they were living things with which he could make a **covenant**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have resolved to exercise self-control regarding what I look at” I have cut a covenant with my eyes
31:1 sxi9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמָ֥ה אֶ֝תְבּוֹנֵ֗ן עַל־בְּתוּלָֽה 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I would not gaze upon a virgin!” how then would I gaze upon a virgin
31:1 j937 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּמָ֥ה אֶ֝תְבּוֹנֵ֗ן 1 Job means implicitly that he would not **gaze** lustfully. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “how then would I gaze lustfully” or “I would not gaze lustfully” how then would I gaze
31:1 j938 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עַל־בְּתוּלָֽה 1 Job is using one kind of woman, a **virgin**, to mean women in general. He is not saying that if a woman had not had sexual relations with anyone, he would not look at her lustfully, but if a woman had had sexual relations, then he might look at her lustfully. Job is mentioning a virgin as one example of a woman whom he might be tempted to look at that way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at a woman” upon a virgin
31:2 ygr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמֶ֤ה ׀ חֵ֣לֶק אֱל֣וֹהַּ מִמָּ֑עַל וְֽנַחֲלַ֥ת שַׁ֝דַּ֗י מִמְּרֹמִֽים 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. This could mean: (1) a good **portion** and **inheritance** as a reward for obedience. These terms typically have a positive meaning. Alternate translation: “For then there would be no portion from God above or inheritance from the Almighty in the heights!” (2) a bad **portion** and **inheritance**, that is, a punishment, for disobedience. This would mean the same thing that Job says in the next verse. Alternate translation: “For then the portion from God above would not be good, nor the inheritance from the Almighty in the heights” "For what {would be} the portion from God above,
or the inheritance from the Almighty in the heights"
31:2 p7x8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חֵ֣לֶק אֱל֣וֹהַּ מִמָּ֑עַל וְֽנַחֲלַ֥ת שַׁ֝דַּ֗י מִמְּרֹמִֽים 1 Depending on the meaning (see previous note), Job is speaking as if either a reward or punishment from God would literally be a **portion** or a share in an **inheritance**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: (1) “the reward from God above, or the blessing from the Almighty” or (2) “the punishment from God above, or the chastisement from the Almighty” "would be} the portion from God above,
or the inheritance from the Almighty in the heights"
31:2 j939 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְֽנַחֲלַ֥ת 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “or what would be the inheritance” or the inheritance from
31:2 j940 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural מִמְּרֹמִֽים 1 See how you translated this same expression in [25:1](../25/02.md). Alternate translation: “in highest heaven” in the heights
31:3 j941 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־אֵ֥יד לְעַוָּ֑ל וְ֝נֵ֗כֶר לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “After all, calamity is for the unrighteous, and disaster for doers of wickedness!” "Is} not calamity for the unrighteous
and disaster for doers of wickedness"
31:3 j942 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לְעַוָּ֑ל 1 Job is using the adjective **unrighteous** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “for unrighteous people” for the unrighteous
31:3 j943 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wickedness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “for people who do wicked things” for doers of wickedness
31:4 j944 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹא־ה֭וּא יִרְאֶ֣ה דְרָכָ֑י וְֽכָל־צְעָדַ֥י יִסְפּֽוֹר 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Certainly God sees my ways and counts all my steps!” "Does he not see my ways
and count all my steps"
31:4 vf6m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דְרָכָ֑י 1 Job is speaking of how he has been living as if that were a series of **ways** or paths that he has been walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how I have been living” my ways
31:4 n2eh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְֽכָל־צְעָדַ֥י יִסְפּֽוֹר 1 Within the image of life as a series of paths, Job is speaking as if God would literally **count** each of the **steps** he was taking. By **steps**, he probably means individual actions, and by **count**, he probably means that God notices each one specifically. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and take note of each of my actions” and count all my steps
31:5 zdh8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אִם־הָלַ֥כְתִּי עִם־שָׁ֑וְא 1 Job is speaking of **falsehood** as if it were a living thing with which he could have **walked**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If I have conducted myself with falsehood” If I have walked with falsehood
31:5 j945 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִם־הָלַ֥כְתִּי עִם־שָׁ֑וְא 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **falsehood**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “If I have conducted myself dishonestly” If I have walked with falsehood
31:5 a5st rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַתַּ֖חַשׁ עַל־מִרְמָ֣ה רַגְלִֽי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **foot**, to mean all of him in the act of hurrying or being eager to do something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or I have hurried to deceit” or my foot has hurried to deceit
31:5 j946 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַתַּ֖חַשׁ עַל־מִרְמָ֣ה רַגְלִֽי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **deceit**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “or I have eagerly done something deceitful” or my foot has hurried to deceit
31:6 j947 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge יִשְׁקְלֵ֥נִי בְמֹאזְנֵי־צֶ֑דֶק וְיֵדַ֥ע אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ תֻּמָּתִֽי 1 In this verse, Job interrupts the if-then statement he is making in verses 5, 7, and 8. He does that in order to assert that if God judges him fairly, then God will recognize that he does not deserve the punishment he describes in verse 8 or any of the other punishments he describes in this chapter. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this assertion before the if-then statement by creating a verse bridge for verses 5–6. It might say something like this: “Now if God would weigh me in balances of righteousness, then he would know my integrity. If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried to deceit” "let him weigh me in balances of righteousness,
and God will know my integrity"
31:6 ndj9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִשְׁקְלֵ֥נִי בְמֹאזְנֵי־צֶ֑דֶק 1 Job is speaking as if God might literally **weigh** him in a set of **balances**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “let him judge me by standards of righteousness” let him weigh me in balances of righteousness
31:6 j948 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יִשְׁקְלֵ֥נִי בְמֹאזְנֵי־צֶ֑דֶק 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **righteousness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “let him judge me in a way that is right” let him weigh me in balances of righteousness
31:6 j949 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns תֻּמָּתִֽי 1 See how you translated the term **integrity** in [2:3](../02/03.md). Alternate translation: “that I live in the right way” my integrity
31:7 fm8c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִ֥ם תִּטֶּ֣ה אַשֻּׁרִי֮ מִנִּ֪י הַ֫דָּ֥רֶךְ 1 Job is using one part of himself, a **step** that he would take, to mean all of him in the act of walking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I have turned aside from the way” if my step has turned aside from the way
31:7 j950 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִ֥ם תִּטֶּ֣ה אַשֻּׁרִי֮ מִנִּ֪י הַ֫דָּ֥רֶךְ 1 Job is speaking of the right manner in which to live as if it were a **way** or path that people should walk along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if I have failed to live correctly” if my step has turned aside from the way
31:7 j951 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לִבִּ֑י & מֻאֽוּם 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “if my heart … if a spot” my heart & a spot
31:7 r29i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְאַחַ֣ר עֵ֭ינַי הָלַ֣ךְ לִבִּ֑י 1 Job is speaking of his **heart** and his **eyes** as if they were living things that could go places, the eyes going somewhere first and the heart following. Here Job is using his **heart** to mean his desires and his **eyes** to mean what he sees. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or if I have seen something that did not belong to me but I have coveted it for myself” or my heart has gone after my eyes
31:7 tvw5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝בְכַפַּ֗י דָּ֣בַק מֻאֽוּם 1 As in [17:9](../17/09.md), Job is speaking as if people who are innocent of wrongdoing literally have clean **hands**, so that when he speaks of a **spot** or stain having **stuck** to his **hands**, he is raising the issue of whether he has done something wrong. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or I have done something morally wrong” or a spot has stuck to my hands
31:8 b7e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶ֭זְרְעָה וְאַחֵ֣ר יֹאכֵ֑ל 1 Job means implicitly that if he has done any of the wrong things he has just listed, then the appropriate punishment would be for someone else to **eat** the crops that grew from seeds he would **sow**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “may someone else eat the crops that grow from the seeds that I sow” let me sow and may another eat
31:9 j952 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־נִפְתָּ֣ה לִ֭בִּי עַל־אִשָּׁ֑ה 1 When Job speaks of whether his **heart** has been **opened** by a **woman**, he is using an expression that means to be enticed by a woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If my heart has been enticed by a woman” If my heart has been opened by a woman
31:9 p1yn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִם־נִפְתָּ֣ה לִ֭בִּי עַל־אִשָּׁ֑ה 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **heart**, meaning his desires, to mean all of him in the act of being enticed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If I have been enticed by a woman” If my heart has been opened by a woman
31:9 j953 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אִם־נִפְתָּ֣ה לִ֭בִּי עַל־אִשָּׁ֑ה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. However, be careful to translate Job’s meaning accurately. Job is not describing a situation in which a woman would be essentially responsible for seducing him. He is describing a situation in which he would not have exercised self-control over what he looked at (as described in verse 1) and in which he allowed the beauty of a woman to entice him to do something he knew was wrong. Alternate translation: “If I have allowed a woman to entice me” If my heart has been opened by a woman
31:9 rs8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְעַל־פֶּ֖תַח רֵעִ֣י אָרָֽבְתִּי 1 The implication is that this **woman** is married and that Job would have waited in hiding outside her **door** for her to open the door and let him come into her home and have sexual relations with her at a time when her husband was away. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and I have waited for my neighbor’s wife to let me into her home so that I could have sexual relations with her” and I have lurked at the door of my neighbor
31:10 ngk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תִּטְחַ֣ן לְאַחֵ֣ר אִשְׁתִּ֑י 1 Job is using the term **grind**, meaning to grind grain, by association to mean “be a concubine,” since concubines did the work of grinding grain for their masters, who were also their husbands. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See the General Notes to this chapter for a further discussion of this verse. Alternate translation: “may my wife become the concubine of another man” may my wife grind for another
31:10 j954 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְ֝עָלֶ֗יהָ יִכְרְע֥וּן אֲחֵרִֽין 1 Job is using the phrase **bow down upon** to mean “have sexual relations with.” This is mild way of referring to something that is usually done in private. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “and may others sleep with her” and may others bow down upon her
31:11 ds7e rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns כִּי־הִ֥יא & זִמָּ֑ה 1 The pronoun **that** refers to what Job described in verse 9, not to what he described in verse 10. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “For if I had sexual relations with another man’s wife, that would be lewdness” For that {would be} lewdness
31:11 h8zi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְ֝ה֗וּא & עָוֺ֥ן פְּלִילִֽים 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe **iniquity** that **judges** would punish, not iniquity that judges would commit. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and judges would certainly punish such iniquity” and it would be iniquity of judges
31:12 j955 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Job is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he would not commit adultery, not the reason why judges would punish adultery. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I would not commit adultery, because I know that” For
31:12 j956 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֵ֣שׁ הִ֭יא 1 The pronoun **it** refers to adultery. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “adultery is a fire” it {is} a fire
31:12 r4vn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֵ֣שׁ הִ֭יא 1 Job is speaking as if adultery were literally a **fire**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it is very destructive” it {is} a fire
31:12 i923 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַד־אֲבַדּ֣וֹן תֹּאכֵ֑ל 1 Job is speaking of the **fire** that he is using to represent adultery as if it burns everything in its path right down to the underworld. As a note to [26:6](../01/01.md) explains, the word **Abaddon** is another name for Sheol. However, the word literally means “destruction,” and Job may be using it in that sense, even within the image of this fire. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it burns until everything before it is completely destroyed” it consumes unto Abaddon
31:12 bn97 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽבְכָל־תְּב֖וּאָתִ֣י תְשָׁרֵֽשׁand it would uproot all of my harvest 1 Job is also speaking as if adultery were something that would **uproot** his entire **harvest**. He is probably using this image to represent the loss of all of his possessions. [Proverbs 6:26–35](../06/26.md) indicates that in this culture, men found guilty of adultery could have to pay great amounts in fines and compensation. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and it could cost me all of my possessions” or “and it could make me lose all of my wealth”
31:13 j957 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִם־אֶמְאַ֗ס מִשְׁפַּ֣ט עַ֭בְדִּי וַאֲמָתִ֑י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “If I did not consider it important to treat my male servant or my female servant justly” If I disdained the justice of my male servant or my female servant
31:14 s3xg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמָ֣ה אֶֽ֭עֱשֶׂה כִּֽי־יָק֣וּם אֵ֑ל וְכִֽי־יִ֝פְקֹ֗ד מָ֣ה אֲשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “then I would not be able to do anything if God arose, or if he visited, I would not be able to answer him” "then what would I do if God arose?
Or if he visited, how would I answer him"
31:14 j958 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָק֣וּם אֵ֑ל 1 Job is asking implicitly what he would do if God **arose** or stood up to bring charges against him. As a note to [20:27](../20/27.md) explains, in order to begin a case against someone, people in this culture would stand up among those who had gathered in the public square. See how you translated the similar expression in [20:27](../20/27.md). Alternate translation: “God stood up to bring charges against me” God arose
31:14 j959 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְכִֽי־יִ֝פְקֹ֗ד 1 Job is using the term **visited** in a particular sense. When applied to God, the term often indicates that God takes action in the life of a person or group, whether to help needy people or to punish guilty people. For example, [Ruth 1:6](../01/06.md) says that Naomi, who had left Israel because of a famine, returned there after she heard that “Yahweh had visited his people, giving them bread.” Here the sense is that God would “visit” Job to help Job’s servants and to punish him for mistreating them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or if he came to help my servants” Or if he visited
31:15 jl2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲֽ֝לֹא־בַ֭בֶּטֶן עֹשֵׂ֣נִי עָשָׂ֑הוּ וַ֝יְכֻנֶ֗נּוּ בָּרֶ֥חֶם אֶחָֽד 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “After all, the one who made me in the belly also made him. Indeed, the same person fashioned us both in the womb.” "Did not the one making me in the belly make him?
And did {not} one fashion us in the womb"
31:15 j960 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations עָשָׂ֑הוּ 1 Although the pronoun **him** is masculine, Job is using the word in a generic sense that refers both to the “male servant” and “female servant” whom he describes in verse 13. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an expression in your language that would indicate this. Alternate translation: “Did … make my male servant and my female servant” or “Did … make them” Did & make him
31:15 j961 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive וַ֝יְכֻנֶ֗נּוּ & אֶחָֽד 1 By **us**, Job means himself and his servants but not the friends to whom he is speaking, so use the exclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction. And did {not} one fashion us
31:16 yzr5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession מֵחֵ֣פֶץ דַּלִּ֑ים 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe something that the **poor** would **desire**. The sense is that they would desire this because they needed it. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “something that the poor desired” or “something that the poor needed” from the desire of the poor
31:16 j962 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj דַּלִּ֑ים 1 Job is using the adjective **poor** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “poor people” the poor
31:16 e9r8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעֵינֵ֖י אַלְמָנָ֣ה אֲכַלֶּֽה 1 Job is using one part of this **widow**, her **eyes**, to mean all of her in the act of looking for help, that is, expecting and awaiting help. If her eyes were to **fail**, that would mean that she had given up hope of receiving the help she needed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or if I have neglected to help a widow for so long that she gave up hope of receiving help” or I have made the eyes of the widow fail
31:16 j963 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אַלְמָנָ֣ה 1 Job is not referring to a specific **widow**. He means any widow who might have needed help. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using an indefinite article. Alternate translation: “a widow” the widow
31:17 gs2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj יָת֣וֹם 1 Job is using the adjective **fatherless** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the fatherless person” or “the orphan” the fatherless
31:17 j964 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun יָת֣וֹם 1 Job is not referring to a specific **fatherless** person. He means any orphan who might have needed food. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “any orphan who might have needed food” the fatherless
31:18 ibm5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֣י 1 Job is using the word **for** to introduce the reason why he does not even need to specify a consequence in this case if he has committed the sins he has just described. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “but I do not even need to say what God should do to me if I have done those things, because” for
31:18 z518 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole מִ֭נְּעוּרַי & וּמִבֶּ֖טֶן אִמִּ֣י 1 Job says **from my youth** and **from the belly of my mother** as overstatements for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “throughout my life … and continually” from my youth & and from the belly of my mother
31:18 xz2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns גְּדֵלַ֣נִי & אַנְחֶֽנָּה 1 The pronoun **he** refers to the representative orphan whom Job described in the verse 17, and the pronoun **her** refers to the representative widow he described in verse 16. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the orphan has grown up with me … I have guided the widow” he has grown up with me & I have guided her
31:19 j965 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לָאֶבְיֽוֹן 1 Job is using the adjective **needy** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “for a needy person” for the needy
31:19 j966 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לָאֶבְיֽוֹן 1 Job is not referring to a specific **needy** person. He means any person who might have needed a **covering**, probably meaning an outer garment that would also have served as a blanket. You could indicate in your translation whom Job means if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “for any person who needed one” for the needy
31:20 j967 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure אִם־לֹ֣א בֵרֲכ֣וּנִי חֲלָצָ֑יו וּמִגֵּ֥ז כְּ֝בָשַׂי יִתְחַמָּֽם 1 Since this representative needy person may have first **warmed himself** with a garment that Job provided and then **blessed** Job for this practical help, it may be more natural to reverse the order of these clauses. Alternate translation: “if he has not warmed himself from the wool of my sheep and blessed me for my kindness” "if his loins have not blessed me
and he has {not} warmed himself from the wool of my sheep"
31:20 ut9q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִם־לֹ֣א בֵרֲכ֣וּנִי חֲלָצָ֑יו 1 Job is using one part of this representative needy person, his **loins**, to mean all of him in the act of blessing Job. Job probably chooses the waist area to symbolize this person because that is the area that a person who needed clothing would cover first. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if he has not blessed me” if his loins have not blessed me
31:20 r66u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּמִגֵּ֥ז כְּ֝בָשַׂי 1 Job is using this phrase by association to mean a garment that someone in his household would have woven from **wool** that his **sheep** had produced. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and … with a warm woolen garment that I provided” and & from the wool of my sheep
31:21 mf7q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction אִם־הֲנִיפ֣וֹתִי עַל־יָת֣וֹם יָדִ֑י 1 Shaking the **hand**, probably formed into a fist, **against** someone would be a symbolic action that threatened harm if the person did not acquiesce to one’s wishes. In this context, it would be a gesture that threatened severe consequences if an opponent in court did not agree to settle a case on favorable terms. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “if I have tried to intimidate the fatherless into settling a case in my favor” if I have shaken my hand against the fatherless
31:21 w7s9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶרְאֶ֥ה בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר עֶזְרָתִֽי 1 Job is using the term **gate** by association to mean the community court, which would hold its sessions in the public square near the city gate. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I saw that there were people in court who would take my side” I saw my help at the gate
31:22 sqk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְ֝אֶזְרֹעִ֗י מִקָּנָ֥ה תִשָּׁבֵֽר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “yes, may my arm break off from its socket” yes, may my arm be broken from its socket
31:23 ss4j rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Job is using the word **For** to reassert the reason why he did not commit any of the crimes he has been describing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “No, I did not do any of those things, because” For
31:23 j968 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession אֵ֣יד אֵ֑ל 1 Job is using this possessive form to describe the **destruction** of a wicked person by **God**, not the destruction of God by anything. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the knowledge that God destroys wicked people” the destruction of God
31:23 j969 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּ֝מִשְּׂאֵת֗וֹ לֹ֣א אוּכָֽל 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Job is referring to neglecting the poor and intimidating the fatherless, as he described in verses 19–21. Alternate translation: “and because of his majesty, I was not able to do any of those things” or “and because of his majesty, I could not have done any of those things” and from his majesty, I was not able
31:24 j970 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְ֝לַכֶּ֗תֶם אָמַ֥רְתִּי מִבְטַחִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “and I have told fine gold that it was my confidence” and I have said to fine gold, ‘My confidence
31:24 s4sm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe וְ֝לַכֶּ֗תֶם אָמַ֥רְתִּי מִבְטַחִֽי 1 If Job had spoken to **fine gold** in this way, he would have been speaking to something that he knew could not hear him in order to show in a strong way how he felt about it. If a speaker in your language would not do that, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I have said that fine gold was my confidence” and I have said to fine gold, ‘My confidence
31:24 r6lg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְ֝לַכֶּ֗תֶם אָמַ֥רְתִּי מִבְטַחִֽי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **confidence**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and I have said that I was confiding in fine gold” and I have said to fine gold, ‘My confidence
31:25 sk1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula וְכִֽי־כַ֝בִּ֗יר מָצְאָ֥ה יָדִֽי 1 In this instance, Job is swearing an oath by stating the first part of a condition (“if”) but not the second part (“then”). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explicitly state the implied second part of this condition. You could use the same language that Job uses in verses 11 and 28, or you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “and because my hand had acquired much, then judges would certainly punish such iniquity” or “and because my hand had acquired much, then I would certainly deserve punishment” and because my hand had acquired much
31:25 bt3p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כַ֝בִּ֗יר מָצְאָ֥ה יָדִֽי 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **hand**, to mean all of him in the act of acquiring wealth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I had acquired much” my hand had acquired much
31:25 j971 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj כַ֝בִּ֗יר 1 Job is using the adjective **much** as a noun to mean wealth in quantity. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a fortune” much
31:26 j972 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy א֖וֹר 1 Job is using the term **light** by association to mean the sun. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the sun” the light
31:26 m93p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝יָרֵ֗חַ & הֹלֵֽךְ 1 Job is speaking as if the **moon** were literally **walking** across the sky. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or the moon moving across the sky” or the moon walking
31:27 qcf6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּ֣פְתְּ & לִבִּ֑י 1 See how you translated the similar expression about the “heart” being “opened” in [31:9](../31/09.md). Alternate translation: “and I was attracted to the sun or the moon” and my heart opened
31:27 wm2t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַתִּשַּׁ֖ק יָדִ֣י לְפִֽי 1 Job is speaking as if his **hand** were a living thing that could have **kissed** his **mouth**. He means that if he had wanted to offer worship to the sun or the moon, following the customs of this culture, he would have touched his hand to his mouth in a kiss and then waved the kiss up to the sun or the moon. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “and I had blown a kiss to the sun or the moon” or “and I had worshiped the sun or the moon” and my hand kissed my mouth
31:28 pwl3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession גַּם־ה֭וּא עָוֺ֣ן פְּלִילִ֑י 1 See how you translated the expression **iniquity of judges** in [31:11](../31/11.md). Alternate translation: “judges would certainly also punish such iniquity” this also {would be} iniquity of judges
31:29 b1im rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ֝הִתְעֹרַ֗רְתִּי 1 This expression means to consider oneself in a better position than another who has suffered a misfortune. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or gloated” or lifted myself up
31:29 p1nt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification כִּֽי־מְצָ֥אוֹ רָֽע 1 Job is speaking of **evil** as if it were a living thing that could have **found** someone who hated him. Here the word **evil** has the sense of “misfortune” rather than of moral wrong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because he suffered misfortune” because evil found him
31:29 hvt5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula כִּֽי־מְצָ֥אוֹ רָֽע 1 This is the conclusion of an oath that Job is swearing in this verse. See what you did in [31:25](../31/25.md), where Job similarly does not state the second part of the condition in an oath that he is swearing. Alternate translation: “because evil found him, then judges would certainly punish such iniquity” or “because evil found him, then I would certainly deserve punishment” because evil found him
31:30 w93c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְלֹא־נָתַ֣תִּי לַחֲטֹ֣א חִכִּ֑י 1 Job is speaking as if his **palate** or mouth were a living thing that he could have caused to **sin**. He means that he himself could have sinned in something that he said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “For I have not said something sinful” For I have not caused my palate to sin
31:31 j973 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula אִם־לֹ֣א אָ֭מְרוּ מְתֵ֣י אָהֳלִ֑י מִֽי־יִתֵּ֥ן מִ֝בְּשָׂר֗וֹ לֹ֣א נִשְׂבָּֽע 1 As in [31:25](../31/25.md) and [31:29](../31/29.md), here Job does not state the second part of the condition in an oath that he is swearing. See what you did in those verses. Alternate translation: “If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who will give one who has not been satisfied from his flesh?’ then judges would certainly punish such iniquity” or “If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who will give one {who} has not been satisfied from his flesh?’ then I would certainly deserve punishment” "If the men of my tent have not said,
Who will give one {who} has not been satisfied from his flesh"
31:31 j974 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אִם־לֹ֣א אָ֭מְרוּ מְתֵ֣י אָהֳלִ֑י מִֽי־יִתֵּ֥ן מִ֝בְּשָׂר֗וֹ לֹ֣א נִשְׂבָּֽע 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “If the men of my tent have not asked who could show one who has not been satisfied from my flesh!” "If the men of my tent have not said,
Who will give one {who} has not been satisfied from his flesh"
31:31 ng3a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מְתֵ֣י אָהֳלִ֑י 1 Job is using the term **tent** by association to mean his household. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the men of my household” the men of my tent
31:31 j975 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations מְתֵ֣י אָהֳלִ֑י 1 Although Job refers to his male and female servants separately in [31:13](../31/13.md), Job is likely using the masculine term **men** here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “the men and women of my household” or “my servants” the men of my tent
31:31 hwl9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־יִתֵּ֥ן מִ֝בְּשָׂר֗וֹ לֹ֣א נִשְׂבָּֽע 1 Job’s servants would be using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. (In this context, unlike elsewhere in the book, the expression **Who will give** does not express a wish. The servants are not saying, “We wish there was one who has not been satisfied.”) Alternate translation: “No one can show anyone who has not been satisfied from his flesh!” or, positively, “Everyone has been satisfied from his flesh!” Who will give one {who} has not been satisfied from his flesh
31:31 j976 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹ֣א נִשְׂבָּֽע 1 As the next verse shows, Job’s servants would be speaking implicitly of hungry people. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “a hungry person who has not been satisfied” one {who} has not been satisfied
31:31 j977 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִ֝בְּשָׂר֗וֹ 1 Job’s servants would be using the term **flesh** by association to mean meat and, by further association, food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from his food” from his flesh
31:32 p6kk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives בַּ֭חוּץ לֹא־יָלִ֣ין גֵּ֑ר 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative phrase **stayed overnight in the outdoors**. Alternate translation: “I have allowed the sojourner to stay in my home” The sojourner has not stayed overnight in the outdoors
31:32 uns3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לֹא־יָלִ֣ין גֵּ֑ר & לָאֹ֥רַח 1 Job is not referring to a specific **sojourner** or to a specific **traveler**. He means sojourners and travelers in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “Sojourners have not stayed overnight … to travelers” The sojourner has not stayed overnight & to the traveler
31:32 h895 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche דְּ֝לָתַ֗י לָאֹ֥רַח אֶפְתָּֽח 1 Job is using one thing he would do to provide hospitality, open his **doors**, to mean the entire act of providing hospitality. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have provided hospitality to travelers” I have opened my doors to the traveler
31:33 jav4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations כְאָדָ֣ם 1 The word translated **man** could mean: (1) even though it is masculine, humanity in general, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “as people do” (2) Adam, the first man whom God created and who tried to hide from God when he realized that he had sinned. (However, many interpreters question whether Job would have been familiar with the book of Genesis.) Alternate translation: “like Adam” like man
31:33 sb1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כִּסִּ֣יתִי & פְּשָׁעָ֑י לִטְמ֖וֹן בְּחֻבִּ֣י עֲוֺֽנִי 1 Job is speaking as if **guilt** were an object that he could **hide** in his chest. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “I have concealed the guilt of my sins by keeping it inside” or “I have concealed my sins by not telling anyone about what I was guilty of doing” "I have concealed my sins
by hiding my guilt in my chest"
31:34 b8ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹא־אֵ֥צֵא פָֽתַח 1 Job is using a thing he would do to confess his sins publicly, **go out the door**, to mean the entire act of making a public confession. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I did not confess my sin publicly” I did not go out the door
31:34 ia4h rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula לֹא־אֵ֥צֵא פָֽתַח 1 This is the conclusion of an oath that Job is swearing in this verse. See what you did in [31:25](../31/25.md), where Job similarly does not state the second part of the condition in an oath that he is swearing. Alternate translation: “I did not go out the door, then judges would certainly punish such iniquity” or “I did not go out the door, then I would certainly deserve punishment” I did not go out the door
31:35 i9lk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִ֤י יִתֶּן־לִ֨י ׀ שֹׁ֘מֵ֤עַֽ לִ֗י 1 See how you translated the expression **Who will give** in [11:5–6](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: “I wish that I had someone who was hearing me!” Who will give to me one hearing me
31:35 v1vp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שֹׁ֘מֵ֤עַֽ לִ֗י 1 By **one hearing me**, Job implicitly means someone impartial “hearing” his case in the judicial sense and judging it. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “someone impartial who will judge between me and God” one hearing me
31:35 vmt3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֶן־תָּ֭וִי 1 It appears that in this culture, both parties in a legal proceeding would submit their arguments to the court in writing and that they would sign them with their names or with a **mark** to authenticate them. Job is speaking as if he is putting his mark on a written record of his testimony in order to declare that everything he has just said is true. (It seems unlikely that he has actually put all of his testimony in writing, since this is not an actual court proceeding and God would not be submitting a corresponding written document.) You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I certify that I have been telling the truth” Behold, my mark
31:35 u84z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְסֵ֥פֶר כָּ֝תַ֗ב אִ֣ישׁ רִיבִֽי 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “And who will give to me the scroll that the man of my case has written?” or “And I wish that I had the scroll that the man of my case has written!” And the scroll that the man of my case has written
31:35 qku3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִ֣ישׁ רִיבִֽי 1 This expression refers to an opponent in a legal proceeding. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my opponent” the man of my case
31:36 j978 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־לֹ֣א עַל־שִׁ֭כְמִי אֶשָּׂאֶ֑נּוּ 1 Job is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I would bear it on my shoulder, would I not?” If I would not bear it on my shoulder
31:36 j979 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־לֹ֣א עַל־שִׁ֭כְמִי אֶשָּׂאֶ֑נּוּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I would certainly bear it on my shoulder!” If I would not bear it on my shoulder
31:36 gw5a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־לֹ֣א עַל־שִׁ֭כְמִי אֶשָּׂאֶ֑נּוּ 1 Job is speaking as if he would literally **bear** his opponent’s written legal argument against him on his **shoulder**. He means that he would have no reason to be ashamed of any of the accusations, knowing that they would be proven false and his honor would be vindicated. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “I would wear it as a badge of honor!” If I would not bear it on my shoulder
31:36 j980 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶֽעֶנְדֶ֖נּוּ עֲטָר֣וֹת לִֽי 1 Job is using the plural form **crowns** to refer to a crown of superlative quality. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “I would wear it on my head as a splendid crown” or “I would wrap it around my head as a splendid garland” I would bind it to me {as} crowns
31:37 l5p7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor צְ֭עָדַי 1 Job is speaking of his actions as if they were **steps** along a path that he had been walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “my actions” my steps
31:37 mvd6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְּמוֹ־נָ֝גִ֗יד 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a **noble** does things confidently and with self-assurance because of his position, so Job would **approach** the Almighty confidently, knowing that he was innocent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “confidently” like a noble
31:38 r91t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אִם־עָ֭לַי אַדְמָתִ֣י תִזְעָ֑ק וְ֝יַ֗חַד תְּלָמֶ֥יהָ יִבְכָּיֽוּן 1 Job is speaking of the **soil** on his land and its **furrows** as if they were living things that could cry out for justice and **weep** because of oppression. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, in light of what Job says in the next verse. Alternate translation: “If I have committed a sin in the way that I have used my land” "If my soil cries out against me
and its furrows weep together"
31:39 j981 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְלִי־כָ֑סֶף 1 Job is using the term **silver** by association to mean money, since silver was used as money in this culture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “without paying for it” without silver
31:39 vfe3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ בְּעָלֶ֣יהָ הִפָּֽחְתִּי 1 This could mean: (1) that as a poetic way of referring to death, Job is speaking of how someone might **expire** or breathe out **breath**. He would mean implicitly that he had not even left the people who were farming his land enough crops to live on. Alternate translation: “or caused its masters to die of starvation” (2) that Job had grieved the people who were farming his land by oppressing them, though he had not actually caused them to die. The word translated **breath** can also mean “soul,” and the word translated **expire** could mean “sigh.” In that case Job would be using the souls of these farmers to mean the farmers themselves. Alternate translation: “or caused the souls of its masters to sigh” or “or caused its masters to sigh from oppression” or caused the breath of its masters to expire
31:39 j982 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּעָלֶ֣יהָ 1 In this context, the term **masters** describes people who are farming the land, not people who own it. It could refer to people who were tenants of land that Job owned. In that case, they would likely be sharecropping, that is, growing crops on Job’s land in exchange for giving him a share of the crops. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “its tenants” or “its sharecroppers” or “the people who were farming it” its masters
31:40 k93z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis תַּ֤חַת חִטָּ֨ה ׀ יֵ֥צֵא ח֗וֹחַ וְתַֽחַת־שְׂעֹרָ֥ה בָאְשָׁ֑ה 1 Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “may a thorn grow instead of wheat, and may a weed grow instead of barley” "may a thorn grow instead of wheat
and a weed instead of barley"
31:40 j983 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun תַּ֤חַת חִטָּ֨ה ׀ יֵ֥צֵא ח֗וֹחַ וְתַֽחַת־שְׂעֹרָ֥ה בָאְשָׁ֑ה 1 Job is not referring to a specific **thorn** or to a specific **weed**. He means thorns and weeds in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “may thorns grow instead of wheat, and may weeds grow instead of barley” "may a thorn grow instead of wheat
and a weed instead of barley"
31:40 j984 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy תַּ֝֗מּוּ דִּבְרֵ֥י אִיּֽוֹב 1 The narrator is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This is the end of what Job said” The words of Job have ended
32:intro pq4v 0 # Job 32 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter introduces a younger man named Elihu, who has been listening to the conversation between Job and his three friends. Elihu explains that he waited for the friends to speak first, out of respect for their age. But since they have not been able to answer Job effectively, he would now like to speak himself. Elihu continues to speak through chapter 37.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines 32:6–22 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because those verses are poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Reference of “you” and “your”\n\nIn verses 6 and 11–14, Elihu says “you” and “your” in order to refer to Job’s three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.\n\n### “words” meaning speaking or what a person says\n\nSeveral times in verses 11–18, Elihu uses the term “words” to mean speaking or what a person says by using words. The narrator also uses the term in that sense in verse 4. Notes suggest ways to translate the term “words” in these various individual contexts.
