See in Reader
13 KiB
Job 27
Job 27:1
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Job 27:2
As surely as God lives
This phrase shows that Job is taking an oath. Job compares the certainty that God is alive to the certainty of what he is saying. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: "I swear by God"
has taken away my justice
Justice is spoken of as if it were an object that could be taken away or given. Taking it away represents refusing to treat Job with justice. Alternate translation: "has refused to treat me justly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
made my life bitter
Job's "life" being bitter represents Job feeling resentful toward God. Alternate translation: "has caused me to become resentful" or "has made me feel angry because of the unfair way he has treated me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 27:3
while my life is yet in me
This refers to the duration of the rest of his life. Alternate translation: "during the whole time that my life is yet in me" or "as long as my life is yet in me"
while my life is yet in me
The abstract noun "life" can be expressed with the adjective "alive" or the verb "live." Alternate translation: "as long as I am still alive" or "while I still live" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
the breath from God is in my nostrils
"Breath ... in my nostrils" represents being able to breathe. "Breath from God" represents God making him able to breathe. Alternate translation: "God enables me to breathe" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
nostrils
"nose"
Job 27:4
My lips will not speak wickedness, neither will my tongue speak deceit
These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together to emphasize that he will not speak in such ways. The phrases "My lips" and "my tongue" represent Job himself. Alternate translation: "I will not speak wickedness or deceit" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
speak wickedness ... speak deceit
The abstract nouns "wickedness" and "deceit" can be expressed with "wickedly" and "deceitfully." Alternate translation: "speak wickedly ... speak deceitfully" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Job 27:5
I will never admit that you three are right
"I will never agree with you and say that you three are right"
that you three are right
The word "you" here is plural. It refers to Job's friends. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
I will never deny my integrity
"I will never say that I am not innocent" or "I will always say that I am innocent"
Job 27:6
I hold fast to my righteousness
Here "hold fast" is a metaphor that represents being determined to continue to say something. The abstract noun "righteousness" can be expressed with "righteous." Alternate translation: "I am determined to continue saying that I am righteous" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
will not let it go
Here "will not let it go" is a metaphor that represents not stopping saying something. Alternate translation: "will not stop saying that I am righteous" or "will not stop saying so" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
my thoughts will not reproach me
Here the phrase "my thoughts" represents Job. Alternate translation: "even in my thoughts, I will not reproach myself" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 27:7
Let my enemy be ... let him who rises up against me be
The two clauses that start with these words share the same meaning. They are used together to emphasize Job's strong desire that this should happen. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Let my enemy be like a wicked man
How he wants his enemy to be like a wicked person can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Let my enemy be punished like a wicked man" or "Let God punish my enemy as he punishes wicked people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
let him who rises up against me be like an unrighteous man
How he wants this person to be like an unrighteous man can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "let him who rises up against me be punished like an unrighteous man" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
him who rises up against me
Here "rises up against me" is a metaphor meaning "opposes me." The whole phrase refers to Job's adversary. Alternate translation: "him who opposes me" or "my adversary" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 27:8
For what is the hope of a godless man when ... when God takes away his life?
Job uses this question to say that such a man has no hope. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: "There is no hope for the godless when God ... takes away his soul." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life
These two phrases have the same meaning. Alternate translation: "when God cuts him off and takes away his life" or "when God causes him to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
cuts him off
This is a metaphor meaning "kills him" or "causes him to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
takes away his life
This is a metaphor meaning "kills him" or "makes him stop living" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 27:9
Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?
Job uses this question to say that God will not help that person. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: "God will not hear his cry when trouble comes upon him." or "When trouble comes upon him and he cries out for help, God will not hear him." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Will God hear his cry
Here "hear his cry" represents responding to the godless man's cry and helping him. Alternate translation: "Will God respond to his cry" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 27:10
Will he delight himself in the Almighty and call upon God at all times?
Job uses this question to say that the godless man will not do these things. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: "He will not delight himself in the Almighty and call upon God at all times." or "He will not be happy about what the Almighty does and he will not pray to God often." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 27:11
I will teach you
Each occurrence of "you" in these verses is plural and refers to Job's three friends. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
the hand of God
God's "hand" represents his power. Alternate translation: "the power of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I will not conceal the thoughts of the Almighty
The abstract noun "thoughts" can be expressed with the verb "think." Alternate translation: I will not hide from you what the Almighty thinks" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Job 27:12
why then have you spoken all this nonsense?
