If he tears down, none can rebuild: it is not clear whether tears down is to be taken literally or figuratively, and whether the object torn down is physical or emotional. God is clearly implied as the one who tears down, but he is not named. Revised Standard Version translates with an “if” clause followed by a statement. Good News Translation uses a “when” clause followed by a question which expects the reply “Nobody.” In translation it will often be necessary to provide an object; for example, “If God tears something down, nobody can build it again” or “When God tears down a building, no one can rebuild that building.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “What he lays in ruins no one can build again.” Bible en français courant has “One does not rebuild what God demolishes.”

If he shuts a man in, none can open: this line is more specific in that man is mentioned as the one whom God shuts in, probably suggesting to put in prison, make captive. Bible en français courant translates “One does not free the person he (God) imprisons.” Good News Translation translates as a question and reverses the order of the two lines, and thus gives the entire verse a balanced chiastic structure. In translation it is best to avoid the literal shuts a man in, as this can be construed to have many different meanings. A rendering closer to Good News Translation or Bible en français courant is preferred. In cultures that do not have jails or prisons, it may be necessary to use a more general expression as in Revised Standard Version, or say, for example, “If God takes people captive, who can free them?” or “Who can set people free if God has captured them?”

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 .