32:1 j985 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הָ֭אֵלֶּה 1 By **the three of these men**, the narrator implicitly means Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar” the three of these men
32:1 k2f6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעֵינָֽיו 1 The narrator is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in his own perspective” in his eyes
32:2 cr7d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּ֤חַר אַ֨ף ׀ אֱלִיה֣וּא בֶן־בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל הַבּוּזִי֮ מִמִּשְׁפַּ֪חַ֫ת רָ֥ם בְּ֭אִיּוֹב חָרָ֣ה אַפּ֑וֹ 1 See how you translated the word **nose** in [9:5](../09/05.md). The narrator is speaking as if Elihu’s **nose** or anger could literally have **burned**. He means that Elihu became very angry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He became very angry against Job” Then the nose burned of Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram. His nose burned against Job
32:2 s11a rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיִּ֤חַר 1 The narrator is using the word translated **Then** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. Then & burned
32:2 j986 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants אֱלִיה֣וּא בֶן־בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל הַבּוּזִי֮ מִמִּשְׁפַּ֪חַ֫ת רָ֥ם 1 The author is introducing **Elihu** as a new participant in the story by naming his father, his people group, and his clan. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. You may wish to indicate in your translation, as the UST does, that Elihu had been listening as Job spoke with his three friends. Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram
32:2 hxc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֱלִיה֣וּא & בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל & הַבּוּזִי֮ & רָ֥ם 1 The words **Elihu**, **Barakel**, and **Ram** are the names of men. **Buzite** is the name of the people group to which Elihu belonged. The term identifies him as one of the descendants of a man named Buz. Elihu & Barakel the Buzite, & Ram
32:3 p4aw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָרָ֪ה אַ֫פּ֥וֹ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “he became very angry” his nose burned
32:3 j987 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וַ֝יַּרְשִׁ֗יעוּ אֶת־אִיּֽוֹב 1 A marginal notation in traditional manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible indicates that scribes changed this reading from “they had declared God wrong” to **they had declared Job wrong**. The scribes made this change in order to avoid the uncomfortable suggestion that God could be declared wrong. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT. Alternate translation: “and so they had made it appear as if God were wrong” but they had declared Job wrong
32:4 j988 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וֶֽאֱלִיה֗וּ חִכָּ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב בִּדְבָרִ֑ים כִּ֤י זְֽקֵנִים־הֵ֖מָּה מִמֶּ֣נּוּ לְיָמִֽים 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Now Job’s friends were much older than Elihu, so he had waited until they had finished speaking to Job before he spoke himself” Now Elihu had awaited Job with words, because they {were} older in days than he {was
32:4 w92d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וֶֽאֱלִיה֗וּ חִכָּ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב בִּדְבָרִ֑ים כִּ֤י 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the narrator is using the term **words** to mean what Elihu wanted to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because” Now Elihu had awaited Job with words, because
32:4 j989 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom זְֽקֵנִים־הֵ֖מָּה & לְיָמִֽים 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [30:1](../30/01.md). Alternate translation: “they were older in age” they {were} older in days
32:5 mm6z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֵ֤ין מַעֲנֶ֗ה בְּ֭פִי שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים 1 The narrator is speaking as if an **answer** were an object that could have been in the **mouths** of Job’s friends. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Job’s three friends could say nothing further to answer him” there was no answer in the mouths of the three of the men
32:6 j990 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֤עַן & וַיֹּ֫אמַ֥ר 1 As the General Introduction to Job discusses, this phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose a person **said** something. Specifically, the person said it in order to answer or respond to what someone else said. See how you have been translating this expression. Alternate translation: “And … responded” And & answered and said
32:6 j991 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לְ֭יָמִים 1 Elihu is using the term **days** to refer to his age. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in age” in days
32:6 jj95 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular וְאַתֶּ֣ם 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **you** is plural here because Elihu is addressing Job’s three friends, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. and you
32:7 j992 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אָ֭מַרְתִּי יָמִ֣ים יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ וְרֹ֥ב שָׁ֝נִ֗ים יֹדִ֥יעוּ חָכְמָֽה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “I told myself that days should speak and that a multitude of years should teach wisdom” "I said, ‘Let days speak,
and let a multitude of years teach wisdom"
32:7 z9d9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יָמִ֣ים יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ וְרֹ֥ב שָׁ֝נִ֗ים יֹדִ֥יעוּ חָכְמָֽה 1 Elihu is speaking of **days** and **years** as if they were living things that could **speak** and **teach wisdom**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. He means that people who have lived for many days and years should do those things. Alternate translation: “Let people who have lived for many days speak; yes, let those who have lived for a multitude of years teach wisdom” "Let days speak,
and let a multitude of years teach wisdom"
32:7 j993 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns חָכְמָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wisdom**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is wise” wisdom
32:8 j994 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit רֽוּחַ־הִ֣יא בֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁ 1 Elihu means implicitly that God created humans with a **spirit** as well as a body. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “man has a spirit, not just a body” a spirit, it {is} in man
32:8 le8v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בֶאֱנ֑וֹשׁ 1 Although the term **man** is masculine, Elihu is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “in humans” in man
32:8 tg64 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְנִשְׁמַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י תְּבִינֵֽם 1 Elihu means implicitly that because the Almighty breathed life into humans, divinely bestowing on them the gift of life (the Bible presents this concept in [Genesis 2:7](../02/07.md)), humans have **understanding**, not just instinct as animals do. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and it is because the Almighty has breathed life into them that they have understanding” and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding
32:9 j995 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹֽא־רַבִּ֥ים יֶחְכָּ֑מוּ וּ֝זְקֵנִ֗ים יָבִ֥ינוּ מִשְׁפָּֽט 1 Elihu means implicitly that it is not the **great** or the **aged** alone who are wise and understand justice. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “It is not only the great who are wise, and it is not the aged alone who understand justice” "The great are not wise,
and the aged do {not} understand justice"
32:9 j996 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רַבִּ֥ים & וּ֝זְקֵנִ֗ים 1 Elihu is using the adjectives **great** and **aged** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “Great people … and aged people” The great & and the aged
32:9 j997 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מִשְׁפָּֽט 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is just” justice
32:10 j998 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes לָכֵ֣ן אָ֭מַרְתִּי שִׁמְעָה־לִּ֑י אֲחַוֶּ֖ה דֵּעִ֣י אַף־אָֽנִי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Therefore I ask you to listen to me so that I also can declare my knowledge” "Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
I also will declare my knowledge"
32:10 c94u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns דֵּעִ֣י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what I know” my knowledge
32:11 vq5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְֽדִבְרֵיכֶ֗ם & מִלִּֽין 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job’s friends said and tried to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for you to speak … for something to say” "for your words;
& for} words"
32:12 cem5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֲמָרָ֣יו 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job said by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what he said” or “his arguments” his words
32:13 ys9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes פֶּן־תֹּ֣֭אמְרוּ מָצָ֣אנוּ חָכְמָ֑ה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “So do not say that you have found wisdom” lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom
32:13 pwq9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations לֹא־אִֽישׁ 1 Elihu is using the masculine term **man** in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “not a mere human being” not man
32:14 q8fq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹא־עָרַ֣ךְ אֵלַ֣י מִלִּ֑ין 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job and his friends have been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Now Job has said nothing to provoke me, so I can speak reasonably to him, unlike you” Now he has not arrayed words against me
32:15 j999 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside חַ֭תּוּ לֹא־עָ֣נוּ ע֑וֹד הֶעְתִּ֖יקוּ מֵהֶ֣ם מִלִּֽים 1 Elihu has been speaking directly to Job’s friends in the second person, but in this verse he starts speaking about them in the third person. This could mean: (1) that Elihu is now speaking to himself, but out loud, about the people to whom he had been speaking. He would be doing that to indicate in a strong way how he feels about those people. Alternate translation: “I am indignant that Job’s friends are dismayed and are no longer answering him and have nothing further to say to him” (2) that Elihu is now speaking about Job’s friends to others who are present. (It is unlikely that Elihu is turning to address Job himself here; Elihu begins addressing Job directly by name in [33:1](../33/01.md).) Alternate translation: “Look, all the rest of you, at how Job’s friends are dismayed and are no longer answering him and have nothing further to say to him!” Since Job’s friends can hear what Elihu is saying, and since he is saying it partly for their benefit, you could also continue to use the second person in your translation, as the UST does. "They are dismayed; they do not answer any longer;
words have gone from them"
32:15 gi7d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֶעְתִּ֖יקוּ מֵהֶ֣ם מִלִּֽים 1 Elihu is speaking of **words** as if they were living things that could have **gone** away from Job’s friends. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they have nothing further to say” words have gone from them
32:16 k7n7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְ֭הוֹחַלְתִּי כִּי־לֹ֣א יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ כִּ֥י עָ֝מְד֗וּ לֹא־עָ֥נוּ עֽוֹד 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I shall not wait because they are not speaking, because they stand, they answer no more!” "Shall I wait because they are not speaking,
because they stand, they answer no more"
32:16 k000 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative וְ֭הוֹחַלְתִּי כִּי־לֹ֣א יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ כִּ֥י עָ֝מְד֗וּ לֹא־עָ֥נוּ עֽוֹד 1 Elihu is using a future statement to give himself an instruction or command. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate these words using a command or instruction form. Alternate translation: “I should not wait because they they are not speaking, because they stand, they answer no more!” "Shall I wait because they are not speaking,
because they stand, they answer no more"
32:16 k001 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys עָ֝מְד֗וּ לֹא־עָ֥נוּ עֽוֹד 1 Elihu is expressing a single idea by using the two verbs **stand** and **answer**. In this context, the word **stand** means to stop doing something. He does not mean that Job’s friends have stood to their feet. Alternate translation: “they have ceased to answer any more” they stand, they answer no more
32:17 ii5q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns דֵעִ֣י 1 See how you translated the similar expression in verse 10. Alternate translation: “what I know” my knowledge
32:18 j46i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מָלֵ֣תִי מִלִּ֑ים 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he wants to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am full of things to say” I am full of words
32:18 k002 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מָלֵ֣תִי מִלִּ֑ים 1 Elihu is speaking of himself as if he were a container that was **full** of **words**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have very many things to say” I am full of words
32:18 t9et rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit ר֣וּחַ 1 By **spirit**, Elihu could mean God’s Spirit, as he described in verse 8 and implied in verse 13. If this is the meaning, your language may have some convention, such as capitalization, for distinguishing God’s Spirit from the spirit of a person. Alternate translation: “the Spirit” the spirit
32:18 k003 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בִּטְנִֽי 1 Elihu is using one part of himself, his **belly**, to mean all of him in the act of being compelled. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “within me” in my belly
32:19 l5s6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כְּיַ֥יִן 1 Elihu is using the term **wine** by association to mean a wine container. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is like a wine container” is} like wine
32:19 a7cz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כְּאֹב֥וֹת חֲ֝דָשִׁ֗ים יִבָּקֵֽעַ 1 Elihu is speaking as if his **belly** were literally **bursting open** the way **new wineskins** do if they are not able to stretch enough to accommodate the gases that form as the wine inside them ferments. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I feel as if I can barely contain all the things I want to say, as if I were a new wineskin that could hardly stretch enough to contain all the gases that were forming as the wine inside it fermented” like new wineskins, it is bursting open
32:20 m29y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיִֽרְוַֽח־לִ֑י 1 The idea of being able to breathe freely once again is implicit in the word translated **refresh**. Your language may have an equivalent expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “so that I can breathe a sign of relief” and refresh myself
32:20 w6zz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֶפְתַּ֖ח שְׂפָתַ֣י 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [11:5](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: “I will talk” I will open my lips
32:21 k004 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אִ֑ישׁ & אָ֝דָ֗ם 1 In both instances, the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “anyone … anyone” "a man,
& a man"
32:21 k005 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַל & אֶשָּׂ֣א פְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [13:8](../13/08.md). Alternate translation: “let me not show favoritism to anyone” let me not lift the face of a man
32:21 mi73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְאֶל־אָ֝דָ֗ם לֹ֣א אֲכַנֶּֽה 1 Elihu may be using one thing that he might do to flatter someone, address him by an honorary **title**, to mean all the ways in which he might flatter someone. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and let me not flatter anyone” and let me not give a title to a man
32:22 nb65 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹ֣א יָדַ֣עְתִּי אֲכַנֶּ֑ה 1 This could mean: (1) that Elihu is using the word **know** in the sense of being acquainted with something. He may mean that this is not his custom. Alternate translation: “it is not my custom to address people by honorary titles” (2) that Elihu is saying that he is not skilled at **giving titles**. Alternate translation: “I am not very good at giving titles” or “I am not very good at flattery” I do not know giving titles
32:22 i4r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism כִּ֝מְעַ֗ט יִשָּׂאֵ֥נִי עֹשֵֽׂנִי 1 When Elihu says that his **Maker** (God) would **take** him **away** if he flattered people, he is referring to death in a poetic way. He means that God would punish him by killing him. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “my Maker would do away with me” my Maker would soon take me away
33:intro t7rx 0 # Job 33 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Elihu’s speech. In this chapter, Elihu addresses Job directly. He invites Job to listen to him, summarizes what Job has said, and tells Job that he is wrong that God does not respond to people. Elihu says that God speaks to people in dreams to warn them not to keep sinning. He says that God also uses sickness to correct people. The implications are that Job’s sufferings are a warning from God not to sin; they are not a punishment from God for sins that Job has committed. In that sense, as Elihu says at the end of the chapter, Job has been right and his friends have been wrong about what has been happening to Job.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### ransom\n\nIn verse 24, Elihu describes how God may say of a person who is suffering because of his sin, “I have found a ransom.” The term “ransom” can describe a payment that is made in exchange for someone’s freedom. The term “redeem,” which Elihu uses earlier in that verse, can similarly mean to make a payment in order to have someone set free. However, in this context, the term “ransom” seems to describe instead a valuable consideration, not necessarily a monetary one, that provides the grounds for sparing someone from punishment. Be sure that it is clear in your translation of this verse that God is not saying that he is going to make a payment to someone else on behalf of the suffering person.\n\nA further implication seems to be that the person whom Elihu is describing has repented because of his sufferings after an interpreting angel has explained to him the change needed in his actions. This repentance shows that the person has responded positively to God’s initiatives to get him to stop living in the wrong way and to start living in the right way once again. Be sure that it is also clear in your translation of verse 24 that there is nothing that the person has done to redeem or ransom himself. As Elihu says, God “is gracious to him.” It is God who brings the sickness into the person’s life to “chasten” him, and it is God who sends the angel to warn and admonish the person, and so the person is spared from punishment through the actions of God.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “words” meaning speaking or what a person says\n\nAs in chapter 32, many times in this chapter Elihu uses the term “words” to mean speaking or what a person says by using words. Notes suggest ways to translate the term “words” in these various individual contexts.### reference of “you” and “your”\n\nThroughout this chapter, Elihu uses the pronouns “you” and “your” to address Job individually, so use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.\n\n### “man” and “men” with generic meaning\n\nIn several places in this chapter, Elihu uses the words “man” and “men” in a generic sense that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. It may be helpful in your translation to say “men and women” or to use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Notes suggest translation possibilities at various places (see: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations).\n\n### “seals their correction” or “terrifies them with warnings” (verse 16)\n\nIn verse 16, the ULT follows the standard Hebrew text by saying “seals their correction.” However, as a footnote in the ULT indicates, many biblical scholars believe that the original reading was more likely “terrifies them with warnings,” and some translations say that. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.
33:1 m7lu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלָּ֑י וְֽכָל־דְּבָרַ֥י 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he wants to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I have to say … all that I tell you” "my words;
& all of my words"
33:2 j572 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture נָ֭א פָּתַ֣חְתִּי פִ֑י דִּבְּרָ֖ה לְשׁוֹנִ֣י בְחִכִּֽי 1 Elihu is using the past tense to describe something that he intends to do in the immediate future. He is doing that in order to indicate his resolve to do what he describes. Alternate translation: “I am now about to open my mouth; my tongue is about to speak on my palate” "I have now opened my mouth;
my tongue has spoken on my palate"
33:2 k006 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נָ֭א פָּתַ֣חְתִּי פִ֑י 1 Elihu is using the first part of the speaking process, opening one’s **mouth**, to mean the entire process of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am now about to speak” I have now opened my mouth
33:2 k007 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification דִּבְּרָ֖ה לְשׁוֹנִ֣י בְחִכִּֽי 1 Elihu is speaking of his **tongue** as if it were a living thing that could speak on its own. He means that he is about to use his tongue to form words by touching it against his **palate** and other places in his mouth. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “the words are on the tip of my tongue” my tongue has spoken on my palate
33:3 k008 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֲמָרָ֑י 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he plans to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will speak” My words {are
33:3 u1kk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יֹֽשֶׁר־לִבִּ֥י 1 Elihu is using his **heart** to represent his character. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the uprightness of my character” from} the uprightness of my heart
33:3 k009 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יֹֽשֶׁר־לִבִּ֥י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **uprightness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “as someone whose character is upright” from} the uprightness of my heart
33:3 j6sd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְדַ֥עַת שְׂ֝פָתַ֗י בָּר֥וּר מִלֵּֽלוּ 1 Elihu is speaking of his **lips** as if they were living things that could **speak** on their own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I say will be pure knowledge” and my lips speak pure knowledge
33:4 g749 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result רֽוּחַ־אֵ֥ל עָשָׂ֑תְנִי וְנִשְׁמַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י תְּחַיֵּֽנִי 1 Elihu is reasserting the reason he gave in [32:8](../32/08.md) to account for how he will be able to speak knowledgably. See how you translated the similar expression there. Alternate translation: “I will be able to speak knowledgably because the Spirit of God made me; yes, it was the Almighty who breathed the breath of life into me” "The Spirit of God made me;
yes, the breath of the Almighty enlivened me"
33:5 ikf4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עֶרְכָ֥ה & הִתְיַצָּֽבָה 1 Although they are used in other contexts as well, the words translated as **array** and **station** can have the sense of organizing troops into formations and placing them on a field of battle in order to defend a certain position. Elihu may be speaking as if Job’s words were troops that he wanted him to organize and as if Job himself were an army that should make a stand on a battlefield. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “marshal your arguments … draw up your defense” or “organize what you want to say … prepare to defend yourself” array & station yourself
33:5 k010 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְ֝פָנַ֗י 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “in my presence” or “to me personally” to my face
33:6 dis8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲנִ֣י כְפִ֣יךָ לָאֵ֑ל 1 Elihu could be using the term **mouth** to mean: (1) what Job said when he wished that God would respond to him. Job said something like this in [31:35](../01/01.md) and in several other places earlier in his speeches. Alternate translation: “I will reply to you on behalf of God, as you wished” (2) Job himself. Elihu would be using part of Job, the part he has been using to pursue his case against God, to mean all of Job. If you follow this second interpretation in your translation, you may wish to put the sentence break at the end of the verse rather than in the middle of the verse, since the two halves of the verse would be parallel statements. Alternate translation: “I am just like you to God” I am for God according to your mouth
33:6 q828 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מֵ֝חֹ֗מֶר קֹרַ֥צְתִּי גַם־אָֽנִי 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context suggests that it is God. Alternate translation: “God formed me too from clay” I too have been formed from clay
33:6 ym3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מֵ֝חֹ֗מֶר קֹרַ֥צְתִּי גַם־אָֽנִי 1 Elihu is speaking as if God had literally **formed** him from **clay**. He is indicating that he is only a mortal human being by alluding to the way that God originally formed humans from the dust of the earth. The Bible presents this concept in [Genesis 2:7](../02/07.md)). As the next verse makes clear, Elihu is reassuring Job that he does not have to be afraid of how he will respond to him, in contrast with the way Job said in [30:21–23](../30/21.md) and other places that he was afraid that God would respond to him violently and with great force. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am only a mortal human being” I too have been formed from clay
33:7 dmb1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession אֵ֭מָתִי 1 Elihu is using this possessive form to describe Job’s fear of him, not his own fear of something. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the fear of me” my fear
33:7 y53l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝אַכְפִּ֗י עָלֶ֥יךָ לֹא־יִכְבָּֽד 1 Elihu is speaking as if he might literally use his arms and hands to push down hard on Job and keep him from getting up, although he says that he will not do that. He means that he will not treat Job severely. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I will not treat you severely” and my pressure will not be heavy on you
33:8 zu7c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אָמַ֣רְתָּ בְאָזְנָ֑י 1 Elihu is using the term **ears** by association to mean hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have spoken in my hearing” or “you have spoken while I was listening” you have spoken in my ears
33:8 c2f7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְק֖וֹל מִלִּ֣ין אֶשְׁמָֽע 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job has said by using words. Elihu may be referring to the **sound** of the words to mean the exact words, that is, exactly what Job said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and this is exactly what I heard you say” and I have heard the sound of the words
33:9 f62q rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations זַ֥ךְ אֲנִ֗י בְּֽלִ֫י פָ֥שַׁע חַ֥ף אָנֹכִ֑י וְלֹ֖א עָוֺ֣ן לִֽי 1 In this verse and the next two verses, Elihu is telling what he heard Job say. You may wish to indicate that with an introductory phrase. While Elihu quotes many words and phrases directly from Job’s speeches (for example, Job described his prayer as “pure” in [16:17](../16/17.md)), this is a general summary, not a series of exact quotations. Nevertheless, you may wish to present verses 9–11 as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “You have said, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and I have no iniquity” "I {am} pure, without transgression;
I {am} innocent, and iniquity {is} not to me"
33:9 h3f9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes זַ֥ךְ אֲנִ֗י בְּֽלִ֫י פָ֥שַׁע חַ֥ף אָנֹכִ֑י וְלֹ֖א עָוֺ֣ן לִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate verses 9–11 so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “You have said that you are pure, without transgression; you have said that you are innocent and that you have no iniquity” "I {am} pure, without transgression;
I {am} innocent, and iniquity {is} not to me"
33:10 f8tf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הֵ֣ן תְּ֭נוּאוֹת עָלַ֣י יִמְצָ֑א יַחְשְׁבֵ֖נִי לְאוֹיֵ֣ב לֽוֹ 1 Elihu is continuing to provide a general summary of what he heard Job say, directly quoting certain words and phrases. For example, Job asked God in [13:24](../13/24.md) why God considered him an enemy. If you decided to translate the previous verse as an indirect quotation, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: “You have said that God finds occasions against you and that he considers you to be his enemy” "Behold, he finds occasions against me;
he considers me an enemy to him"
33:11 w3ja rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes יָשֵׂ֣ם בַּסַּ֣ד רַגְלָ֑י יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כָּל־אָרְחֹתָֽי 1 Elihu is continuing to provide a general summary of what he heard Job say. In this verse he quotes directly what Job said in [13:27](../13/27.md). If you decided to translate the previous two verses as an indirect quotation, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: “You have said that God puts your feet in shackles and that he watches all of your paths.’ "He puts my feet in shackles;
he watches all of my paths"
33:11 ra4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָשֵׂ֣ם בַּסַּ֣ד רַגְלָ֑י יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כָּל־אָרְחֹתָֽי 1 Job spoke as if God had literally put his **feet** in **shackles** and as if his courses of action were literally **paths** that he was walking along. If you chose to express the ideas behind these images rather than the images themselves in [13:27](../13/27.md), you can do the same thing here so that it will be clear that Elihu is quoting what Job said there. "He puts my feet in shackles;
he watches all of my paths"
33:12 bbu1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit זֹ֣את 1 By **this**, Elihu seems to mean Job’s belief that God was not treating him fairly, which Elihu has just summarized. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “in thinking that God is not treating you fairly,” in} this
33:12 k011 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result זֹ֣את לֹא־צָדַ֣קְתָּ & כִּֽי־יִרְבֶּ֥ה אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַ מֵאֱנֽוֹשׁ 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could move this phrase to the start of the verse (after **Behold**), since it gives the reason why Elihu says that Job is **not right**. Alternate translation: “since God is greater than man, you have misunderstood how he is treating you” "in} this you are not right.
& for God is greater than man"
33:12 k012 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations מֵאֱנֽוֹשׁ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “than humans” than man
33:13 z74q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַ֭דּוּעַ אֵלָ֣יו רִיב֑וֹתָ כִּ֥י כָל־דְּ֝בָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א־יַעֲנֶֽה 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not contend against him, that he does not answer any of one’s words” "Why do you contend against him,
that he does not answer any of one’s words"
33:13 m749 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִּ֥י כָל־דְּ֝בָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א־יַעֲנֶֽה 1 Elihu could be saying: (1) that Job’s complaint is that God has not responded to his questions and protests. In that case, Elihu would be using the term translated **words** to mean what Job has been saying. Alternate translation: “that he does not respond when one speaks to him” (2) that God does not given an account for his own actions. The term translated **words** can also describe the matters with which someone is concerned or the things that someone does. Alternate translation: “that he does not account to anyone for how he treats that person” that he does not answer any of one’s words
33:13 k013 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person כִּ֥י כָל־דְּ֝בָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א־יַעֲנֶֽה 1 Since Elihu is speaking to Job and he probably means that Job is complaining that God is not answering him, you could translate this in the second person if that would be more natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that does not answer any of your words” or “that he does not respond when you speak to him” that he does not answer any of one’s words
33:13 k014 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations כִּ֥י כָל־דְּ֝בָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א־יַעֲנֶֽה 1 It may be more natural in your language to make this a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “saying, ‘He does not answer any of my words’” or “saying, ‘He does not respond when I speak to him’” that he does not answer any of one’s words
33:14 gyh6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry בְאַחַ֥ת יְדַבֶּר־אֵ֑ל וּ֝בִשְׁתַּ֗יִם 1 As Eliphaz did in [5:19](../05/19.md), here Elihu is naming a number that should be sufficient to illustrate his point and then increasing that number by one for emphasis. This was a common device in Hebrew poetry. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could express the emphasis another way. Alternate translation: “God indeed speaks to people” God speaks once—yes, twice
33:14 k015 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast לֹ֣א יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה 1 Elihu is drawing an implicit contrast between God’s genuine speaking and people’s failure to perceive it. You may wish to indicate this contrast explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “the only problem is, people do not perceive it” one does not perceive it
33:15 zz7a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּחֲל֤וֹם ׀ חֶזְי֬וֹן לַ֗יְלָה בִּנְפֹ֣ל תַּ֭רְדֵּמָה עַל־אֲנָשִׁ֑ים 1 Elihu is using two of the same phrases that Eliphaz used in [4:13](../01/01.md) in order to make a very similar point. The implication is that Elihu believes that Eliphaz was right to say what he did. Since Elihu is echoing Eliphaz implicitly, it would probably not be appropriate to add an explicit phrase to the text saying something like “as Eliphaz said,” but it may be helpful to translate the phrases here the same way you did in [4:13](../01/01.md). "In a dream, in a vision of the night,
in the falling of deep sleep upon men"
33:15 vq5q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural בִּ֝תְנוּמ֗וֹת 1 Elihu is using the plural form **slumbers** in a context where the singular term “slumber” would suffice. This suggests that he is using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “in sound slumber” in slumbers
33:16 k016 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns יִ֭גְלֶה אֹ֣זֶן אֲנָשִׁ֑ים 1 Since Elihu is speaking of many people, if you retain the term **ear** in your translation, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of the word. Alternate translation: “God opens the ears of people” he opens the ear of men
33:16 cgu3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יִ֭גְלֶה אֹ֣זֶן אֲנָשִׁ֑ים 1 Elihu is using the term **ear** by association to mean hearing. When he says that God **opens** people’s ears, he means that God enables them to hear. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God enables people to hear him speaking” he opens the ear of men
33:16 k017 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יִ֭גְלֶה אֹ֣זֶן אֲנָשִׁ֑ים 1 In this context, hearing represents understanding. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God enables people to understand what he is saying to them” he opens the ear of men
33:16 k018 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וּבְמֹ֖סָרָ֣ם יַחְתֹּֽם 1 Elihu is using the possessive form **their correction** to describe the correction that God gives to people, not the correction that people give. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and seals the correction that he gives to them” and seals their correction
33:16 k019 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבְמֹ֖סָרָ֣ם יַחְתֹּֽם 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally placed a seal over the **correction** that he gave to people. He means that God preserves the value and influence of the correction. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and enables them to appreciate and benefit from the correction that he gives to them” and seals their correction
33:17 k020 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְ֭הָסִיר אָדָ֣ם מַעֲשֶׂ֑ה 1 Elihu is speaking implicitly of a person **doing** something that was wrong. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to bring a person back from doing what is wrong” to bring a man back from {his} doing
33:17 qd6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְ֭הָסִיר אָדָ֣ם מַעֲשֶׂ֑ה 1 Elihu is speaking as if God would literally **bring** a person who was doing wrong **back** from a certain place. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to warn that person to stop doing what is wrong” to bring a man back from {his} doing
33:17 k021 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְגֵוָ֖ה מִגֶּ֣בֶר יְכַסֶּֽה 1 Elihu is speaking as if **pride** were literally an object that God would **conceal** from a person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and to keep that person from becoming proud” and to conceal pride from a man
33:18 t4um rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַחְשֹׂ֣ךְ נַ֭פְשׁוֹ 1 The pronoun **He** refers to God, and the pronoun **his** refers to a person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God spares a person’s soul” He spares his soul
33:18 d93m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נַ֭פְשׁוֹ & וְ֝חַיָּת֗וֹ 1 Elihu is using parts of a person, his **soul** and his **life**, to mean all of him in the act of being spared from death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “him … and he spares him” his soul & and his life
33:18 lgc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism מֵעֲבֹ֥ר 1 Elihu is using the phrase **crossing over** to mean “dying.” This is a poetic way of referring to death; it suggests the image of crossing a river that is the boundary between one territory and another. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from dying” from crossing over
33:18 bd6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בַּשָּֽׁלַח 1 Elihu is using the term **weapon** by association to being killed by a weapon. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by being killed by a weapon” by a weapon
33:19 pgn6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְהוּכַ֣ח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God also chastens a person” He is also chastened
33:19 x9jg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְר֖וֹב עֲצָמָ֣יו אֵתָֽן 1 Elihu is speaking as if there were literally **contention** or warfare among the **bones** of this person. He is using an image similar to the one that Job used in [30:17](../30/17.md) when he said, “Night pierces my bones.” Job meant that he got a stabbing sensation of pain in his body when he lay down at night. Here Elihu speaks similarly as if Job’s bones were being wounded in battle and Job was feeling the pain of that. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he feels continual discomfort in his body” and the contention of his bones {is} continual
33:20 ubm9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ מַאֲכַ֥ל תַּאֲוָֽה 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and his soul abhors food of desire” and his soul food of desire
33:20 k022 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche חַיָּת֣וֹ & וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ 1 Elihu is using parts of a person, his **life** and his **soul**, to mean all of him in the act of abhorring food. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he … and he abhors” his life & and his soul
33:20 k023 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לָ֑חֶם 1 Elihu is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “food” bread
33:20 x7zp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession מַאֲכַ֥ל תַּאֲוָֽה 1 Elihu is using this possessive form to describe **food** that a person would especially **desire**, not food that belongs to desire. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “desirable food” or “delicacies” food of desire
33:21 f64y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְשֻׁפּ֥וּ עַ֝צְמוֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א רֻאּֽוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and his bones, which people could not see before, become visible” and his bones, not seen, are exposed
33:22 gup8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וְ֝חַיָּת֗וֹ 1 Elihu is using parts of a person, his **soul** and his **life**, to mean all of him in the act of approaching death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he … and he draws near” his soul & and his life
33:22 ne1h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לַֽמְמִתִֽים 1 Elihu may be referring implicitly to specific angels who were believed to be agents through whom God caused people to die. (There are suggestions of this in [2 Samuel 24:16](../2sa/24/16.md) and [Psalm 78:49](../psa/78/49.md).) You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to the angels of death” to the ones causing death
33:23 kt34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast אִם 1 Elihu is drawing an implict contrast between the angels of death whom he described in the previous verse and the type of angel he describes in this verse, who helps keep a person from going “down to the pit” (as he says in the next verse). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate the contrast explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “But if” If
33:23 k024 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מֵלִ֗יץ 1 The word translated **interpreter** is used elsewhere in the Bible to mean someone who translates what someone says in one language into another language, for example, in [Genesis 42:23](../42/23.md). Here, however, it implicitly means someone who speaks on behalf of another person, not necessarily translating what that person says into another language. Alternate translation: “an advocate” or “a spokesman” an interpreter
33:23 zbw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֶחָ֥ד מִנִּי־אָ֑לֶף 1 Elihu does not necessarily mean that exactly **one** out of every **thousand** angels is an interpreter such as he describes. Instead, this expression may mean in a general sense that such angels are rare. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that rare kind of angel” one of a thousand
33:23 k025 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְהַגִּ֖יד לְאָדָ֣ם יָשְׁרֽוֹ 1 This could mean: (1) that the angel would **declare** to a person how he would need to change his actions so that he would be upright or have a right standing with God (**his** would refer to the person) or so that his actions would conform to God’s **uprightness** (**his** would refer to God). Alternate translation: “to declare to a person how he needs to change his actions in order to become upright” (2) that the angel would **declare** to God on behalf of a person (the word translated **to** would mean “for”) that the person was upright or had the potential to change his actions and become upright and so did not need to die. Alternate translation: “to declare to God on a person’s behalf that he is upright” to declare to a man his uprightness
33:24 k026 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיְחֻנֶּ֗נּוּ 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God and the pronoun **him** refers to the person whom Elihu has been describing. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and God is gracious to that person” and he is gracious to him
33:24 a1rp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּ֗אמֶר פְּ֭דָעֵהוּ מֵרֶ֥דֶת שָׁ֗חַת מָצָ֥אתִי כֹֽפֶר 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “and tells the angels of death to spare him from going down to the pit because he has found a ransom” "and says,
Redeem him from going down to the pit,
I have found a ransom"
33:24 es6z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מָצָ֥אתִי כֹֽפֶר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **ransom**, you could express the same idea in another way. See the discussion of this idea in the General Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: “I have found a good reason to spare him” I have found a ransom
33:24 k027 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מָצָ֥אתִי כֹֽפֶר 1 The word **found** does not mean that God did not know where this **ransom** was and had to look for it and finally found it. Rather, it means that when the suffering person repented, this was a consideration that helped provide grounds for sparing him. (See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter.) You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I have recognized a good reason to spare him” I have found a ransom
33:25 mu51 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּשָׂר֣וֹ 1 Elihu is using one part of this person’s body, his **flesh**, to mean his whole body in the act of being rejuvenated. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his body” his flesh
33:25 k7le rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יָ֝שׁ֗וּב לִימֵ֥י עֲלוּמָֽיו 1 Elihu is speaking of this person’s **flesh** as if it were a living thing that could go back in time to his **youth**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it becomes as it was in the days of his youth” it returns to the days of his youth
33:25 n9hs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִימֵ֥י עֲלוּמָֽיו 1 Elihu is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to the time of his youth” to the days of his youth
33:26 k028 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיִּרְצֵ֗הוּ וַיַּ֣רְא פָּ֭נָיו בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה 1 The pronoun **he** means God in the first instance and, in the second instance, **he** means the person whom Elihu has been describing. The pronoun **him** refers to this person, and the pronoun **his** refers to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and God will accept this person, and the person will see God’s face with joy” "and he will accept him,
and he will see his face with joy"
33:26 yt2q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיַּ֣רְא פָּ֭נָיו 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Based on what Elihu says in the next two verses, this probably means that he will come into God’s presence in a temple. Alternate translation: “and he will come into God’s presence in a temple” and he will see his face
33:26 d3zd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיָּ֥שֶׁב לֶ֝אֱנ֗וֹשׁ צִדְקָתֽוֹ 1 This could mean: Alternate translation: (1) “for God will restore the man to a right standing with him” or (2) “and God will restore his reputation as a righteous person” or (3) “and God will set things right for the man again” and he will restore to the man his righteousness
33:27 k029 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָשֹׁ֤ר ׀ עַל־אֲנָשִׁ֗ים 1 Elihu assumes that Job will understand that by **sing**, he means that the person will go to a temple and publicly sing a song of thanksgiving to celebrate how God has delivered him, as was the custom in this culture. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “He will sing a song of thanksgiving in a temple” He will sing to men
33:27 t53p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חָ֭טָאתִי וְיָשָׁ֥ר הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִי וְלֹא־שָׁ֥וָה לִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “and say that he sinned and turned aside uprightness but that God did not requite to him” "and say,
I sinned and I turned aside uprightness,
but he did not requite to me"
33:27 k030 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְיָשָׁ֥ר הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִי 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **uprightness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and I turned aside what was right” and I turned aside uprightness
33:27 k031 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְיָשָׁ֥ר הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִי 1 Elihu is speaking of **uprightness** as if it were a living thing that had been walking down the right path and he **turned** it **aside** so that it began going down the wrong path. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I did what was not right” and I turned aside uprightness
33:28 u2a3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes פָּדָ֣ה נַ֭פְשׁוֹ & מֵעֲבֹ֣ר בַּשָּׁ֑חַת וְ֝חַיָּתוֹ & בָּא֥וֹר תִּרְאֶֽה 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation in such a way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: “He will say that God has redeemed his soul from going over into the pit and that his life life will see light” "He has redeemed my soul from going over into the pit,
and my life will see light"
33:28 wt12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נַ֭פְשׁוֹ & וְ֝חַיָּתוֹ 1 Elihu is using parts of this person, his **soul** and his **life**, to mean all of him in the act of being redeemed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “me … and I” my soul & and my life
33:28 f6ps rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְ֝חַיָּתוֹ & בָּא֥וֹר תִּרְאֶֽה 1 This person is using the term **light** by association to mean life on earth. As in many other places in the book, here the realm of the living is described as a place of light, by contrast with the realm of the dead, which is a place of darkness. (For example, in [18:18](../18/18.md), “They will drive him from light into darkness, and they will chase him from the world.”) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I will continue to live on earth” and my life will see light
33:29 w47t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism פַּעֲמַ֖יִם שָׁל֣וֹשׁ 1 As he did in verse 14, here Elihu is naming a number that should be sufficient to illustrate his point and then increasing that number by one for emphasis. This was a common device in Hebrew poetry. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could express the emphasis another way. Alternate translation: “again and again” twice, thrice
33:30 m27i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נַ֭פְשׁוֹ 1 Elihu is using one part of this person, his **soul**, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “him” his soul
33:30 myd4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לֵ֝א֗וֹר בְּא֣וֹר הַֽחַיִּים 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so that he can enlighten him with the light of the living” for being enlightened with the light of the living
33:30 k032 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj לֵ֝א֗וֹר בְּא֣וֹר הַֽחַיִּים 1 Elihu is using the plural adjective **living** as a noun to mean a certain group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “so that he can enlighten him with the light of living people” for being enlightened with the light of the living
33:30 k033 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession לֵ֝א֗וֹר בְּא֣וֹר הַֽחַיִּים 1 Elihu is using the possessive form, **the light of the living**, to describe the light that living people have and by which they see, not light that living people give off. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “so that he can enlighten him with the light that living people have” for being enlightened with the light of the living
33:30 k034 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לֵ֝א֗וֹר בְּא֣וֹר הַֽחַיִּים 1 As in verse 38, the term **light** refers by association to life on earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that he can restore him to life among the other people who live on earth” for being enlightened with the light of the living
33:31 z1l9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאָנֹכִ֥י אֲדַבֵּֽר 1 For emphasis, Elihu is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **speak**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “and let me be the one who speaks” and I will speak
33:32 k035 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential אִם 1 Since Elihu told Job in the previous verse to **listen** and be **silent**, when he tells him in this verse to **speak** and **answer**, he implicitly means that Job should do this only after listening to him. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Then if” If
33:32 k036 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יֵשׁ־מִלִּ֥ין 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job would say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have something to say” there are words
33:32 g3l6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit חָפַ֥צְתִּי צַדְּקֶֽךָּ 1 Elihu seems to mean that he desires to show that Job has been right in saying that God is not punishing him for committing sin. Elihu has been suggesting that Job’s sufferings are instead a warning from God not to take a sinful course of action. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I am trying to show that you have been right in saying that God is not punishing you for committing sin” I desire to justify you
33:33 k037 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast אִם 1 Elihu is implicitly drawing a contrast, suggesting that, on the other hand, Job may not have anything to say once he has listened to him further. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate the contrast explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “But if” If
33:33 k038 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַתָּ֥ה שְֽׁמַֽע־לִ֑י 1 For emphasis, Elihu is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **listen**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “you be the one who listens while I speak” you listen to me
33:33 k039 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns חָכְמָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wisdom**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is wise” wisdom
34:intro b9ku 0 # Job 34 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Elihu’s speech. In this chapter, Elihu speaks first to Job’s friends and others who may be listening, then from verse 16 onward he addresses Job directly, and then he speaks again to the others about Job starting in verse 34.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Elihu speaking harshly about Job\n\nIt may be puzzling to your readers that while Elihu promises Job in 33:7 that he will be gentle with him, in this chapter, in verses 7–8 and 35, Elihu speaks very harshly about Job. However, this is really a matter of interpretation rather than translation, so it is not necessary to offer an explanation within the text of your translation.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Elihu quoting Job and his friends\n\nIn several places in this chapter, Elihu directly quotes Job or his friends. He does this to affirm what the friends said and to challenge what Job said. To help your readers appreciate that Elihu is doing this, you may wish to translate his expressions the same way you translated them when Job or his friends used them.\nIn 34:3, Elihu quotes what Job said in 12:11.\nIn 34:5, Elihu quotes what Job said in 27:2.\nIn 34:6, Elihu quotes what Job said in 6:4, 16:13, and 27:4.\nIn 34:7, Elihu quotes what Eliphaz said in 15:16.\nIn 34:12, Elihu quotes what Bildad said in 8:3.\n\n### “man” and “men” with generic meaning\n\nIn several places in this chapter, Elihu uses the words “man” and “men” in a generic sense that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. It may be helpful in your translation to say “men and women” or to use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Notes suggest ways in which you might do this. (See: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations.)\n\n### “For” at the start of a verse introducing a reason\n\nSeveral times in this chapter, Elihu says “For” at the beginning of a verse to introduce the reason for something he said in the previous verse. Elihu does this in verses 3, 5, 9, 11, 21, and 37. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could refer back more explicitly to the previous verse in order to show what Elihu is doing. The UST models ways to do this in each case. (“For” at the beginning of verse 23 introduces a new consideration, as the UST also illustrates.) (See: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases.)
