OET interlinear JOB 8:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

אִם

if

In this verse, Bildad is drawing a contrast between the prosperity he described in the previous two verses and the inevitable destruction of the godless person. In your translation, you may wish to introduce this verse in a way that will indicate this contrast more explicitly. Alternate translation: “But when”

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

יְבַלְּעֶ֥⁠נּוּ מִ⁠מְּקוֹמ֑⁠וֹ וְ⁠כִ֥חֶשׁ

destroyed,he from,place,his and,deny

The pronoun it refers in its first and third instances to the plant Bildad has been describing, and it refers in its second instance to the place the plant was occupying. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “When one destroys such a plant from its place, then the place it formerly occupied will deny it”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / quotations

וְ⁠כִ֥חֶשׁ בּ֝֗⁠וֹ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִֽי⁠ךָ

and,deny in/on/over=him/it not saw,you

It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. Alternate translation: “It will deny that it ever saw it”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

וְ⁠כִ֥חֶשׁ בּ֝֗⁠וֹ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִֽי⁠ךָ

and,deny in/on/over=him/it not saw,you

Bildad is speaking of the plant’s location as if it were a living thing that could recognize things and speak. The meaning of this phrase is similar to the meaning of the phrase “his place will not know him again” in 7:10. In this case, Bildad is saying that the plant will be so thoroughly removed that its former location will be convinced that it was never there to begin with. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it will be as if it had never been there at all”