Since verse 15 is mainly setting, or background, with the main event in verse 16, the two will be discussed together. Verse 15 recalls Eliphaz’s dream in 4.12 and nearly repeats it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night: “dreams” and “visions” are mentioned by Job in 7.14 as the means by which God terrifies him. There is no attempt here to distinguish between a dream and a vision, as there was none in 7.14, where they are in parallel position. Here vision is best placed in apposition to dream; that is, “in a dream, which is a vision in the night.” When deep sleep falls upon men is the setting, and in English style it is best placed at the beginning, and so Good News Translation has transposed these two lines.

While they slumber on their beds adds no new information and may be considered parallel in meaning with the previous line. Good News Translation reduces lines b and c to one. Verse 15 may also be expressed “When a person goes to sleep at night and dreams and sees visions,” or “When people lie on their beds and sleep at night, they have dreams,” or “… God gives them dreams.”

Then he opens the ears of men is literally “uncovers the ear” and means “to announce, inform, give news to.” It is used in the sense of “inform” in Ruth 4.4; 1 Samuel 20.2, 12, 13. When God is the subject the verb means “to reveal,” as in 36.10, 15; 1 Samuel 9.15. Bible en français courant translates “He brings to them a revelation.”

And terrifies them with warnings is literally “and seals their bond.” Most feel that the Hebrew text makes little sense, and so seek a way to change it. Revised Standard Version‘s rendering is obtained by changing the vowels of the word meaning “seals,” and in this way substituting the verb meaning “terrify,” which is used in 7.14 in connection with dreams and visions. Consequently, by being spoken to through terrifying dreams, people learn their errors. However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project keeps the Hebrew “seals” and suggests “and he places under seal (his) warning (which concerns them)” or “he ratifies with a seal the warning (concerning) them.” In this context Elihu is making the point that God does speak clearly to people over and over, and the Hebrew expresses the image of placing the seal on someone as meaning he stamps his warning on them. Thus the warning is clearly seen. We may then retain the Hebrew and translate, for example, “Then he tells people what he wants and makes his warnings as clear as a seal” or “He causes people to listen to what he says, and he leaves his mark to warn 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 .