His bones are described by another analogy: tubes of bronze. Tubes translates a word which first meant stream bed, and canal, and then pipes for carrying water. Tubes calls attention to their size and roundness. Bronze, which is a mixture of copper and tin, was typically used as an image to designate strength or hardness, as in 6.12; 20.24; 41.27.

His limbs like bars of iron continues the description of the animal’s strength. Limbs translates another word for bones, but is better translated in this line as “legs.” Bars of iron refers to rods of solid iron.

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 .