complete verse (Job 20:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 20:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “The words you have said have upset me a lot,
    but I know how I shall answer you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I have heard your insulting language, which disgraces me.
    My insight has given me motivation to respond.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (sing.) rebuked me with insult, and now someone pushes my mind that I will-answer you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “By saying these things you have insulted me,
    but I know how (OR, because I understand very much) I can reply to you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 20:3

I hear censure which insults me: this line consists of three words which are literally “I hear the rebuke of my chastisement.” Censure here means “reproof or correction.” In other words Zophar is saying “I hear you scolding, and it insults me.” Good News Translation says it well: “What you have said is an insult.” In this way Zophar complains that he is humiliated by Job’s speech. This may refer to all of chapter 19, but in particular to the final verses. This may also be expressed “I hear your words which insult me,” “When you speak you insult me,” or “Your talk is an insult.”

And out of my understanding a spirit answers me: literally “the ruach (‘spirit, wind, breath’) from my understanding makes me reply.” This statement is not clear, and interpreters differ greatly in their understanding of it. Pope, following Dahood, changes understanding to get “frame,” “The spirit of my frame answers me.” Habel rejects that and translates “My discerning spirit,” so that Zophar is speaking with the authority of his inner wisdom. In 32.8 Elihu uses the same word with reference to God’s spirit, which gives men wisdom. New English Bible suggests a meaning similar to “inspiration,” with “a spirit beyond my understanding.” Good News Translation takes ruach to refer to the person speaking: “I know how to reply to you.” Bible en français courant expresses ruach as a verb: “My reason inspires in me the reply to give.” It is evident that translators are divided between those who consider “spirit” as a reference to the person of Zophar, and those who see in it something akin to inspiration. It is not possible to be certain which is best, and translators may choose either. Understanding ruach to refer to Zophar’s person, we may translate, for example, “but I know how to answer you” or “but I am capable of replying to you.” Likewise, using the definition of inspiration, we may translate “my understanding gives me the right answer for you” or “because I understand things I can give you a reply.”

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 .