inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Job 5:27)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding Job.

complete verse (Job 5:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 5:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, we have carefully examined these words at length that they are true,
    so, please, Job, accept these words.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Look, we have examined all this.
    This is really true. So heed this and apply it to yourself.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “According to what we (excl.) have-examined/searched, this is all very true. Therefore listen to it and apply-(it) in your (sing.) life.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Job 5:27

Speaking finally on behalf of the three friends, Eliphaz brings his speech to a close. He approached Job apologetically in 4.2, and now he ends, calling on Job to learn the truth as Eliphaz perceives it. Lo translates a phrase meaning literally “Look at this” and is rendered by Good News Translation as “Job,” addressed by his name.

We have searched out: Eliphaz refers to himself and his colleagues, and in the context this excludes Job. Searched out translates a verb used again in 28.3. It means “give careful thought to something, study, observe.” It is true translates the Hebrew “so it is,” a self-assuring affirmation. The first half of line a is the reason, and the second half is the conclusion. In some languages it will be necessary to make clear what the referent of it is in the expression it is true. This may be rendered, for example, “What we have learned is true,” “All the things we have discovered are true,” or “Everything I have told you is true.”

Hear, and know it for your good: in place of Hear as a command, some interpreters prefer “we have heard” (New English Bible, Moffatt). Most, however, like Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, have an imperative such as “listen, be informed, pay attention.” Good, as the Revised Standard Version footnote says, is literally “for yourself,” and many translations keep it in that form; for example, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says, “Listen to this and prove it to yourself.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “You should take note of it for yourself, because it is so.” Both of these are good translation models.

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 .