He binds up the streams so that they do not trickle: the word translated binds up is uncertain, since it is only used elsewhere in the sense of binding up wounds. Some of the ancient versions substituted another Hebrew verb which differs only in the middle consonant, and they get the meaning “search.” Accordingly New Jerusalem Bible translates “explores.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, however, prefers to keep the Hebrew and translates “he dams up.” Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation differ significantly at this point. Revised Standard Version follows the traditional rendering of the Hebrew, which has “from weeping,” and takes this to mean “he dams up rivers so they do not leak into the mines.” If this is followed, “weep” is understood figuratively. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rejects the traditional vowel pointing of the word translated “weep” and substitutes other vowels to give the meaning “sources,” that is, the spring waters where a river begins. This is followed by Good News Translation and many others and is recommended to translators. “They discover the sources of rivers” gives a better parallel for the following line than “He dams up the sources of rivers.” The line may also be rendered, for example, “They find out where rivers begin” or “They find where water comes out of the ground to form rivers.”

And the thing that is hid he brings forth to light: this line is parallel in sense to verse 10b. The thing that is hid is general and may refer to things in the earth as well as to the sources of rivers, and so means “whatever is hidden.” Brings forth to light means “makes them known” or “makes them visible,” and so “brings things that are not seen out to the light where people can see them.”

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 .