OET interlinear JOB 36:30

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

הֵן

if

In this instance, Elihu seems to be using the term Behold literally. Alternate translation: “Look!”

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

פָּרַ֣שׂ עָלָ֣י⁠ו אוֹר֑⁠וֹ

scatters on/upon/above=him/it lightning,his

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”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

פָּרַ֣שׂ עָלָ֣י⁠ו אוֹר֑⁠וֹ

scatters on/upon/above=him/it lightning,his

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”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠שָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַ⁠יָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה

and,depths the=sea covers

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”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וְ⁠שָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַ⁠יָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה

and,depths the=sea covers

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”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

וְ⁠שָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַ⁠יָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה

and,depths the=sea covers

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”