Job 38:14

The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; ¹  its features ²  are dyed ³  like a garment.

The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.

"It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like a garment.

For the features of the earth take shape as the light approaches, and the dawn is robed in red.

As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes,

It is changed like wet earth under a stamp, and is coloured like a robe;

It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment.

It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment.

The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; ¹  its features ²  are dyed ³  like a garment.

¹ sn The verse needs to be understood in the context: as the light shines in the dawn, the features of the earth take on a recognizable shape or form. The language is phenomenological.

² tn Heb “they”; the referent (the objects or features on the earth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ tc The MT reads “they stand up like a garment” (NASB, NIV) or “its features stand out like a garment” (ESV). The reference could be either to embroidered decoration on a garment or to the folds of a garment (REB: “until all things stand out like the folds of a cloak”; cf. J. E. Hartley, Job [NICOT], 497, “the early light of day makes the earth appear as a beautiful garment, exquisite in design and glorious in color”). Since this is thought to be an odd statement, some suggest with Ehrlich that the text be changed to תִּצָּבַּע (titsabba’, “is dyed [like a garment]”). This reference would be to the colors appearing on the earth’s surface under daylight. The present translation follows the emendation.