34:1 h9vc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֥עַן אֱלִיה֗וּא וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose a person **said** something. In this case, Elihu said more things in light of what he had already said and thus, in a sense, in answer to them. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “And Elihu said further, in light of what he had already said” And Elihu answered and said
34:2 k8a4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלָּ֑י 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he is about to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I have to say” my words
34:2 zux7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חֲכָמִ֣ים 1 Elihu is using the adjective **wise** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. (The ULT adds the word **ones** to show this.) Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “you who are wise” wise {ones
34:3 ln8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ יִטְעַ֥ם לֶאֱכֹֽל 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Elihu is using the same phrase that Job used to tell his friends in [12:11](../12/11.md) that he had considered and rejected their perspective. Elihu is quoting Job in order to tell him that, for his part, he has considered Job’s perspective and rejected it. To help your readers recognize this, you may wish to use the same language in your translation here as you did in [12:11](../12/11.md). "the ear tests words,
and the palate tastes food"
34:3 k040 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ יִטְעַ֥ם לֶאֱכֹֽל 1 Elihu is using the word **and** to indicate that the phrase it introduces is just as true as the previous phrase. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “the ear tests words, just as the palate tastes food” "the ear tests words,
and the palate tastes food"
34:3 k041 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ יִטְעַ֥ם לֶאֱכֹֽל 1 Elihu is speaking of the **ear** as if it could **test words** by itself. He is using the ear to represent hearing, and he means that people themselves test or consider the words of others when they hear them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “people consider others’ words when they hear them, just as people discern with their mouths the taste of their food” "the ear tests words,
and the palate tastes food"
34:3 k043 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ יִטְעַ֥ם לֶאֱכֹֽל 1 Though Elihu is making a general statement, he is referring implicitly to what Job has said and what he has decided about it. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I have heard what Job has said and I have considered it and decided that it is not true, just as people discern with their mouths the taste of their food” "the ear tests words,
and the palate tastes food"
34:3 k042 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלִּ֣ין 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what people say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what people say” words
34:3 k044 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ יִטְעַ֥ם לֶאֱכֹֽל 1 Elihu is speaking of the **palate** or mouth as if it could **taste** by itself. He means that with their mouths, people discern the taste of the food that they eat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “just as people discern with their mouths the taste of their food” and the palate tastes food
34:4 v6hj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive מִשְׁפָּ֥ט נִבְחֲרָה־לָּ֑נוּ נֵדְעָ֖ה בֵינֵ֣ינוּ מַה־טּֽוֹב 1 Elihu is using the pronoun **us** to refer to himself and to the “wise ones” whom he is addressing, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction. (Even though Job is present and listening, Elihu is not addressing him, so Elihu is still saying **us** to include everyone whom he actually is addressing.) "Let us choose justice for ourselves;
let us know among ourselves what is good"
34:4 k045 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מִשְׁפָּ֥ט 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is just” justice
34:5 k046 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כִּֽי־אָ֭מַר אִיּ֣וֹב צָדַ֑קְתִּי וְ֝אֵ֗ל הֵסִ֥יר מִשְׁפָּטִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “For Job has said that he is righteous but that God has taken away his justice” "For Job has said, ‘I am righteous,
but God has taken away my justice"
34:5 k2e1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְ֝אֵ֗ל הֵסִ֥יר מִשְׁפָּטִֽי 1 Elihu is saying that Job has spoken of **justice** as if it were an object that God had **taken away** from him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but God has not been just in the way that he has treated me” but God has taken away my justice
34:6 k047 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes עַל־מִשְׁפָּטִ֥י אֲכַזֵּ֑ב אָנ֖וּשׁ חִצִּ֣י בְלִי־פָֽשַׁע 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation in such a way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: “Job has said that he would not lie about his justice and that his arrow is incurable, without transgression” "Would I lie about my justice?
My arrow is incurable, without transgression"
34:6 k523 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַל־מִשְׁפָּטִ֥י אֲכַזֵּ֑ב 1 In this quotation by Elihu, Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I would not lie about my justice!” Would I lie about my justice
34:6 k048 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns עַל־מִשְׁפָּטִ֥י אֲכַזֵּ֑ב 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “I would not lie about whether I had done the right thing!” Would I lie about my justice
34:6 i95p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חִצִּ֣י 1 In this quotation by Elihu, Job is using the term **arrow** by association to mean a wound from an arrow. (Elihu is referring back to what Job said in [16:13](../0161/13.md) about God’s archers fatally wounding him with arrows.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “My wound” My arrow
34:6 k049 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis בְלִי־פָֽשַׁע 1 In this quotation by Elihu, Job is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “even though I am without transgression” without transgression
34:7 nd2a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִי־גֶ֥בֶר כְּאִיּ֑וֹב 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “There is no other person like Job!” What man {is} like Job
34:7 glm5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִֽשְׁתֶּה־לַּ֥עַג כַּמָּֽיִם 1 Elihu is speaking as if Job literally drank **scorn** the way he would drink **water**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He indulges freely in making scornful statements” He drinks scorn like water
34:8 j3zr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns פֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן & אַנְשֵׁי־רֶֽשַׁע 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **iniquity** and **wickedness**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “people who do what is iniquitous … people who are wicked” "doers of iniquity
& men of wickedness"
34:9 k050 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כִּֽי־אָ֭מַר לֹ֣א יִסְכָּן־גָּ֑בֶר בִּ֝רְצֹת֗וֹ עִם־אֱלֹהִֽים 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “For he has said that it does not benefit a person when he delights himself with God” "For he has said, ‘It does not benefit a man
when he delights {himself} with God"
34:10 n22e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַ֥נֲשֵׁ֥י לֵבָ֗ב 1 Here the **heart** represents understanding. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “men of understanding” or “you wise men” men of heart
34:10 meh8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom חָלִ֖לָה לָאֵ֥ל מֵרֶ֗שַׁע וְשַׁדַּ֥י מֵעָֽוֶל 1 See how you translated the expression “Sacrilege to” in [27:5](../27/05.md). Alternate translation: “Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do iniquity” Sacrilege to God from wickedness, and the Almighty from iniquity
34:10 k051 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis חָלִ֖לָה לָאֵ֥ל מֵרֶ֗שַׁע וְשַׁדַּ֥י מֵעָֽוֶל 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Far be it from God to do wickedness, and far be it from the Almighty to do iniquity” Sacrilege to God from wickedness, and the Almighty from iniquity
34:11 ia8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יְשַׁלֶּם & יַמְצִאֶֽנּוּ 1 The pronoun **he** refers to God in both instances. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God repays … God causes it to find him” he repays & he causes it to find him
34:11 y31y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom פֹ֣עַל אָ֭דָם יְשַׁלֶּם־ל֑וֹ 1 See how you translated the word “repay” in [21:19](../21/19.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God punishes a person for what he does” the deed of a man he repays to him
34:11 k052 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּֽכְאֹ֥רַח אִ֝֗ישׁ 1 Elihu is speaking of how a person lives as if that were a **path** that the person was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and based on how a person lives” and according to the path of a man
34:11 k053 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַמְצִאֶֽנּוּ 1 Here, **it** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “God causes things to happen to him” he causes it to find him
34:13 n1w5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־פָקַ֣ד עָלָ֣יו אָ֑רְצָה וּמִ֥י שָׂ֝֗ם תֵּבֵ֥ל כֻּלָּֽהּ 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “God did not need anyone to appoint him over the earth or to set all of the world under his dominion!” "Who appointed {him} over the earth?
And who set the world, all of it"
34:13 k054 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּמִ֥י שָׂ֝֗ם תֵּבֵ֥ל כֻּלָּֽהּ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “And who set the world, all of it, under his dominion” And who set the world, all of it
34:14 d4kx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־יָשִׂ֣ים אֵלָ֣יו לִבּ֑וֹ 1 Here the **heart** represents the thoughts and perceptions. Alternate translation: “If he considered only himself” or “If he thought only about himself” If he set his heart upon himself
34:14 t8rt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit רוּח֥וֹ וְ֝נִשְׁמָת֗וֹ אֵלָ֥יו יֶאֱסֹֽף 1 As he did in [32:](../32/08.md), here Elihu is alluding to the way that God originally breathed the breath of life into humans. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “if he withdrew his Spirit and the breath of life from humans” if} he gathered his Spirit and his breath to himself
34:15 lah1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כָּל־בָּשָׂ֣ר 1 Elihu is using the term **flesh** by association to mean the creatures that God made, which generally have flesh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all creatures” all flesh
34:15 k055 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism יִגְוַ֣ע & יָ֑חַד 1 Elihu is using the word **expire** to mean “die.” This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “would pass away together” or “would die at the same time” would expire together
34:15 tmc7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝אָדָ֗ם עַל־עָפָ֥ר יָשֽׁוּב 1 Elihu does not mean that people would actively **return** to the **dust** on their own. Rather, as in [33:6](../33/06.md), he is referring to the way that God originally formed people from the dust of the earth, and he means that humans would die and their bodies would become dust again. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and people would die be buried and their bodies would decompose and become part of the dirt again” and man would return to the dust
34:16 h7bg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְאִם־בִּ֥ינָה 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “But if understanding is to you” or “But if you have understanding” But if understanding
34:16 lpb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular שִׁמְעָה & הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינָה 1 The imperatives **hear** and **listen** are singular because Elihu is now addressing Job directly. (He is marking a transition from addressing the other “wise ones” who are present by repeating those two terms, which he also used in verse 2.) So use singular imperative forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction. hear & listen
34:16 giw9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינָה לְק֣וֹל מִלָּֽי 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he is about to say by using words. As in [33:8](../33/08.md), he may be referring to the **sound** of the words to mean the exact words, that is, exactly what he is going to say. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “listen to exactly what I am going to say” listen to the sound of my words
34:17 rc4c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַאַ֬ף שׂוֹנֵ֣א מִשְׁפָּ֣ט יַחֲב֑וֹשׁ וְאִם־צַדִּ֖יק כַּבִּ֣יר תַּרְשִֽׁיעַ 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. (The second question continues into the next two verses, but in many languages it will not be necessary to translate those verses differently except for the punctuation at the end of verse 19.) Alternate translation: “One hating justice will certainly not govern! No, you should not condemn the Righteous One, the Mighty One” "Will one hating justice indeed govern?
Or if you will condemn the Righteous {One}, the Mighty {One"
34:17 s1zl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאִם־צַדִּ֖יק כַּבִּ֣יר תַּרְשִֽׁיעַ 1 Elihu is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If you decide to retain the question form, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “And you will not condemn the Righteous One, the Mighty One, will you” Or if you will condemn the Righteous {One}, the Mighty {One
34:17 l8xs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj צַדִּ֖יק כַּבִּ֣יר 1 Elihu is using the adjectives **Righteous** and **Mighty** as nouns to mean a certain person, God, who possesses these qualities supremely. The ULT adds the word **One** in each case to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “God, who is supremely righteous and mighty” the Righteous {One}, the Mighty {One
34:18 n5xx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הַאֲמֹ֣ר לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בְּלִיָּ֑עַל רָ֝שָׁ֗ע אֶל־נְדִיבִֽים 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “the one telling a king that he is worthless and telling nobles that they are wicked” "the one saying ‘Worthless!’ to a king,
Wicked!’ {to} nobles"
34:18 pa2a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לְמֶ֣לֶךְ 1 Elihu is not referring to a specific **king**. He means kings in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “to kings” to a king
34:19 k056 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־נָשָׂ֨א ׀ פְּנֵ֥י שָׂרִ֗ים 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [13:8](../13/08.md). Alternate translation: “who does not show favoritism to princes” who does not lift the faces of princes
34:19 k057 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לִפְנֵי־דָ֑ל 1 In this context, the phrase **to the face of** means “in front of” or “ahead of.” Alternate translation: “ahead of the poor” or “more than the poor” to the face of the poor
34:19 k058 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj שׁ֭וֹעַ & דָ֑ל 1 Elihu is using the adjectives **rich** and **poor** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “rich people … poor people” the rich & the poor
34:19 sj41 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדָ֣יו כֻּלָּֽם 1 Elihu is using one part of God, his **hands**, to mean all of him in the act of making people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he has made all of them” all of them {are} the work of his hands
34:19 k059 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion יָדָ֣יו 1 If you decided in verse 17 to use a statement or exclamation to translate the question that begins in the middle of that verse and continues to the end of this verse, remember to use the punctuation here that your language uses to mark the end of a statement or exclamation. his hands
34:20 xkd5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַחֲצ֪וֹת לָ֥יְלָה 1 Elihu is speaking as if what he is describing generally happens to people literally **in the middle of the night**. He means that it happens suddenly and unexpectedly, as if it happened at the time when people are usually asleep. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and suddenly and unexpectedly” and {in} the middle of the night
34:20 yx7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְגֹעֲשׁ֣וּ עָ֣ם 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God shakes people” people are shaken
34:20 nq3g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְיַעֲבֹ֑רוּ 1 Elihu is using the word **pass** to mean “die.” This is a mild or poetic way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “and they depart” or “and they die” and they pass
34:20 k060 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְיָסִ֥ירוּ אַ֝בִּ֗יר 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “and the mighty are taken away” and they take away the mighty
34:20 k061 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אַ֝בִּ֗יר 1 Elihu is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “even the person who is mighty” the mighty
34:20 dsu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹ֣א בְיָֽד 1 Elihu is using one part of a human being, his **hand**, to mean all of him in the act of potentially taking away a mighty person (although Elihu says that no person actually does this). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “not by a human being” not by a hand
34:21 k062 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עֵ֭ינָיו & יִרְאֶֽה 1 The first instance of the pronoun **his** and the pronoun **he** refer to God. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God’s eyes … God sees” his eyes {& he sees
34:21 syl2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עֵ֭ינָיו עַל 1 Elihu is using one part of God, his **eyes**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he looks upon” his eyes {are} upon
34:21 wn28 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכָל־צְעָדָ֥יו 1 Elihu is speaking of how a person lives as if that were a **way** or path that the person was taking **steps** along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how a person lives, and … everything that he does” "the ways of a man,
and & all of his steps"
34:22 em2w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet אֵֽין־חֹ֭שֶׁךְ וְאֵ֣ין צַלְמָ֑וֶת 1 The terms **darkness** and **deep darkness** mean similar things. Elihu is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “There is no darkness at all” There is no darkness and there is no deep darkness
34:22 k063 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לְהִסָּ֥תֶר & פֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for the doers of iniquity to hide themselves” for the doers of iniquity to be hidden
34:23 k064 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לֹ֣א עַל־אִ֭ישׁ יָשִׂ֣ים 1 As Job does in [23:6](../23/06.md), here Elihu is leaving out some of the words of a certain Hebrew expression that occurs in full form in other places in the book. See how you translated the expression “set upon” in [23:6](../23/06.md). Alternate translation: “God does not set his heart upon a person” or “God does not consider a person” he does not set upon a man
34:23 dy7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לַהֲלֹ֥ךְ אֶל־אֵ֝֗ל בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “so there is no need for any person to go to him for judgment” to go to God for judgment
34:24 hwl1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָרֹ֣עַ כַּבִּירִ֣ים 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally **shatters** mighty people or breaks them into pieces. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He punishes mighty people by taking away their power and influence” He shatters the mighty
34:24 k065 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj כַּבִּירִ֣ים 1 Elihu is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “mighty people” the mighty
34:24 nyi9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לֹא־חֵ֑קֶר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **investigation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “without needing to investigate how they have been living” with} no investigation
34:25 z5n9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְהָ֥פַךְ & וְיִדַּכָּֽאוּ 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally **overthrows** mighty people who do wrong, that is, as if God throws them down onto the ground. Elihu is also speaking as if God literally crushes these people, that is, breaks them into small pieces. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he takes away their power and influence … and they are destroyed” he overthrows {them} & and they are crushed
34:25 hq7v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַ֝֗יְלָה 1 See how you translated the similar phrase “in the middle of the night” in verse 20. Alternate translation: “suddenly and unexpectedly” in the night
34:25 rxl8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְיִדַּכָּֽאוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and he crushes them” and they are crushed
34:26 mwg7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit רְשָׁעִ֥ים 1 Elihu is using a plural form to indicate that these mighty people whom God judges are guilty of wickedness to a great degree. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “their great wickedness” their wickednesses
34:27 af3k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor סָ֣רוּ מֵֽאַחֲרָ֑יו 1 Elihu is speaking as if these wicked mighty people were literally walking behind God but then **turned** away to walk in a different direction from his. He means that they stopped obeying God’s commandments. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they stopped obeying God’s commandments” they turned from after him
34:27 mv8l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְכָל־דְּ֝רָכָ֗יו לֹ֣א הִשְׂכִּֽילוּ 1 Elihu is speaking of how God wants people to live as if that were a series of **ways** or paths along which God wants people to walk. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they did not respect the manner in which God wants people to live” and they did not consider any of his ways
34:28 d5r1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לְהָבִ֣יא עָ֭לָיו צַֽעֲקַת־דָּ֑ל 1 In the first part of this verse, Elihu is indicating the result of what he described in the previous verse, wicked people not obeying God’s commandments or respecting the way God wants people to live. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly in your translation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “As a result, they caused the cry of the poor to come to God” to cause the cry of the poor to come to him
34:28 k066 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj דָּ֑ל & עֲנִיִּ֣ים 1 Elihu is using the adjectives **poor** and **afflicted** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “poor people … afflicted people” the poor & the lowly
34:28 msid rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive עֲנִיִּ֣ים 1 See how you translated the term **lowly** in [29:12](../29/12.md). the lowly
34:28 k067 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יִשְׁמָֽע 1 Elihu is using the term **heard** in a specific sense to mean “answered.” Alternate translation: “God answered” he heard
34:29 k61c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְה֤וּא יַשְׁקִ֨ט ׀ וּמִ֥י יַרְשִׁ֗עַ וְיַסְתֵּ֣ר פָּ֭נִים וּמִ֣י יְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Even if God is silent, no one can condemn him. If God hides his face, no one can perceive him” "If he is silent, then who will condemn {him}?
If he hides {his} face, then who will perceive him"
34:29 w485 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche פָּ֭נִים 1 Elihu is using one part of God, his **face**, to mean all of him in the act of hiding himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “himself” his} face
34:29 j5ex rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְעַל־גּ֖וֹי וְעַל־אָדָ֣ם יָֽחַד 1 Elihu is describing God as **over** or spatially above each **nation** and **man** (person) in order to indicate that God rules them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yet he rules both individual nations and individual persons” Yet {he is} over a nation and over a man alike
34:30 n7qw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מִ֭מְּלֹךְ אָדָ֥ם חָנֵ֗ף 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “to protect a nation from the reigning of a godless man” or “to keep a godless person from reigning over a nation” from the reigning of a godless man
34:30 k068 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁי עָֽם 1 Elihu is speaking as if the **people** of a nation would literally be caught in **snares** or traps if a godless person became their ruler. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to keep people from being oppressed” from snares of the people
34:31 k069 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כִּֽי־אֶל־אֵ֭ל הֶאָמַ֥ר נָשָׂ֗אתִי לֹ֣א אֶחְבֹּֽל 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “If one says to God that he has borne but he will no longer offend” "If one says to God,
I have borne, I will not offend"
34:31 k070 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo כִּֽי־אֶל־אֵ֭ל הֶאָמַ֥ר 1 Elihu is suggesting a hypothetical situation in order to illustrate a point. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone said to God” If one says to God
34:31 k071 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis נָשָׂ֗אתִי 1 The speaker in this hypothetical situation is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I have borne punishment for my sin” I have borne
34:32 u6ly rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes בִּלְעֲדֵ֣י אֶ֭חֱזֶה אַתָּ֣ה הֹרֵ֑נִי אִֽם־עָ֥וֶל פָּ֝עַ֗לְתִּי לֹ֣א אֹסִֽיף 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation in such a way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: “if he asks God to teach him what he cannot see, and if he says that if he has done iniquity, he will not continue” "besides [what] I see, you teach me;
if I have done iniquity, I will not continue"
34:32 k072 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo בִּלְעֲדֵ֣י אֶ֭חֱזֶה אַתָּ֣ה הֹרֵ֑נִי אִֽם־עָ֥וֶל פָּ֝עַ֗לְתִּי לֹ֣א אֹסִֽיף 1 This verse continues the hypothetical situation that Elihu is suggesting in order to illustrate a point. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “And suppose that person asked God to teach him what he could not see, and suppose he told God that if he had done iniquity, he would not continue.” "besides [what] I see, you teach me;
if I have done iniquity, I will not continue"
34:32 k073 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַתָּ֣ה הֹרֵ֑נִי 1 For emphasis, Elihu is stating the pronoun **you**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **teach**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “please teach me” you teach me
34:33 px78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הַֽמֵעִמְּךָ֬ יְשַׁלְמֶ֨נָּה 1 Elihu is using the expression **from with you** to refer, while addressing Job, to the perspective that Job has been expressing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will God still punish that repentant person, as you have been saying he would” from with you will he repay it
34:33 kc72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo הַֽמֵעִמְּךָ֬ יְשַׁלְמֶ֨נָּה 1 This is the end of the hypothetical situation that Elihu has been suggesting in order to illustrate a point. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Then, in your opinion, would God still punish that person” from with you will he repay it
34:33 xdv4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְשַׁלְמֶ֨נָּה 1 See how you translated the word “repay” in verse 11. Alternate translation: “will he still punish the person for having done wrong” will he repay it
34:33 nw6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מָאַ֗סְתָּ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “you belittle what we have been saying about how God deals with people” you despise
34:34 k074 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַנְשֵׁ֣י לֵ֭בָב 1 See how you translated the same expression in verse 10. Alternate translation: “Men of understanding” Men of heart
34:34 k075 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְגֶ֥בֶר חָ֝כָ֗ם 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wisdom**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and any wise person” and a man of wisdom
34:34 qbs3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis שֹׁמֵ֥עַֽ לִֽי 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “hearing me will also say to me” hearing me
34:35 k076 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אִ֭יּוֹב לֹא־בְדַ֣עַת יְדַבֵּ֑ר וּ֝דְבָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א בְהַשְׂכֵּֽיל 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation, with no comma at the end of verse 34: “that Job does not speak with knowledge and that his words are without understanding” "Job does not speak with knowledge,
and his words {are} not with understanding"
34:35 k077 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְדַ֣עַת 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “knowledgeably” with knowledge
34:35 k078 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּ֝דְבָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א בְהַשְׂכֵּֽיל 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and what he says is not with understanding” and his words {are} not with understanding
34:35 k079 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֝דְבָרָ֗יו לֹ֣א בְהַשְׂכֵּֽיל 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **understanding**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and he does not really understand what he is talking about” and his words {are} not with understanding
34:36 znm7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יִבָּחֵ֣ן אִיּ֣וֹב 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God would test Job” or “God would put Job on trial” Job were tested
34:36 w7eb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַל־תְּ֝שֻׁבֹ֗ת בְּאַנְשֵׁי־אָֽוֶן 1 Elihu is using the word **among** in a sense that suggests that one thing is associated with another. He means that Job responds in a way associated with **men of iniquity**, as if Job were such a person himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because he answers as men of iniquity would” upon {his} answers among men of iniquity
34:37 fm5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction יִסְפּ֑וֹק 1 As in [27:23](../27/23.md), here clapping one’s hands is a symbolic action that expresses derision. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “he claps his hands derisively” he claps
34:37 g7nc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְיֶ֖רֶב אֲמָרָ֣יו לָאֵֽל 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he says more and more things against God” and he multiplies his words against God
35:intro mfr6 0 # Job 35 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Elihu’s speech. In this chapter, Elihu speaks primarily to Job, although in the last verse he speaks about Job to the others who are present.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Does God not benefit when humans do what is right?\n\nIn verses 6–8, Elihu tells Job that whether he is good or bad has no effect on God; that only affects other people. Elihu probably means that God does not owe Job anything for being good and that God does not have to defend himself against Job being bad. But if what Elihu says is taken in a general sense, then it does not express the full teaching of the Bible. Elsewhere the Bible says that God is delighted when people obey him and that God grieves when people sin, knowing the destructive effects that this will have. God is glorified when people acknowledge that humans flourish when they obey his commandments. Elihu, like Job’s friends, says things that are true to a certain extent but that do not fully express the counsel of God as found in the Bible as a whole.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### reference of “you” and “your”\n\nThroughout this chapter, Elihu uses the pronouns “you” and “your” to address Job individually, so use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. In verse 3, in the quotation by Elihu, the pronoun “you” is also singular because Job is using it to address God.
35:1 k080 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֥עַן אֱלִיה֗וּ וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 See how you translated the same expression in [34:1](../34/01.md). Alternate translation: “And Elihu said further, in light of what he had already said” And Elihu answered and said
35:2 s9jw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲ֭זֹאת חָשַׁ֣בְתָּ לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You should not consider this to be justice!” Do you consider this to {be} justice
35:2 g7jg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular הֲ֭זֹאת חָשַׁ֣בְתָּ לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **you** is singular here and throughout the chapter because Elihu is addressing Job directly. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Do you consider this to {be} justice
35:2 yh9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הֲ֭זֹאת חָשַׁ֣בְתָּ לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “You should not consider this a just thing to say!” Do you consider this to {be} justice
35:2 l3t8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אָ֝מַ֗רְתָּ צִדְקִ֥י מֵאֵֽל 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “You say that you are more righteous than God” or, since this is not a direct quote from Job, “You speak as if you are more righteous than God” You say, ‘I am more righteous than God
35:3 k081 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Elihu is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the previous verse that Job claimed to be more righteous than God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I say that because” For
35:3 k082 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis תֹ֭אמַר מַה־יִּסְכָּן־לָ֑ךְ מָֽה־אֹ֝עִ֗יל מֵֽחַטָּאתִֽי 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “you have said to God, ‘What does it benefit you if I am righteous? What more do I gain by not sinning than if I do sin?’” "you have said, ‘What does it benefit you?
What do I gain more than my sin"
35:3 k083 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes תֹ֭אמַר מַה־יִּסְכָּן־לָ֑ךְ מָֽה־אֹ֝עִ֗יל מֵֽחַטָּאתִֽי 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “you have asked God what it benefits him if you do not sin and what more you gain by not sinning than if you do sin” "you have said, ‘What does it benefit you?
What do I gain more than my sin"
35:3 w8qv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־יִּסְכָּן־לָ֑ךְ מָֽה־אֹ֝עִ֗יל מֵֽחַטָּאתִֽי 1 In this quotation by Elihu, Job is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “It does not benefit you if I do not sin! I do not gain more by not sinning than if I do sin!” "What does it benefit you?
What do I gain more than my sin"
35:3 k084 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular מַה־יִּסְכָּן־לָ֑ךְ 1 The word **you** is singular here because in this quotation by Elihu, Job is addressing God directly. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. What does it benefit you
35:3 k085 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מֵֽחַטָּאתִֽי 1 In this quotation by Elihu, Job is using the term **sin** by association to mean the act of sinning. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “more than if I had sinned” more than my sin
35:4 k086 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֲ֭נִי אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣ מִלִּ֑ין 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he is going to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will speak in reply to you” I will answer you {with} words
35:4 tp7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲ֭נִי 1 For emphasis, Elihu is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **answer**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of showing this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I myself” I
35:4 k087 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְֽאֶת־רֵעֶ֥יךָ עִמָּֽךְ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and I will answer your friends with you” and your friends with you
35:5 k088 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet הַבֵּ֣ט שָׁמַ֣יִם וּרְאֵ֑ה 1 The terms **Observe** and **see** mean similar things. Elihu is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Carefully observe the heavens” Observe the heavens and see
35:5 k089 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שְׁ֝חָקִ֗ים גָּבְה֥וּ מִמֶּֽךָּ 1 Elihu is saying implicitly that God is even higher above Job than the **heavens** and the **clouds**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the clouds soar above you; God is even greater than that!” the clouds soar above you
35:6 t1v8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־חָ֭טָאתָ מַה־תִּפְעָל־בּ֑וֹ וְרַבּ֥וּ פְ֝שָׁעֶ֗יךָ מַה־תַּעֲשֶׂה־לּֽוֹ 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “If you sin, you do not accomplish anything against God. If your transgressions multiply, you do not do anything to him.” "If you sin, what do you accomplish against him?
