OET interlinear JOB 19:25

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י יָ֭דַעְתִּי

and,I I_know

Job is using the word translated But to draw a contrast between what he has just suggested is unlikely, that his claims of innocence will be recorded for posterity, and something that he is very confident about, that his redeemer will ultimately vindicate him as innocent. In your translation, you may wish to introduce this verse in a way that will indicate this contrast more explicitly. Alternate translation: “But even though it is unlikely that my claims of innocence will be recorded for posterity, I still know that”

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י יָ֭דַעְתִּי

and,I I_know

For emphasis, Job is stating the pronoun I, whose meaning is already present in the word translated know. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. Alternate translation: “But I know very well that”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

גֹּ֣אֲלִ⁠י חָ֑י

redeemer,my living_(creature)

Job means implicitly that even though he expects to die, his redeemer will still be alive to vindicate him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “even though I expect to die soon, my redeemer will still be alive”

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

גֹּ֣אֲלִ⁠י

redeemer,my

A redeemer was a close relative who would take responsibility to do whatever was necessary to help another family member who was threatened or in need. Your language and culture may have a name for a person who fulfills this role, and you could use that name in your translation. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “the close relative who will vindicate me”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

גֹּ֣אֲלִ⁠י

redeemer,my

As Job indicates in the next verse, he believes that God will be his redeemer. This is similar to the way that Job speaks in 16:19 of having an “advocate” in heaven and to the way that he asks God in 17:3 to be his “surety.” Since Job speaks of God in the next verse, you do not need to explain in this verse that God is the redeemer whom Job is expecting. It may even be that Job wishes to generate some suspense and attention by not naming the redeemer right away, and it would be good to give your readers that same experience.

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

וְ֝⁠אַחֲר֗וֹן

and,last

Job is using the adjective last as a noun to mean a certain time. This could mean: (1) a “later” time, after Job has died. Alternate translation: “after I have died” (2) that Job is the “last” time, the time at the end of the world. Alternate translation: “and that at the end of the world”

Note 7 topic: translate-symaction

יָקֽוּם

stand

In this culture, people stood up when they were about to speak. This was a symbolic action by which they indicated that they had something important to say. Standing up commanded the attention of the people they wanted to listen to them. In this context, the important thing that the redeemer had to say would be that Job was innocent. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “he will stand and speak in my defense”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

עַל־עָפָ֥ר

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in dust

Job is using the term dust by association to mean the earth, on whose surface there is dust. This may also be a poetic allusion to the fact that Job would be dead and at “rest” in the “dust,” as he said in 17:16. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “upon the earth”