Job uses this question to rebuke his friends for saying such foolish things. This question can be translated as a simple statement. Alternate translation: "you should not have spoken so foolishly!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Job 27:13
This is the portion of a wicked man with God
"This is what God has planned for the wicked man"
the heritage of the oppressor that he receives from the Almighty
Here "the heritage of the oppressor" is a metaphor representing what will happen to the oppressor. What God will do to him is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that God will give him. Alternate translation: "what the Almighty will do to the oppressor" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Job 27:14
it is for the sword
Here "the sword" represents dying in battle. Alternate translation: "they will die in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 27:15
Those who survive him
This refers to the wicked man's children. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Those who continue to live after their wicked father dies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
will be buried by plague
Here "be buried" represents dying. Alternate translation: "will die by plague" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
their widows ... them
The words "their" and "them" refer to "Those who survive him," that is, the children of the wicked man.
Job 27:16
heaps up silver like the dust
Here "heaps up" is a metonym meaning "gathers much." Job speaks as if the silver were as easy to get as dust. Alternate translation: "gathers large piles of silver" or "gathers silver as easily as he could gather dust" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
heaps up clothing like clay
Here "heaps up" is a metonym meaning "gathers much." Job speaks as if the clothing were as easy to get as clay. Alternate translation: "gathers large piles of clothing" or "gathers clothing as easily as he could gather clay" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Job 27:17
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Job 27:18
He builds his house like a spider
After "spider," the phrase "builds its web" is understood information. It can be made clear. Alternate translation: "He builds his house as a spider builds its web" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
He builds his house like a spider
A spider web is fragile and easily destroyed. Alternate translation: "He builds his house as fragile as a spider builds its web" or "He builds his house as fragile as a spider's web" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
like a hut
A hut is a temporary house that is also not very strong. Alternate translation: "like a temporary hut" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Job 27:19
He lies down in bed rich
"He is wealthy when he lies down in bed." This refers to his lying down in bed at night and sleeping.
but he will not keep doing so
"but he will not keep lying down in bed rich" or "but he will not continue to be wealthy when he lies down in bed"
he opens his eyes
Opening his eyes represents waking up in the morning. Alternate translation: "he wakes up" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
everything is gone
"all of his riches are gone" or "everything has vanished"
Job 27:20
Terrors overtake him
Here "overtake him" represents suddenly happening to him. Possible meanings are that "terrors" is a metonym for 1) things that cause people to be afraid. Alternate translation: "Terrifying things suddenly happen to him" or 2) fear. Alternate translation: "He suddenly becomes terrified"
like waters
The word "waters" refers to a flood. Floods can happen very suddenly when people do not expect them, and they are dangerous and frightening. Alternate translation: "like a flood" or "like waters that rise up suddenly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
a storm takes him away
"a violent wind blows him away"
Job 27:21
it sweeps him out of his place
Job speaks of the wind blowing the wicked man out of his house as if the wind were a person sweeping dust out of a house with a broom. Alternate translation: "the wind sweeps him out of his place like a woman who sweeps dirt out of a house" or "the wind easily blows him out of his place" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
his place
"his home"
Job 27:22
General Information:
In verses 22-23 Job speaks of the wind as if it were a person attacking the wicked person. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
It throws itself at him
Here the phrase "throws itself at him" represents the wind blowing strong against him like an attacker. Alternate translation: "It blows strong against him like someone attacking him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
he tries to flee out of its hand
Here "hand" represents the power or control that the wind has over the wicked man. Alternate translation: "he tries to flee out of its control" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Job 27:23
It claps its hands at him
Clapping the hands is a way of mocking someone. Here it represents the wind making loud noises. Alternate translation: "It makes loud noises like someone clapping his hands to mock him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
hisses him from his place
The wind makes a noise as it blows him out of his place, and the noise is like the hissing sound that people make to mock someone. Alternate translation: "it makes a hissing noise as it causes him to leave his home" or "it blows him out of his place and makes a hissing noise like someone who hisses at him to mock him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)