complete verse (Job 41:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 41:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Its breath makes charcoal burn
    and flames of fire comes out from its mouth.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “His breath kindles charcoal.
    Spindles of fire come out of his mouth.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “His breath can-cause- a charcoal -to-make-a-live-coal, for fire comes out of his mouth.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 41:21

His breath kindles coals: Kindles means “to light, set on fire, to cause something to start burning.” Coals refers to charcoal made from wood. “His breath ignites coals.” This line is an example of what his flaming mouth does in verse 19a. Verse 21b repeats the thought of verse 19a.

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 .