Job 25:6

25:6 how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot ¹  –

a son of man, who is only a worm!”

Isaiah 41:14

41:14 Don’t be afraid, despised insignificant Jacob, ² 

men of ³  Israel.

I am helping you,” says the Lord,

your protector, ⁴  the Holy One of Israel. ⁵ 

[25:6]  ¹ tn The text just has “maggot” and in the second half “worm.” Something has to be added to make it a bit clearer. The terms “maggot” and “worm” describe man in his lowest and most ignominious shape.

[41:14]  ² tn Heb “O worm Jacob” (NAB, NIV). The worm metaphor suggests that Jacob is insignificant and despised.

[41:14]  ³ tn On the basis of the parallelism (note “worm”) and an alleged Akkadian cognate, some read “louse” or “weevil.” Cf. NAB “O maggot Israel”; NRSV “you insect Israel.”

[41:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “your kinsman redeemer.” A גָּאַל (ga’al, “kinsman redeemer”) was a protector of the extended family’s interests.

[41:14]  ⁵ sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.