Verse 20 is a problem for interpreters and is the first in a series which makes the remainder of this chapter exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to be certain about. Although numerous changes have been suggested, scholars are unable to find much agreement on verse 20. The first line is too long and the second is obscure. The repetition of skin in both lines leads to further problems. In spite of all this, it seems evident, according to Rowley, that Job is saying that he has been reduced to a shadow of his former self and has barely survived.

My bones cleave to my skin and to my flesh: cleave means to “cling, adhere, stick to.” Lamentations 4.8c says “their skin has shriveled upon their bones,” and Psalm 102.5b “my bones cleave to my flesh.” Verse 20a seems to have brought both ideas into one line. Consequently many translations remove flesh from line a and get something similar to Good News Translation “My skin hangs loose on my bones.” Bible en français courant has “I have nothing more than skin on my bones,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “My skin sticks to my bones,” New International Version “I am nothing but skin and bones,” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “Only skin and bones can be seen on me.” This line may also be expressed, for example, “My limbs are like sticks.”

And I have escaped by the skin of my teeth: the Septuagint, which translates line a “In my skin the flesh is rotten,” takes My bones in line a as part of line b and translates “My bones are held in my teeth,” and by the skin of is omitted. New Jerusalem Bible has adapted its translation to the Septuagint: “My flesh is rotting under my skin, my bones are sticking out like teeth.” This rendering does not give the idea of bare survival suggested by Good News Translation “I have barely escaped with my life.” Bible en français courant interprets the expression by the skin of my teeth to mean “I come through this disaster by having lost everything.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which considers line b to be a “C” reading, recommends “I have escaped with the skin of my teeth” (that is, there is no soundness in me, or I have just bare life, with nothing more, safe). This agrees essentially with Good News Translation and others. The expression by the skin of my teeth has become proverbial in English, meaning to accomplish something, but just barely. This line may also be expressed, for example, “I have almost died, but not quite,” “Death has almost seized me,” “I have barely escaped death,” or “By only a tiny bit am I still alive.”

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 .