complete verse (Job 29:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 29:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “That is when my life was good
    and he guarded me because I was his friend.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those were the best days of my life
    At that time my house was blessed by a close relationship with God.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “In-those times when my situation was still fine/[lit. good], God was my close friend, and he blessed my household.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 29:4

As I was in my autumn days: autumn days most likely refers to the time of harvest, when crops have reached their full maturity. New Jerusalem Bible translates “Shall I ever see my days of harvest again…?” Bible en français courant has “at the time of maturity.” The thought expressed is not that of advanced age and decline, but of fruitfulness, which Good News Translation translates “when I was prosperous,” and New English Bible “days of my prime.” K-B lists the word as meaning “youth,” but the sense is more equivalent to “maturity of life” in the light of Job’s children being with him in the next verse. In English autumn days or “autumn of life” is misleading, since it suggests the physical and mental decline of advancing age. Translators should use a term or expression that suggests the full vigor of life. This may be later in life in some cultures than in others. “At that time I was in the prime of life,” or “When I was a strong man,” or “When I had all my powers.”

When the friendship of God was upon my tent: friendship of God is uncertain. The Hebrew expression occurs in 15.8, where it is translated by Revised Standard Version as “counsel of God.” New Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible translate “protected,” and Bible de Jérusalem has a note indicating that this follows the Septuagint and Syriac. The ancient versions substituted a Hebrew final k for a final d in order to get “protected.” However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project keeps the Hebrew text and says that the expression may be rendered in three ways: (1) “with the friendship of God”; (2) “with the counsel of God”; or (3) “with the protection of God.” Good News Translation translators felt that “friendship of God” puts in focus the idea of protection and so used both (1) and (3): “the friendship of God protected….” My tent is often rendered by Good News Translation and others as “my home.” The line may be rendered, for example, “When God protected my home” or “When God befriended me and took care of my home.”

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 .