complete verse (Job 14:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 14:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “Even if the roots of that tree have grown old in the soil,
    until it is as if the stump in the ground has become rotten,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Its roots may become old
    and its roots may die in the ground,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Even if its stump is already dead and the roots are already old,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 14:8

Though its root grow old in the earth: the poet has in mind the stump of the tree dying and with no new shoots coming up because of lack of water, as becomes clear in verse 9. Verse 8 is related to verse 7 as something unexpected in the light of what was said in verse 7, and the relationship may be expressed in English by such logical connectors as “Even though” or “In spite of the fact.” Verse 7 spoke of the tree and the new shoots above ground, and verse 9 speaks of the stump of the tree and the roots beneath the ground. In the earth in line a is parallel with in the ground or “dust” in line b. In typical fashion the poet shifts from the larger image earth to the smaller ground.

And its stump die in the ground: die in the ground in this context means to rot in the ground.

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 .