justice

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “justice” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that describes the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in treating other people. A literal back-translation of the signs are “FOLLOW(God is implied) ACTIONS, DECISIONS JUST-RIGHT”. A more idiomatic back-translation would be: “actions and decisions are right/fitting/just in accordance to God’s will.” The movement in the signs itself helps to indicate that this is a noun, not a verb. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Justice” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

complete verse (Job 36:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 36:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “You are full of thoughts about
    that sinners will be punished.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But now, by reason of your wickedness
    you will receive the punishment that you must bear.
    Justice and judgment have taken hold of you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But now you (sing.) are-experiencing the punishment which is-fitting to the wicked-ones. You (sing.) can- no longer -skip justice.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But now, you are being punished as wicked people are punished;
    God has been punishing you justly/as you deserve.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 36:17

Revised Standard Version suggests that Elihu is accusing Job of judging the wicked. But Job has done the contrary; he has argued that there is no one judging the wicked, and so they not only escape punishment, they thrive. Therefore it seems more probable that Elihu is condemning Job because he did not act justly when he had the power to do so, and therefore Job has brought his suffering on himself.

But you are full of the judgment on the wicked is literally “but the wicked’s judgment (condemnation, punishment, sentence) you have filled up.” Good News Translation reduces the two lines of this verse to one and understands them to be a statement by Elihu that punishment has caught up with Job. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project relates verse 16c to verse 17a, so that the table that is full of food parallels Job’s being full of the judgment that is for the wicked. The sense here is probably not to be taken that Job is judging, condemning the wicked, but that the punishment, judgment, condemnation due the wicked has come fully to Job. The context of verses 15-21 is about powerful people like Job who have been reduced to weakness, and who may be tempted to trust in their past glory. New International Version attempts to keep the sense of being full of the judgment by translating “But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked.” We may also say, for example, “But now you are getting the full punishment that other wicked people get.”

Judgment and justice seize you: seize has no object, and most translations supply you, as in Revised Standard Version. Bible en français courant, which gives the sense of Good News Translation but also retains both lines, says “However, you have been condemned, and the sentence which is handed to you is without appeal.” The model of Bible en français courant may have to be expressed differently in some languages; for example, “God has condemned you to suffer, and you cannot escape the punishment he gives you.”

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 .