complete verse (Job 29:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 29:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “I am like a tree that pushes its roots into water
    and the leaves will make dew at night.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “My roots went spreading out towards the water,
    and the dew remained on my branches all night.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For in-the-time-past I was like a strong tree that the roots spread-out to the water and the branches were always dewed-upon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 29:19

My roots spread out to the waters: Job compares himself in this verse to a tree whose roots have plenty of water to nourish them. The thought is similar to Psalm 1.3, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water.” Similar comparisons were made in 8.16-17; 14.7-9; 18.16. With the dew all night on my branches: at night the warm air cools, and dew forms on the leaves of the branches, appearing as small drops of water. Good News Translation makes the comparison with the tree clearer: “I was like a tree….” Verse 19 may also be rendered “I was like a tree planted close to water and with branches wet at night from the dew.”

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 .