Job 19:10 | NET2full | STEP | He tears me down on every side until I perish ; he uproots my hope like an uprooted tree .

‏ Job 19:10

10 He tears me down ^{▼▼tn The metaphors are changed now to a demolished building and an uprooted tree. The verb is נָתַץ (natats, “to demolish”). Since it is Job himself who is the object, the meaning cannot be “demolish” (as of a house so that an inhabitant has to leave), but more of the attack or the battering.} on every side until I perish; ^{▼▼tn The text has הָלַךְ (halakh, “to leave”). But in view of Job 14:20, “perish” or “depart” would be a better meaning here.}
he uproots ^{▼▼tn The verb נָסַע (nasaʿ) means “to travel” generally, but specifically it means “to pull up the tent pegs and move.” The Hiphil here means “uproot.” It is used of a vine in Ps 80:9. The idea here does not contradict Job 14:7, for there the tree still had roots and so could grow.} my hope ^{▼▼tn The NEB has “my tent rope,” but that seems too contrived here. It is absurd to pull up a tent-rope like a tree.} like an uprooted ^{▼▼tn Heb “like a tree.” The words “one uproots” are supplied in the translation for clarity.} tree.