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 40:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 40:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Its hind legs had amazing strength
    and the meat/muscles at the stomach is thick.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “How strong is his back!
    How strong are his stomach muscles!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “but he is very strong. His body is very strong.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 40:16

His strength in his loins: loins refers to the thighs or the upper part of the legs. Some argue that the reference is to his sexual powers, but this is not confirmed by the second line. The loins are the proverbial seat of physical strength in Nahum 2.1; Psalm 69.23; Deuteronomy 33.11. Good News Translation has generalized to “his body” so that “body” and “muscles” of the following line make a complete picture.

The muscles of his belly, according to Rowley, are known to be particularly thick on the hippopotamus. The reference is to the band of muscle that lies on the lower side of his body. It must be remembered, however, that this statement comes from a poet who is praising the strength of this beast. Good News Translation has made the poet’s bland statement more emphatic than the original.

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 .