In verse 12 there are two forms of the Hebrew text, one having the intransitive form of the verb shub, meaning “return” in the sense of “come back,” and the other the transitive form, which means “to bring something back.” Revised Standard Version follows the first, while Good News Translation follows the second, which requires an object such as “harvest.” Revised Standard Version has changed the text very slightly but gives clear sense and is recommended as a translation model.

Threshing floor is the level ground or platform on which the grain is removed from the cut plants by beating or dragging a heavy object over them. The grain and seed coverings are then tossed into the air so that the light straw (chaff) is blown away from the grain. Verse 12 may be rendered, for example, “Can you count on him to come back and bring your harvest (grain) to your threshing floor?”

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 .