OET interlinear JOB 14:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-versebridge

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”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

וְ֭⁠אוּלָם

and,but

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.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הַר־נוֹפֵ֣ל יִבּ֑וֹל

mountain falls crumbles_away

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”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

וְ֝⁠צ֗וּר יֶעְתַּ֥ק מִ⁠מְּקֹמֽ⁠וֹ

and,rock removed from,place,its

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”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ֝⁠צ֗וּר יֶעְתַּ֥ק מִ⁠מְּקֹמֽ⁠וֹ

and,rock removed from,place,its

The meaning of this phrase may be similar to the meaning of the phrases “his place will not know him again” in 7:10 and “one destroys it from its place” in 8:18. 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”