Lay hands on him translates an imaginary command which is better expressed as an “if” clause. “If you lay your hands on him….” This expression means “to take hold of him with the hands.” Good News Translation says “Touch him once.” Think is also an imperative. Think of the battle means “imagine the struggle you would have” or “think of the fight that would cause.” If the first clause begins with “if,” we may translate, for example, as “If you lay a hand on him, you will never forget the struggle.” You will not do it again or “You will never do it a second time” gives the result of the condition.

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 .