complete verse (Job 14:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 14:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “When a person is dead, is it really still possible to be well/healed again?
    I am still waiting for the days when it shall become good,
    when the troubles that I have are over.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After a person dies will he live again?
    No matter how much my time of suffering is prolonged,
    I will continue waiting for my deliverance.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If a man dies will- he -live again? Well/If-so I will-endure all the time of my suffering until the time will-arrive that it will-be-over.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 14:14

If a man die, shall he live again?: Job’s question at this point seems to interrupt what comes before and what follows. Accordingly some transfer this line to follow verse 19. However, most modern translations keep it at this point, and it is recommended that translators do the same. Rather than an interruption, Job’s rhetorical question may be understood to be Job reflecting to himself on the arrangement he would like God to make with him in verse 13. Such a deal with God would mean that Job would live again. It is perhaps in this mood that we should understand his question. The Septuagint changes the question to an affirmative assertion that man will live again. Some treat the line as a wish: “If only a man might die and live again!” However, taken as a whole it seems best to follow Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation by translating the line as an “if” clause followed by a rhetorical question. In some languages this will require a negative reply; for example, “If a person dies, will he come back to life? No!” or “Can a man who has lived and then died live again? Certainly not!”

All the days of my service I would wait: For discussion of service see 7.1. Wait translates the same verb translated “have … hope” in 13.15 and so includes the idea of patient expectation which Job rejected earlier. Till my release should come: this expression is based on a military metaphor in which Job pictures himself standing at his post in Sheol, waiting to be relieved by another soldier. Moffatt translates “I could endure my weary post until relief arrives.” However, the military picture need not be pushed here and Good News Translation “wait for better times,” while very general, expresses the idea. Good News Translation has transposed lines b and c and has repeated the verb “wait” in each line. This part of the verse may also be expressed “I will wait as long as is necessary until someone comes to release me.”

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 .