He wanders abroad for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’: Revised Standard Version translates the Hebrew text, which suggests that the wicked person is troubled by poverty and lack of food. Where is it? is the question of the wicked person as he searches for food. However, the Septuagint translates “He has been appointed for food to vultures,” that is, in verse 22 the wicked person fears being killed, and in verse 23 he fears that he will subsequently be eaten by vultures. The Hebrew word for “vulture” has the same consonants as the word meaning Where is it? Accordingly many translations prefer an expression similar to Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, “His corpse will be food for vultures,” and this is recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. Another model is “The vultures will eat his corpse for their food.”

He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand: some interpreters follow the Septuagint and place day of darkness with verse 24a, but this is not necessary. Day of darkness is the appointed time for disaster or ruin. This line may also be expressed, for example, “He knows that he is about to be destroyed,” “He knows he will soon be killed,” or actively, “He knows somebody will kill him.”

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 .