Because he has stretched forth his hand against God: verses 25-28 give reasons for the suffering of the wicked which Eliphaz has described in verses 20-24. In order to make clear the relation of verse 25 to the preceding verses, it may be necessary to begin it with “All that is because…” or “The reason for all that is….” Good News Translation does this somewhat with “that is.” Stretched forth his hand means for the purpose of striking, or as a symbol of challenging the one named, that is, God. Examples of this usage may be seen in Isaiah 5.25; 9.21. Good News Translation “who shakes his fist at God” is a good translation for English. Bible en français courant says “who raises his fist,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “who raises his hand,” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “who clenches his fist.” If the translator does not have a gesture, this line may also be expressed, for example, “This is because he has challenged God to fight him” or “The reason is that he has dared God to oppose him.”

And bids defiance to the Almighty: the verb translated bids defiance is used in Isaiah 42.13, where Revised Standard Version translates “He shows himself mighty against his foes.” According to Dhorme the term means “behave like a champion” or “play the hero,” that is, to act courageous and brave under danger. In the present context it can be taken to mean “defy, challenge.” In 40.7-9, when God answers Job, he will challenge Job to gird up his loins like a “hero,” based on the same Hebrew root. Two terms for God are used in this line, ʾEl and Shaddai, but without any significant difference of meaning. Note that the figurative expression is placed in line a and not in line b. There is therefore little poetic movement between the lines. Good News Translation serves as a good translation model.

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 .