Job 20:24-25

Context

20:24 If he flees from an iron weapon,

then an arrow¹ from a bronze bow pierces him.

20:25 When he pulls it out² and it comes out of his back,

the gleaming point³ out of his liver,

terrors come over him.

[20:24] ¹tn Heb “a bronze bow pierces him.” The words “an arrow from” are implied and are supplied in the translation; cf. “pulls it out” in the following verse.

[20:25] ²tn The MT has “he draws out [or as a passive, “it is drawn out/forth”] and comes [or goes] out of his back.” For the first verb שָׁלַף (shalaf, “pull, draw”), many commentators follow the LXX and use שֶׁלַח (shelakh, “a spear”). It then reads “and a shaft comes out of his back,” a sword flash comes out of his liver.” But the verse could also be a continuation of the preceding.

[20:25] ³tn Possibly a reference to lightnings.