OET interlinear JOB 2:12

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֨וּ אֶת־עֵינֵי⁠הֶ֤ם

and,they_lifted_up DOM eyes_of,their

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]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וְ⁠לֹ֣א הִכִּירֻ֔⁠הוּ

and=not they,recognized_him

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]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / hendiadys

וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖⁠ם וַ⁠יִּבְכּ֑וּ

and,they_lifted_up voice_of,their and,they_wept

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]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖⁠ם

and,they_lifted_up voice_of,their

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]

Note 5 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖⁠ם

and,they_lifted_up voice_of,their

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]

Note 6 topic: translate-symaction

וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְעוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מְעִל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּזְרְק֥וּ עָפָ֛ר עַל־רָאשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠שָּׁמָֽיְמָ⁠ה

and,they_tore (a)_man robe_of,his and,they_sprinkled dust on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in heads_of,their towards,the,heavens

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]