Revised Standard Version has one last “if” clause before verse 38. Job is here denying that he has been a hypocrite, a double-minded person. Dhorme places verses 38-40 in the place of verse 33, and places verses 33-37 at the end of the chapter. However, note the structure Habel recognizes for these verses in their present position, as explained in the introduction to this chapter, page 558.

If I have concealed my transgressions from men: concealed translates “to cover” and carries the sense of pretending or deceiving. Transgressions and iniquity in the next line are commonly-paired terms. See comments on 10.6. From men, as the Revised Standard Version footnote shows, may also be taken as “like Adam.” Most modern translations understand this as in the Revised Standard Version text. It is a common characteristic of people to hide their sins from others. Good News Translation expresses the denial of line a as “Other men try to hide their sins….” Revised Standard Version‘s rendering is based on a change to from men, but Good News Translation translates the Hebrew “like men,” so that an alternative rendering can be “I have not hid my sins as others do.”

By hiding my iniquity in my bosom: the word translated bosom is found only here in the Old Testament, but its meaning is clear from Aramaic usage. The clothing which Job wore was without pockets. However, with a belt tied around the waist, the inside upper part of the garment served as a spacious inner shirt pocket, and this was the “bosom.” The picture here is of Job stuffing his sins inside his garment, where they could be carried but not visible to others. Good News Translation translates “but I have never concealed mine.” The verse may also be rendered, for example, “I have not done like other people who hide their sins, like people who put things away in their pockets.”

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 .