Job’s criticism of his visitors reaches a high point of insult now. Cast lots over the fatherless: cast lots translates the verb element “you cause something to fall,” which is taken by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most others to mean “cast lots, throw dice.” The same word is used in 1 Samuel 14.42, where Saul asks for guilt to be fixed by the use of Urim and Thummim. Some scholars, however, divide the following two words in the Hebrew text and get “Will you even fall on the blameless one?” This is the basis for New English Bible “Would you assail an orphan?” Some interpreters do not feel that this verse fits at this point and so place it after verse 23 (see Moffatt). It seems best, however, to accept the Hebrew text as it stands, with the verse in its traditional position.

In some languages casting lots or throwing dice is unknown. In such cases it may be necessary to shift to a different image; for example, “You would even play a game with someone to win an orphan” or “You would even have a contest to see who gets an orphan as the prize.”

And bargain over your friend: bargain over translates a word which has the meaning of argue over the price, haggle, barter, as if a friend were merchandise. Several suggestions are made for changes in the text. New English Bible proposes different vowels for the verb to get “Would you hurl yourselves on a friend?” However, there does not appear to be any need to change. Bible en français courant has “And you would go so far as to sell your own friend!” New Jerusalem Bible translates “and selling your friend at a bargain price.” Good News Translation shifts the idea away from selling and says “make yourselves rich off your closest friends!” Good News Translation implies that they cheat their friends to enrich themselves.

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 .