Or {if} your transgressions multiply, what do you do to him"
35:6 s7x4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְרַבּ֥וּ פְ֝שָׁעֶ֗יךָ 1 Elihu is speaking of Job’s supposed **transgressions** as if they were living things that could **multiply** on their own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or if you commit many transgressions” Or {if} your transgressions multiply
35:7 m97k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־צָ֭דַקְתָּ מַה־תִּתֶּן־ל֑וֹ א֥וֹ מַה־מִיָּדְךָ֥ יִקָּֽח 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “If you are righteous, you do not give anything to God; he does not receive anything from your hand!” "If you are righteous, what do you give to him,
or what does he receive from your hand"
35:7 i418 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִיָּדְךָ֥ 1 Elihu is using one part of Job, his **hand**, to mean all of him in the act of potentially giving something to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from you” from your hand
35:8 fa27 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations וּלְבֶן־אָ֝דָ֗ם 1 See how you translated the expression “son of man” in [16:21](../16/21.md). Alternate translation: “and … is to a human being” and & is} to a son of man
35:9 p9sw rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural מֵ֭רֹב עֲשׁוּקִ֣ים 1 Elihu is using the plural form **oppressions** in a context where the singular term “oppression” would suffice. This suggests that he is using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Because of great oppression” From the multitude of oppressions
35:9 k090 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַזְעִ֑יקוּ 1 The pronoun **they** refers to people generally. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “people cry out for justice” they make a cry
35:9 zb6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִזְּר֣וֹעַ 1 Here, **arm** represents power, and in this context, the term indicates that **mighty** people are using their power to hurt others. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because of the violence of” from the arm of
35:9 k091 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רַבִּֽים 1 Elihu is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “mighty people” the mighty
35:10 k092 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְֽלֹא־אָמַ֗ר אַ֭יֵּה אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֹשָׂ֑י נֹתֵ֖ן זְמִר֣וֹת בַּלָּֽיְלָה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “But one does not ask where God his Maker is, the one giving songs in the night” "But one does not say, ‘Where is God my Maker,
the one giving songs in the night"
35:10 k093 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַ֭יֵּה אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֹשָׂ֑י 1 The expression **Where is** indicates a desire to know whether God will act. For example, in [2 Kings 2:14](../2ki/02/14.md), Elisha asks, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” as he strikes the Jordan River with Elijah’s coat in order to part its waters so that he can walk across the riverbed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the question as the expression of a wish. Alternate translation: “I wish that God my Maker would act on my behalf” Where is God my Maker
35:10 f89r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נֹתֵ֖ן זְמִר֣וֹת בַּלָּֽיְלָה 1 Here, **night** represents difficult circumstances, and **songs** represent the rejoicing of a person whom God has delivered. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one delivering people from difficult circumstances” the one giving songs in the night
35:11 k094 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ מִבַּהֲמ֣וֹת אָ֑רֶץ וּמֵע֖וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation in such a way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: “the one teaching people more than the beasts of the earth, making them wiser than the birds of the heavens.” "the one teaching us more than the beasts of the earth,
making us wiser than the birds of the heavens"
35:11 k095 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ מִבַּהֲמ֣וֹת אָ֑רֶץ וּמֵע֖וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ 1 In this quotation, the speaker describes **beasts** and **birds** as if they were living things that God could teach and make wise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one who gave us more understanding than the beasts of the earth and the birds of the heavens” "the one teaching us more than the beasts of the earth,
making us wiser than the birds of the heavens"
35:11 k096 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ & יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ 1 The speaker is using the pronoun **us** to mean people and thus to refer to himself and his listeners, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction. the one teaching us & making us wiser
35:12 xj4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שָׁ֣ם 1 Elihu is speaking as if the troubles that people experience were a place that they were in. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “In their troubles,” There
35:12 k097 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְלֹ֣א יַעֲנֶ֑ה מִ֝פְּנֵ֗י גְּא֣וֹן רָעִֽים 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of something by association with the way that people can see the face of someone who is present.If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he does not answer, since pride is present in those evil ones” or “but he does not answer, since those evil ones are so proud” "but he does not answer
from the face of the pride of evil {ones"
35:12 k098 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רָעִֽים 1 Elihu is using the adjective **evil** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. The ULT adds the word **ones** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “evil people” evil {ones
35:13 k099 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns שָׁ֭וְא לֹא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ אֵ֑ל 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **vanity**, you could express the same idea in another way. Here the word **vanity** describes a cry to God for help that is insincere. The person asking for God’s help has not repented of the sins that have gotten him into trouble; he is still doing “evil,” as verse 12 indicates. Alternate translation: “God does not hear an insincere prayer for help” God does not hear vanity
35:13 k100 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom שָׁ֭וְא לֹא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ אֵ֑ל 1 Elihu is using the term **hear** in a specific sense to mean “answer.” Alternate translation: “God will not answer an insincere prayer for help” God does not hear vanity
35:13 k101 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י לֹ֣א יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה 1 In this context, the word **regard** also means “answer.” Elihu is using both hearing and seeing in parallel statements to emphasize his point. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. (You could also combine both parts of this verse into a single statement, as the UST does.) Alternate translation: “no, the Almighty will not answer such a prayer” and the Almighty does not regard it
35:14 di2g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אַ֣ף כִּֽי 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “How much less will God answer your prayers, given that” How much less that
35:14 c513 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations תֹ֭אמַר לֹ֣א תְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ דִּ֥ין לְ֝פָנָ֗יו וּתְח֥וֹלֵֽל לֽוֹ 1 It may be more natural in your language to have a direct quotation here. Alternate translation: “you say, ‘I do not see him; the case is to his face, and I am waiting for him,’” "you say you do not see him,
the case {is} to his face, and you are waiting for him"
35:14 njy6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy דִּ֥ין לְ֝פָנָ֗יו 1 In this context, the phrase **to his face** means “in front of him.” This is likely a reference to the written documents that people in this culture prepared for legal proceedings, as a note to [31:35](../31/35.md) discusses. Job would be saying that his testimony was “in front of” God, that is, he had submitted it for God to read. Alternate translation: “you have submitted your case to him” the case {is} to his face
35:15 ub2k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְעַתָּ֗ה כִּי־אַ֭יִן פָּקַ֣ד אַפּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יָדַ֖ע בַּפַּ֣שׁ מְאֹֽד 1 If you decided in the previous verse to translate the beginning of this indirect quotation as a direct quotation, you can also translate the continuation of the indirect quotation here as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “and also, ‘In his anger, he does not visit, and he does not take much notice of transgression’!” "and now that {in} his nose, he does not visit,
and he does not take much notice of transgression"
35:15 kpu8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַ֭יִן פָּקַ֣ד 1 As Job did in [31:14](../31/14.md), here Elihu is using the term **visit** in a particular sense. When applied to God, the term often indicates that God takes action in the life of a person or group, whether to help needy people or to punish guilty people. Here it has the latter sense. Alternate translation: “God does not punish people who are guilty of committing sin” he does not visit
35:16 k102 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְ֭אִיּוֹב & יִפְצֶה־פִּ֑יהוּ 1 Elihu is using the first part of the speaking process, opening one’s **mouth**, to mean the entire process of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “So Job speaks” So Job opens his mouth
35:16 k103 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בִּבְלִי־דַ֝֗עַת 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “without knowing what he is talking about” without knowledge
35:16 ben3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלִּ֥ין יַכְבִּֽר 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he says many things” he multiplies words
36:intro pp2j 0 # Job 36 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Elihu’s speech. In this chapter, Elihu speaks primarily to Job, although others are present and listening.\n\n- Verses 1–21: Elihu says that God uses suffering to warn and correct people.\n- Verses 22–23: Elihu describes how great God is, using a storm that is gathering and approaching to describe God’s great power.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### The difficulty of understanding verses 17–21\n\nVerses 17–21 are very difficult to understand. Biblical scholars have offered a variety of explanations of what Elihu says in each verse. Published versions of the Bible differ significantly from one another in their renderings of this material. The ULT seeks to offer a consistent and reasonable translation of these verses. But if a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may find that it differs from the ULT in several places in the way that it translates these verses. If there is a Bible translation in your region, you may wish to use the readings that it uses. If not, you may wish to follow the readings of ULT.\n\n### singular “you” and “your”\n\nThe pronouns “you” and “your” and the implied “you” in imperative verbs are singular throughout this chapter because Elihu is addressing Job. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” use singular forms in your translation.\n\n### “hear” meaning “obey”\n\nIn verses 10, 11, and 12, Elihu uses the term “hear” in a specific sense to mean “obey.” You may wish to use the term “obey” in each instance in your translation.
36:1 k104 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיֹּ֥סֶף אֱלִיה֗וּא וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **continued** tells for what purpose a person **said** something. Specifically, the person said it to add more to what he had already said. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “And Elihu said further” And Elihu continued and said
36:2 k105 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular כַּתַּר & וַאֲחַוֶּ֑ךָּ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **you** and the implied “you” in the imperative **Be patient** are singular here because in this chapter, Elihu is addressing Job directly. So if your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” use the singular form in your translation here and throughout the chapter. Be patient & and I will show you
36:2 h1hx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וַאֲחַוֶּ֑ךָּ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and I will show you that God has not been punishing you unfairly” and I will show you
36:2 k106 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy ע֖וֹד לֶאֱל֣וֹהַּ מִלִּֽים 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he wants to say further by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “there are more things to say on behalf of God” there are} yet words to God
36:3 k107 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֶשָּׂ֣א דֵ֭עִי לְמֵרָח֑וֹק 1 Elihu is describing places that are **afar** off from the perspective of how far a person would have to travel to come from those places. That is why he speaks of the places as being **from afar** and why he speaks of going to those places as going **to from afar**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will carry my knowledge to distant places” I will carry my knowledge to from afar
36:3 c3pd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֶשָּׂ֣א דֵ֭עִי לְמֵרָח֑וֹק 1 Elihu is speaking as if his **knowledge** were an object that he could literally **carry** to distant places. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “I will show a wide knowledge of my subject” or “I will speak with comprehensive knowledge” I will carry my knowledge to from afar
36:3 k1008 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֶשָּׂ֣א דֵ֭עִי לְמֵרָח֑וֹק 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “I will show that I know a wide range of things” I will carry my knowledge to from afar
36:3 u4g9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּ֝לְפֹעֲלִ֗י אֶֽתֵּֽן־צֶֽדֶק 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **righteousness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and I will show that my Maker is righteous” and I will attribute righteousness to my Maker
36:3 k109 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּ֝לְפֹעֲלִ֗י 1 By **my Maker**, Elihu implicitly means God, who made him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and … to God, who made me” and & to my Maker
36:4 sqx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִלָּ֑י 1 Elihu is using the term **words** to mean what he is about to say by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I say” my words
36:4 k111 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj תְּמִ֖ים דֵּע֣וֹת עִמָּֽךְ 1 Elihu is using the adjective phrase **complete in knowledge** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjective phrases in the same way. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “someone who has complete knowledge is with you” the complete in knowledge {is} with you
36:4 k112 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole תְּמִ֖ים דֵּע֣וֹת עִמָּֽךְ 1 Elihu says **complete** here as an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: ““someone who has very comprehensive knowledge is with you” the complete in knowledge {is} with you
36:4 br1k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person תְּמִ֖ים דֵּע֣וֹת עִמָּֽךְ 1 Elihu is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “I who have very comprehensive knowledge am with you” the complete in knowledge {is} with you
36:5 z14c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְלֹ֣א יִמְאָ֑ס 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. He is probably responding to what Job said to God in [10:3](../10/03.md), “you … despise the work of your hands.” If that would be clearer in your language, you can supply these words from the context, specifically from verse 2, where Elihu speaks of God as his “Maker.” Alternate translation: “and he does not despise any of the people whom he has made” and he does not despise
36:5 j9ct rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis כַּ֝בִּ֗יר כֹּ֣חַֽ לֵֽב 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “he is also mighty in that he is strong in heart” mighty, strong in heart
36:5 k113 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כַּ֝בִּ֗יר כֹּ֣חַֽ לֵֽב 1 Here the **heart** represents the mind or understanding. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he is also mighty in that he has great understanding” mighty, strong in heart
36:6 k114 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes לֹא־יְחַיֶּ֥ה רָשָׁ֑ע 1 Elihu is expressing a positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of his intended meaning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He punishes the wicked by killing them” He does not keep the wicked alive
36:6 k115 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רָשָׁ֑ע & עֲנִיִּ֣ים 1 Elihu is using the adjectives **wicked** and **lowly** as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “wicked people … lowly people” the wicked & the lowly
36:6 k117 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט עֲנִיִּ֣ים יִתֵּֽן 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **justice**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “but he makes sure that others treat lowly people fairly” but he gives the lowly justice
36:6 k116 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive עֲנִיִּ֣ים 1 See how you translated the term **lowly** in [29:12](../29/12.md). the lowly
36:7 k118 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes לֹֽא־יִגְרַ֥ע מִצַּדִּ֗יק עֵ֫ינָ֥יו 1 Elihu is expressing a positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of his intended meaning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He keeps his eyes on the righteous” He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous
36:7 q9mj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֹֽא־יִגְרַ֥ע מִצַּדִּ֗יק עֵ֫ינָ֥יו 1 Elihu is using one part of God, his **eyes**, to mean all of him in the act of watching over the righteous. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He continually watches over the righteous” He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous
36:7 k119 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj מִצַּדִּ֗יק 1 Elihu is using the adjective **righteous** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “from the person who is righteous” from the righteous
36:7 k120 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun מִצַּדִּ֗יק 1 Elihu is not referring to a specific **righteous** person. He means righteous people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form, particularly since Elihu uses plural forms in the rest of this verse. Alternate translation: “from righteous people” from the righteous
36:7 yc6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶת־מְלָכִ֥ים לַכִּסֵּ֑א וַיֹּשִׁיבֵ֥ם 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally put **righteous** people on a **throne** together with **kings**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but he gives them positions of power and influence” but he sets them on a throne with kings
36:7 x6yz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּגְבָּֽהוּ 1 Elihu is speaking as if righteous people literally **rise high** when God helps them. He is speaking of the esteem in which others come to hold them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and others esteem them greatly” and they rise high
36:8 f3xm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וְאִם־אֲסוּרִ֥ים בַּזִּקִּ֑ים יִ֝לָּכְד֗וּן בְּחַבְלֵי־עֹֽנִי 1 The phrase **bound in chains** could mean: (1) the same thing as **caught in cords of affliction**. Elihu may be using repetition to emphasize the idea that these phrases express. In that case, he would be speaking in both phrases as if righteous people were literally **bound** or **caught** by affliction in order to say that they were suffering from affliction. Alternate translation: “If they are bound in chains of affliction; yes, if they are caught in cords of affliction” (2) being bound in actual **chains**. This would mean that people who had previously been righteous had unfortunately committed some crime and had been punished with imprisonment. In that case Elihu would be using **chains** in the first part of the verse to mean actual physical restraint and **cords** in the second part of the verse to represent sufferings. Alternate translation: “But if they are put in prison for some crime or if they are suffering from affliction” "But if {they are} bound in chains
and they are caught in cords of affliction"
36:8 a6cw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אֲסוּרִ֥ים בַּזִּקִּ֑ים יִ֝לָּכְד֗וּן בְּחַבְלֵי־עֹֽנִי 1 If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “chains are binding them and cords of affliction have caught them” "they are} bound in chains
and they are caught in cords of affliction"
36:9 qj2k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys פָּעֳלָ֑ם וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **transgressions** tells what kind of **deeds** these people did. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “their evil deeds” their deeds and their transgressions
36:9 k121 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֣י יִתְגַּבָּֽרוּ 1 Elihu is using the word **for** to introduce the reason why these people committed **deeds** that were **transgressions**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “which they did because they became proud” for they magnified themselves
36:10 i8aj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיִּ֣גֶל אָ֭זְנָם לַמּוּסָ֑ר 1 Elihu is using one part of these righteous people who unfortunately have sinned, their **ear**, to mean all of them in the act of hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he enables them to hear correction” and he opens their ear to correction
36:10 k123 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּ֣גֶל אָ֭זְנָם לַמּוּסָ֑ר 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, in this context, to hear means to obey. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he enables them to obey correction” and he opens their ear to correction
36:10 gn8h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַיִּ֣גֶל אָ֭זְנָם לַמּוּסָ֑ר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **correction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and he enables them to obey him when he corrects them” and he opens their ear to correction
36:10 k122 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns אָ֭זְנָם 1 If you retain the use of the term **ear** for the whole person in your translation, since Elihu is speaking of many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **ear**. Alternate translation: “their ears” their ear
36:10 k124 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations וַ֝יֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־יְשֻׁב֥וּן מֵאָֽוֶן 1 It may be more natural in your language to have a direct quotation here. Alternate translation: “and says, ‘You shall return from iniquity!’” and says that they shall return from iniquity
36:10 k125 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative וַ֝יֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־יְשֻׁב֥וּן מֵאָֽוֶן 1 In this quotation by Elihu, God is using a future statement to give a command. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate these words using a command form. Alternate translation: “and says, ‘You must return from iniquity!’” and says that they shall return from iniquity
36:10 emb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַ֝יֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־יְשֻׁב֥וּן מֵאָֽוֶן 1 In this quotation by Elihu, God is speaking as if **iniquity** were a place from which disobedient people had to **return**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and says, ‘You must stop committing iniquity!’” and says that they shall return from iniquity
36:10 k126 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַ֝יֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־יְשֻׁב֥וּן מֵאָֽוֶן 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **iniquity**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and says, ‘You must stop doing things that are iniquitous!’” and says that they shall return from iniquity
36:11 k127 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יִשְׁמְע֗וּ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Elihu is using the term **hear** in a specific sense to mean “obey.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, here and in the next two verses. Alternate translation: “they obey” they hear
36:11 hx9k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom יְכַלּ֣וּ יְמֵיהֶ֣ם בַּטּ֑וֹב וּ֝שְׁנֵיהֶ֗ם בַּנְּעִימִֽים 1 Elihu is using the terms **days** and **years** to refer to a specific time, the lifetimes of these repentant people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will complete their lifetimes in good; yes, they will have pleasantness for the rest of their lifetimes” "they will complete their days in good
and their years in pleasantness"
36:11 k128 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יְכַלּ֣וּ יְמֵיהֶ֣ם בַּטּ֑וֹב וּ֝שְׁנֵיהֶ֗ם בַּנְּעִימִֽים 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **good** and **pleasantness**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “they will enjoy good things and be in pleasant situations for the rest of their lifetimes” "they will complete their days in good
and their years in pleasantness"
36:12 q2nz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism בְּשֶׁ֣לַח יַעֲבֹ֑רוּ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [33:18](../33/18.md). Alternate translation: “someone will kill them with a weapon” they will cross over by a weapon
36:12 k129 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְ֝יִגְוְע֗וּ 1 Elihu is using the word **expire** to mean “die.” This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “and they will pass away” or “and they will die” and they will expire
36:12 k130 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns כִּבְלִי־דָֽעַת 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “because they acted as if they did not know how God wanted them to live” as without knowledge
36:13 k131 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וְֽחַנְפֵי־לֵ֭ב 1 Elihu is using the adjective phrase **godless of heart** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjective phrases in the same way. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “And people who are godless in their hearts” And the godless of heart
36:13 j1gi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְֽחַנְפֵי־לֵ֭ב 1 Here the **heart** represents the character of a person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And people whose character is godless” or “And people of godless character” And the godless of heart
36:13 z1u5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָשִׂ֣ימוּ אָ֑ף 1 Elihu is speaking as if anger, represented here by a part of the body, the **nose**, were an object that people could **keep**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “remain angry with God” keep the nose
36:13 a4sw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲסָרָֽם 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally **binds** disobedient people. He is using the same image as in verse 8 to mean that God afflicts them in order to correct them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he afflicts them” he binds them
36:14 k132 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure תָּמֹ֣ת בַּנֹּ֣עַר נַפְשָׁ֑ם וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים 1 You may find it more natural to put the information about what happens during the **life** of these disobedient people before the information about when they die. Alternate translation: “They live among the cultic prostitutes, and they die young” "Their soul dies in youth,
and their life {is} among the cultic prostitutes"
36:14 k133 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche תָּמֹ֣ת בַּנֹּ֣עַר נַפְשָׁ֑ם 1 Elihu is using one part of these disobedient people, their **soul**, to mean all of them in the act of dying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They die in youth” Their soul dies in youth
36:14 k134 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns תָּמֹ֣ת & נַפְשָׁ֑ם 1 If you retain the use of the term **soul** for the whole person in your translation, since Elihu is speaking of many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **soul**. Alternate translation: “Their souls die” Their soul dies
36:14 k135 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בַּנֹּ֣עַר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **youth**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “while they are still young” in youth
36:14 k136 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים 1 Elihu is using the **life** of these people to mean all of them in the act of living. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they live among the cultic prostitutes” and their life {is} among the cultic prostitutes
36:14 ny42 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים 1 Elihu means implicitly that these disobedient people are reduced to making their living as **cultic prostitutes**, that is, as people who perform sexual acts in connection with religious rites. (Your language may have a discreet expression for this kind of activity that you may wish to use in your translation. The UST models one way to do that.) Alternate translation: “and they are reduced to making a living as cultic prostitutes” and their life {is} among the cultic prostitutes
36:15 k137 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יְחַלֵּ֣ץ עָנִ֣י בְעָנְי֑וֹ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **affliction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God uses the things that afflict a person to deliver that person” He delivers the afflicted by his affliction
36:15 k138 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj עָנִ֣י 1 Elihu is using the adjective **afflicted** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “an afflicted person” or “someone who is suffering from affliction” the afflicted
36:15 k139 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְיִ֖גֶל בַּלַּ֣חַץ אָזְנָֽם 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **oppression**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and he uses the things that oppress people to open their ear” and he opens their ear by oppression
36:15 wt6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְיִ֖גֶל & אָזְנָֽם 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [36:10](../36/10.md). Alternate translation: “and he leads them to obey” and he opens their ear
36:15 k140 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns אָזְנָֽם 1 If you retain the use of the term **ear** for the whole person in your translation, since Elihu is speaking of many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **ear**. Alternate translation: “their ears” their ear
36:16 k141 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture הֲסִיתְךָ֨ & מָ֣לֵא 1 Elihu is using the past tense in order to refer to something that he believes God would have done if Job had repented (if Job had actually been guilty of sin). Alternate translation: “he would have drawn you … he would have filled” he has drawn you & he has filled
36:16 k142 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֲסִיתְךָ֨ ׀ מִפִּי־צָ֗ר 1 Elihu is speaking of **distress** as if it were a living thing that had Job in its **mouth** and was about to swallow him. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “he would have snatched you from the jaws of distress and brought you” or “he would have rescued you from the distress that you were in and brought you” he has drawn you from the mouth of distress
36:16 k143 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet רַ֭חַב לֹא־מוּצָ֣ק תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ 1 These two expressions mean the same thing. Elihu is using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “to a place where you have plenty of room” or “to a place where you would have had plenty of room” to} a broad place {with} no constriction under it
36:16 h4g2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor רַ֭חַב לֹא־מוּצָ֣ק תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally would have brought Job to a **broad place**, that is, to an open square such as Job mentioned in [29:7](../29/07.md). Elihu means that God would have brought Job into a situation in life where he had many opportunities and the means to pursue them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “into a situation where you had many opportunities and the means to pursue them” to} a broad place {with} no constriction under it
36:16 k144 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא־מוּצָ֣ק תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ 1 Elihu is using the expression **under it** to describe what this place is like. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “with no constriction there” or “where there is no constriction” with} no constriction under it
36:16 qjt9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְנַ֥חַת שֻׁ֝לְחָנְךָ֗ מָ֣לֵא דָֽשֶׁן 1 Elihu is speaking of the **setting** of Job’s **table**, that is, the food on his table, as if it were a container that God had filled with **fatness**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he has given you much rich food to eat” or “and he would have given you much rich food to eat” and the setting of your table he has filled {with} fatness
36:17 ybk9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְדִין־רָשָׁ֥ע מָלֵ֑אתָ 1 For emphasis, Elihu is speaking as if Job were a container that was **full** of **judgment**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in another way. Elihu could mean: (1) that Job is like the godless people he described in verse 13, who remain angry with God because they judge that God is punishing them unfairly. Alternate translation: “But you are judging God very unfairly, as the wicked do” (2) that Job is experiencing the consequences of God’s judgment against him. Alternate translation: “but God is judging you severely, as he judges the wicked” But you are full of the judgment of the wicked
36:17 k145 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רָשָׁ֥ע 1 Elihu is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
36:17 k146 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet דִּ֖ין וּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט יִתְמֹֽכוּ 1 The terms **judgment** and **justice** mean similar things. Elihu is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “strict justice takes hold” judgment and justice take hold
36:17 ji7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification דִּ֖ין וּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט יִתְמֹֽכוּ 1 Elihu is speaking of these **judgment** and **justice** as if they were living things that could **take hold** of someone or something. He could mean: (1) that God is executing judgment against Job by punishing him. In that case, Elihu would be using **judgment** in a different sense than he did in the first part of the verse, to mean God’s judgment of Job rather than Job’s judgment of God. Alternate translation: “God is judging you strictly by punishing you” (2) that **judgment** and **justice** take hold of one another, meaning that they work together closely to show that Job is guilty. Alternate translation: “a just judgment is that you are guilty” judgment and justice take hold
36:18 mp6j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis כִּֽי־חֵ֭מָה פֶּן־יְסִֽיתְךָ֣ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “For there is wrath, so beware lest it entice you” or “For you are angry, so beware lest your anger entice you” For wrath, lest it entice you
36:18 k147 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְסָ֑פֶק 1 Elihu is using the term **clapping** by association to mean derision, since the people in this culture clapped their hands in order to express derision, as [27:23](../27/23.md) and [34:37](../34/37.md) indicate. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “into mocking God” into clapping
36:18 k148 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְרָב־כֹּ֝֗פֶר אַל־יַטֶּֽךָּ 1 It may be more natural in your language to express the meaning here by using a form other than a possessive form. Alternate translation: “and no ransom, no matter how great, will deliver you” and the greatness of a ransom will not deliver you
36:19 m4pr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיַעֲרֹ֣ךְ שׁ֭וּעֲךָ 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “God would not esteem your riches!” or “God would not want your money so much that he will accept a bribe and not punish you.” Will he esteem your riches
36:19 k149 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לֹ֣א בְצָ֑ר וְ֝כֹ֗ל מַאֲמַצֵּי־כֹֽחַ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “No, God would not esteem gold or all of the strengths of wealth!” Not gold or all of the strengths of wealth
36:19 z8pw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝כֹ֗ל מַאֲמַצֵּי־כֹֽחַ 1 Elihu is speaking of **wealth** as if it were a living thing that had **strengths**. He is using the idea of strength to refer to an amount or quantity of wealth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or any other kind of wealth, no matter how much of it there might be” or all of the strengths of wealth
36:20 k150 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַלָּ֑יְלָה 1 Elihu is probably using the image of **night** to mean death, similarly to the way Bildad used “darkness” to mean death in [18:18](../18/18.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “death” or “to die” the night
36:20 q5v5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לַעֲל֖וֹת עַמִּ֣ים תַּחְתָּֽם 1 By **their place**, Elihu seems to mean this earth. This may be an implicit warning to Job that once he dies, he will no longer have the opportunity that people on this earth have to repent and be reconciled to God. Alternate translation: “because when people die, they leave this earth and they have no further opportunity to repent” which is} to the departing of peoples {from} their place
36:21 k151 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַל־תֵּ֣פֶן אֶל־אָ֑וֶן 1 Elihu is speaking as if **sin** were in a particular direction and Job might literally **turn** towards that direction. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “do not commit sin” do not turn to sin
36:21 qhr8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מֵעֹֽנִי 1 Elihu is using the term **affliction** by association to mean God’s correction. (Elihu said in verses 8–10 and 15 that God used affliction to correct people.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “rather than accepting the correction that God is bringing to you through affliction” rather than affliction
36:22 c7mn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֶן־אֵ֭ל יַשְׂגִּ֣יב בְּכֹח֑וֹ 1 This could mean, depending on the meaning of the rest of the sentence: (1) that Elihu is beginning his description of a gathering storm and he is calling the attention of the others who are present to the clouds that are forming in the sky. In that case, Elihu would mean the term **Behold** literally. Alternate translation: “Look, God causes to be high in his power!” (2) that while Elihu is going to use the storm to illustrate God’s power, here he is asking the others to reflect on how great God’s power is. Alternate translation: “Consider this: God causes to be high in his power” Behold, God causes to be high in his power
36:22 x4qx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֶן־אֵ֭ל יַשְׂגִּ֣יב בְּכֹח֑וֹ 1 Elihu could be saying: (1) that God makes **high** things, specifically in this case storm clouds, and that demonstrates his **power**. Alternate translation: “Look at what high clouds God is making in his power!” (2) that God has caused himself to be high, that is, that God has exalted himself. Alternate translation: “Consider how great God has shown himself to be” Behold, God causes to be high in his power
36:22 ay6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֖י כָמֹ֣הוּ מוֹרֶֽה 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one is a teacher like him!” or “He is about to teach us something in a way that no one else could.” Who {is} a teacher like him
36:23 r88v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־פָקַ֣ד עָלָ֣יו דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וּמִֽי־אָ֝מַ֗ר פָּעַ֥לְתָּ עַוְלָֽה 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “No one has appointed his way to him! And no one has told him, ‘You have committed unrighteousness’!” "Who has appointed his way to him?
Or who has said, ‘You have committed unrighteousness"
36:23 k152 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִֽי־פָקַ֣ד עָלָ֣יו דַּרְכּ֑וֹ 1 Elihu is speaking of how someone conducts himself as if that were a **way** or path that the person was walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Who has told him how to live” or “No one has told him how to live!” Who has appointed his way to him
36:23 tz9r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וּמִֽי־אָ֝מַ֗ר פָּעַ֥לְתָּ עַוְלָֽה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Or who has told him that he has committed unrighteousness” or “And no one has told him that he has committed unrighteousness!” Or who has said, ‘You have committed unrighteousness
36:23 k153 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּמִֽי־אָ֝מַ֗ר פָּעַ֥לְתָּ עַוְלָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **unrighteousness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Or who has told him that he has done what is not right” or “And no one has told him that he has done what is not right!” Or who has said, ‘You have committed unrighteousness
36:24 k154 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom זְ֭כֹר 1 Elihu is using the term **Remember** in a particular sense to mean “ensure.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Ensure” Remember
36:24 k155 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֲנָשִֽׁים 1 Here the masculine term **men** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people” men
36:25 k156 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כָּל־אָדָ֥ם חָֽזוּ־ב֑וֹ אֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ יַבִּ֥יט מֵרָחֽוֹק 1 Elihu could possibly be indicating the storm that is gathering. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Everyone can see the storm clouds that God is forming in the sky, even though they are so high up and far away” "Every man has looked upon it;
man has regarded from afar"
36:25 k157 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations כָּל־אָדָ֥ם & אֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ יַבִּ֥יט 1 Here again the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “Each person … people have regarded” Every man & man has regarded
36:25 c8rq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ יַבִּ֥יט מֵרָחֽוֹק 1 Elihu is speaking as if people have literally seen God’s work **from afar**, that is, from a distance. He probably means that people only see and understand God’s work indistinctly and without recognizing many specific details. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “however, people only understand God’s work indistinctly” man has regarded from afar
36:25 k158 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast אֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ יַבִּ֥יט 1 Elihu is implying a slight contrast: While people can see God’s work, they can only see it **from afar**. In your translation, you may wish to indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “however, man has only regarded” man has regarded
36:26 zd6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִסְפַּ֖ר שָׁנָ֣יו וְלֹא־חֵֽקֶר 1 Elihu may be using the term **years**, indicating age, by association to mean wisdom. The book makes this association in various other places, such as [12:12](../12/12.md) and [32:7](../32/07.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he is extremely wise, since he is older than anyone can determine” the number of his years, indeed, {there is} no searching
36:27 k159 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֭י 1 Elihu is using the word **For** to introduce the immediate reason why he has been saying that God is powerful and wise. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “We can see how powerful and wise God is from the way that” For
36:27 z98g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יְגָרַ֣ע נִטְפֵי־מָ֑יִם 1 Elihu is referring implicitly to the way God **draws up** water from the earth and sea as mist into the air. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “he makes drops of water rise into the air as mist” he draws up the drops of water
36:27 k160 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְאֵדֽוֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if the water that evaporates from the earth and sea literally forms a **stream** in the sky that supplies clouds with rainwater. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “into God’s supply” or “into the clouds” into his stream
36:28 k161 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲשֶֽׁר־יִזְּל֥וּ שְׁחָקִ֑ים 1 The pronoun **which** refers to the “drops of water” that Elihu described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “The clouds pour down these drops of water” which the clouds pour down
36:28 k162 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אָדָ֬ם 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “humans” man
36:29 q3k1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִם־יָ֭בִין מִפְרְשֵׂי־עָ֑ב תְּ֝שֻׁא֗וֹת סֻכָּתֽוֹ 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “no one can understand how God makes clouds spread or how he makes thunder come from his hut!” "if one will understand the spread of the cloud,
the thunder from his hut"
36:29 wh4w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor סֻכָּתֽוֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally lived in a **hut** in the sky. (He is using the same term that Job used in [27:18](../27/18.md) to describe a guard booth.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from his dwelling place in the sky” from his hut
36:30 k163 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֵן 1 In this instance, Elihu seems to be using the term **Behold** literally. Alternate translation: “Look!” Behold
36:30 k164 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns פָּרַ֣שׂ עָלָ֣יו אוֹר֑וֹ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to God’s “hut,” that is, his dwelling in the sky, which Elihu described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “he spreads his lightning upon his dwelling place in the sky” he spreads his lightning upon it
36:30 ip5f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פָּרַ֣שׂ עָלָ֣יו אוֹר֑וֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally **spreads** lightning upon the sky. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his lightning lights up the whole sky” he spreads his lightning upon it
36:30 e9es rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְשָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַיָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה 1 Elihu is speaking of the depths of the sea as if they were the **roots** of the **sea**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he covers the depths of the sea” and he covers the roots of the sea
36:30 k165 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְשָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַיָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה 1 This could mean: (1) that God **covers** the depths of the sea with light. Alternate translation: “and the lightning is so bright that it even lights up the sea down to its depths” (2) that God **covers** the depths of the sea with water by refilling the sea with rainwater. Alternate translation: “and he refills the whole sea with rainwater” and he covers the roots of the sea
36:30 k166 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְשָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַיָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה 1 Elihu says that lightning lights up the sea all the way down to its depths as an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and the lightning shines deep into the ocean” and he covers the roots of the sea
36:31 k167 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּי 1 Elihu is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why the storms that God creates are so far-reaching in their effects, as he has just described. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “The storms that God creates are so far-reaching in their effects because” For
36:31 k168 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בָ֭ם 1 The pronoun **them** refers either to the clouds that Elihu describes in verses 28 and 29 or to the thunder and lightning that he describes in verses 29 and 30. But either way, he is referring ultimately to thunderstorms such as the one whose formation he is narrating in this part of his speech. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “by such storms” by them
36:31 k169 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָדִ֣ין עַמִּ֑ים 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly in your translation how God **judges the peoples** through the storms that he creates. Alternate translation: “he judges the peoples, sending lightning to punish those who disobey him but sending rain to bless those who obey him” he judges the peoples
36:31 k170 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִֽתֶּן־אֹ֥כֶל לְמַכְבִּֽיר 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly in your translation how God **gives food in abundance** through the storms that he creates. Alternate translation: “the rain from these storms causes crops to grow in abundance” he gives food in abundance
36:32 k171 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַל־כַּפַּ֥יִם כִּסָּה־א֑וֹר 1 Elihu is using this expression to mean that God picks up so much lightning with his hands that his hands are no longer visible beneath it. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “He fills his hands with lightning” He covers over his hands {with} lightning
36:32 k172 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיְצַ֖ו עָלֶ֣יהָ בְמַפְגִּֽיעַ 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally gave a command to the lightning that it should hit a certain **mark**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he makes it strike where he wishes” and he enjoins upon it against the mark
36:33 k3qk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַגִּ֣יד עָלָ֣יו רֵע֑וֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if thunder were a **shout** that God made. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God announces it with thunder” He declares his shout about it
36:33 k173 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַגִּ֣יד עָלָ֣יו רֵע֑וֹ 1 The pronoun **it** could refer to: (1) the storm in general. The second half of the verse suggests that this may be the case. Alternate translation: “God proclaims the coming storm with thunder” (2) the lightning Elihu describes in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “God proclaims the lightning with thunder” He declares his shout about it
36:33 se83 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מִ֝קְנֶ֗ה אַ֣ף עַל־עוֹלֶֽה 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the cattle also declare their shout about the thing arising” or “the cattle also make noise about the thing arising” the cattle also about the thing arising
36:33 k174 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַל־עוֹלֶֽה 1 Elihu is using the phrase **the thing arising** to mean the coming storm by association with the way that its thunderclouds are rising up into the sky. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “about the coming storm” about the thing arising
37:intro ccm7 0 # Job 37 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis is the conclusion of Elihu’s speech. Elihu continues to use the storm that is gathering and approaching to describe God’s great power. He concludes by telling Job that he should not expect to be able to speak with such a powerful God.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### singular “you” in verses 15–19\n\nThe pronoun “you” and the implied “you” in imperative verbs are singular in verses 15–19 because Elihu is addressing Job. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” use singular forms in your translation.\n\n### The nature of the questions in verses 15–18\n\nElihu asks Job a series of questions in verses 15–18. He may want Job to try to answer these questions so that Job will have to admit that he does not understand what God does. So these could be actual questions that Elihu is using to get information, specifically, these admissions from Job. Alternatively, Elihu may be using the question form for emphasis. A note to verse 15 suggests two possible ways in which you could translate the question there. Consider the most appropriate way to translate each of the questions in verses 15–18.
