Job 38:14

38:14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; ¹ 

its features ²  are dyed ³  like a garment.

Job 24:7

24:7 They spend the night naked because they lack clothing;

they have no covering against the cold.

Job 24:10

24:10 They go about naked, without clothing,

and go hungry while they carry the sheaves. ⁴ 

Job 31:19

31:19 If I have seen anyone about to perish for lack of clothing,

or a poor man without a coat,

[38:14]  ¹ sn The verse needs to be understood in the context: as the light shines in the dawn, the features of the earth take on a recognizable shape or form. The language is phenomenological.

[38:14]  ² tn Heb “they”; the referent (the objects or features on the earth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[38:14]  ³ tc The MT reads “they stand up like a garment” (NASB, NIV) or “its features stand out like a garment” (ESV). The reference could be either to embroidered decoration on a garment or to the folds of a garment (REB: “until all things stand out like the folds of a cloak”; cf. J. E. Hartley, Job [NICOT], 497, “the early light of day makes the earth appear as a beautiful garment, exquisite in design and glorious in color”). Since this is thought to be an odd statement, some suggest with Ehrlich that the text be changed to תִּצָּבַּע (titsabba’, “is dyed [like a garment]”). This reference would be to the colors appearing on the earth’s surface under daylight. The present translation follows the emendation.

[24:10]  ⁴ sn The point should not be missed – amidst abundant harvests, carrying sheaves about, they are still going hungry.