complete verse (Job 11:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 11:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “You shall go to sleep with no one frightening you.
    Many people who ask for help shall even come to you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You will lie down without needing to experience any fear,
    many people will look to get your kindness.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (sing.) will-lie-down with no one causing- you (sing.) -to-be-afraid, and many will-ask for help from you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You will lie down, and no one will cause you to be afraid.
    And many people will come and request you to do things for them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 11:19

You will lie down: this expression is nearly the same in meaning as the last clause of verse 18, “take your rest.” It is found in the identical words in Isaiah 17.2; Zephaniah 3.13, apart from the pronominal differences. New English Bible considers it a later addition and puts it in a footnote. Good News Translation does not translate it here in order to avoid the repetition with verse 18. And none will make you afraid: the same expression is used in Micah 4.4 to express confidence. Good News Translation has made the object of the verb “enemies”: “You won’t be afraid of your enemies.” Another possibility is “No one will cause you to fear.”

Many will entreat your favor translates the Hebrew “many will soften your face.” This figurative expression is sometimes used of begging favors from God. Applied to people it refers to saying sweet or flattering words in order to obtain something. When Job is prosperous again many people will again be asking him for favors. In some languages this expression takes on figurative forms, as in Hebrew; for example, “Many people will stroke your back,” “Many people will hold out their hands to you,” or “Many people will open their hands and smile at you.”

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 .