In league with the stones of the field: this line has been the subject of much speculation. Only a few opinions need be mentioned. Some understand it to mean that the stones in the field will not become numerous and make cultivation difficult. Others take it to mean that property boundaries marked by stones will not be violated by enemies. Some make a change in the word stones to get “lords.” This would then refer to spirits which inhabit a field. Still others change stones of the field to get “sons of the field,” which would mean something like “beasts of the field,” and so be parallel with the next line. All of these interpretations are represented in modern translations. Revised Standard Version and some others leave the meaning unclear. Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Moffatt, New English Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and others, while not agreeing, do give some sense to the expression. Both stones and beasts are normally things that make a farmer’s work difficult and dangerous; but in these lines Eliphaz speaks of a peaceful relation existing between them and Job. The translator is advised to follow the meaning suggested by Good News Translation, or one of the other translations which avoid the literal rendering of Revised Standard Version. Bible en français courant says “You will be protected from damage to your fields, from rocks which are thrown there….”

Beasts of the field shall be at peace with you: as in verse 22b the reference is not to domestic animals but to wild animals. The prophetic vision of Isaiah 11 is summarized here. In Ezekiel 14.21 four scourges are listed: “sword, famine, evil beasts, and pestilence.” Be at peace with you translates a form of the Hebrew word shalom with the meaning of making peace with someone. Translators may find it is not appropriate in their language to give the impression that animals make some kind of peace treaty with people or vice versa. It will be better to use some expression as in Good News Translation, or Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “and the wild animals will be your friends.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “and every wild animal leaves you there in peace,” implying as Good News Translation states negatively, “will never attack you.” New English Bible has replaced beasts with “weeds” and offers no explanation for this.

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 .