Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out probably refers again to Job’s observations in 24.12, in which the oppressed cry out, but God does not hear them. Elihu will offer an explanation why God does not answer. Multitude of oppressions renders what in Hebrew probably means “excess of oppressions,” which can be better translated as “being greatly oppressed.” Good News Translation translates this expression as a subordinate clause, “When men are oppressed….” The reason people cry out is that they are severely oppressed.

They call for help because of the arm of the mighty: arm of the mighty refers to someone who is powerful, and is similar to the use of “arm of the man” in the Hebrew of 22.8. For help is not in the Hebrew, but Revised Standard Version makes it explicit, as does Good News Translation with “for someone to save them.” Because … mighty may be omitted in translation if it results in bad style or is confusing; otherwise it should be retained as in the model examples. This line may also be expressed, for example, “and they call for someone to save them from the powerful” or “they call out for someone to defend them against those in power.”

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 .