Translation and Interpretation

Extremity of Language

1. Job has more obscure and difficult to interpret passages than any other book in the Bible
2. There are more words in Job that are used only once in the Bible than in any other book
3. Expressions that may have been common usage at the time, but are almost unintelligible to us; cultural colloquialisms

• Cut the rug
• Kill the light
• Dial the number
• Cat got your tongue?

Richness of Hebrew as a spoken and written language

• 5 different words that are translated “lion”
• In other places same words are translated as “hero” or “angel”
• 6 different words used to describe “traps”, “ropes”, and “snares” when Bildad describes the fate of the wicked
• 7 different words translated “gold”

Song of Songs 1:5 – 

• KJV & ASV: I am black, but comely
• AMP: I am deeply tanned, but lovely
• CEB: Dark I am, and lovely
• ERV: I am dark and beautiful
• MEV: I am dark, but still lovely
• MSG: I am weathered but still elegant

Job 13:15…

• NIV - Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
• RSV – Behold, he will slay me. I have no hope. Yet will I defend my ways to him.
• New Living Translation - God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
• American Standard Version - Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
• New International Reader's Version - Even if God kills me, I'll still put my hope in him. I'll argue my case in front of him.
• Good News Translation - I've lost all hope, so what if God kills me? I am going to state my case to him.
• GOD’S WORD Translation - If God would kill me, I would have no hope left. Nevertheless, I will defend my behavior to his face.

Job’s Wife… was she cursing or blessing? Was she serious or sarcastic? 

Barak - Hebrew verb used more than 325 times in the OT
Usually translated “bless” in the sense of giving or receiving benefits

• Genesis 1:22 - “God blessed them and said…”
• Job 1:10 - “You have blessed the work of his hands”
• Ps 103:2 - “bless the Lord, oh my soul”
• Job 1:11 & 2:5 - “He will curse you to your face”

Job is 95% POETRY

Poets frequently use difficult language to lead the reader on a journey of discovery of ideas, thoughts, and emotions, OR simply to obscure their true message or intent

• Humpty Dumpty
• Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
• Rock-a-bye Baby