37:1 nhy8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְ֭זֹאת יֶחֱרַ֣ד לִבִּ֑י וְ֝יִתַּ֗ר מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if his **heart** were literally trembling and leaping. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at this, my heart pounds with emotion and skips a beat” "my heart trembles at this,
and it leaps from its place"
37:1 eid2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לְ֭זֹאת 1 The pronoun **this** refers to the approaching storm. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “as this storm approaches” at this
37:2 k175 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication שִׁמְע֤וּ שָׁמ֣וֹעַ 1 Elihu is repeating the verb **hear** in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Oh, hear” Hearing, hear
37:2 k176 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular שִׁמְע֤וּ 1 The implied “you” in the imperative **hear** is plural because Elihu is addressing Job, his three friends, and any others who may be present and listening. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. hear
37:2 k177 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet בְּרֹ֣גֶז קֹל֑וֹ וְ֝הֶ֗גֶה מִפִּ֥יו יֵצֵֽא 1 These two phrases mean the same thing. Elihu is using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “how very loudly God is speaking” "the roar of his voice
and the sound {that} comes from his mouth"
37:2 ilg9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּרֹ֣גֶז קֹל֑וֹ וְ֝הֶ֗גֶה מִפִּ֥יו יֵצֵֽא 1 Elihu is speaking as if thunder were literally God’s **voice**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this image as a comparison. Alternate translation: “this loud thunder! It is as if God is roaring” "the roar of his voice
and the sound {that} comes from his mouth"
37:3 k178 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תַּֽחַת־כָּל־הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם יִשְׁרֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אוֹר֗וֹ עַל־כַּנְפ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ 1 Elihu is speaking as if thunder and lightning were captive or restrained and God let them **loose** or released them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God makes it thunder so loudly that it can be heard under the whole sky, and he makes the lightning flash so brightly that it can be seen everywhere on earth” "He lets it loose under all of the heavens,
and his lightning to the edges of the earth"
37:3 k179 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole תַּֽחַת־כָּל־הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם יִשְׁרֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אוֹר֗וֹ עַל־כַּנְפ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ 1 Elihu says that thunder can be heard everywhere under the sky and that lightning can be seen in the most distant places on earth as overstatements for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “God makes it thunder so loudly in the sky that people who are far away can hear it, and he makes the lightning flash so brightly that even people who are distant from where it strikes can see it” "He lets it loose under all of the heavens,
and his lightning to the edges of the earth"
37:3 k180 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִשְׁרֵ֑הוּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the thunder that Elihu described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God lets the thunder loose” He lets it loose
37:3 k181 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝אוֹר֗וֹ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and he lets his lightning loose” and his lightning
37:3 q5ea rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַל־כַּנְפ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ 1 People in this culture believed that the **earth** was a flat surface that had **edges**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express the meaning here in terms of your own culture. Alternate translation: “all around the world” to the edges of the earth
37:4 l4nh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִשְׁאַג־ק֗וֹל 1 Elihu is speaking as if thunder were a **voice**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Thunder sounds loudly” A voice roars
37:4 x26r rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַחֲרָ֤יו 1 The pronoun **it** refers to a flash of lightning. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “after there is a flash of lightning” after it
37:4 nei1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַ֭רְעֵם בְּק֣וֹל גְּאוֹנ֑וֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if thunder were God speaking. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this image as a comparison. Alternate translation: “when we hear thunder, it sounds as if God is speaking in his majesty” he thunders with the voice of his majesty
37:4 k182 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְלֹ֥א יְ֝עַקְּבֵ֗ם 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **restrain**. (The pronoun **them** refers to bolts of lightning.) Alternate translation: “and he releases the lightning bolts” and he does not restrain them
37:4 k183 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כִּֽי־יִשָּׁמַ֥ע קוֹלֽוֹ 1 Elihu is once again speaking as if thunder were God speaking. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “after thunder is heard” when his voice is heard
37:4 k5js rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive כִּֽי־יִשָּׁמַ֥ע קוֹלֽוֹ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when we hear his voice” or “when we hear thunder” when his voice is heard
37:5 k184 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַרְעֵ֤ם אֵ֣ל בְּ֭קוֹלוֹ נִפְלָא֑וֹת 1 Elihu is once again speaking as if thunder were God speaking. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “How marvelous thunder is! It is as if God himself is speaking” God thunders marvelously with his voice
37:5 k185 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א נֵדָֽע 1 Here the term **know** has the sense of “understand” rather than “be aware of.” Elihu is not saying that people do not realize that God is doing **great things**. He is saying that people are not able to understand or appreciate the great things they see God doing. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “that people cannot comprehend” and we do not know
37:6 k186 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּ֤י 1 Elihu is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he said in the previous verse that God did things marvelously that people could not comprehend. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I say this because” For
37:6 k187 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes לַשֶּׁ֨לַג ׀ יֹאמַ֗ר הֱוֵ֫א אָ֥רֶץ וְגֶ֥שֶׁם מָטָ֑ר וְ֝גֶ֗שֶׁם מִטְר֥וֹת עֻזּֽוֹ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “he tells the snow to be on the earth and he tells the shower of rain, yes, the shower of rains, to be strong” "he says to the snow, ‘Be {on} the earth,’
and {to} the shower of rain,
to} the shower of rains, ‘Strength"
37:6 k188 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לַשֶּׁ֨לַג ׀ יֹאמַ֗ר הֱוֵ֫א אָ֥רֶץ וְגֶ֥שֶׁם מָטָ֑ר וְ֝גֶ֗שֶׁם מִטְר֥וֹת עֻזּֽוֹ 1 Elihu is speaking as if **snow** and **rain** were living things to which God spoke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he makes snow fall on the earth and he makes the shower of rain, yes, the shower of rains, become strong” "he says to the snow, ‘Be {on} the earth,’
and {to} the shower of rain,
to} the shower of rains, ‘Strength"
37:6 btz3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְגֶ֥שֶׁם מָטָ֑ר 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and he says to the shower of rain” and {to} the shower of rain
37:6 k189 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural וְ֝גֶ֗שֶׁם מִטְר֥וֹת 1 Elihu is using the plural form **rains** for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “to the heavy rain shower” to} the shower of rains
37:6 k190 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עֻזּֽוֹ 1 In the quotation by Elihu, God is using the term **Strength** as a command. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Have strength” or “Be strong” Strength
37:7 k191 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּיַד־כָּל־אָדָ֥ם יַחְתּ֑וֹם 1 Elihu is speaking as if God literally put a seal on every person’s **hand** to restrict it from being used. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He restrains the hand of every man” He seals the hand of every man
37:7 y45f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּיַד־כָּל־אָדָ֥ם יַחְתּ֑וֹם 1 Elihu is using one part of a person, his **hand**, to mean all of him in the act of working. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “He restrains every person from working” He seals the hand of every man
37:7 k192 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּיַד־כָּל־אָדָ֥ם יַחְתּ֑וֹם 1 Elihu is referring implicitly to the way that a heavy downpour of rain prevents people from working in their fields. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “He sends heavy downpours that keep people from working in their fields” He seals the hand of every man
37:7 k193 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אָדָ֥ם & לָ֝דַ֗עַת כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ 1 Here the masculine terms **man** and **men** have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “person so that all the people whom he has made will know” "man
for the knowing of all of men of his making"
37:7 k194 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לָ֝דַ֗עַת כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. If it would be clearer in your language, you can indicate from the context what God wants people to be **knowing**. Alternate translation: “so that all the people whom he has made will appreciate the great things that he does” for the knowing of all of men of his making
37:8 k195 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וַתָּבֹ֣א חַיָּ֣ה בְמוֹ־אָ֑רֶב וּבִמְע֖וֹנֹתֶ֣יהָ תִשְׁכֹּֽן 1 Elihu is not referring to a specific **beast**. He means beasts in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “And the beasts go into their dens and remain in their lairs” "And the beast goes into {its} den
and remains in its lairs"
37:8 k196 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural וּבִמְע֖וֹנֹתֶ֣יהָ תִשְׁכֹּֽן 1 Elihu could be envisioning that a single **beast** would have several **lairs**, but he may be using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may also use plural forms for emphasis. If not, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “and remains safely in its lair” and remains in its lairs
37:9 j84c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִן־הַ֭חֶדֶר 1 As a note to [9:9](../09/09.md) explains, people in this culture believed that God kept natural forces in “chambers” or storerooms and brought them out when he needed them. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “from the chamber where God keeps storms” from the chamber
37:9 cpb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּֽמִמְּזָרִ֥ים קָרָֽה 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and the cold comes from the north winds” or “and the north winds bring cold” and the cold from the north winds
37:10 u9mk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִנִּשְׁמַת־אֵ֥ל יִתֶּן־קָ֑רַח 1 Elihu is speaking as if cold wind were the **breath of God**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “From the cold wind ice is made” From the breath of God ice is made
37:10 dc5f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מִנִּשְׁמַת־אֵ֥ל יִתֶּן־קָ֑רַח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The breath of God makes ice” or “The cold wind makes ice” From the breath of God ice is made
37:10 k197 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְרֹ֖חַב מַ֣יִם בְּמוּצָֽק 1 While water actually expands when it freezes, Elihu probably means that when water freezes solid, it does not move around with the wind and so it remains within a smaller area. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and the waters freeze solid and stay in one place” and the breadth of the waters {is} in narrowness
37:11 gl6n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אַף 1 Elihu may be using the word translated **Indeed** to call the attention of Job and the others back to the gathering thunderstorm after talking about other things such as snow and ice. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Look!” Indeed
37:11 k198 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun עָ֑ב & עֲנַ֣ן אוֹרֽוֹ 1 Elihu is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means clouds in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “the clouds … his lightning-clouds” the cloud & the cloud of his lightning
37:12 k199 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְה֤וּא מְסִבּ֨וֹת מִתְהַפֵּ֣ךְ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the cloud that Elihu described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and if you decided to use plural forms there, you can use a plural form here as well. Alternate translation: “And the clouds swirl around” And it is turning itself around
37:12 k200 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַל־פְּנֵ֖י תֵבֵ֣ל אָֽרְצָה 1 Elihu is using the term **face** in a specific sense to mean “surface.” Alternate translation: “above the surface of the inhabited world” above the face of the habitation of the earth
37:13 it32 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְשֵׁ֥בֶט 1 Elihu is using the term **rod** by association to mean punishment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to punish people” to the rod
37:13 mjf4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לְאַרְצ֑וֹ 1 Elihu seems to be referring implicitly to God taking care of the earth that he created. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “for the good of his earth” to his earth
37:13 uep4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לְ֝חֶ֗סֶד 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **kindness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “in order to be kind to people” to kindness
37:13 k201 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַמְצִאֵֽהוּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers in its first instance to rain and in its second instance to the place where the rain falls or to the people on whom it falls. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “God causes the rain to find the right place” or “God causes the rain to find the right people” he causes it to find it
37:13 k202 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יַמְצִאֵֽהוּ 1 Elihu is speaking of rain as if it were a living thing that God abled to **find** the right location on which to fall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God makes it rain in the right place” he causes it to find it
37:14 k203 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative הַאֲזִ֣ינָה זֹּ֣את 1 Elihu is using an emphatic form of the imperative. If your language has an emphatic imperative, it would be appropriate to use it here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Pay close attention to this” Do hear this
37:14 k204 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys עֲ֝מֹ֗ד וְהִתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן 1 Elihu is expressing a single idea by using the two verbs **stand** and **consider**. In this context, the word **stand** means not to do anything else. Elihu does not want Job to stand to his feet. Alternate translation: “only consider” stand and consider
37:14 k205 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj נִפְלְא֬וֹת אֵֽל 1 Elihu is using the term **marvelous** (which is a participle serving as an adjective) as a noun to mean things of a certain kind. The ULT adds the word **things** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this term with a different expression. Alternate translation: “the marvels that God does” the marvelous {things} of God
37:15 ch2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲ֭תֵדַע בְּשׂוּם־אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְ֝הוֹפִ֗יעַ א֣וֹר עֲנָנֽוֹ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, this could mean: (1) that Elihu wants Job to try to answer this question and the following three questions so that Job will have to admit that he does not understand what God does. Alternate translation: “You do not know of the placing of God upon them, and his cloud causes lightning to flash, do you?” (2) that Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Surely you do not know of the placing of God upon them, and his cloud causes lightning to flash!” "Do you know of the placing of God upon them,
and his cloud causes lightning to flash"
37:15 k206 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular הֲ֭תֵדַע 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the word **you** is singular here and through verse 19 because Elihu is addressing Job directly. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Do you know
37:15 cbz2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בְּשׂוּם־אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם 1 Elihu is using this possessive form to describe God **placing** a command on the clouds (that is, giving them an order), not to describe someone placing God or God placing himself on the clouds. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “how God gives orders to the clouds” of the placing of God upon them
37:15 k207 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְ֝הוֹפִ֗יעַ א֣וֹר עֲנָנֽוֹ 1 Elihu is using the word **and** to introduce the result of God **placing** a command on the clouds. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “so that his cloud causes lightning to flash” and his cloud causes lightning to flash
37:15 k208 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝הוֹפִ֗יעַ א֣וֹר עֲנָנֽוֹ 1 Job is speaking of this **cloud** as if it were a living thing that could cause lightning to flash. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that lightning flashes from his cloud” and his cloud causes lightning to flash
37:15 k209 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וְ֝הוֹפִ֗יעַ א֣וֹר עֲנָנֽוֹ 1 Elihu is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means clouds in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “and his clouds cause lightning to flash” or “so that lightning flashes from his clouds” and his cloud causes lightning to flash
37:16 w6jd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲ֭תֵדַע עַל־מִפְלְשֵׂי־עָ֑ב מִ֝פְלְא֗וֹת תְּמִ֣ים דֵּעִֽים 1 See how you translated the question in the previous verse, either as a question that Elihu wanted Job to answer or one whose form Elihu was using for emphasis. "Do you know about the balancing of the cloud,
the wonders of the perfect in knowledges"
37:16 z95q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַל־מִפְלְשֵׂי־עָ֑ב 1 By **balancing**, Elihu seems to be referring to how clouds float in the sky. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “how God makes the cloud float in the sky” about the balancing of the cloud
37:16 k210 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun עַל־מִפְלְשֵׂי־עָ֑ב 1 Elihu is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means clouds in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “how God makes clouds float in the sky” about the balancing of the cloud
37:16 s2ui rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מִ֝פְלְא֗וֹת תְּמִ֣ים דֵּעִֽים 1 Elihu is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation, following a semicolon: “do you know about the wonders of the perfect in knowledges” the wonders of the perfect in knowledges
37:16 k211 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj תְּמִ֣ים דֵּעִֽים 1 Elihu is using the adjective **perfect** as a noun to mean a certain person, God, whose knowledge is perfect, that is, complete and comprehensive. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “God, who is perfect in knowledges” the perfect in knowledges
37:16 k212 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural תְּמִ֣ים דֵּעִֽים 1 Elihu is using the plural form **knowledges** in a context where the singular term “knowledge” would suffice. This suggests that he is using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, it might be natural for you to use a singular form, or you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “God, who knows everything perfectly” the perfect in knowledges
37:17 hy96 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֲשֶׁר־בְּגָדֶ֥יךָ חַמִּ֑ים 1 Elihu is using one part of Job, his **clothes**, to mean all of him in the act of being **hot**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You who sweat in your garments” You} whose garments {are} hot
37:17 r98k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּהַשְׁקִ֥ט אֶ֝֗רֶץ מִדָּרֽוֹם 1 Elihu assumes that Job will understand that by **south** he is referring to the desert. The book of Job is set in a location where there was a desert to the south. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “when the air comes from the desert and the land is still” in the quieting of the earth from the south
37:18 c2kf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תַּרְקִ֣יעַ עִ֭מּוֹ לִשְׁחָקִ֑ים 1 People in this culture believed that the sky was a solid object, a great dome that God had made and placed above the earth. Elihu is speaking as if God had literally melted metal and then hammered it flat in order to make the sky. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Would you be able to create the sky as he did” will you hammer out the sky with him
37:18 ww4s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown כִּרְאִ֥י מוּצָֽק 1 A **mirror** is an object that reflects images. People look into mirrors to check their appearance. In this culture, mirrors were made of bright metal. If your readers would not be familiar with what a mirror is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable metal object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “as an object cast from metal” as a cast mirror
37:18 k213 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive כִּרְאִ֥י מוּצָֽק 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “as a mirror that someone has cast from metal” as a cast mirror
37:19 s7ig rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ מַה־נֹּ֣אמַר ל֑וֹ לֹ֥א־נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Elihu is using the term **us** to refer to himself and the others who are listening but not to Job, whom he is addressing, so use the exclusive form of “us” in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Elihu seems to be using the term **we** to refer to Job as well as to himself and the others who are listening, since he is describing a general human condition. It may be natural in your language to use the inclusive form of “we” in this second instance if your language marks that distinction. "Teach us what we shall say to him;
we can not array, from the face of darkness"
37:19 k214 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ מַה־נֹּ֣אמַר ל֑וֹ 1 For emphasis, Elihu is saying the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what Elihu actually means. Alternate translation: “I do not believe that you would be able to teach us what we should say to him” Teach us what we shall say to him
37:19 k215 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֥א־נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ 1 See how you translated the term “array” in [33:5](../33/05.md). Alternate translation: “we cannot marshal our arguments” or “we cannot organize what we want to say” we can not array
37:19 k216 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person or thing by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “because of the darkness that is present” from the face of darkness
37:19 q3st rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ 1 Elihu is referring to the limitations of human understanding. He is speaking as if people were in **darkness** and so could not see or distinguish very much. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because of the limitations of our human understanding” from the face of darkness
37:20 z1tr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽיְסֻפַּר־ל֭וֹ כִּ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “It should not be recounted to him that I would speak!” Shall it be recounted to him that I would speak
37:20 fp7n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הַֽיְסֻפַּר־ל֭וֹ כִּ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Should someone recount to him that I would speak?” or “No one should recount to him that I would speak!” Shall it be recounted to him that I would speak
37:20 b2q9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אִֽם־אָ֥מַר אִ֝֗ישׁ כִּ֣י יְבֻלָּֽע 1 Elihu is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “If a man spoke, surely he would be swallowed up!” If a man spoke, that he would be swallowed up
37:20 k217 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אִ֝֗ישׁ 1 Here the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person” a man
37:20 k218 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יְבֻלָּֽע 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God would swallow him up” he would be swallowed up
37:20 x2hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְבֻלָּֽע 1 Elihu is speaking as if God would literally **swallow** an insolent person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he would be destroyed” or “God would destroy him” he would be swallowed up
37:21 k219 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְעַתָּ֤ה 1 Elihu is using the phrase **And now** to introduce an important point, the conclusion of his speech, that Job should not be asking to speak with God. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “So then” And now
37:21 k220 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֘א רָ֤אוּ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “people do not look at” they do not look at
37:21 k221 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo א֗וֹר בָּהִ֣יר ה֭וּא בַּשְּׁחָקִ֑ים 1 Elihu is using a poetic expression to describe the sun. It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “the sun” the bright light that {is} in the skies
37:21 k222 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽתְּטַהֲרֵֽם 1 Elihu is speaking as if the **wind** literally **cleansed** the **skies** when it drove away all the clouds. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and driven away all the clouds” and cleansed them
37:22 k223 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִ֭צָּפוֹן 1 Elihu assumes that Job will understand that by **the north** he means the abode of God. In this culture, people believed that there was a divine residence in the northern regions of the earth. You could translate this with a general expression or with a term that your readers would recognize as describing the abode of God. Alternate translation: “From God’s abode” or “From heaven” Out of the north
37:22 k224 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy זָהָ֣ב יֶֽאֱתֶ֑ה 1 Elihu is using the term **gold** by association to mean golden splendor, that is, the glory of God. He is actually speaking of God coming in glory. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God comes in his glory” comes gold
37:22 l64j rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast עַל־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ נ֣וֹרָא הֽוֹד 1 Elihu is drawing an implicit contrast between the brightness of the sun, which people cannot look at directly, and the infinitely greater brightness of God’s glory. You may wish to make this contrast explicit in your translation. The UST models one way to do that. around God {is} awesome majesty
37:23 c4sd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שַׁדַּ֣י לֹֽא־מְ֭צָאנֻהוּ 1 Job said in [23:3](../23/03.md) that he wished he knew where to find God so that he could go to where God was. Here Elihu is implicitly responding to Job in his own words. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “So, Job, none of us are able to find God and go where he is” The Almighty, we do not find him
37:23 k225 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive שַׁדַּ֣י לֹֽא־מְ֭צָאנֻהוּ 1 Elihu is using the pronoun **we** to refer to himself and to Job, to whom he is speaking, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction. The Almighty, we do not find him
37:23 k226 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט וְרֹב־צְ֝דָקָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽה 1 Elihu is expressing a positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of his intended meaning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and he ensures that there is justice and an abundance of righteousness” and he does not oppress justice and an abundance of righteousness
37:23 k227 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט וְרֹב־צְ֝דָקָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽה 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **justice** and **righteousness**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “and he is careful to treat people justly and to ensure that people everywhere do what is right” and he does not oppress justice and an abundance of righteousness
37:24 k228 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אֲנָשִׁ֑ים 1 Here the masculine term **men** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “all people” men
37:24 k229 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹֽא־יִ֝רְאֶ֗ה כָּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵֽב 1 Elihu does not mean that God is not pleased when people become **wise**. He means that God would not show favoritism to a person who was particularly wise compared with other people, because compared with God’s infinite wisdom, all people have only a little wisdom You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “He does not respect any person more than he respects other people, no matter how wise that person might be by human standards” He does not regard any of the wise of heart
37:24 n2pv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חַכְמֵי־לֵֽב 1 As in [34:10](../34/10.md), here the **heart** represents the understanding. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the wise in understanding” the wise of heart
37:24 k230 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj כָּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵֽב 1 Elihu is using the adjective **wise** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “any people who are wise of heart” or “any people who are able to understand things wisely” any of the wise of heart
38:intro bs8p 0 # Job 38 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the beginning of Yahweh’s response to Job. His response continues through chapter 41.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\nIn this chapter, Yahweh begins asking Job a series of questions in order to show that Job does not understand the workings of the created world. Yahweh asks questions about the earth in verses 4–20, with a summary challenge to Job in verse 21. Yahweh then asks questions about the sky in verses 22–38. He starts asking questions about animals and birds in verse 39; this part of his speech continues into the next chapter.\n\nThe implication is that if Job does not understand and cannot explain how God makes things work in the visible creation, he certainly does not understand and cannot explain what God is doing as he works in unseen, mysterious ways to accomplish his purposes in the lives of people and over the course of human history.\n\nWhen God comes to Job in the storm and responds to his questions, it becomes obvious that Elihu was wrong to say that God would not meet with Job. This shows God’s generosity to Job in granting him an interview as he requested, even though in the interview, God has to humble Job by demonstrating how little he actually knows.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Yahweh’s description of the creation\n\nIn this chapter, Yahweh describes the earth, sea, and sky according to the way the people of Job’s culture understood them. For example, in verse 16 Yahweh speaks of “springs” at the bottom of the sea that provide it with water. In verse 22, he speaks of “storehouses” in the sky where snow and hail are kept. In some parts of the chapter, these references occur within poetic images, such as the image in verses 4–6 of the earth as a building with “foundations” or the image in verses 12–13 of the dawn grasping the “edges” of the earth and shaking it. But in other places, the references do not occur within poetic images. In such places, Yahweh’s questions to Job, which demonstrate the limits of Job’s knowledge, depend for their force on these features being real, even though they do not correspond to the creation as we would describe it today. We may consider that Yahweh is using terminology that Job and the others who are listening would understand in order to communicate moral and spiritual insights to them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate these descriptions of the natural world from an ancient perspective with equivalent expressions that use terms that reflect your own culture’s perspective. Notes suggest how you might do this in various places. For example, a note to verse 16 suggests speaking of the “bottom of the sea” rather than of the “springs of the sea.”\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### The nature of the questions in verses 4–41\n\nYawheh asks Job a series of questions in verses 4–41. He may want Job to try to answer these questions so that Job will have to admit that he does not know the answers. So these could be actual questions that Yahweh is using to get information, specifically, the information from Job that he does not know the answers. Alternatively, Yahweh may be using the question form for emphasis. A note to verse 4 suggests two possible ways in which you could translate the question there. Consider the most appropriate way to translate each of the questions in this chapter.
