These two verses are closely related in subject and structure and will be considered together. On what were its bases sunk translates the Hebrew literally. The earth was thought of as a building set on foundations, as in verse 4a, and also in Psalm 24.2; 89.11; 102.25; 104.5; Proverbs 3.19; Isaiah 48.13; 51.13, 16; Zechariah 12.1. In 9.6 Job reflects the traditional wisdom that the earth rests on pillars. These pillars in turn rest on bases. The reference in this line is not to the pillars, as in Good News Translation, but to the bases or “footings” upon which the pillars rest. New English Bible translates it clearly as “On what do its supporting pillars rest?” This view of the earth is different from that expressed by Bildad in 26.7, who said that God “hung the earth in empty space,” which sounds more like the view of the earth as confirmed by modern science. In Psalm 24.2 the earth rests upon the seas. This line may require more information to make it clear. For example, “On what do the bases rest that hold up the pillars of the earth?” or “What is beneath the footings that support the pillars holding up the earth?” It is likely that a detailed note will be required at 9.6, and a cross reference to that note may be placed here.

Or who laid its cornerstone: cornerstone translates a word which may refer either to the stone placed at the main corner in the foundation, or at the top as the final stone laid. The latter is referred to in English as the “capstone.” Most modern translations have cornerstone, which refers to the final stage of laying the foundation, not to the completion of the construction. In languages in which cornerstones are unknown, it may be possible to say, for example, “or who finished the work of setting it in place?” or “who completed the place where it would rest?”

When the morning stars sang together makes the whole of verse 7 subordinate to something which may not be clear. The thought could go back to verse 4a, “Where were you,” but this separates it very far. More likely it is to be understood in relation to verse 6, so that the singing of the morning stars takes place at the time of, or upon completion of, the laying of the cornerstone. From Ezra 3.10-11 it is known, for example, that the laying of the foundation of the Second Temple was accompanied by celebrations and music. The same is referred to in Zechariah 4.7 on the occasion of the laying of the capstone. So here the laying of the foundation of the earth is accompanied by singing. Good News Translation translates “In the dawn of that day,” but the reference of “that day” in Good News Translation‘s own context is somewhat ambiguous. New Jerusalem Bible relates verse 7a to verse 6b by translating “to the joyful concert of the morning stars.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “while the morning stars sang in chorus,” and New International Version ends verse 6b with a dash: “… cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together.” Translators should not rely on punctuation alone to show that verse 7a occurs simultaneously with or follows verse 6. For example, “Who laid the cornerstone as the morning stars began to sing?” Before the creation of man it is the stars which witness the creation of the earth, and are said to sing together, that is, in chorus. In 3.9 Job mentions the “stars of dawn.” See the discussion there. The reference here is the same. Sang together implies singing as a chorus, uniting their voices.

Sons of God, which matches morning stars, refers to the angels, or more generally “heavenly beings” as in Good News Translation. The expression sons of God occurs in 1.6 and refers to God’s heavenly court. See comments on 1.6 and the Good News Translation note there. In some languages “the singing of stars” may be meaningless. However, it may be possible to express this phrase as a simile and say, for example, “Who laid the cornerstone while the morning stars sang like people singing together?”

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 .