Receive instruction from his mouth: Eliphaz thinks of himself as the spokesman for God. In 15.11 he referred to his advice as “consolations from God.” He has already established that he possesses a revelation (4.12-21). The word translated instruction (Hebrew torah) often refers to the law, but in this context it means instruction or “teaching.” From his mouth may be translated “which he himself gives.” This line may be rendered, for example, “Let God instruct you,” “Listen to what God teaches you,” or “Learn the lessons God gives you.”

And lay up his words in your heart: compare Psalm 119.11 “I have laid up thy word in my heart.” The heart is the place of meditation and memory. Bible en français courant translates “Take his words to heart.” Lay up translates a verb meaning “to keep, store.” This line may be rendered, for example, “store up God’s words in your heart,” “put God’s words in your heart and keep them there,” or “engrave his words on your mind.”

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 .