38:1 b53y rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיַּֽעַן־יְהוָ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב מנ הסערה וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 The narrator is using the word translated **And** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for making a transition from what has already been happening in a story and introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “And when the storm that Elihu had been watching and describing finally arrived where he and the others were, Yahweh answered Job from the storm and said” And Yahweh answered Job from the storm and said
38:1 zh2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּֽעַן־יְהוָ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב מנ הסערה וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose a person **said** something. Specifically, the person said it in order to answer or respond to what someone else said. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “And from the storm Yahweh responded to Job” And Yahweh answered Job from the storm and said
38:2 ln5m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֤י זֶ֨ה ׀ מַחְשִׁ֖יךְ עֵצָ֥ה בְמִלִּ֗ין בְּֽלִי־דָֽעַת 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis as he begins his reply to Job. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You have been darkening counsel by words without knowledge!” "Who {is} this, darkening counsel
by words without knowledge"
38:2 kw1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מַחְשִׁ֖יךְ עֵצָ֥ה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Job had literally been making **counsel** (that is, proper understanding) darker. He means that Job has been making the truth harder to understand. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “obscuring proper understanding” darkening counsel
38:2 lq69 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְמִלִּ֗ין 1 Yahweh is using the term **words** to mean what Job has been saying by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by speaking” by words
38:2 k231 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּֽלִי־דָֽעַת 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **knowledge**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “without knowing what he is talking about” without knowledge
38:3 ur9i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱזָר & חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if he literally wanted Job to **gird up** his **loins**, that is, to tuck the bottom of his robe into a belt so that he could move freely, as a soldier would do before going into battle. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “get ready for a difficult contest” gird up your loins
38:3 ID rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְגֶ֣בֶר 1 Yahweh is using a particular word for **man** that can, in contexts such as this one, emphasize the strength and valor of a warrior. The point of this comparison is that Job should be brave, as a solider must be when going into battle. Yahweh is not using the term **man** to suggest that men are strong and that women are weak. Alternate translation: “like a brave person” or “as a soldier would do when going into battle” like a man
38:3 k38w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי 1 Yahweh is answering Job with his own words. In [13:22](../13/22.md), Job said to God (who was not visibly present at the time), “And call, and I will answer, or I will speak, and answer me.” Yahweh is telling Job that he will take the first option: He, Yahweh, will “call” (ask questions) and Job can respond. However, Yahweh says something slightly different than Job did. He says that Job can **inform** him. For emphasis, Yahweh is actually saying the opposite of what he means. He already knows everything, so he does not need Job to provide him with information that he lacks. If a speaker of your language would not say the opposite of what he means for emphasis, in your translation you could indicate what Yahweh actually means. Alternate translation: “and I will question you and you can tell me what you think I do not already know” and I will question you and you will inform me
38:4 xgy2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אֵיפֹ֣ה הָ֭יִיתָ בְּיָסְדִי־אָ֑רֶץ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, this could mean: (1) that Yahweh wants Job to try to answer this question and the questions in the rest of the chapter so that Job will have to admit that he does not know the answers. Alternate translation: “You were not there when I founded the earth, were you?” (2) that Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You were not there when I founded the earth!” Where were you in my founding of the earth
38:4 e2l4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּיָסְדִי־אָ֑רֶץ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the earth were literally a building and he had **founded** it, that is, laid a foundation for it (made a solid base on which to build it). Since this is poetry, you may wish to retain the image in your translation, using construction terms from your own culture, even if a speaker of your language would not ordinarily describe the creation of the world in this way. Alternatively, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when I cleared a space on which to build the earth” or “when I first started to create the earth” in my founding of the earth
38:4 k232 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַ֝גֵּ֗ד 1 Yahweh assumes that Job will understand that by **Declare** he means that he wants Job to declare how the foundations of the earth were laid. You could indicate that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Explain how the foundations of the earth were laid” or “Explain how I first started to create the earth” Declare
38:4 p418 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo אִם־יָדַ֥עְתָּ בִינָֽה 1 It might seem that the expression **know understanding** contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “if you know” or “if you understand” if you know understanding
38:5 sp2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִי־שָׂ֣ם מְ֭מַדֶּיהָ & א֤וֹ מִֽי־נָטָ֖ה עָלֶ֣יהָ קָּֽו 1 See how you translated the question in the previous verse, either as a question that Yahweh wanted Job to answer or one whose form Yahweh was using for emphasis. Translate the rest of the questions in the chapter in the same way that you decided to translate that one. Who set its measurements? & Or who stretched a line over it
38:5 y99g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis כִּ֣י תֵדָ֑ע 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Tell me, if you know” If you know
38:5 wjp1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מִֽי־נָטָ֖ה עָלֶ֣יהָ קָּֽו 1 By **line**, Yahweh means a measuring line, a long cord or rope with a standard length marked off at regular intervals. He is speaking as if someone had literally stretched such a cord over the earth to make sure that its **measurements** were exactly the ones that he had **set**. If your readers would not be familiar with what a measuring line is, if you wish to retain the poetic image in your translation, you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture. Alternatively, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “who measured it with a rod” or “who measured it to make sure that it had exactly the right dimensions” who stretched a line over it
38:6 i5wb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־מָ֭ה אֲדָנֶ֣יהָ הָטְבָּ֑עוּ א֥וֹ מִֽי־יָ֝רָ֗ה אֶ֣בֶן פִּנָּתָֽהּ 1 Yahweh continues to speak as if the earth were literally a building. He here speaks as if he had **sunk** its **foundations** (that is, dug into the ground until he hit a solid surface on which to set them) and **laid its cornerstone**. As in verse 4, you may wish to retain the image in your translation, using construction terms from your own culture. Alternatively, you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “How did I make sure that the earth would stay in place? How did I make sure that it would be strong and stable” "On what were its foundations sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone"
38:7 ql8y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בְּרָן־יַ֭חַד כּ֣וֹכְבֵי בֹ֑קֶר וַ֝יָּרִ֗יעוּ כָּל־בְּנֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים 1 It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. The phrase **the stars of the morning** could be describing: (1) the stars at the time of their original creation. In that case, Yahweh would be speaking of the stars as if they were living things that had sung a joyful song to celebrate the glory and beauty of the creation, including that of the earth. You could retain the image in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “When I made the earth, it was in beautiful harmony with the stars” (2) the angels, in parallel with the phrase **the sons of God** in the second half of the verse. Alternate translation: “When I made the earth, the angels sang a song of celebration” "in the singing together of the stars of the morning,
and all the sons of God shouted"
38:7 j365 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַ֝יָּרִ֗יעוּ כָּל־בְּנֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים 1 As in [1:6](../01/06.md) and [2:1](../02/01.md), the expression **sons of God** describes angelic beings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and all the angels shouted” or, if you translated **the stars of the morning** as “the angels” in the first half of the verse: “yes, all the angels shouted” and all the sons of God shouted
38:7 x5id rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַ֝יָּרִ֗יעוּ 1 The term translated **shouted** implicitly means to shout for joy. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and … shouted for joy” or “and … shouted joyfully” and & shouted
38:8 x8t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּ֣סֶךְ בִּדְלָתַ֣יִם יָ֑ם 1 Yahweh is speaking as if he had literally used **doors** to keep the sea from flowing onto the land. The image is that the sea is behind a wall or dam and that these doors can be opened for flood-control purposes but are ordinarily closed to contain the water. You could retain the image in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And who held the sea back with floodgates” or “And who restrained the sea from flowing onto the land” And {who} enclosed the sea with doors
38:8 k233 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual בִּדְלָתַ֣יִם 1 The term **doors** is in the dual, here and in verse 10, so put the term in the dual form if your language uses that form. Other languages may have other ways of expressing the meaning. Alternate translation: “with double doors” with doors
38:8 k234 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo בְּ֝גִיח֗וֹ מֵרֶ֥חֶם יֵצֵֽא 1 It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “when it came out of the womb” in its issuing from the womb, {when} it came out
38:8 txy1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּ֝גִיח֗וֹ מֵרֶ֥חֶם יֵצֵֽא 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the sea had literally been born and come out of the **womb** of its mother. You could retain the image in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when it was born” or “when I first made it a part of the creation” in its issuing from the womb, {when} it came out
38:9 n9tt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּשׂוּמִ֣י עָנָ֣ן לְבֻשׁ֑וֹ וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל חֲתֻלָּתֽוֹ 1 Continuing the image of the sea being born when it was created, Yahweh is speaking as if he literally provided clouds as its **clothing** and **thick darkness** as its **swaddling bands** when it was first born. Within the context of this speech, this may be a reference to the way Yahweh has complete knowledge of and control over every element of creation. People in this culture regarded the sea as the realm of watery chaos; these images may be an assertion that God has always had the sea under his control and care. Alternate translation: “when I sheltered it and protected it as a mother would do for her newborn child” "in my making the cloud its clothing
and thick darkness its swaddling bands"
38:9 k235 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בְּשׂוּמִ֣י עָנָ֣ן לְבֻשׁ֑וֹ 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means clouds in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “when I made the clouds its clothing” in my making the cloud its clothing
38:9 zkz3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל חֲתֻלָּתֽוֹ 1 The term **swaddling bands** describes the strips of cloth in which mothers in some cultures wrap their newborn babies to help them feel secure. If your readers would not be familiar with what swaddling bands are, if you wish to retain the poetic image in your translation, you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture. Alternate translation: “and thick darkness its baby blanket” and thick darkness its swaddling bands
38:10 iq3r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וָאֶשְׁבֹּ֣ר עָלָ֣יו חֻקִּ֑י 1 Yahweh may be referring implicitly to the way he **broke** off the edge of the land to make a **boundary** for the sea. This could be a description of the cliffs that serve as the boundary between the land and the sea in many places. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And I broke off the land to make a boundary for the sea” or “And at the edge of the land I made cliffs that the sea cannot flow over” And I broke upon it my boundary
38:10 b38y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure וָֽ֝אָשִׂ֗ים בְּרִ֣יחַ וּדְלָתָֽיִם 1 Since Yahweh would first have made **doors** and then a **bar** to put across them to keep them shut, it may be more natural to mention the doors first. Alternate translation: “and I set doors and a bar” and I set a bar and doors
38:10 hyj2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וָֽ֝אָשִׂ֗ים בְּרִ֣יחַ וּדְלָתָֽיִם 1 As in verse 8, Yahweh is speaking as if he had literally set up **doors** to keep the sea from flowing onto the land. See how you translated the similar expression there. Alternate translation: “and I set up floodgates to hold the sea back” or “and I restrained the sea from flowing onto the land” and I set a bar and doors
38:11 ixn6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וָאֹמַ֗ר עַד־פֹּ֣ה תָ֭בוֹא וְלֹ֣א תֹסִ֑יף וּפֹ֥א־יָ֝שִׁ֗ית בִּגְא֥וֹן גַּלֶּֽיךָ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “And I told the sea that it could come up to that point but not go any farther, yes, that I had established that boundary for its proud waves” "and I said, ‘Unto here you will come, but you will not continue,
and here one has set for the pride of your waves"
38:11 hv5f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe וָאֹמַ֗ר עַד־פֹּ֣ה תָ֭בוֹא וְלֹ֣א תֹסִ֑יף וּפֹ֥א־יָ֝שִׁ֗ית בִּגְא֥וֹן גַּלֶּֽיךָ 1 Yahweh spoke to the sea, even though he knew that it could not hear him or understand him, in order to show in a strong way how he felt about the boundary he had established between the land and the sea in order to ensure an orderly creation. If a speaker in your language would not speak to something that could not hear or understand him, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I declared that the sea could come up to that point but not go any farther, yes, that that would be the boundary for its proud waves” "and I said, ‘Unto here you will come, but you will not continue,
and here one has set for the pride of your waves"
38:11 k236 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis יָ֝שִׁ֗ית 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “one has set a boundary” one has set
38:11 k237 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָ֝שִׁ֗ית 1 The pronoun **one** could be: (1) an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “a boundary has been set” (2) a pronoun that Yahweh is using to speak of himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: “I have set a boundary” one has set
38:11 k238 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בִּגְא֥וֹן גַּלֶּֽיךָ 1 Yahweh is using this possessive form to describe **waves** that are characterized by **pride**. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “your proud waves” for the pride of your waves
38:11 iy3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בִּגְא֥וֹן גַּלֶּֽיךָ 1 Yahweh is speaking of the **waves** of the sea as if they were living things that could have **pride**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for your mighty waves” for the pride of your waves
38:12 k239 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הְֽ֭מִיָּמֶיךָ 1 Yahweh is using the term **days** to refer to a specific time, the lifetime of Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Ever in your lifetime” From your days
38:12 i57a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification צִוִּ֣יתָ בֹּ֑קֶר 1 Yahweh is speaking of the **morning** as if it were a living thing that Job could have **commanded**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “have you made the day begin” have you commanded the morning
38:12 gc16 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification ידעתה שחר מְקֹמֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking of the **dawn** as if it were a living thing whose **place** Job could have shown to it. Yahweh is referring to the way that the sun rises in a slightly different place each day, making the dawn appear in a slightly different location. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Have you made the sun rise in the right place” Have you caused the dawn to know its place
38:13 s9db rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לֶ֭אֱחֹז בְּכַנְפ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיִנָּעֲר֖וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים מִמֶּֽנָּה 1 Yahweh is continuing to speak of the **dawn** as if it were a living thing, in this case speaking as if the dawn could take **hold** of the **edges of the earth** and shake it to make **the wicked** fall off of it. This is a reference to the way, as Job said in [24:14–15](../24/14.md), that criminals commit their crimes during the night, not during the day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that it will become light upon the earth and the wicked will stop committing crimes” "for taking hold of the edges of the earth,
and the wicked are shaken from it"
38:13 k385 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֶ֭אֱחֹז בְּכַנְפ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [37:3](../37/03.md), where it was also evident that people in this culture believed that the **earth** was a flat surface that had **edges**. Alternate translation: “so that it will become light all around the world” for taking hold of the edges of the earth
38:13 m62q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְיִנָּעֲר֖וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים מִמֶּֽנָּה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “in order to shake the wicked from it” and the wicked are shaken from it
38:13 k240 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
38:14 k241 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ & וְ֝יִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the earth and the pronoun **they** refers to the features of the earth. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “The earth is changed … and its features stand out” It is changed & and they stand out
38:14 m9rx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ כְּחֹ֣מֶר חוֹתָ֑ם 1 The point of this comparison is that just as plain **clay** takes on distinct features when it is pressed **under a seal**, so the features of the earth become distinct in the light of day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Its features change from indistinct to distinct, just as clay takes on distinct features when it is pressed under a seal” It is changed like clay {under} a seal
38:14 k242 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ 1 Yahweh means implicitly that this happens at dawn. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “When the light of day shines on it, it is changed” It is changed
38:14 k243 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The light of day changes it” It is changed
38:14 dn8y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כְּמ֣וֹ לְבֽוּשׁ 1 Yahweh is using the term **garment** by association to mean the folds of a garment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like the folds of a garment” like a garment
38:15 k244 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” from the wicked
38:15 jfq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony וְיִמָּנַ֣ע & אוֹרָ֑ם 1 For emphasis, Yahweh is saying the opposite of what he means. As Job said in [24:16–17](../24/16.md), for wicked people, day is like night (they stay at home and do not know what is going on outside) and night is like day (that is when they go out). So here Yahweh is speaking as if night were **light**, saying how wicked people see this from their perspective. If a speaker of your language would not say the opposite of what he means, in your translation you could indicate what Yahweh actually means. Alternate translation: “And … their opportunity to go out and commit crimes is withheld” And & their light is withheld
38:15 w5i8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְיִמָּנַ֣ע & אוֹרָ֑ם 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And … the day withholds their opportunity to go out and commit crimes” And & their light is withheld
38:15 k245 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּזְר֥וֹעַ רָ֝מָ֗ה תִּשָּׁבֵֽר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and their high arm breaks” and their high arm is broken
38:15 e6v7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּזְר֥וֹעַ רָ֝מָ֗ה תִּשָּׁבֵֽר 1 Yahweh is speaking as if each wicked person had lifted his **arm** up **high** in order to strike a vulnerable person violently with it but that the arm had then been **broken** so that the wicked person could not use it that way. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they cannot commit violence against anyone” and their high arm is broken
38:16 kmu4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נִבְכֵי־יָ֑ם 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, people in this culture believed that there were **springs** at the bottom of the **sea** that provided it with water. As the parallel statement in the second part of the verse indicates, the focus of this question is on the bottom of the sea rather than on these springs themselves. You could say that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the bottom of the sea” the springs of the sea
38:17 k246 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲנִגְל֣וּ לְ֭ךָ שַׁעֲרֵי־מָ֑וֶת 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Has anyone revealed the gates of death to you” Have the gates of death been revealed to you
38:17 k247 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲנִגְל֣וּ לְ֭ךָ שַׁעֲרֵי־מָ֑וֶת 1 Yahweh is using the term **death** by association to mean Sheol, the abode of the dead. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Have the gates of Sheol been revealed to you” Have the gates of death been revealed to you
38:17 a7xy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲנִגְל֣וּ לְ֭ךָ שַׁעֲרֵי־מָ֑וֶת 1 Yahweh is using the term **gates**, meaning the entrance into Sheol, by association to mean the ability to go freely about in Sheol. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Has anyone shown you how to get into Sheol” or “Have you been able to go about in Sheol” Have the gates of death been revealed to you
38:17 g37w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְשַׁעֲרֵ֖י צַלְמָ֣וֶת תִּרְאֶֽה 1 Yahweh is using the term **deep darkness** by association to mean death and thus, in this context, the abode of the dead. So this question means basically the same thing as the first question in the verse, and you can translate it in the same way. Alternate translation: “Indeed, have you seen how to get into the abode of the dead” Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness
38:18 k9n7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural עַד־רַחֲבֵי־אָ֑רֶץ 1 Yahweh is using the plural form **breadths** in a context where the singular term “breadth” would suffice. This suggests that he is using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “to how very broad the earth is” to the breadths of the earth
38:18 q2iv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַ֝גֵּ֗ד 1 See how you translated the term “Declare” in [38:4](../38/04.md). Alternate translation: “Explain how wide the earth is” Declare
38:18 l8zz rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָדַ֥עְתָּ כֻלָּֽהּ 1 The pronoun **it** refers to the earth. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “you know everything about the earth” or “you have seen all the way to the edge of the earth” you know all of it
38:19 q3uk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֵי־זֶ֣ה הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ יִשְׁכָּן־א֑וֹר 1 As a note to [9:9](../09/09.md) explains, people in this culture believed that natural forces were kept in chambers or storerooms. Elihu said in [37:9](../37/09.md) that the storm was coming from its “chamber.” Yahweh asks Job in verse 22 of this chapter whether he has seen the “storehouses” of the snow and hail. Here Yahweh is asking similarly whether Job knows how to get to the place where **light dwells**, that is, the place where he keeps light in order to have it available for use within creation. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that uses terms that reflect your own culture’s understanding of creation. Alternate translation: “Do you know where the light of day goes when it is night” Where {is} this, the way {to where} light dwells
38:19 p4uw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וְ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ אֵי־זֶ֥ה מְקֹמֽוֹ 1 This question means something similar to the question in the first part of the verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate it similarly. Alternate translation: “and do you know where the darkness of night goes during the day” and darkness, where {is} this, its place
38:20 k248 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns כִּ֣י תִ֭קָּחֶנּוּ אֶל־גְּבוּל֑וֹ וְכִֽי־תָ֝בִ֗ין נְתִיב֥וֹת בֵּיתֽוֹ 1 By **it** and **its**, Yahweh is referring specifically to darkness, which he mentioned in the latter part of the previous verse, but he is using darkness to mean both darkness and light. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use plural forms in your translation. Alternate translation: “that you would take them to their territories, and that you would perceive the paths of their houses” "that you would take it to its territory,
and that you would perceive the paths of its house"
38:20 d9pc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure כִּ֣י תִ֭קָּחֶנּוּ אֶל־גְּבוּל֑וֹ וְכִֽי־תָ֝בִ֗ין נְתִיב֥וֹת בֵּיתֽוֹ 1 Job would need to **perceive** how to get to the **houses** of light and darkness before he could **take** them there, so it might be more natural to reverse the order of these clauses. Alternate translation: “that you would perceive the paths of their houses and take them to their territories” "that you would take it to its territory,
and that you would perceive the paths of its house"
38:20 tyy4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נְתִיב֥וֹת בֵּיתֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking of the places where light and darkness are kept as if they were literally **houses** in which they lived and as if there were literally **paths** that led to those houses. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how to get to where it is kept” or “how to get to where they are kept” the paths of its house
38:21 ca1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony יָ֭דַעְתָּ כִּי־אָ֣ז תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וּמִסְפַּ֖ר יָמֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים 1 For emphasis, Yahweh is saying the opposite of what he means. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could indicate what he actually means. Alternate translation: “You must admit that you actually do not know any of these things, since you were not born then; the number of your days is not that many” "You know, for you were born then,
and the number of your days {is} many"
38:21 k249 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תִּוָּלֵ֑ד 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you were alive” you were born
38:21 zfd6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אָ֣ז 1 By **then**, Yahweh implicitly means when he created all of the things he has been describing. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “when I created all of these things” then
38:21 hy8k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וּמִסְפַּ֖ר יָמֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים 1 While Job actually has lived for a certain **number** of **days**, Yahweh is probably using the term **days** to refer to a specific time, the lifetime of Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and you have lived for such a long time” or “and you have had such a long lifetime” and the number of your days {is} many
38:22 sj2h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲ֭בָאתָ אֶל־אֹצְר֣וֹת שָׁ֑לֶג וְאֹצְר֖וֹת בָּרָ֣ד תִּרְאֶֽה 1 People in this culture believed that natural forces were kept in chambers or storerooms. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate this with an equivalent expression that uses terms that reflect your own culture’s understanding of creation. Alternate translation: “Have you traveled into the sky, where snow and hail form” "Have you entered into the storehouses of the snow,
or have you seen the storehouses of the hail"
38:23 fv91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲשֶׁר־חָשַׂ֥כְתִּי 1 The pronoun **which** refers to both the “snow” and the “hail” that Yahweh mentioned in the previous verse, but especially to the hail, which he used to defeat his enemies in battles such as the one described in [Joshua 10:1–15](../jos/10/01.md). It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, and it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “I keep snow and especially hail” which I keep
38:23 k250 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לְעֶת־צָ֑ר 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **trouble**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “for a time when people are fighting” for a time of trouble
38:23 k251 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לְי֥וֹם קְ֝רָ֗ב וּמִלְחָמָֽה 1 Yahweh is using the term **day** to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for a time when there is battle and war” for a day of battle and war
38:23 k252 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet קְ֝רָ֗ב וּמִלְחָמָֽה 1 The terms **battle** and **war** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “great warfare” battle and war
38:24 ctg6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יֵחָ֣לֶק א֑וֹר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to the place from which the light radiates” to where} the light is distributed
38:24 auw5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis יָפֵ֖ץ קָדִ֣ים עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “What is the way to the place from which the east wind scatters over the earth” the east wind scatters over the earth
38:25 ve3k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פִלַּ֣ג לַשֶּׁ֣טֶף תְּעָלָ֑ה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if a **channel** had literally been **cut** in the sky in order to direct the **downpour** of rain to certain locations (such as the next two verses describe). If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “made sure that rain would fall in certain places” cut a channel for the downpour
38:25 cd75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְ֝דֶ֗רֶךְ לַחֲזִ֥יז קֹלֽוֹת 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “or who made a way for the lightning of the thunder” or a way for the lightning of the thunder
38:25 k253 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְ֝דֶ֗רֶךְ לַחֲזִ֥יז קֹלֽוֹת 1 Yahweh seems to be using this possessive form to mean both **lightning** and **thunder**, and he seems to be using both of them to mean the thunderstorm in which they would occur. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “or who made a way for the thunderstorm” or “or who directed the thunderstorm to the right place” or a way for the lightning of the thunder
38:26 na1j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אִ֑ישׁ & אָדָ֥ם 1 In both instances here, the masculine term **man** has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people are … people” "man {is},
& man"
38:27 d9vt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לְהַשְׂבִּ֣יעַ 1 Yahweh is speaking of an arid region as if it were a living thing that was thirsty and that rain could **satisfy**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to water” to satisfy
38:27 q9sc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet שֹׁ֭אָה וּמְשֹׁאָ֑ה 1 The terms **waste** and **desolation** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the arid desert” the waste and the desolation
38:28 geg1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲיֵשׁ־לַמָּטָ֥ר אָ֑ב א֥וֹ מִי־ה֝וֹלִ֗יד אֶגְלֵי־טָֽל 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the **rain** and the **dew** had an actual **father**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “How does rain form? And how does dew form?” "Is there a father to the rain?
Or who begets the drops of dew"
38:29 l9y4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִבֶּ֣טֶן מִ֭י יָצָ֣א הַקָּ֑רַח וּכְפֹ֥ר שָׁ֝מַיִם מִ֣י יְלָדֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if **ice** and **frost** had an actual mother. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Where does ice come from? And where does the frost of the skies come from?” "From whose womb does ice come?
And the frost of the skies, who bears it"
38:29 qu6n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּכְפֹ֥ר שָׁ֝מַיִם 1 Yahweh assumes that Job will understand that by **the frost of the skies**, he means the frost that is on the ground in the morning after a cold night and that appears to have fallen from the sky, even though it is actually dew that has formed on the ground and frozen. (Yahweh is not referring to snow, which falls visibly from the sky.) You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And the frost that appears to have fallen from the skies” And the frost of the skies
38:30 k254 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כָּ֭אֶבֶן מַ֣יִם יִתְחַבָּ֑אוּ וּפְנֵ֥י תְ֝ה֗וֹם יִתְלַכָּֽדוּ 1 Yahweh is describing further natural phenomena that, like the ice and frost he described in the previous verse, occur when it is cold. Yahweh is suggesting that if Job is as wise as he claims, he ought to be able to explain these as well. So this is implicitly a question. You could translate it that way if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Can you explain how, in cold weather, the waters hide themselves as under stone, and the face of the deep freezes?” "As {under} stone, the waters hide themselves,
and the face of the deep freezes"
38:30 iw86 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כָּ֭אֶבֶן 1 The point of this comparison is that just as it is not possible to see through **stone**, it is typically not possible to see through the ice that forms on top of **the waters** in the winter. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “As under stone through which one cannot see” As {under} stone
38:30 jjp9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מַ֣יִם יִתְחַבָּ֑אוּ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the **waters** were living things that could **hide themselves**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the waters are hidden” the waters hide themselves
38:30 cul4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וּפְנֵ֥י 1 Yahweh is using the term **face** in a specific sense to mean “surface.” Alternate translation: “and the surface of” and the face of
38:31 p1ai rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הַֽ֭תְקַשֵּׁר מַעֲדַנּ֣וֹת כִּימָ֑ה אֽוֹ־מֹשְׁכ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל תְּפַתֵּֽחַ 1 See how you translated the names **Pleiades** and **Orion** in [9:9](../09/09.md). Alternate translation: “Will you tie the bands of the Seven Sisters, or loose the cords of the Hunter” Will you tie the bands of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion
38:31 kqa9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַֽ֭תְקַשֵּׁר מַעֲדַנּ֣וֹת כִּימָ֑ה אֽוֹ־מֹשְׁכ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל תְּפַתֵּֽחַ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if these constellations were held together in the sky by **bands** and **cords**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Are you the one who keeps the stars in the Pleiades together? Would you be able to make the stars in Orion drift apart” Will you tie the bands of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion
38:31 wb4a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אֽוֹ־מֹשְׁכ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל תְּפַתֵּֽחַ 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Or will you loose the cords of Orion” or loose the cords of Orion
38:32 lrw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown הֲתֹצִ֣יא מַזָּר֣וֹת בְּעִתּ֑וֹ 1 The word **Mazzaroth** seems to be the name of another constellation of stars, but it is no longer clear to which constellation this name applies. You could translate this as a general reference. Alternate translation: “Will you bring out the constellations in their time” or “Will you make each of the constellations appear in the sky at the right time” Will you bring out Mazzaroth in its time
38:32 x8g2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְ֝עַ֗יִשׁ עַל־בָּנֶ֥יהָ תַנְחֵֽם 1 See how you translated the name **Bear** in [9:](../09/09.md). The term **sons** seems to apply to the stars that trail off into the sky from the main part of this constellation. Alternate translation: “Or will you make the Big Dipper and its handle appear in the right place” Or will you guide the Bear with its sons
38:32 a6br rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝עַ֗יִשׁ עַל־בָּנֶ֥יהָ תַנְחֵֽם 1 Yahweh is speaking of the constellation that this culture called the **Bear** as if it were a living thing that Job could have guided. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or will you position the Big Dipper and its handle properly in the sky” Or will you guide the Bear with its sons
38:32 k255 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בָּנֶ֥יהָ 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that would include both male and female young bears. Some languages may have a general term for the offspring of bears that would convey this sense. Other languages may use both the masculine and feminine forms of such a term. Alternate translation: “its cubs” its sons
38:33 y4fp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession חֻקּ֣וֹת שָׁמָ֑יִם 1 Yahweh is using this possessive form to **statutes** that apply to the **skies**, not statutes that the skies have enacted. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the statutes that govern the sky” or “how the movements of the sun, moon, and stars are regulated” the statutes of the skies
38:33 k256 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אִם־תָּשִׂ֖ים מִשְׁטָר֣וֹ בָאָֽרֶץ 1 Although the pronoun **its** is singular, it refers to the **skies**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a plural pronoun in your translation. Alternate translation: “If you will establish their rule over the earth” If you will establish its rule over the earth
38:33 k257 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־תָּשִׂ֖ים מִשְׁטָר֣וֹ בָאָֽרֶץ 1 Yahweh is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “You are not able to establish their rule over the earth, are you” If you will establish its rule over the earth
38:33 k258 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִם־תָּשִׂ֖ים מִשְׁטָר֣וֹ בָאָֽרֶץ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the **skies** literally ruled over the **earth**. He is likely referring to the way that the sun heats the earth, cloud cover cools the earth, and so forth. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Can you make what happens in the sky influence conditions on the earth” If you will establish its rule over the earth
38:34 tca5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲתָרִ֣ים & קוֹלֶ֑ךָ 1 Yahweh is speaking of how Job might **raise** his **voice** by association to mean how Job might shout out a command. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Will you shout a command” Will you raise your voice
38:34 k259 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לָעָ֣ב 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **cloud**. He means clouds in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “to the clouds” to the cloud
38:34 yh4f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽשִׁפְעַת־מַ֥יִם תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ 1 By **waters**, Yahweh implicitly means rain. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and make heavy rain fall on you” and an abundance of waters will cover you
38:35 na4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure הַֽתְשַׁלַּ֣ח בְּרָקִ֣ים וְיֵלֵ֑כוּ וְיֹאמְר֖וּ לְךָ֣ הִנֵּֽנוּ 1 If Job actually were to command **lightning bolts**, they would first say to him, **Behold, us**, and then they would **go** to where Job was sending them. So it may be more natural to put the information about what they would say before the information that they would go. Alternate translation: “If you wanted to send out lightning bolts, would they say to you, ‘Behold, us,’ and then go where you sent them” "Will you send out lightning bolts and they will go,
and they will say to you, ‘Behold, us"
38:35 z4cb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיֹאמְר֖וּ לְךָ֣ הִנֵּֽנוּ 1 The expression **Behold, us** was the way that servants in this culture responded when their masters summoned them. They were telling their masters that they were available to serve them in whatever way was needed. Your culture may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “and they will say to you, ‘At your service’” and they will say to you, ‘Behold, us
38:35 k260 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְיֹאמְר֖וּ לְךָ֣ הִנֵּֽנוּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “and they will tell you that they are at your service” and they will say to you, ‘Behold, us
38:36 h7ay rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מִי־שָׁ֭ת בַּטֻּח֣וֹת חָכְמָ֑ה א֤וֹ מִֽי־נָתַ֖ן לַשֶּׂ֣כְוִי בִינָֽה 1 The meaning of the terms translated **clouds** and **mist** is no longer clear, although these terms seem to refer to some phenomena of the skies, since that is the subject of verses 22–38. However, some versions nevertheless translate these terms as references to parts of the human body or to birds. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the terms that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use terms comparable to the ones that the ULT uses. "Who has put wisdom in the clouds,
or who has given understanding to the mist"
38:36 sfx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מִי־שָׁ֭ת בַּטֻּח֣וֹת חָכְמָ֑ה א֤וֹ מִֽי־נָתַ֖ן לַשֶּׂ֣כְוִי בִינָֽה 1 If the terms translated **clouds** and **mist** do refer to phenomena of the skies, Yahweh is speaking of these phenomena as if they were living things that could have **wisdom** and **understanding** to know where they should form and when. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Who makes sure that clouds and mist form in the right places at the right times” "Who has put wisdom in the clouds,
or who has given understanding to the mist"
38:37 w7u7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְנִבְלֵ֥י שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם מִ֣י יַשְׁכִּֽיב 1 Yahweh is speaking of the clouds in the **skies** as if they were **water skins**, containers for liquid made of animals skins, like the wineskins that Elihu described in [32:19](../32/19.md). When Yahweh asks who will **tilt** these water skins, he means who will tip them over so that they pour out their contents. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or who will make the clouds pour out water onto the earth” Or the water skins of the skies, who will tilt
38:38 njw9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּצֶ֣קֶת עָ֭פָר לַמּוּצָ֑ק וּרְגָבִ֥ים יְדֻבָּֽקוּ 1 Yahweh is describing how the **dust** of the ground hardens into a **mass* and how the **clods** of earth **stick together** by association to refer to a prolonged period of drought. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to water the earth when it is very dry from a long drought” "in the hardening of the dust into a mass,
and the clods stick together"
38:39 n1pj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְחַיַּ֖ת כְּפִירִ֣ים תְּמַלֵּֽא 1 Yahweh is using the term **life** by association to mean hunger, since eating is necessary to sustain life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “or satisfy the hunger of her cubs” or satisfy the life of {her} cubs
38:39 k261 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְחַיַּ֖ת כְּפִירִ֣ים תְּמַלֵּֽא 1 Yahweh is using the word **or** to introduce what would happen as a result of what he described in the preceding phrase. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “in order to satisfy the hunger of her cubs” or “so that she can feed her cubs” or satisfy the life of {her} cubs
38:40 hu7v rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יָשֹׁ֥חוּ בַמְּעוֹנ֑וֹת יֵשְׁב֖וּ 1 The pronouns **they** and **their** refer to the lioness that Yahweh described in the previous verse. It may be more natural in your language to use singular forms here. Alternate translation: “she crouches in her den, when she lies in wait” "they crouch in their dens,
when} they lie in wait"
38:40 g23n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַסֻּכָּ֣ה 1 The general term **shelter** refers implicitly to a thicket or some other place where a lioness could conceal herself. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “in a thicket” in a shelter
38:41 k262 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לָעֹרֵ֗ב צֵ֫יד֥וֹ כִּֽי־יְ֭לָדָיו 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **raven**. He means ravens in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “food for the ravens when their children” "to the raven its food
when its children"
38:41 hc2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown לָעֹרֵ֗ב צֵ֫יד֥וֹ 1 A **raven** is a large bird with shiny black feathers that feeds on dead animals. If your readers would not be familiar with what a raven is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable bird in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “food for the birds” to the raven its food
38:41 y9ey rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִּֽי־יְ֭לָדָיו & אֶל־אֵ֣ל יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּ 1 Yahweh is referring to how baby birds chirp loudly and continually when they need food. He is saying that he hears this as a prayer, as if the baby birds were crying out to him for what they needed. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “when its offspring chirp loudly for food as if they were crying out to God for it” when its children cry out to God
38:41 k263 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אֶל־אֵ֣ל 1 Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “to me” to God
38:41 nde9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יִ֝תְע֗וּ לִבְלִי־אֹֽכֶל 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the baby ravens would literally **stagger**, that is, walk as if they could barely stand up. He means that they would act in a way that showed they were weak with hunger. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when they are weak with hunger” when} they stagger without food
39:intro l9e1 0 # Job 39 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is a continuation of Yahweh’s response to Job.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\nIn this chapter, Yahweh continues to ask Job questions that show that Job does not understand the workings of the created world. Yahweh began to ask Job questions about animals and birds in [38:39](../38/39.md); he continues to do that in this chapter.\n\nThe implication continues to be that if Job does not understand and cannot explain how God makes things work in the visible creation, he certainly does not understand and cannot explain what God is doing as he works in unseen, mysterious ways to accomplish his purposes in the lives of people and over the course of human history.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### The nature of Yahweh’s questions to Job\n\nAs in the previous chapter, Yahweh may want Job to try to answer the questions he is asking so that Job will have to admit that he does not know the answers. Alternatively, Yahweh may be using the question form for emphasis. Consider the most appropriate way to translate each of the questions in this chapter.
39:1 m8kw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיָדַ֗עְתָּ עֵ֭ת לֶ֣דֶת יַעֲלֵי־סָ֑לַע 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, this could mean: (1) that Yahweh wants Job to try to answer this question and the questions in the rest of the chapter so that Job will have to admit that he does not know the answers. Alternate translation: “You do not know the time of the bearing of the goats of the rock, do you?” (2) that Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You do not know the time of the bearing of the goats of the rock!” Do you know the time of the bearing of the goats of the rock
39:1 k264 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַעֲלֵי־סָ֑לַע 1 Yahweh is using the term **rock** by association to identify these goats by where they live. Your language may have its own name for goats of this type that identifies them by where they live. If not, you could identify them with a descriptive phrase. Alternate translation: “mountain goats” or “wild goats” or “goats that live among the rocks” the goats of the rock
39:1 j6ic rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit חֹלֵ֖ל אַיָּל֣וֹת תִּשְׁמֹֽר 1 The implication of this question is that Job would have to know when female deer were going to bear their fawns in order to be there to **watch** them give birth. So this question means basically the same thing as the first question in the verse. You could indicate this meaning in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Would you know when the does were going to give birth to their fawns so that you could be there to watch” Will you watch the fawning of the does
39:2 nrm8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit תְּמַלֶּ֑אנָה 1 Yahweh is referring implicitly to the **number** of **months** that the does will **fulfill** or complete before they give birth to their fawns. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “they will fulfill before giving birth” they will fulfill
39:3 n62w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חֶבְלֵיהֶ֥ם תְּשַׁלַּֽחְנָה 1 Yahweh is using the expression **labor pains** by association to mean the fawns that the does deliver after going into labor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they deliver their children” they cast forth their labor pains
39:4 v8ps rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בְ֭נֵיהֶם & לָֽמוֹ 1 The pronouns **Their** and **them** are masculine, meaning that they refer to the fathers and mothers of these young deer. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Your language may similarly use masculine plural pronouns for a group of two or more subjects that includes both male and female individuals. If not, you could show the meaning by using an explanatory phrase. Alternate translation: “The sons of does and bucks … to their parents” Their sons & to them
39:4 k265 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בְ֭נֵיהֶם 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that would include both male and female young deer. Some languages may have a general term for the offspring of deer that would convey this sense. Other languages may use both the masculine and feminine forms of such a term. Alternate translation: “their fawns” Their sons
39:4 wey9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בַבָּ֑ר 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **field**. He means fields in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “in the fields” in the field
39:5 x4tg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun פֶּ֣רֶא & עָ֝ר֗וֹד 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **wild donkey**. He means wild donkeys in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “the wild donkeys … these donkeys” the wild donkey & the donkey
39:6 k266 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֣מְתִּי עֲרָבָ֣ה בֵית֑וֹ וּֽמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֥יו מְלֵֽחָה 1 In some languages it may be more natural to mention the place first and then give the information that Yahweh had made this a place for wild donkeys to live in. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “I have made the Arabah his house, yes, I have made the salt land his habitations” "whose house I have made the Arabah,
and his habitations the salt land"
39:6 qyi5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֣מְתִּי עֲרָבָ֣ה בֵית֑וֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the **Arabah** or desert were literally a **house** in which a wild donkey lived. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to whom I have given the Arabah as a place to live” whose house I have made the Arabah
39:6 k267 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וּֽמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֥יו מְלֵֽחָה 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and whose habitations I have made in the salt land” and his habitations the salt land
39:6 k268 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּֽמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֥יו מְלֵֽחָה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **habitations**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “yes, to whom I have given the salt land as a place to inhabit” and his habitations the salt land
39:6 hfq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מְלֵֽחָה 1 Yahweh is using the term **salt land** to refer by association to a particular area of the desert where there is much salt in the soil and, as a result, few plants can grow. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the barren land” or “the desert” the salt land
39:7 m4ln rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִ֭שְׂחַק לַהֲמ֣וֹן קִרְיָ֑ה 1 Yahweh is speaking of the wild donkey as if it could consciously express by laughing what it was thinking and feeling. Here the term **laughs** implicitly means laughing scornfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It prefers being in the desert to being in the city” It laughs at the commotion of the city
39:7 rpn6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche תְּשֻׁא֥וֹת נ֝וֹגֵ֗שׂ לֹ֣א יִשְׁמָֽע 1 If this donkey had a **driver** who forced it to go places and do things, one thing that would happen is that the donkey would **hear** the **shouts** of the driver, that is, the commands that the driver was shouting at it. Yahweh is using this one thing to represent the entire possibility of the donkey having an owner and driver. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it has no owner who shouts at it to make it go places and do things” the shouts of the driver it does not hear
39:8 t3sa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כָּל־יָר֣וֹק 1 Yahweh is using the term **green** by association to mean any green herb or plant that would grow in the desert. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “any plant that it can eat” every green thing
39:9 f9tw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֲיֹ֣אבֶה רֵּ֣ים עָבְדֶ֑ךָ 1 Yahweh is speaking of the **wild ox** as if it were a living thing that could **consent** to **serve** Job. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Would a wild ox plow your fields without balking” Will the wild ox consent to serve you
39:9 t1u5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־יָ֝לִ֗ין עַל־אֲבוּסֶֽךָ 1 Yahweh is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “It would not lodge by your manger, would it” If it will lodge by your manger
39:9 sgz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֲבוּסֶֽךָ 1 A **manger** was a box or frame in which people put hay or other food for animals to eat. In this culture, animals were often kept near a home to keep them safe and so that their owners could feed them easily. If your readers would not be familiar with what a manger is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “your feeding trough” or “the box in which you put food for your farm animals” your manger
39:10 mt1p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲֽתִקְשָׁר־רֵ֭ים בְּתֶ֣לֶם עֲבֹת֑וֹ 1 Yahweh is asking implicitly whether Job could use **rope** to harness a **wild ox** to a plow that was in a **furrow**. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Can you harness a wild ox to a plow and get it to plow furrows in your field” Will you bind a wild ox in a furrow {with} its rope
39:10 k269 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־יְשַׂדֵּ֖ד עֲמָקִ֣ים אַחֲרֶֽיךָ 1 Yahweh is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “It would not harrow the valleys after you, would it” If it will harrow the valleys after you
39:10 gny8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִם־יְשַׂדֵּ֖ד עֲמָקִ֣ים אַחֲרֶֽיךָ 1 In this culture, farmers would lead a draft animal from the front as it pulled a harrow behind it. That is why Yahweh says **after you**. If farmers in your culture who harrow with draft animals instead walk behind the harrow, you could translate this in a way that expressed the general meaning without specifying a particular method of harrowing. Alternate translation: “Could you use it to harrow your fields in the valleys” If it will harrow the valleys after you
39:10 uq7t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown יְשַׂדֵּ֖ד עֲמָקִ֣ים 1 To **harrow** means to smooth and break up soil once it has been plowed. If your readers would not be familiar with what it means to harrow a field, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “it will pull a light implement to smooth and break up the soil in your fields in the valleys” it will harrow the valleys
39:11 au79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲֽתִבְטַח־בּ֭וֹ כִּי־רַ֣ב כֹּח֑וֹ וְתַעֲזֹ֖ב אֵלָ֣יו יְגִיעֶֽךָ 1 Yahweh means implicitly that Job or any other human being would not be able to trust a wild ox as a farm animal, because it could not be trained to do field work. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Would you really be able to trust a wild ox, because it was so strong, to do the hard part of your farm work” "Will you trust in it because its strength is great?
