Verse 18 makes the argument of verse 17 still stronger by not allowing even angels to be without error. The two lines are again parallel, the first being negative and the second positive. Even translates the Hebrew particle often rendered in Revised Standard Version as “behold.” In the present context the meaning is “if” or “even.” Servants refers not to earthly servants but to those like the angels and perhaps the beings who serve God in heaven. Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and some others have described the servants as “heavenly.” Angels is the regular term used in the Old Testament for these heavenly creatures. In Psalm 34.7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him.” Angels are God’s heavenly messengers known for caring for, protecting, and guarding his people in Exodus 23.20 and Joshua 5.13-15. As is common in parallel lines, angels in line b is a more specific term than servants used in line a. In charges with error the Hebrew word translated error is found only here in the Old Testament. Some scholars change the vowels of this word to get “folly,” the thing Job refused to charge God with in 1.21 (see discussion there on “wrong”). Others suggest changes which give “deception” or even “praise.” Most translations are similar to Revised Standard Version, or Good News Translation “find fault.” Revised Standard Version begins verse 18 as a concessive clause, Even in his servants, which signals a degree of surprise in what follows. Good News Translation does the same but places “even” in line b. In some languages it may be necessary to make the two lines of verse 18 into two “if” clauses; for example, “If God does not trust…” and “if God finds fault….”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .