Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any: the Hebrew has no object for despise, and so Revised Standard Version supplies any, meaning “anybody,” and Good News Translation does the same with “no one.” As the verse stands, line a reads “Yes, God is great and he does not despise.” Line b is literally “great by force of heart.” Dhorme, supported by Pope and others, transposes the word translated “force” in line b to qualify mighty in line a and translates “Yes, God is great in might.” He also makes a change in the Hebrew word translated “great” to get “pure,” and line b then becomes “and he does not despise the pure in heart.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which says the verb translated despise means “to reject, not to care,” gives a translation which can be reworded for clarity as “Behold, God is mighty and he cares; he is a mighty judge by the strength of his decision.” However, no modern version supports Hebrew Old Testament Text Project‘s rendering. Aside from supplying an object for despise, Revised Standard Version translates the Hebrew text and makes good sense. Strength of understanding translates “strength of heart.” In Hebrew “heart” symbolizes the intelligence. Good News Translation supports Revised Standard Version, improves the style, and is recommended to translators.

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 .