complete verse (Job 1:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 1:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Job had seven sons, three daughters and domestic animals of different kinds.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He had seven sons and three daughters.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He had seven male children and three females/(daughters).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He had seven sons and three daughters.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 1:2

There were born to him expresses the Hebrew form of saying that Job was the father of his children. Some languages prefer this kind of passive construction while some require it; but many others must use an active voice, as in Good News Translation “he had seven sons.” Many languages distinguish between bearing animals and bearing children. Seven sons and three daughters provides the evidence for Job’s goodness and his fear of God: he is rewarded with a large family (see Psa 127.3; 128.3 where children are rewarded to the faithful). Seven children was a desirable number (1 Sam 2.5), but seven sons was even more ideal (Ruth 4.15). In some languages it may appear odd that the children are left nameless and are said to be born to Job without reference to his wife. (In the conclusion Job’s three new daughters have names.) Readers in some languages will most likely infer from the statement that there were several wives. The author refers to Job’s wife only in chapter 2, without specifying that she is the mother of his children.

In some languages a bridge may be required in moving from one subject to the next; for example, “speaking of his children…,” or “about Job as a father….”

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 .