vindicate

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The Hebrew that is translated in English as “vindicate (me)” or “judge (me favorably)” is translated in these ways:

  • Kupsabiny: “declare me righteous” (source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “show everyone that I have no guilt” (source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “prove that I do not have sin” (source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “request you say for other people to know I don’t have any sin” (source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim: “say that I am blameless” (source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Hausa: “show that I am lacking fault” (source: Hausa Common Language Bible Back Translation)
  • Mandarin Chinese / German: “give me justice” (Source: Zetzsche)
  • English Translation for Translators: “show that I am innocent/have not done what is wrong” / Easy English Bible: “show that I am not guilty of wrong things”

See also vindicated.

complete verse (Job 13:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 13:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “I know that I have the truth,
    so, I am well prepared to list my words/arguments.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “For I have now finished preparing my case
    [and] I know that I will be judged blameless.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now that I am prepared to defend myself, I know that I would-be-declared innocent.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “I am ready to prove that I am innocent,
    and I know that you also will declare that I am not guilty.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 13:18

Behold, I have prepared my case: Behold translates here two Hebrew forms in which the first acts as an imperative, and in which the combined sense is “look here, see now,” or “attention please.” Prepared translates an expression drawn from marshaling troops in battle formation. Applied to Job’s words it refers to arranging the thoughts and words that Job will use to argue his case. My case refers to a case in law or a lawsuit: “Pay attention. I have lined up the arguments for my defense,” “Listen carefully because I have put together all the arguments in my case.”

I know that I shall be vindicated: vindicated translates the word used in 9.15 (“innocent”); 11.2 and means “to be right, innocent of wrong, not guilty.” The line may also be expressed, for example, “I know that God will declare me innocent of wrongdoing” or “I know that God will say to me, ‘Job, you are not guilty.’ ”

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 .