destroyer

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English typically as “destroyer” or similar is translated in the German Luther Bible 2017 as Verderber or “spoiler / corrupter.” (Source: Jost Zetzsche)

complete verse (Job 15:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 15:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “A fierce/terrifying noise hits their ears,
    suddenly enemies raid (them).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Dreadful sounds are resounding in his ears.
    Even in times of peace, those who plunder will attack him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He is always nervous/worried/anxious, and even in times that there is no disaster he is nervous/worried/anxious that he might be-attacked by robbers.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 15:21

Terrifying sounds are in his ears: here the inward violence which the wicked person suffers is pictured. Terrifying sounds translates the Hebrew “voice of fears” and suggests the fright that the voice of his conscience arouses within him. Good News Translation makes this intense, with “scream in his ears.” It may be necessary in translation to express this line differently; for example, “He hears frightening sounds in his ears,” “Frightening voices shout at him,” or “He hears awful sounds that scare him.”

In prosperity the destroyer will come upon him: in prosperity translates “in peace (shalom)” and suggests in this context “while all is peaceful, quite calm.” Good News Translation has “when he thinks he is safe.” The destroyer translates the same noun rendered “robbers” in 12.6 by Revised Standard Version, and that would be a better translation here. Come upon him means “assault, attack.” This line may be rendered, for example, “while everything is quiet, robbers will attack him” or “when he thinks he is safest, bandits will leap on him.”

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 .