He uncovers the deeps out of darkness: this verse has been handled variously by different scholars. Some find it does not fit the larger context and so delete it. New English Bible keeps it and shifts it to the end of the chapter. However, translators should not delete nor shift it to another position. As in 3.5 and 10.21, darkness and deep darkness are parallel terms in which the second term is more intensive. The meaning of this verse is not clear, and translating it literally, as Revised Standard Version does, does not help the reader. According to Dhorme this verse alludes to the action of God in nature. Uncovers translates a verb meaning “unveil” or “strip,” that is, take away something so that what is covered, hidden, can be seen. The deeps may be taken as referring to the depths of Sheol, which is the dark place of the dead in the depths of the earth. It is also possible that the deeps refers to the plans and schemes of men which God brings to light, or it can be God’s own deep or hidden purposes, which are seen as God carries them out (Rowley’s view).

The second line and brings deep darkness to light says almost the identical thing as the first line, and so Good News Translation reduces both lines to one: “He sends light to places dark as death.” The whole verse may be rendered, for example, “He unveils the darkness of Sheol,” “He brings the darkness of Sheol to light,” or “He makes the hidden Sheol to be seen.” If the translator is able to retain the parallelism of the two lines, it may be possible to say, for example, “He takes away the darkness of the place of the dead, and makes the darkest of places light.”

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 .