The are joined one to another: verse 17a repeats the thought of verse 16a but uses different wording. The reference is still to the armor-like hide of Leviathan. Joined translates the passive form of the same verb used in 38.38, where it is rendered “cleave fast together.”

They clasp each other and cannot be separated: Clasp translates the reflexive form of the verb used in 38.30, and separated represents the reflexive form of the verb used in 4.11. Bible en français courant may be translated as “Each scale is bound to the next, and nothing can undo such a connection” or “Each scale is so close to the next, they cannot be separated.”

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 .