OET interlinear JOB 26:13

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

בְּ֭⁠רוּח⁠וֹ שָׁמַ֣יִם שִׁפְרָ֑ה

(Some words not found in UHB: by,wind_of,his heavens fair pierced his/its=hand serpent fleeing )

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]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

נָחָ֥שׁ בָּרִֽיחַ

serpent (Some words not found in UHB: by,wind_of,his heavens fair pierced his/its=hand serpent fleeing )

The expression the fleeing serpent is another name for the sea monster. (In [Isaiah 27:1](../../isa/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]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

חֹֽלֲלָ֥ה יָ֝ד֗⁠וֹ נָחָ֥שׁ בָּרִֽיחַ

pierced his/its=hand serpent (Some words not found in UHB: by,wind_of,his heavens fair pierced his/its=hand serpent fleeing )

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]