The crimes mentioned in verses 14-16 are those listed in Exodus 20.13-15; Hosea 4.2; Jeremiah 7.9; only the order differs.

The murderer rises in the dark: the Hebrew has “at the light.” See Revised Standard Version footnote. “At the light” appears to contradict the evil person’s efforts to avoid the light. For translators such as Dhorme, who have shifted this verse to follow verse 12, the contradiction does not arise. However, most translators will keep the Hebrew order of verses, and some adjustment is required. Some take “at the light” to mean before daylight (New English Bible). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests “at day break.” Pope has “at twilight,” and New Jerusalem Bible “when all is dark.” Good News Translation says “At dawn.” Murderer is sometimes rendered “killer of men” or “one who kills people.” The line may also be expressed “While it is still dark the murderer gets up” or “The murderer gets up before dawn.”

That he may kill the poor and needy: some have made a change in the poor and needy to get “his enemy and his adversary,” since there would be little to gain in murdering the poor. Such a change is uncalled for. In Psalm 10.8, 9; 37.14, the wicked are accused of killing the poor and needy. Good News Translation has reduced the poor and needy to “the poor.” The line may be rendered, for example, “in order to go out and kill the poor man who has nothing.”

And in the night he is as a thief: the simile in this line may mean that the murderer who gets up at dawn to kill is like the thief who works at night. However, Good News Translation and others understand the line to mean that when night comes he also goes out and acts as a thief by stealing, so he is both murderer and thief. Some interpreters change he is as a thief to get “the thief prowls,” and transfer it to precede verse 16, which describes the burglar. This line may also be expressed “when it is night the murderer goes out to steal” or “when the night comes this killer becomes a thief.”

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 .