happiness / joy

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “joy” or “happiness” is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible idiomatically as farin ciki or “white stomach.” In some cases, such as in Genesis 29:11, it is also added for emphatic purposes.

Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also Seat of the Mind / Seat of Emotions, rejoiced greatly / celebrated, the Mossi translation of “righteous”, and joy.

complete verse (Job 3:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 3:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person like that is very glad
    and even rejoices when death comes to (him)!” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Arriving in the grave they rejoice greatly
    and are happy.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They are only happy if they are now dead and now buried.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When they finally die and are buried, they are very happy.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 3:22

Who rejoice exceedingly: the Hebrew of line 22a may be read as in Revised Standard Version, exceedingly, or with the more specific meaning of “to see the burial mound,” but as Dhorme points out, a burial mound is not found by digging. New English Bible has “when they reach the tomb”; similar renderings are found in Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Moffatt, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem. Line b repeats the meaning of line a, and are glad, and completes it with the consequence when they find the grave. There is little step-up of intensity in the parallel parts. Good News Translation has condensed both lines to a somewhat toned-down “they are not happy till….”

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 .