He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more: this translation rests on the Septuagint and Syriac. In place of will do so no more, the Hebrew has “he will not be gathered.” Similar expressions using the same Hebrew verb, but in different forms, are found in 20.9; 34.32; 40.5. Good News Translation translates the same as Revised Standard Version but in different words, “one last time.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests two ways to understand the line based on the Hebrew: “As a rich man he lies down (to sleep) while his house has not yet been taken away”; or “He lies down (dies) as a rich man without (however) being buried (that is, being reunited in the family tomb).” In the latter sense the Hebrew “they will not be gathered” is understood as the typical euphemism for death: “he was gathered to his ancestors.” There is, however, no reference to ancestors in this verse. The line may also be rendered, for example, “For the last time he goes to bed as a rich man” or “Only once more he goes to bed still having his wealth.”
He opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone: for his wealth is gone the Hebrew has “it is not” or “he is not.” Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and others understand “it is not” to mean his wealth is gone. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project‘s first interpretation continues in this line, “he opens his eyes (he awakens) and it (the house in verse 18) is no more”; the second alternative continues “he opens his eyes (in death?) and is no more (that is, he dies in an instant).” It is not possible to say for certain if the man has lost his house, his wealth, or his life. However, other modern translations understand this line in the same way as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, namely, “he wakes up to find his wealth gone,” or “when he awakens he has no more wealth,” or “he awakens as a poor man.”
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 .