complete verse (Job 39:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 39:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “Job, was it you who made the horse get strength,
    and put on its neck a mane?” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Job, have you given the horse its strength?
    Or have you given it such a beautiful mane on its neck? ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Are- you (sing.), Job, the -one-who-gives strength to the horse? Are- you (sing.) the -one-who-gave the mane on his neck?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And think about horses. Job, are you the one who caused horses to be strong?
    Are you the one who put flowing manes/long hair on their necks?” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 39:19

Verses 19-25 contain a description of the horse. Again the question is addressed to Job.

Do you give the horse his might?: might translates a word usually meaning physical as well as moral strength. It is used in 12.13, “with God are wisdom and might.” See also 26.14. Here the reference is to physical strength. Good News Translation makes it clear that Job is being addressed: “Was it you, Job, who made horses so strong?” The answer is obviously “No.” Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew singular of horse in verses 19-25, but Good News Translation makes the statements and questions more general for English by using the plural. This line may also be translated, for example, as “Are you the one who gave the horse his strength? Certainly not!” or “Do horses have great power because of what you did for them? Not at all!”

The figurative expression clothe … with strength is used in the sense of “make, give, cause to have.” As the Revised Standard Version footnote shows, Revised Standard Version follows the Jewish Targum and translates a word found only here as strength. The Hebrew word is usually connected with the verb meaning “to thunder,” but that sense is inappropriate here. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project understands it to mean “trembling or quivering.” As Pope says, “what clothes a horse’s neck is the mane.” Dhorme, New English Bible, and Good News Translation translate “mane.” Good News Translation‘s rendering “and gave them their flowing manes” is a most satisfactory translation and may be followed by translators.

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 .