Lotus trees translates the same word rendered “lotus plants” in verse 21a. There is no reason to make a distinction as Revised Standard Version does. The animal is depicted as being shaded by the thorn bush.

Willows of the brook suggests that the poet is thinking of his own country rather than Egypt in this line. Willows are poplar trees that grow along the banks of streams and stream beds in the eastern Mediterranean. Brook is a small stream often referred to in biblical literature by the Arabic word wadi. These stream beds are often dry except in the rainy season. Good News Translation has combined the two kinds of trees as the topic in line a, and places the comment about them in line b. This give a good model for translators to follow.

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 .