In the Hebrew text of verse 13a, there is nothing that is fully certain. The wings of the ostrich wave proudly: ostrich translates a word that can mean “shrill cries.” The word occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament. However, from the descriptions in the following verses, the ostrich is clearly the subject of these verses. Wave proudly has been translated in countless ways. Pope has “flap wildly,” New American Bible “beat idly,” New Jerusalem Bible “beats joyously,” Dhorme “is gay,” New English Bible “are stunted,” New International Version “flap joyfully,” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project “waves gaily.” The Hebrew verb means “exult or rejoice,” and “flap joyfully” is probably as near as any. In languages in which the ostrich is unknown, translators may use a descriptive term; for example, “big bird” or “big bird called ostrich.” Otherwise it may be possible to substitute a different large bird which has some similar traits.

But are they the pinions and plumage of love? is even more uncertain than the first line, and the vast array of translations results from conjectures and changes too numerous to mention. Revised Standard Version‘s footnote says “Heb obscure.” In line b the words translated as pinions and plumage are in some sense parallel to The wings in line a. In Ezekiel 17.3 all three of these words are found: “great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage.” The word translated as wings in line a is general, while those in line b are more specific. Pinions refers to the wing feathers that spread out to enable a bird to fly. Plumage refers to the outer feathers covering the body and wings. Most interpreters accept the meanings as in Revised Standard Version.

The word translated as love is chasid, which appears to be the feminine form of the adjective chesed, which is usually rendered “constant love” and provides the basis for Revised Standard Version‘s translation. Revised Standard Version‘s rendering draws in part from the following verses, which describe the ostrich as abandoning her eggs in an unkind way. The cruelty of the ostrich was proverbial, judging from Lamentations 4.3. “… but the daughters of my people have become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports Revised Standard Version with “but is it a pious plumage and down?” However, “pious” is not an appropriate qualification of feathers in English. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests there is a play on words between “pious” and “stork,” since the same word can also mean “stork.” The stork, in contrast to the ostrich, is known for the care it gives to its young. Furthermore Good News Translation interprets the Hebrew word at the beginning of the line, not as a question but as a negative marker. Good News Translation follows the interpretation “stork” and produces a translation that suits the context, is meaningful, and has some support in the early versions: “but no ostrich can fly like a stork.” New International Version retains the Hebrew more closely with “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork.” Both of these are good translation models to follow. In language areas in which the stork is unknown, it may be possible to substitute another large bird that is known for its flight and care of its young.

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 .