complete verse (Job 39:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 39:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “But when that animal is about to run,
    it laughs at (the) horse and the man riding the horse.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When it spreads out its wings to run away, it goes,
    snearing at the horse and its rider.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But when she now runs, she just laughs at the horse at its rider.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Their thigh bones are like tubes made of bronze,
    and the bones of their legs are like bars made of iron.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 39:18

Comments on the failings of the ostrich end on a positive note: she can run faster than a horse. When she rouses herself to flee is literally “when on high she lifts up.” The Revised Standard Version footnote indicates that the word translated as flee is obscure. This verb occurs nowhere else, and so there have been numerous guesses as to its meaning. Since the second line is not in doubt, the first line should make a statement about the running of the ostrich, and not just “rearing up,” as many translations have. For example, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “But when she gets up and springs forward,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “But when she gets up and starts to run,” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “If she gets frightened and runs.” All of these are good translation models.

She laughs at the horse and his rider describes the ostrich as ridiculing the horse and rider for not being able to run like her, or, as Bible en français courant says, “For her it is a game to leave horse and rider behind.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “She laughs mockingly at horse and rider.” For a discussion of an animal laughing to express scorn, see comments on verse 7.

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 .