Did not I weep for him whose day was hard?: this verse is clearly linked with verse 24 and continues the theme of Job’s defense of his past conduct. Not only did Job not harm the unfortunate person, but he was compassionate toward him. The question in this verse expects a “Yes” reply. The negative here continues into line b, as in 28.17. Weep means to cry with grief at the sight of the sufferer, showing that Job is affected emotionally. Whose day was hard translates the Hebrew “harsh of day,” referring to a person whose daily life is spent under difficult, harsh circumstances. The expression calls attention to their poverty and is parallel with the poor in the following line. This line may also be translated “I have often cried for the one who suffered” or “Didn’t I cry for those who were unfortunate? Of course I did!”

Was not my soul grieved for the poor?: Job’s soul (nefesh) is saddened by the poor. Grieved translates a word found only here. A similar verb meaning “to be sad” is found in Isaiah 19.10, and so Good News Translation “and feel sorry for those in need?” Another rendering: “Wasn’t I sad because of the people who had nothing? I certainly was sad!”

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 .