Will you leave your labor to it"
39:12 ht1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲתַאֲמִ֣ין בּ֭וֹ כִּי־יָשִׁ֣יב & זַרְעֶ֑ךָ וְֽגָרְנְךָ֥ יֶאֱסֹֽף 1 As in the previous verse, Yahweh means implicitly that Job or any other human being would not be able to depend on a wild ox to do the work of a farm animal. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Would you really be able to depend on it to bring in your grain from your fields to your threshing floor” "Will you depend on it, that it will bring in your seed
and gather {it} {to} your threshing floor"
39:13 k270 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun כְּנַף־רְנָנִ֥ים נֶעֱלָ֑סָה 1 Since the word **wing** applies to many **ostriches**, it may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “The wings of ostriches flap vigorously” The wing of ostriches flaps vigorously
39:13 k698 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כְּנַף־רְנָנִ֥ים נֶעֱלָ֑סָה 1 Ostriches cannot fly; this is a reference to the way they flap their wings vigorously when they run. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “The wings of ostriches flap vigorously when they run” The wing of ostriches flaps vigorously
39:13 c9hc rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown רְנָנִ֥ים 1 See how you translated the expression “daughters of clamor” in [30:29](../30/29.md). Here Yahweh uses a different term for the same kind of bird. ostriches
39:13 b62x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet אִם־אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה 1 The terms **feather** and **plumage** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “If they are kind feathers” If {it is} a kind feather and plumage
39:13 y8q9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִם־אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה 1 Yahweh is using one part of an ostrich, its feathers, to mean all of it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If it is a kind bird” If {it is} a kind feather and plumage
39:13 k271 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה 1 Yahweh is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “But it is not a kind bird, is it” If {it is} a kind feather and plumage
39:13 a7t4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִם־אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה 1 The word translated **kind** is also the word for another type of bird called a “stork.” The stork was given that name because it was kind to its young. So it is possible that Yahweh is comparing the ostrich directly to the stork here. Many versions of the Bible translate this verse that way. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT. Alternate translation: “But it is not a bird like the stork, is it” If {it is} a kind feather and plumage
39:15 k272 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַ֭תִּשְׁכַּח כִּי 1 Yahweh is speaking of an ostrich as if it could consciously **forget** than an animal might crush her eggs if she left them on the ground. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and it does this even though” and it forgets that
39:15 eg2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תְּזוּרֶ֑הָ & תְּדוּשֶֽׁהָ 1 The pronoun **it** refers in both of these instances to the ostrich’s eggs, which Yahweh described in the previous verse. It may be more natural in your language to use plural pronouns for the eggs. Alternate translation: “might crush them … might trample them” "might crush it
& might trample it"
39:15 p8ek rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche רֶ֣גֶל תְּזוּרֶ֑הָ 1 Yahweh is using one part of an animal, its **foot**, to mean all of it in the act of stepping on the eggs of an ostrich. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “an animal might step on them” a foot might crush it
39:16 u9gc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations בָּנֶ֣יהָ 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that would include both male and female young ostriches. Some languages may have a general term for the offspring of birds that would convey this sense. Other languages may use both the masculine and feminine forms of such a term. Alternate translation: “its chicks” its sons
39:16 uqn1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לְרִ֖יק יְגִיעָ֣הּ בְּלִי־פָֽחַד 1 Yahweh is speaking of an ostrich as if it could consciously feel **fear** that the **labor** it had expended to have offspring might be in **vain**, that is, the offspring might die, if it did not take better care of them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it does not carefully protect their lives” vain {is} its labor, without fear
39:17 jm95 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הִשָּׁ֣הּ אֱל֣וֹהַּ חָכְמָ֑ה וְלֹא־חָ֥לַק לָ֝֗הּ בַּבִּינָֽה 1 Yahweh is speaking of an ostrich as if it could consciously **forget** any **wisdom** it might have acquired and as if it might possess **understanding**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God has not given it the instincts to take better care of its young” "God has caused it to forget wisdom,
and he has not given understanding to it"
39:17 c8hu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person הִשָּׁ֣הּ אֱל֣וֹהַּ חָכְמָ֑ה וְלֹא־חָ֥לַק 1 Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “I have caused it to forget wisdom, and I have not given” "God has caused it to forget wisdom,
and he has not given"
39:18 bd6w rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast כָּ֭עֵת בַּמָּר֣וֹם תַּמְרִ֑יא 1 Yahweh is implicitly drawing a contrast between the apparently foolish behavior of the ostrich as a mother and its impressive physical capabilities, specifically how fast and powerfully it can run. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate the contrast explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “Nevertheless, when it lifts itself on high” As for the time it lifts itself on high
39:18 k273 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כָּ֭עֵת בַּמָּר֣וֹם תַּמְרִ֑יא 1 This expression does not refer to the ostrich flying, since ostriches cannot fly. Rather, it is a reference to what an ostrich does in order to run. It stretches to its full height and spreads and flaps its wings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Nevertheless, when it runs” As for the time it lifts itself on high
39:18 y8sh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תִּֽשְׂחַ֥ק לַ֝סּ֗וּס וּלְרֹֽכְבֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking of the ostrich as if it could consciously express by laughing what it was thinking and feeling. Here the term **laughs** implicitly means laughing scornfully. The ostrich would express scorn towards a **horse** and its **rider** because it could run faster than the horse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it can run even faster than a horse” it laughs at the horse and at its rider
39:19 jg2w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun לַסּ֣וּס & צַוָּאר֣וֹ רַעְמָֽה 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **horse**. He means horses in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “to horses … their necks with manes” "to the horse?
& its neck {with} a mane"
39:19 z5th rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ צַוָּאר֣וֹ רַעְמָֽה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the **mane** of a **horse** were clothing that it wore. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Were you the one who gave horses such splendid manes” Have you clothed its neck {with} a mane
39:20 lpb2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile הְֽ֭תַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ כָּאַרְבֶּ֑ה 1 The point of this comparison is that a horse can **jump** high and gracefully, just as a **locust** can easily jump high for its size. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Are you the one who gave horses such graceful and powerful jumping ability” Have you made it jump like a locust
39:21 gcq9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יַחְפְּר֣וּ בָ֭עֵמֶק 1 The pronoun **They** refers to horses. Since Yahweh uses singular pronouns in the rest of this section, it may be natural in your language to use a singular form here as well. Alternate translation: “It paws in the valley” or “A horse paws in the valley” They paw in the valley
39:21 nvw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַחְפְּר֣וּ בָ֭עֵמֶק 1 Yahweh is using the term **valley** by association to mean a battleground, since at this time armies would fight against each other in valleys. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Before a battle, a horse paws the ground” They paw in the valley
39:21 k6rc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְיָשִׂ֣ישׂ בְּכֹ֑חַ 1 Yahweh is speaking of a horse as if it could consciously **rejoice** over the **strength** that it had. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and it prances mightily” and it rejoices in strength
39:22 juq5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִשְׂחַ֣ק לְ֭פַחַד וְלֹ֣א יֵחָ֑ת 1 Yahweh is speaking of the horse as if it could consciously express by laughing what it was thinking and feeling. Here the term **laughs** implicitly means laughing scornfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It does not feel fear; no, it is not frightened” It laughs at fear and it is not frightened
39:22 vse1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יִשְׂחַ֣ק לְ֭פַחַד וְלֹ֣א יֵחָ֑ת 1 These two expressions mean similar things. Yahweh is using them terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “It is not afraid at all” It laughs at fear and it is not frightened
39:22 uk9z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives וְלֹֽא־יָ֝שׁ֗וּב מִפְּנֵי־חָֽרֶב 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative verb **turn back**. Alternate translation: “and it charges forward to the face of the sword” and it does not turn back from the face of the sword
39:22 k274 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵי־חָֽרֶב 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person or thing by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “from the presence of the sword” from the face of the sword
39:22 k275 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun מִפְּנֵי־חָֽרֶב 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **sword**. He means swords in general and, by extension, all the weapons of an enemy army. Alternate translation: “from the weapons it encounters” from the face of the sword
39:23 cvi2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown עָ֭לָיו תִּרְנֶ֣ה אַשְׁפָּ֑ה 1 A **quiver** is a container that holds arrows. At this time, quivers were typically made of leather. If your readers would not be familiar with what a quiver is, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “The container for its rider’s arrows bounces against its side” The quiver rattles upon him
39:23 qlj4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis לַ֖הַב חֲנִ֣ית וְכִידֽוֹן 1 Yahweh is leaving some words that in many languages this sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “as does the flashing of the spear and the javelin” the flashing of the spear and the javelin
39:23 q76b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession לַ֖הַב חֲנִ֣ית וְכִידֽוֹן 1 Yahweh is using this possessive form to describe a **spear** and **javelin** that are characterized by **flashing**. These may have been made of wood, but they would have had metal points that gleamed in the sunlight. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “as do the spear and javelin whose points glisten in the sunlight” the flashing of the spear and the javelin
39:24 sh13 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְגַמֶּא־אָ֑רֶץ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if a horse literally **swallows** the **ground** when it runs fast over it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it races over the ground” or “it gallops across the ground” it swallows the ground
39:24 bkv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys בְּרַ֣עַשׁ וְ֭רֹגֶז 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **rage** tells why the horse is **shaking**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation, preceded by a comma: “shaking with rage” With shaking and rage
39:24 kx1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כִּי־ק֥וֹל שׁוֹפָֽר 1 Yahweh is referring implicitly to when someone would blow a **horn** to signal that the army should advance into battle. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “when it hears a horn sound the battle call” when {there is} the sound of the horn
39:24 yf1b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes וְלֹֽא־יַ֝אֲמִ֗ין 1 Yahweh is expressing a positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of his intended meaning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and it charges forward” and it does not stand still
39:25 k276 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּדֵ֤י שֹׁפָ֨ר 1 This expression means “as often as the horn sounds.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “As often as the horn sounds” In the abundance of the horn
39:25 q35d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יֹ֘אמַ֤ר הֶאָ֗ח 1 Yahweh is speaking of a horse as if it could speak and use this expression to show its delight. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it snorts enthusiastically.” it says, ‘Aha
39:25 k277 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יָרִ֣יחַ מִלְחָמָ֑ה 1 Yahweh is using the term **battle** by association to mean the enemy army that is approaching to fight a battle with the army to which the horse belongs. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it smells the enemy army approaching ” it smells the battle
39:25 i8r5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis רַ֥עַם שָׂ֝רִים וּתְרוּעָֽה 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “it hears the thunder of the princes and the battle-cry” the thunder of the princes and the battle-cry
39:25 nry6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor רַ֥עַם שָׂ֝רִים 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the loud orders that the **princes** or commanders were shouting to their troops were literally **thunder**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the loud shouts of the princes” or “the loudly shouted orders of the princes” the thunder of the princes
39:26 k278 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun יַֽאֲבֶר־נֵ֑ץ יִפְרֹ֖שׂ כְּנָפָ֣יו 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **hawk**. He means hawks in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “do hawks soar, do they stretch their wings” "does the hawk soar,
does it stretch its wings"
39:26 k279 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown נֵ֑ץ 1 A **hawk** is a bird of prey, typically with rounded wings and a long tail. If your readers would not be familiar with what a hawk is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar bird that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a bird of prey” the hawk
39:26 k280 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis יִפְרֹ֖שׂ כְּנָפָ֣יו & לְתֵימָֽן 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “by your wisdom does it stretch its wings toward the south” does it stretch its wings toward the south
39:26 rx7s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יִפְרֹ֖שׂ כְּנָפָ֣יו & לְתֵימָֽן 1 Yahweh is using the phrase **stretch its wings** by association to mean flying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “does it fly toward the south” does it stretch its wings toward the south
39:26 ckg8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִפְרֹ֖שׂ כְּנָפָ֣יו לְתֵימָֽן 1 Yahweh is referring implicitly to the way that hawks and other birds in the northern hemisphere migrate south to warmer weather when winter is approaching. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “does it migrate to a warmer climate for the winter” does it stretch its wings toward the south
39:27 cz3r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־עַל־פִּ֭יךָ יַגְבִּ֣יהַּ נָ֑שֶׁר וְ֝כִ֗י יָרִ֥ים קִנּֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “It is not at your mouth that the eagle mounts up and that its nest is high, is it” "If at your mouth the eagle mounts up
and that its nest is high"
39:27 cd7k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַל־פִּ֭יךָ 1 Yahweh is using the term **mouth** to mean by association what Job may have said with his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at your instruction” at your mouth
39:28 k281 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יִ֭שְׁכֹּן וְיִתְלֹנָ֑ן 1 The terms **dwells** and **lodges** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “It lives all the time” or “It makes its home” It dwells and lodges
39:28 u8qm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys שֶׁן־סֶ֝֗לַע וּמְצוּדָֽה 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two expressions connected with **and**. The word **stronghold** describes the character of a **peak of a crag**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “on the inaccessible peak of a crag” the peak of a crag and a stronghold
39:29 ak87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לְ֝מֵרָח֗וֹק עֵינָ֥יו יַבִּֽיטוּ 1 See how you translated the expression “to from afar” in [36:3](../36/03.md). Alternate translation: “its eyes look to distant places” its eyes look to from afar
39:29 t32l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לְ֝מֵרָח֗וֹק עֵינָ֥יו יַבִּֽיטוּ 1 Yahweh is using one part of an eagle, its **eyes**, to mean all of it in the act of looking for food. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: ”it can spot its prey far in the distance“ its eyes look to from afar
39:30 s29l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְאֶפְרֹחָ֥יו יְעַלְעוּ־דָ֑ם 1 Yahweh is using one thing that **eaglets** do when they consume freshly killed prey, **suck up blood**, to mean the entire act of eating such prey, which would include smaller birds and small mammals. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And it brings fresh prey for its eaglets to eat” And its eaglets suck up blood
39:30 iv5j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj וּבַאֲשֶׁ֥ר חֲ֝לָלִ֗ים שָׁ֣ם הֽוּא 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **slain** as a noun to mean people and animals in a certain condition. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “but it also feeds on the flesh of people and animals that others have killed” and at where the slain {are}, there it is
40:intro k9mj 0 # Job 40 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of verses 1–2, 4–5, and 7–24 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are poetry.\n\n- Verses 1–2: Yahweh challenges Job to respond to what he has said so far.\n- Verses 3–5: Job replies that he has nothing to say in response.\n- Verses 6–14 Yahweh tells Job that if he wishes to judge the world as he would do, he must display power and justice in subduing wicked people.\n- Verses 15–24 Yahweh tells Job to consider a great creature named Behemoth. \n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Behemoth\n\nTo help Job continue to recognize that he occupies a small and insignificant place within creation, Yahweh describes the strength and power of one of his great creatures, Behemoth. While this animal was known in the time of Job, its exact identity is now uncertain. You may therefore wish to use the name Behemoth in your translation, spelling it the way it sounds in your language, rather than trying to specify a particular animal that Yahweh is describing. The UST models this approach.\n\n## Special Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Justice\n\nIn verse 8, Yahweh asks Job whether he wishes to decide what is right. and then in the next verse, Yahweh asks Job whether he has great power. However, Yahweh is not suggesting that might makes right. Rather, he is asking Job whether he has the might to make things right, as he then describes in verses 10–14. In verse 10, the terms ”majesty,“ ”greatness,“ ”glory,“ and ”splendor“ describe moral qualities, not simply power. See if you have terms available in your language that can convey this meaning in your translation.
40:1 jlf1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֖עַן יְהוָ֥ה אֶת־אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [34:1](../34/01.md). Alternate translation: “And Yahweh said to Job, in light of all that he had just said” And Yahweh answered Job and said
40:2 p78z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person הֲ֭רֹב עִם־שַׁדַּ֣י יִסּ֑וֹר מוֹכִ֖יחַ אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַעֲנֶֽנָּה 1 The Almighty is speaking about himself in the third person, and though he is addressing Job directly, he is also speaking about him in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could have the Almighty speak of himself in the first person and of Job in the second person. Alternate translation: “You said you wanted to reprove me, the Almighty; do you still wish to contend with me? You said you wanted to correct me, God; if so, then you must answer it” "Is} a reprover to contend with the Almighty?
The one correcting God, let him answer it"
40:2 k282 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מוֹכִ֖יחַ אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַעֲנֶֽנָּה 1 God is using the pronoun **it** to refer to everything he has just said to Job. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “If you still think you can correct me, then respond to everything I have just said to you” The one correcting God, let him answer it
40:3 k283 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֖עַן אִיּ֥וֹב אֶת־יְהוָ֗ה וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 Here the narrator expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose a person **said** something. Specifically, the person said it in order to answer or respond to what someone else said. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “And Job responded to Yahweh” And Job answered Yahweh and said
40:4 q9w7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מָ֣ה אֲשִׁיבֶ֑ךָּ 1 Job is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I am not able to answer you!” how shall I answer you
40:4 k284 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction יָ֝דִ֗י שַׂ֣מְתִּי לְמוֹ־פִֽי 1 Putting his **hand** over his **mouth** was a symbolic action by which Job showed that he had nothing to say in response to Yahweh. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. You could also use an expression from your language and culture that has the same significance. Alternate translation: “I put my hand over my mouth so that I will not say anything” or “I bite my tongue” I put my hand over my mouth
40:5 k285 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism אַחַ֣ת דִּ֭בַּרְתִּי וְלֹ֣א אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה וּ֝שְׁתַּ֗יִם וְלֹ֣א אוֹסִֽיף 1 As Eliphaz did in [5:19](../05/19.md) and as Elihu did in [33:14](../33/14.md) and [33:29](../33/29.md), here Job is naming a number that should be sufficient to illustrate his point and then increasing that number by one for emphasis. This was a common device in Hebrew poetry, but if a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could express the emphasis another way. Alternate translation: “Though I was insisting that you were wrong, I will not say that any longer” "I spoke once, but I will not answer,
and twice, but I will not continue"
40:5 k286 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה 1 Job is implicitly using the term **answer** in the same sense that the narrator used it in verse 1 and in [34:1](../34/01.md). That is, Job means that he will not say more things in light of what he has already said and thus, in a sense, in answer to them. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “but I will say nothing further” but I will not answer
40:6 k287 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּֽעַן־יְהוָ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב מנ סערה וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose a person **said** something. Specifically, the person said it in order to answer or respond to what someone else said. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “And from the storm Yahweh responded to Job” And Yahweh answered Job from the storm and said
40:7 t5gf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֱזָר & חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [38:3](../38/03.md). Alternate translation: “you must continue to take part in a difficult contest” gird up your loins
40:7 k288 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְגֶ֣בֶר 1 See how you translated the same expression in [38:3](../38/03.md). Alternate translation: “like a brave person” or “as a soldier would do when going into battle” like a man
40:7 k289 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony אֶ֝שְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי 1 See how you translated the same expression in [38:3](../38/03.md). Alternate translation: “I will question you and you can tell me what you think I do not already know” I will question you, and you will inform me
40:8 q5c9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַ֭אַף תָּפֵ֣ר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י תַּ֝רְשִׁיעֵ֗נִי לְמַ֣עַן תִּצְדָּֽק 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Do not think that you can actually annul my judgment! Do not think that you can condemn me so that you may be right!” "Would you actually annul my judgment?
Would you condemn me so that you may be right"
40:8 k290 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הַ֭אַף תָּפֵ֣ר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **judgment**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Would you actually try to show that I do not judge people correctly?” or “Do not think that you can actually show that I do not judge people correctly!” Would you actually annul my judgment
40:9 h8v3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְאִם־זְר֖וֹעַ כָּאֵ֥ל ׀ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝בְק֗וֹל כָּמֹ֥הוּ תַרְעֵֽם 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You do not have an arm such as God has! You cannot thunder with a voice as he does!” "Or if like God an arm {is} to you?
Or like him will you thunder with a voice"
40:9 k291 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וְאִם־זְר֖וֹעַ כָּאֵ֥ל ׀ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝בְק֗וֹל כָּמֹ֥הוּ תַרְעֵֽם 1 God is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “Do you have an arm such as I have? Can you thunder with a voice such as I do?” or “You do not have an arm such as I have! You cannot thunder with a voice as I do!” "Or if like God an arm {is} to you?
Or like him will you thunder with a voice"
40:9 k292 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְאִם־זְר֖וֹעַ כָּאֵ֥ל ׀ לָ֑ךְ 1 Yahweh is using the word **if** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Now you do not have an arm such as I have, do you” Or if like God an arm {is} to you
40:9 zc8k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאִם־זְר֖וֹעַ כָּאֵ֥ל ׀ לָ֑ךְ 1 Here the **arm** of God represents his power. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Now you do not have power such as I have, do you” Or if like God an arm {is} to you
40:9 bf69 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּ֝בְק֗וֹל כָּמֹ֥הוּ תַרְעֵֽם 1 Yahweh is speaking as if his own **voice** literally made the sound of **thunder**. He means that his voice is very loud, and that shows how powerful he is. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Or do you have a loud and powerful voice such as I do” or “Or is it evident from the volume of your voice how powerful you are, as it is for me” Or like him will you thunder with a voice
40:10 k293 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases נָ֣א 1 Yahweh is using the word **Then** to indicate what Job should do if he has the kind of power that Yahweh described in the previous verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “If you do, then” Then
40:10 tc7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עֲדֵ֥ה & גָֽא֣וֹן וָגֹ֑בַהּ וְה֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תִּלְבָּֽשׁ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if he wanted Job literally to **adorn** and **clothe** himself with the qualities that he names. He means that Job ought to make it apparent that he has these qualities if he wishes to judge the world as Yahweh would do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “display your majesty and greatness; show your glory and splendor” "adorn yourself {in} majesty and greatness,
and clothe yourself {in} glory and splendor"
40:10 k294 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet גָֽא֣וֹן וָגֹ֑בַהּ וְה֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר 1 The terms **majesty** and **greatness** mean similar things, and the terms **glory** and **splendor** also mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “in great majesty, and … in bright splendor” "in} majesty and greatness,
and & in} glory and splendor"
40:11 ec11 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָ֭פֵץ עֶבְר֣וֹת אַפֶּ֑ךָ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Job’s **outbursts** were objects that he could **Scatter**. Elihu used the same word for “scatter” in [37:11](../37/11.md) to describe how God made lightning bolts go to various places, so the implication seems to be that Yahweh is challenging Job to direct his righteous anger against his enemies if he has the power to do that. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Direct your righteous anger against all your enemies” Scatter the outbursts of your nose
40:11 k295 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj גֵּ֝אֶ֗ה 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **proud** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. The ULT adds the word **one** to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “proud person” proud one
40:11 vj9f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְהַשְׁפִּילֵֽהוּ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Job would literally **bring** an arrogant person **down** from a height to a lower place. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and humble him” and bring him down
40:12 k296 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj גֵּ֭אֶה 1 See how you translated the same expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “proud person” proud one
40:12 k297 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַהֲדֹ֖ךְ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if he wants Job literally to **trample** or walk all over **wicked** people if he wishes to judge the world as Yahweh would do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and punish” and trample
40:12 k298 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj רְשָׁעִ֣ים 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **wicked** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people” the wicked
40:12 k299 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom תַּחְתָּֽם 1 As Elihu did similarly in [36:16](../36/16.md), here Yahweh is using the expression **under them** to mean at the location on which these wicked people stand. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “right where they are” under them
40:13 k300 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy טָמְנֵ֣ם בֶּעָפָ֣ר יָ֑חַד 1 Yahweh is using the term **dust**, meaning the ground, by association to mean graves in which people are buried. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Bury them all in the ground” or “Bury them all in graves” Hide them in the dust together
40:13 k301 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit טָמְנֵ֣ם בֶּעָפָ֣ר יָ֑חַד 1 The implication is that Job should first judge and punish proud and wicked people, executing them for their crimes, and then bury them, if he wishes to judge the world as Yahweh would do. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Judge and execute all proud and wicked people for their crimes” Hide them in the dust together
40:13 se3t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction פְּ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם חֲבֹ֣שׁ בַּטָּמֽוּן 1 Yahweh is referring to a cultural practice. This could mean: (1) the action of wrapping the head separately from the rest of the body when preparing a body for burial. Yahweh would be using this action to mean the entire act of burial, and this second part of the verse would mean the same thing as the first part of the verse. Alternate translation: “bury them in the hidden place” (2) the symbolic action of covering the face of a person who was about to be executed. (There is an example of this in the Bible in [Esther 7:8](../est/07/08.md).) The face represented the person, and the fact that it could no longer be seen indicated that soon the person would no longer be alive. Yahweh would be using the covering of the face to mean the entire act of executing such criminals. Alternate translation: “execute them and put them in the hidden place” cover their faces in the hidden {place
40:13 y16q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj בַּטָּמֽוּן 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **hidden** as a noun to mean a certain kind of place, the grave, into which people cannot see. The ULT adds the word **place** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “in the grave” or “in the abode of the dead” in the hidden {place
40:14 k302 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical וְגַם־אֲנִ֥י אוֹדֶ֑ךָּ 1 Yahweh is using the word **And** to introduce the second part of an implied conditional statement. He means that he will **praise** Job only if Job is able to do the things he has just described. Alternate translation: “Only then would I praise you” or “If you were able to do these things, then I would praise you” And then I will praise you
40:14 k303 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲנִ֥י אוֹדֶ֑ךָּ 1 For emphasis, Yahweh is stating the pronoun **I**, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated **praise**. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I myself will praise you” I will praise you
40:14 k304 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יְמִינֶֽךָ 1 Here the **right hand** represents the power and control that people have over something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your power” your right hand
40:14 k305 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יְמִינֶֽךָ 1 Yahweh is using the **right hand** as a symbol of strength because in this culture, a majority of the population more naturally used that hand. Yahweh is not saying that there is anything wrong with being left-handed. Particularly if many of the people in your culture naturally use their left hands, you may wish to use an equivalent expression here that does not name a particular hand. Alternate translation: “your own hand” your right hand
40:15 k306 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הִנֵּה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if he wants Job to **behold** or look at an animal that is not present. Yahweh is using sight to represent attention. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “consider” behold
40:15 t3an rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְ֭הֵמוֹת 1 See the discussion of the name **Behemoth** in the General Notes to this chapter to decide how to represent this name in your translation. Behemoth
40:15 k307 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֣יתִי עִמָּ֑ךְ 1 Yahweh means that he made Behemoth just as he made Job, not that he made Behemoth at the same time when he made Job. Alternate translation: “which I myself created, just as I created you” which I made with you
40:15 h3k4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast חָ֝צִ֗יר כַּבָּקָ֥ר יֹאכֵֽל 1 There is an implied contrast here. This great beast has the size and strength to hunt and kill other animals; nevertheless, it lives on plants. (This may be an implicit indication that such great wild beasts remain under the restraint of Yahweh.) You may wish to indicate this contrast in your translation, in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “despite its great size and strength, it eats grass like an ox” it eats grass like an ox
40:15 k308 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche חָ֝צִ֗יר 1 Yahweh is probably using one kind of plant, **grass**, to mean all kinds of green plants that animals eat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “green plants” grass
40:16 utj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations הִנֵּה־נָ֣א כֹח֣וֹ בְמָתְנָ֑יו וְ֝אֹנ֗וֹ בִּשְׁרִירֵ֥י בִטְנֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is once again using the term **behold** to mean “consider.” In this instance, it may be natural in your language to translate these statements as exclamations that are calling for Job’s attention. Alternate translation: “What strength it has in its loins! What power it has in the muscles of its belly!” "Now behold, its strength {is} in his loins,
and its power {is} in the muscles of his belly"
40:17 t5ej rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יַחְפֹּ֣ץ זְנָב֣וֹ כְמוֹ־אָ֑רֶז 1 The point of this comparison is that just as the branch of a **cedar** tree is flexible but strong, so this beast can raise its tail and hold it flexibly in the air. The ability to hold a tail upright, which older animals can no longer do, is a sign of youthful strength. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “It shows its vigor by holding up its tail as if that were a cedar branch” It bends its tail like a cedar
40:17 k309 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive גִּידֵ֖י פַחֲדָ֣יו יְשֹׂרָֽגוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the sinews of its thighs hold tightly to one another” the sinews of its thighs are intertwined
40:18 g8sh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עֲ֭צָמָיו אֲפִיקֵ֣י נְחוּשָׁ֑ה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the **bones** of this beast were literally **tubes of bronze**. He is using the metal bronze to represent great strength, and he likely speaks of tubes because bones are hollow. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Its bones are very strong, as if they were made of bronze” Its bones {are} tubes of bronze
40:18 v226 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile גְּ֝רָמָ֗יו כִּמְטִ֥יל בַּרְזֶֽל 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **bars of iron** are very strong, so the **legs** of this beast are very strong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “its legs are very strong, as if they were iron bars” its legs {are} like bars of iron
40:19 c5rb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person ה֭וּא רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכֵי־אֵ֑ל 1 Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “It is the first of my ways” It {is} the first of the ways of God
40:19 k310 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ה֭וּא רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכֵי־אֵ֑ל 1 Yahweh is speaking of the things that a person has done as if those were **ways** or paths that the person had walked along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It is the first of my works” It {is} the first of the ways of God
40:19 kd2r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ה֭וּא רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכֵי־אֵ֑ל 1 Yahweh is using the word **first** in a particular sense to mean “chief” or “greatest.” He does not mean that he created Behemoth before he created any other animal. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It is my greatest creature” It {is} the first of the ways of God
40:19 k311 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole ה֭וּא רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכֵי־אֵ֑ל 1 Yahweh is likely using the word **first**, meaning “greatest,” as an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “It is one of my most powerful creatures” It {is} the first of the ways of God
40:19 k312 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person הָ֝עֹשׂוֹ יַגֵּ֥שׁ חַרְבּֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is once again speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “When I made it, I provided it with a sword” Its Maker has brought near its sword
40:19 k313 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הָ֝עֹשׂוֹ יַגֵּ֥שׁ חַרְבּֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking of Behemoth as if it literally had a **sword**. The following verse suggests that he is most likely referring to the long, sharp tusks that it used to shear the plants that it ate. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “When I made it, I provided it with long, sharp tusks” Its Maker has brought near its sword
40:20 k314 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases כִּֽי 1 Yahweh is using the word **For** to introduce the reason why he created Behemoth with long, sharp tusks. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “I gave it tusks because” For
40:20 f3ru rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification ב֭וּל הָרִ֣ים יִשְׂאוּ־ל֑וֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking of these **hills** as if they were living things that could **provide food** for Behemoth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it eats the plants that grow on the hills” the hills provide food for it
40:20 k315 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הָרִ֣ים יִשְׂאוּ 1 The term **hills** likely refers in this context to the higher ground on both sides of the river in which Behemoth lives. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the higher ground on the sides of the river provides” the hills provide
40:20 k316 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְֽכָל־חַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה יְשַֽׂחֲקוּ־שָֽׁם 1 Yahweh means implicitly that the **beasts of the field** can **play** where Behemoth is feeding because it eats plants and so it will not harm them. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and so it leaves the nearby beasts of the field peacefully alone” or “and so it does not harm any of the nearby beasts of the field” and all of the beasts of the field play there
40:21 h567 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown צֶאֱלִ֥ים 1 It is uncertain exactly what kind of **trees** Yahweh is describing here, although it is clear that they are a type that grows on riverbanks. You may wish to use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “shade trees” lotus trees
40:21 uth5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys קָנֶ֣ה וּבִצָּֽה 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **marsh** tells what kind of **reed** is in view. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “marsh reeds” or “the reeds of the marsh” the reed and the marsh
40:22 k317 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown יְסֻכֻּ֣הוּ צֶאֱלִ֣ים צִֽלֲל֑וֹ 1 If you translated the term **lotus trees** as “shade trees” in the previous verse, you could translate this verse in such a way as to avoid using the term **shade** twice. Alternate translation: “Those trees cover it with their shade” The lotus trees cover it {with} their shade
40:22 k86u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown עַרְבֵי־נָֽחַל 1 The term **willows** describes large trees that grow in damp ground. If your readers would not be familiar with what willow trees are, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “the trees that grow near the river” the willows of the river
40:23 vbe3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical הֵ֤ן יַעֲשֹׁ֣ק נָ֭הָר 1 Yahweh is using the word **Behold** to introduce a conditional statement, that is, to say how Behemoth would respond if a certain thing happened. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Even if a river overflows” Behold, a river will overflow
40:23 k318 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹ֣א יַחְפּ֑וֹז 1 Yahweh means implicitly that Behemoth does not **tremble** with fear when rivers flood. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “it does not tremble with fear” it does not tremble
40:23 x8nv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יַרְדֵּ֣ן 1 Yahweh is using one specific river, the **Jordan**, to mean any river in which Behemoth might be living. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the river in which it is living” the Jordan
40:24 uyb7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בְּעֵינָ֥יו יִקָּחֶ֑נּוּ בְּ֝מֽוֹקְשִׁ֗ים יִנְקָב־אָֽף 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “No one can capture it with its eyes! No one can pierce its nose with a cord!” "Will one capture it with its eyes?
