power / strength

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.

complete verse (Job 39:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 39:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “Can you depend on the strength of that animal
    to do for you great/big/much work?” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Can you depend on him because of his great strength?
    Can you delegate the great work to him with confidence?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Can- you (sing.) -rely on his strength so-that he could-work your (sing.) heavy works?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Show that you are very angry;
    show that you have the right/authority to humble people who are very proud!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 39:11

The wild ox is powerful but cannot be trusted, and so God asks Will you depend on him…? which means “Can you trust him?” “Can you rely on him?” or “Can you count on his great strength?” Will you leave to him your labor? may be rendered “will you hand over to him your heavy jobs to do?” Again the clear answer is “No,” because a wild ox will not work for a human being.

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 .