Job

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Job” in English means “the persecuted,” “hated,” “one ever returning to God,” “he that weeps,” “a desert.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign for “patience,” referring to James 5:11 and many other passages within the book of Job. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Job” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “suffering.”


“Job” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that refers to the ulcers (sores) covering his body (see Job 2:7). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Job” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Job,” the second part refers to “book” (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Job .

complete verse (Job 29:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 29:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “Job continued to say,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Job continued speaking. He said,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Job still continued to speak,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 29:1

And Job again took up his discourse, and said: see comments on 27.1. Good News Translation says “Job began speaking again,” which it did not say in 27.1 because 27.1 was the continuation of Job’s speech begun in chapter 26. The word translated again seems to reinforce the idea that another speech or poem (chapter 28) has interrupted the speech of Job begun in chapter 26.

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 .