Will one pierce {its} nose with cords"
40:24 k319 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעֵינָ֥יו יִקָּחֶ֑נּוּ 1 Yahweh is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. This could mean: (1) that no one can capture Behemoth while it still has the use of its eyes. Alternate translation: “No one can capture it while it is watching!” or “No one can capture it without first blinding it!” (2) that no one can capture Behemoth by using something that it would see. Alternate translation: “No one can capture it by putting attractive bait in front of it!” Will one capture it with its eyes
40:24 k320 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּ֝מֽוֹקְשִׁ֗ים יִנְקָב־אָֽף 1 In this culture, people would control the movements of a large animal by passing a thin but strong cord or rope through a puncture in its nose. Yahweh is saying that no one could do this with Behemoth. Alternate translation: “No one would be able to control its movements by passing a cord through a hole in its nose!” Will one pierce {its} nose with cords
41:intro et13 0 # Job 41 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter is the conclusion of Yahweh’s response to Job.\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Leviathan\n\nIn the previous chapter, to help Job recognize what a small and insignificant place he occupied within creation, Yahweh told him to consider a great creature named Behemoth. In this chapter, for the same purpose, Yahweh tells Job to consider another great creature that he calls Leviathan.\n\nAs the General Introduction to Job explains, ancient peoples seem to have been aware of a large, fierce creature that lived in the ocean, which they called the “sea monster.” They also used the names Leviathan and Rahab to describe this creature. While it seems to have been known in the time of Job, its exact identity is uncertain today. And so it may be best to use the name Leviathan in your translation, spelling it the way it sounds in your language, rather than trying to specify a particular animal that Yahweh is describing. The UST models this approach.\n\n### Yahweh answering Job with his own words\n\nIn several places in this chapter, Yahweh alludes to Job’s opening speech, in which Job cursed the day of his birth, by using the same language that Job did. In verse 10, Yahweh speaks of awakening Leviathan, as Job did in [3:8](../03/08.md). In verse 18, Yahweh speaks of “the eyelids of the dawn,” meaning the first rays of the rising sun, as Job did in [3:9](../03/09.md). In verse 30, Yahweh speaks of a “shard,” a piece of broken pottery, such as Job took to scrape his skin, as [2:8](../02/08.md) describes. In each case, these are the only two occurrences of these words or phrases in the book. As Yahweh concludes his own speech, he is going all the way back to the beginnings of Job’s troubles and to the first concerns that he expressed in order to address everything that Job has said throughout the book. To help your readers appreciate what Yahweh is doing, you may wish to translate his expressions in these places in the same way that you translated Job’s similar expressions earlier.
41:1 tg8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion תִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ לִוְיָתָ֣ן בְּחַכָּ֑ה וּ֝בְחֶ֗בֶל תַּשְׁקִ֥יעַ לְשֹׁנֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You cannot draw out Leviathan with a hook! No, you cannot tie its tongue with a rope!” "Will you draw out Leviathan with a hook?
Or will you tie its tongue with a rope"
41:1 k321 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants תִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ לִוְיָתָ֣ן 1 Yahweh now wants Job to consider another one of his great creatures, Leviathan. But he does not indicate this by saying, as he did for Behemoth in [40:15](../40/15.md), “Now behold Leviathan.” Instead, he describes how difficult it would be to capture Leviathan, following upon his description of how difficult it would be to capture Behemoth. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a natural way in your language to show that here Yahweh is introducing another creature that he wants Job to consider. The UST models this approach. Alternate translation: “Now I want you to consider another of my great creatures. Will you draw out Leviathan” Will you draw out Leviathan
41:1 f9dw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis תִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ לִוְיָתָ֣ן 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Will you draw Leviathan out of the water” Will you draw out Leviathan
41:1 k322 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names לִוְיָתָ֣ן 1 See how you translated the name **Leviathan** in [3:8](../03/08.md). Leviathan
41:1 t8j2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche תַּשְׁקִ֥יעַ לְשֹׁנֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is using one part of Leviathan’s mouth, its **tongue**, to mean its entire mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will you tie its mouth shut” will you tie its tongue
41:2 y88e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure הֲתָשִׂ֣ים אַגְמ֣וֹן בְּאַפּ֑וֹ וּ֝בְח֗וֹחַ תִּקּ֥וֹב לֶֽחֱיוֹ 1 Since someone would first have to capture Leviathan with a **hook** before restraining it with a **rope** in its **nose**, it may be more natural to put the information about the hook first. Alternate translation: “Will you capture it by hooking its jaw and then put a rope into its nose to restrain it?” "Will you put a rope into its nose,
or will you pierce its jaw with a hook"
41:2 k323 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲתָשִׂ֣ים אַגְמ֣וֹן בְּאַפּ֑וֹ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [40:24](../40/24.md). Alternate translation: “Will you control its movements by passing a rope through a hole in its nose” Will you put a rope into its nose
41:3 f3f9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה אֵ֭לֶיךָ תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים אִם־יְדַבֵּ֖ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ רַכּֽוֹת 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “It would not multiply supplications to you! It would not speak tender things to you!” "Will it multiply supplications to you?
If it will speak tender {things} to you"
41:3 d9dm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה אֵ֭לֶיךָ תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים אִם־יְדַבֵּ֖ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ רַכּֽוֹת 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan could talk intelligently. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If it could speak, it would not multiply supplications to you! If it could talk, it would not say tender things to you!” "Will it multiply supplications to you?
If it will speak tender {things} to you"
41:3 k324 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה אֵ֭לֶיךָ תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **supplications**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “It would not keep begging you to release it!” Will it multiply supplications to you
41:3 k325 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם־יְדַבֵּ֖ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ רַכּֽוֹת 1 Yahweh is using the word **If** to introduce a question that anticipates a negative answer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “It would not speak tender things to you, would it?” If it will speak tender {things} to you
41:3 k326 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אִם־יְדַבֵּ֖ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ רַכּֽוֹת 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **tender** as a noun to mean a certain kind of saying. The ULT adds the word **things** to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “It would not speak politely to you, would it” If it will speak tender {things} to you
41:4 lt8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיִכְרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֣ית עִמָּ֑ךְ תִּ֝קָּחֶ֗נּוּ לְעֶ֣בֶד עוֹלָֽם 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “It would not cut a covenant with you! You could not take it for a servant forever!” "Will it cut a covenant with you?
Will you take it for a servant forever"
41:4 k4da rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification הֲיִכְרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֣ית עִמָּ֑ךְ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan could intelligently make legal arrangements. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If it could cut covenants, it would not cut one with you!” Will it cut a covenant with you
41:4 k327 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הֲיִכְרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֣ית 1 See how you translated the expression “cut a covenant” in [31:1](../31/01.md). Alternate translation: “Will it make a covenant” Will it cut a covenant
41:4 k328 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עוֹלָֽם 1 The word translated **forever** does not mean for eternity. It describes an indefinite future period. In this context, it describes becoming a **servant** without any specified term of service, that is, for life. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “for the rest of its life” forever
41:5 d2ev rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽתְשַׂחֶק־בּ֭וֹ כַּצִּפּ֑וֹר וְ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ֗נּוּ לְנַעֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You could not play with it as with a bird! No, you could not tie it for your girls!” "Will you play with it as {with} a bird?
Or will you tie it for your girls"
41:5 k329 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כַּצִּפּ֑וֹר 1 In this culture, a person might keep a **bird** as a pet. If someone in your culture would not do that, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “as with a pet” as {with} a bird
41:5 kt39 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ֗נּוּ 1 In this context, the word **tie** probably refers to putting a leash on an animal. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Or will you put a leash on it” Or will you tie it
41:6 al1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion יִכְר֣וּ עָ֭לָיו חַבָּרִ֑ים יֶ֝חֱצ֗וּהוּ בֵּ֣ין כְּֽנַעֲנִֽים 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Partners will not bargain over it! They will not divide it among merchants!” "Will partners bargain over it?
Will they divide it among merchants"
41:6 s28m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יִכְר֣וּ עָ֭לָיו חַבָּרִ֑ים יֶ֝חֱצ֗וּהוּ בֵּ֣ין כְּֽנַעֲנִֽים 1 The word **partners** refers to fishermen working together. If they made a large catch, they would **bargain** over how much of it belonged to each of them. The word **merchants** refers to people who would buy the catch in order to resell it to their customers. The fishermen would be able to **divide** Leviathan among several merchants because it would be such a large catch. You could indicate these things in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. The UST models one way to do that. "Will partners bargain over it?
Will they divide it among merchants"
41:7 j5dm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַֽתְמַלֵּ֣א בְשֻׂכּ֣וֹת עוֹר֑וֹ וּבְצִלְצַ֖ל דָּגִ֣ים רֹאשֽׁוֹ 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “You cannot fill its hide with harpoons or its head with spears of fish!” "Can you fill its hide with harpoons
or its head with spears of fish"
41:7 g9bk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וּבְצִלְצַ֖ל דָּגִ֣ים 1 Yahweh is using this possessive form to describe **spears** that are used to **catch** fish, not spears that are made of fish. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “or … with fishing spears” or & with spears of fish
41:8 k330 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical שִׂים־עָלָ֥יו כַּפֶּ֑ךָ זְכֹ֥ר מִ֝לְחָמָ֗ה אַל־תּוֹסַֽף 1 Yahweh is actually making a conditional statement here. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “If you ever put your hand on it, you will always remember the battle you fought with it, and you will never do that again!” "Put your hand on it;
remember the battle; do not continue"
41:8 k331 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שִׂים־עָלָ֥יו כַּפֶּ֑ךָ 1 Here, **hand** represents power. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Use force against it” or “Try to fight with it” Put your hand on it
41:9 k332 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ 1 Yahweh is using this possessive form to describe the **hope** of anyone who wants to capture Leviathan. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the hope of anyone who wants to capture Leviathan” his hope
41:9 s2he rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נִכְזָ֑בָה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “is deceptive” or “is false” is deceived
41:9 k333 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “one is cast down even at its appearance!” is one {not} cast down even at its appearance
41:9 k334 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל 1 This question anticipates a positive answer. If you decide to retain the question form in your translation, you may need to make the question negative, as the ULT does, in order to indicate that. is one {not} cast down even at its appearance
41:9 k335 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “does not one fall over even at its appearance” is one {not} cast down even at its appearance
41:9 x9zn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל 1 When Yahweh says that the mere **appearance** of Leviathan is enough to knock a person over, this is an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “is not its mere appearance overwhelmingly terrifying” is one {not} cast down even at its appearance
41:10 k336 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְעוּרֶ֑נּוּ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan were literally asleep and someone might **awaken** it. He is referring to disturbing or attacking Leviathan when it is not acting hostilely. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he will disturb it” or “he will attack it” he will awaken it
41:10 wj5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמִ֥י ה֝֗וּא לְפָנַ֥י יִתְיַצָּֽב 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Then surely no one will stand to my face!” Then who {is} he {who} will stand to my face
41:10 k337 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְפָנַ֥י יִתְיַצָּֽב 1 Here the word **face** represents what is directly in front of Yahweh. Yahweh is referring to someone coming directly in front of him to attack him. Alternate translation: “who would attack me” who} will stand to my face
41:11 s27e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֣י הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one has anticipated me, that I should repay!” Who has anticipated me and I shall repay
41:11 k338 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי 1 The word translated **anticipated** means to arrive somewhere before someone else, but it has the implication of making arrangements to help that other person when he arrives. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “has helped me” has anticipated me
41:11 k339 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis תַּ֖חַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם לִי־הֽוּא 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Everything under the whole sky belongs to me” Beneath all of the skies, it {is} to me
41:12 pqy2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes לא־אַחֲרִ֥ישׁ בַּדָּ֑יו וּדְבַר־גְּ֝בוּר֗וֹת וְחִ֣ין עֶרְכּֽוֹ 1 Yahweh is expressing a positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of his intended meaning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will certainly speak about its limbs and the matter of its strengths and the beauty of its form” "I will not keep silent {about} its limbs
or the matter of its strengths or the beauty of its form"
41:12 c6dk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural גְּ֝בוּר֗וֹת 1 Yahweh is using the plural form **strengths** in a context where the singular term “strength” would suffice. This suggests that he is using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: “its great strength” its strengths
41:13 fp4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־גִ֭לָּה פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ מִ֣י יָבֽוֹא 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “No one has removed the face of its clothing! No one has entered into the double of its bridle!” "Who has removed the face of its clothing?
Into the double of its bridle, who has entered"
41:13 r6zd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the tough skin or hide of Leviathan were its **clothing**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the face of its hide” the face of its clothing
41:13 k340 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ 1 Yahweh is using the term **face** in a specific sense to mean “surface.” By the surface of Leviathan’s hide, he means the scales that he describes in verses 15–17. Alternate translation: “the scales on its hide” the face of its clothing
41:13 k341 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ 1 Yahweh is using this possessive form to describe a **bridle** that is characterized by being **double**. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Into its double bridle” Into the double of its bridle
41:13 k342 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ 1 The term **bridle** describes a type of headgear that people put on animals in order to control them. It consists of a bit that goes into the animal’s mouth and a series of straps that a rider can use to apply pressure to the bit. If your readers would not be familiar with what a bridle is, you could use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “Into its double controlling mouthpiece” Into the double of its bridle
41:13 k343 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ 1 As the next verse suggests, Yahweh is using the term **bridle** by association to mean the mouth of Leviathan and specifically its jaws, since the term **double** indicates that he is referring to something paired. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Into its double jaws” Into the double of its bridle
41:14 e1dk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion דַּלְתֵ֣י פָ֭נָיו מִ֣י פִתֵּ֑חַ 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one has opened the doors of its face!” The doors of its face, who has opened
41:14 k344 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor דַּלְתֵ֣י פָ֭נָיו 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the jaws of Leviathan were literally **doors** in its **face**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Its jaws” The doors of its face
41:14 k345 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns סְבִיב֖וֹת שִׁנָּ֣יו אֵימָֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **terror**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Its teeth are terrifying” Around its teeth {is} terror
41:15 wa6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מָֽגִנִּ֑ים 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the scales of Leviathan were literally **shields**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “scales” shields
41:15 k346 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification גַּ֭אֲוָה 1 Yahweh is speaking of Leviathan as if it were a living thing that could take **pride** in its scales. He means that it could be confident in their protection. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “are its protection” are its} pride
41:15 k347 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive סָ֝ג֗וּר חוֹתָ֥ם צָֽר 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “A tight seal shuts them together” shut together {with} a tight seal
41:15 s54h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor סָ֝ג֗וּר חוֹתָ֥ם צָֽר 1 Yahweh is speaking as if a **tight seal** literally held the scales of Leviathan closely to one another. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this as a comparison. Alternate translation: “They overlap closely, as if a seal held them together” shut together {with} a tight seal
41:16 cs18 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְ֝ר֗וּחַ לֹא־יָב֥וֹא בֵֽינֵיהֶֽם 1 As an overstatement for emphasis, Yahweh says that not even **air** comes **between** the scales of Leviathan. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and there is no space at all between them” and air does not come between them
41:17 z5wz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֥יהוּ יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if a scale were literally a **man** and the scale next to it were literally his **brother**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Each scale is joined together with the scale next to it” A man with his brother, they are joined together
41:17 x9sg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֥יהוּ יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Each scale closely adjoins the scale next to it” A man with his brother, they are joined together
41:17 k348 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יִ֝תְלַכְּד֗וּ וְלֹ֣א יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ 1 Yahweh is speaking of the scales of Leviathan as if they were living things that could **clasp themselves** together and potentially **separate themselves** (although they do not). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they overlap, with no separation between them” they clasp themselves and they do not separate themselves
41:18 k349 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝עֵינָ֗יו כְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר 1 See how you translated the expression **the eyelids of the dawn** in [3:9](../03/09.md). Alternate translation: “and its eyes are like the first flashes of light from the sunrise” and its eyes {are} like the eyelids of the dawn
41:19 k350 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go מִ֭פִּיו לַפִּידִ֣ים יַהֲלֹ֑כוּ 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “go” instead of **come**. Alternate translation: “Flames go out of its mouth” Flames come from its mouth
41:19 mp8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification כִּיד֥וֹדֵי אֵ֝֗שׁ יִתְמַלָּֽטוּ 1 Yahweh is speaking of **sparks of fire** as if they were living things that could **leap out** of the mouth of Leviathan on their own. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it sends out sparks of fire” sparks of fire leap out
41:20 uk6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן 1 Yahweh is using the term **blown** by association to mean a fire that someone has blown or fanned to make it burn hot. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like a pot over a blown fire and a reed” like a blown pot and a reed
41:20 k351 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “like a pot over a fire that someone has blown and a reed” like a blown pot and a reed
41:20 k352 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **reed** tells what kind of fuel the fire is burning that is heating the **pot**. People would make a fire out of dried reeds if they wanted it to burn hot quickly, although for a short time, such as to boil water. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “like a pot that is boiling over a hot fire” like a blown pot and a reed
41:22 k353 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification בְּֽ֭צַוָּארוֹ יָלִ֣ין עֹ֑ז 1 Yahweh is speaking as if **strength** were a living thing that could stay for the night in the **neck** of Leviathan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It has a very strong neck” Strength lodges in its neck
41:22 lw67 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תָּד֥וּץ דְּאָבָֽה 1 Yahweh is speaking of **fear** as if it were a living thing that could leap up in front of Leviathan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “people become very afraid” fear leaps up
41:22 k354 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּ֝לְפָנָ֗יו 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “in its presence” or “and … in front of it” and & to its face
41:23 k355 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗יו בַּל־יִמּֽוֹט 1 Yahweh is referring to the underbelly of Leviathan as the **folds of its flesh**. In most animals, this area is soft and vulnerable, but in Leviathan it is tight and secure. You could indicate the meaning of this expression in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Its underbelly parts are tight and secure” "The folds of its flesh join together;
they are firm on it, they will not be moved"
41:23 uak5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗יו בַּל־יִמּֽוֹט 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they stay firmly in place” they are firm on it, they will not be moved
41:24 b1b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לִ֭בּוֹ יָצ֣וּק כְּמוֹ־אָ֑בֶן וְ֝יָצ֗וּק כְּפֶ֣לַח תַּחְתִּֽית 1 Here the would **heart** could mean: (1) the disposition of Leviathan. If that were **hard**, then Yahweh would be saying that Leviathan acted cruelly and was not afraid of anyone or anything. Alternate translation: “It acts cruelly and fears nothing” (2) the chest of Leviathan. Alternate translation: “Its chest is hard like stone; yes, it is hard like a lower millstone” "Its heart is hard like stone;
yes, it is hard like a lower millstone"
41:24 ja7y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown כְּפֶ֣לַח תַּחְתִּֽית 1 A millstone is one of a pair of large, flat, round stones that people use to crush kernels of grain to process them into food for humans. The **lower millstone** needs to be especially strong and hard because it bears the weight of the upper millstone and the force of the crushing. If your readers would not be familiar with what a millstone is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “like a stone that people use to crush grain” like a lower millstone
41:25 ygt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אֵלִ֑ים 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “mighty people” or “even brave warriors” the mighty
41:26 m7ws rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ חֶ֭רֶב בְּלִ֣י תָק֑וּם 1 Yahweh is using the term **stand** in a specific sense to mean “succeed.” Alternate translation: “Someone may strike it with a sword, but that will have no effect” The sword reaching it does not stand
41:26 k356 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “neither does the spear, the dart, the javelin” the spear, the dart, the javelin
41:26 k357 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **spear**, **dart**, or **javelin**. He means any such weapon. Alternate translation: “neither does any spear, dart, or javelin that may strike it” the spear, the dart, the javelin
41:27 uu6e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis יַחְשֹׁ֣ב לְתֶ֣בֶן בַּרְזֶ֑ל לְעֵ֖ץ רִקָּב֣וֹן נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “It regards iron as straw, and it regards bronze as rotten wood” "It regards iron as straw,
bronze as rotten wood"
41:27 hml3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יַחְשֹׁ֣ב לְתֶ֣בֶן בַּרְזֶ֑ל לְעֵ֖ץ רִקָּב֣וֹן נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 The point of this comparison is that just as straw is flimsy and rotten wood falls apart, so Leviathan considers iron to be flimsy and bronze to be a substance that would fall apart. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “It considers iron to be as flimsy as straw, and it regards bronze as something that would fall apart like rotten wood” "It regards iron as straw,
bronze as rotten wood"
41:27 k358 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification יַחְשֹׁ֣ב לְתֶ֣בֶן בַּרְזֶ֑ל לְעֵ֖ץ רִקָּב֣וֹן נְחוּשָֽׁה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan could intelligently make judgments about the strength of metals that might be used to make weapons that people would use against it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “An iron weapon that someone might use against it would be as flimsy as straw, and a bronze weapon that someone might use against it would fall apart” "It regards iron as straw,
bronze as rotten wood"
41:28 k359 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֶן־קָ֑שֶׁת 1 Yahweh is speaking as if an arrow were literally the **son** of the **bow** from which it was shot. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “An arrow” The son of the bow
41:28 k360 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive לְ֝קַ֗שׁ נֶהְפְּכוּ־ל֥וֹ אַבְנֵי־קָֽלַע 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “with it, the stones of the sling become chaff” with it, the stones of the sling are turned into chaff
41:28 jl4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְ֝קַ֗שׁ נֶהְפְּכוּ־ל֥וֹ אַבְנֵי־קָֽלַע 1 Yahweh is speaking as if **stones** slung at Leviathan from a sling would literally become **chaff**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “stones slung at it do not hurt it any more than chaff would” with it, the stones of the sling are turned into chaff
41:29 zzu4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive כְּ֭קַשׁ נֶחְשְׁב֣וּ תוֹתָ֑ח 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “It regards clubs as chaff” Clubs are regarded as chaff
41:29 k361 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification כְּ֭קַשׁ נֶחְשְׁב֣וּ תוֹתָ֑ח 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan could intelligently make judgments about the strength of weapons that people might use against it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It senses no more danger from a club than it would from chaff” Clubs are regarded as chaff
41:29 yn7y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְ֝יִשְׂחַ֗ק לְרַ֣עַשׁ כִּידֽוֹן 1 Yahweh is speaking of Leviathan as if it would laugh in derision if someone threatened it by shaking a spear at it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and it scorns the threat of a spear” and it laughs at the rattling of a spear
41:30 k362 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תַּ֭חְתָּיו חַדּ֣וּדֵי חָ֑רֶשׂ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan literally had **points of a shard** underneath it, sharp pieces of broken pottery. This is a poetic reference to the sharp scales that are on its underbelly. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this as a comparison. Alternate translation: “It has pointed scales on its underbelly that are as sharp as pieces of broken pottery” Beneath it are points of a shard
41:30 sy31 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יִרְפַּ֖ד חָר֣וּץ עֲלֵי־טִֽיט 1 The point of this comparison could be that: (1) Leviathan spreads a trail through the mud the way a threshing sledge would leave a trail of separated grain on a threshing floor. Alternate translation: “it tears up the mud as it moves along, leaving a distinct trail as a threshing sledge does” (2) that Leviathan spreads itself out heavily in the mud. Alternate translation: “it spreads itself heavily, like a threshing sledge, upon the mud” it spreads {like} a threshing sledge upon the mud
41:31 p2f1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַרְתִּ֣יחַ כַּסִּ֣יר מְצוּלָ֑ה 1 Yahweh is using the term **pot** by association to mean the water in a pot that someone was heating to make the water boil. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It makes the deep boil like the water in a pot that someone is heating” It makes the deep boil like a pot
41:31 k363 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַרְתִּ֣יחַ כַּסִּ֣יר מְצוּלָ֑ה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan literally made the ocean **boil** the way the water in a **pot** would boil. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It churns up the waters of the ocean as it swims” It makes the deep boil like a pot
41:31 k364 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יָ֝֗ם יָשִׂ֥ים כַּמֶּרְקָחָֽה 1 Yahweh is using the term **ointment pot** by association to mean the ointment in a pot that someone would stir to mix its ingredients together. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it makes the sea like ointment that someone is stirring in a pot” it makes the sea like an ointment pot
41:31 z9pu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile יָ֝֗ם יָשִׂ֥ים כַּמֶּרְקָחָֽה 1 The point of this comparison is that that when Leviathan swims through the **sea**, it makes the waters foam the way ointment foams in a pot when its ingredients are stirred together. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “it makes the waters of the sea foam the way ointment foams when someone stirs it in a pot” it makes the sea like an ointment pot
41:32 k365 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אַ֭חֲרָיו יָאִ֣יר נָתִ֑יב 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the wake that Leviathan leaves in the water were literally a **path**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “It leaves a shining wake behind it in the water” It makes a path shine behind it
41:32 xdy6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַחְשֹׁ֖ב תְּה֣וֹם לְשֵׂיבָֽה 1 Yahweh is speaking as if people would actually consider the **deep** to be **white-haired** when they saw the wake that Leviathan left. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “this makes the deep appear as if it had white hair” one considers the deep {to be} white-haired
41:33 p5t9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche עַל־עָפָ֥ר 1 Yahweh is using one part of the earth, the **dust** on its surface, to mean the earth itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “On earth” Upon the dust
41:33 k366 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הֶ֝עָשׂ֗וּ לִבְלִי־חָֽת 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one that I made without fear” the one made without fear
41:34 k367 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אֵֽת־כָּל־גָּבֹ֥הַּ יִרְאֶ֑ה 1 Yahweh is using the adjective **high** as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. In this context, it indicates strength or power, not simply great height. Alternate translation: “It sees everything that is powerful” It sees all of the high
41:34 b5cm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֵֽת־כָּל־גָּבֹ֥הַּ יִרְאֶ֑ה 1 Yahweh is using the term **see** in a specific sense. It could mean: (1) that Leviathan can look directly at any powerful creature without being fearful or intimidated. Alternate translation: “It can look at any powerful thing without becoming afraid” (2) that Leviathan looks down disdainfully at all other powerful creatures. Alternate translation: “It disdains all other powerful things” It sees all of the high
41:34 k368 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ה֝֗וּא מֶ֣לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־בְּנֵי־שָֽׁחַץ 1 In this context, the expression **sons of** describes something that shares the qualities of something else. Yahweh is using this expression to describe the behavior and character of certain creatures. While they do not literally feel **pride** as people would, they act as if they are superior to other creatures, for example, by not staying out of their way. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it is king over all the dangerous animals” it {is} king over all of the sons of pride
41:34 c959 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor ה֝֗וּא מֶ֣לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־בְּנֵי־שָֽׁחַץ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if Leviathan were literally a **king**. He means that no other animal can challenge Leviathan. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no other dangerous animal can challenge it” it {is} king over all of the sons of pride
42:intro g9q6 0 # Job 42 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of verses 1–6 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are poetry.\n\n- Verses 1–6: Job acknowledges that he did not have the knowledge and wisdom to challenge Yahweh’s government of the universe.\n- Verses 7–17: The author describes how Yahweh restored Job’s health and prosperity and gave him a long life.\n\n## Special concepts in This chapter\n\n### Job’s repentance\n\nThis chapter describes how Yahweh blessed Job with health, prosperity, and a long life after he repented. However, Yahweh’s blessing was not dependent upon Job’s repentance. It was dependent upon Yahweh’s grace. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/restore]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/bless]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]])
42:2 wu37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹא־יִבָּצֵ֖ר מִמְּךָ֣ מְזִמָּֽה 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and no one can thwart any of your plans” and no plan is withheld from you
42:3 b75d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes מִ֤י זֶ֨ה ׀ מַעְלִ֥ים עֵצָ֗ה בְּֽלִ֫י דָ֥עַת 1 In the first sentence in this verse, Job is quoting what Yahweh said in [38:2](../38/02.md), at the beginning of his speech. The ULT indicates this by putting the sentence in second-level quotation marks. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “You asked who this was who was concealing counsel without knowledge.” Who is this, concealing counsel without knowledge
42:3 k369 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לָכֵ֣ן 1 Job is using the word **Therefore** to introduce a conclusion that he has reached on the basis of what Yahweh said in his entire speech. Job is not using the word to introduce the reason why he has spoken without understanding. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Based on everything you have said, I now recognize that” Therefore
42:4 k370 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes שְֽׁמַֽע־נָ֭א וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר אֶ֝שְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי 1 In this verse, Job is once again quoting what Yahweh said in his speech. In [38:3](../38/03.md) and [40:7](../40/07.md), Yahweh said, “I will question you, and you will inform me.” Since Job had said in [13:22](../13/22.md) that he could choose either to ask questions first or to listen to questions first, by saying that he would question Job, Yahweh was implicitly telling Job to listen, as Job indicates in the first part of this verse. The ULT indicates that Job is quoting Yahweh by putting this verse in second-level quotation marks. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “You told me to listen and you would speak; you said that you would question me and I would inform you” "Listen, now, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you will inform me"
42:5 gp4a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לְשֵֽׁמַע־אֹ֥זֶן שְׁמַעְתִּ֑יךָ וְ֝עַתָּ֗ה עֵינִ֥י רָאָֽתְךָ 1 Job is using one part of himself, his **ear**, to mean all of him in the act of hearing. He is using one part of himself, his **eye**, to mean all of him in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Before this I had only heard about you, but now I have seen you for myself” "With the hearing of my ear I had heard {about} you,
but now my eye sees you"
42:6 y9x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶמְאַ֣ס 1 By the word **despise**, Job does not mean that he hates something. He means that he thinks little of something. He could mean: (1) that he thinks little of himself, that is, he no longer believes that he can credibly declare whether God is treating anyone fairly or unfairly. Alternate translation: “I no longer believe that I understand as much as I thought I did” (2) that he now thinks little of what he said in all of his speeches. Alternate translation: “I recognize that what I said was wrong” I despise
42:6 p13d rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction עַל־עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר 1 In this culture, people would sprinkle **dust and ashes** on themselves as a symbolic action to show that they were greatly distressed. This is what Job’s friends were doing in [2:12](../02/12.md) when they threw dust into the air so that it would land on their heads. Job was doing something similar in [2:8](../02/08.md) when he sat down in a pile of ashes. Job could be sprinkling dust and ashes from the pile on himself as he speaks these words, or he could be speaking as if he were doing that in order to describe how sincerely he is repenting. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “by sprinkling dust and ashes on myself to show how distressed I am by what I did” or “very sincerely, as if I were sprinkling dust and ashes on myself to show how distressed I am by what I did” in dust and ashes
42:7 bj1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֗י 1 The author is using the phrase translated **And it happened** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. And it happened
42:7 k371 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy דִּבֶּ֧ר & אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה 1 The author is using the term **words** to mean what Yahweh said to Job by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “had said these things” had spoken these words
42:7 snw3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָרָ֨ה אַפִּ֤י בְךָ֙ וּבִשְׁנֵ֣י רֵעֶ֔יךָ 1 Yahweh is speaking as if his **nose**, meaning his anger, were literally burning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am feeling great anger against you and your two friends” My nose burns against you and against the two of your friends
42:8 k372 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כִּ֧י אִם־פָּנָ֣יו אֶשָּׂ֗א 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [13:8](../13/08.md). Alternate translation: “I will surely show favor to him” or “I will surely answer his prayer for you” I will surely lift his face
42:8 vy3t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לְבִלְתִּ֞י עֲשׂ֤וֹת עִמָּכֶם֙ נְבָלָ֔ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **folly**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “lest I punish you for the foolish things you have said about me” lest I deal with you {according to your} folly
42:9 l5p5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּשָּׂ֥א יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־פְּנֵ֥י אִיּֽוֹב 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “and Yahweh showed favor to Job” or “and Yahweh answered Job’s prayer for his three friends” and Yahweh lifted the face of Job
42:10 khw7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַֽיהוָ֗ה שָׁ֚ב אֶת־שבית אִיּ֔וֹב 1 The author is speaking as if Job’s troubles had been holding him in **captivity**. The expression **turned the captivity** means that Yahweh ended this captivity. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh restored Job to his former prosperity” And Yahweh turned the captivity of Job
42:10 k373 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַ֧יֹּסֶף יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְאִיּ֖וֹב לְמִשְׁנֶֽה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **double**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and Yahweh gave Job two times as much as he previously had” and Yahweh added {to} all that {was} to Job to double
42:11 k374 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיֹּאכְל֨וּ עִמּ֣וֹ לֶחֶם֮ בְּבֵיתוֹ֒ 1 Eating a meal with Job in his home was a symbolic action that acknowledged Job’s restored place in the community. Job had complained in [30:10](../30/0101.md) about how people were staying away from him a symbolic action that conveyed disrespect and disapproval. Job’s family and friends were now showing respect and approval. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “and they ate bread with him in his house to show their respect for him and their approval of him” and they ate bread with him in his house
42:11 k375 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לֶחֶם֮ 1 The author is using one kind of food, **bread**, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a meal” bread
42:11 k376 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וַיָּנֻ֤דוּ לוֹ֙ וַיְנַחֲמ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ 1 The terms **consoled** and **comforted** mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “And they offered him much sympathy” And they consoled him and comforted him
42:11 k377 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָ֣רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־הֵבִ֥יא יְהוָ֖ה 1 The author is speaking as if **troubles** were an object that Yahweh could have brought to Job and put on top of him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the troubles that Yahweh had caused him to experience” the troubles that Yahweh had brought
42:11 k378 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney קְשִׂיטָ֣ה אֶחָ֔ת 1 A **kesitah** was a piece of silver of a certain weight that had not been minted into a coin. Its exact value is uncertain. You may wish to translate the term **kesitah** with a general expression. Alternate translation: “a piece of silver” one kesitah
42:14 k379 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּקְרָ֤א שֵׁם־הָֽאַחַת֙ יְמִימָ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית קְצִיעָ֑ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ית קֶ֥רֶן הַפּֽוּךְ 1 The expression **called the name** is the way people in this culture spoke of giving a child a name when the child was born. Alternate translation: “He gave the first the name Jemimah, and he gave the second the name Keziah, and he gave the third the name Keren-Happuch.” And he called the name of the first Jemimah and the name of the second Keziah and the name of the third Keren-Happuch
42:14 k380 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj הָֽאַחַת֙ & הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית & הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ית 1 The author is using the adjectives **first**, **second** and **third** as nouns to refer to specific individuals. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “his first daughter … his second daughter … his third daughter” the first & the second & the third
42:14 xd1h rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names יְמִימָ֔ה & קְצִיעָ֑ה & קֶ֥רֶן הַפּֽוּךְ 1 The words **Jemimah**, **Keziah**, and **Keren-Happuch** are the names of women. Jemimah & Keziah & Keren-Happuch
42:15 l9nw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְלֹ֨א נִמְצָ֜א נָשִׁ֥ים 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And there were no other women” And one was not found {among} women
42:15 k381 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֧ם אֲבִיהֶ֛ם נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּת֥וֹךְ אֲחֵיהֶֽם 1 It was not customary in this culture for fathers to give their daughters an inheritance. The author may mention this because it shows the special love and regard that Job had for his daughters. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And their father loved them so much and regarded them so highly that he gave them an inheritance in the midst of their brothers” And their father gave an inheritance to them in the midst of their brothers
42:15 k382 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּת֥וֹךְ אֲחֵיהֶֽם 1 This expression could mean: (1) that Job gave his daughters an inheritance just as he did for his sons. Alternate translation: “just as he did for their brothers” (2) that Job gave his daughters as an inheritance land that was located in the same area as land that he gave to his sons as their inheritance. Alternate translation: “of land that adjoined land that he left to his sons” in the midst of their brothers
42:16 k383 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אֶת־בָּנָיו֙ וְאֶת־בְּנֵ֣י בָנָ֔יו אַרְבָּעָ֖ה דֹּרֽוֹת 1 In this culture, Job’s generation was considered the first generation, so **four generations** refers to his children’s children’s children. Your language may have terms of its own for these kinship relationships. Alternate translation: “his children and his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren” his sons and the sons of his sons, {to} four generations
42:17 k384 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זָקֵ֖ן וּשְׂבַ֥ע יָמִֽים 1 The author is speaking as if **days** were an object and as if Job were a container that was **full** of them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “old and having lived for many days” old and full of days
42:17 d827 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet זָקֵ֖ן וּשְׂבַ֥ע יָמִֽים 1 The expressions **old** and **full of days** mean similar things. The author is using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Your language may have a characteristic expression that it would use in such a context. Alternate translation: “at a ripe old age” old and full of days
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