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22 The lotus trees conceal it in their[a] shadow;
the poplars by the stream conceal it.
23 If the river rages,[b] it is not disturbed,
it is secure,[c] though the Jordan
should surge up to its mouth.
24 Can anyone catch it by its eyes,[d]
or pierce its nose with a snare?[e]

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Footnotes

  1. Job 40:22 tn The suffix is singular, but must refer to the trees’ shade.
  2. Job 40:23 tn The word ordinarily means “to oppress.” So many commentators have proposed suitable changes: “overflows” (Beer), “gushes” (Duhm), “swells violently” (Dhorme, from a word that means “be strong”).
  3. Job 40:23 tn Or “he remains calm.”
  4. Job 40:24 tn The idea would be either (1) catch it while it is watching, or (2) in some way disabling its eyes before the attack. But others change the reading; Ball suggested “with hooks” and this has been adopted by some modern English versions (e.g., NRSV).
  5. Job 40:24 tn Ehrlich altered the MT slightly to get “with thorns,” a view accepted by Driver, Dhorme and Pope.