Reading Objectively and Translation Dishonesty (Job 12-17)

Shutting Up and “Objective” Bible Reading

Sometimes the best insults are couched in the politest of language. Such as the famous Churchill anecdotal dialogues. Job pulls one in Chapter 13: “If you would only keep quiet, It would be considered wisdom on your part.” (13:5). Ouch! I can picture that last line being uttered by an exasperated-and-blushing young woman from the pages of Austen.

Later, Eliphaz counterattacks telling Job to shut up: “Were you the first man born? Were you created before the hills? Have you listened in on the council of God? Have you sole possession of wisdom?” (15:7-8). When I first read this, I thought of this great post by Greta Christina: often the argument used against atheists is the “shut up, that’s why” argument. The idea of “who are you to question God??” is very unsatisfying so the only thing that’s left of this sentiment is the “shut up”.

Only when I put this post together did I notice that both parties tell each other to shut up. Yet I appreciated Job’s whilst thinking Eliphaz’s was stupid. Which shows the extent to which our reactions are filtered by pre-existing beliefs. Of course, I believe that my conclusions are true, that Job is correct since his friends’ arguments really are stupid (not to mention emotionally damaging). But it was a good exercise on how the idea of reading a text (or experiencing the world) “objectively” is completely improbable. Homework assignment: was there something different about how Eliphaz told Job to shut up vs vice versa?

The Afterlife and Dishonest Translation

I’ve noticed before how Job often says there’s no afterlife. So when I read the JPS translation of 14:12 I certainly sat up in my bed. “So man lies down never to rise; He will awake only when the heavens are no more, only then be aroused from his sleep.” I can’t imagine reading this any way other than saying the world will some day end and there will be some sort of resurrection or afterlife. Does this mean I was wrong? Or that there are two traditions in the book of Job?

Not so fast! If in doubt, compare translations. For instance, this is the King James: “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep”. All the others I checked agree with the KJV, as does the Hebrew text. So apparently this is just a very dishonest translation by the JPS (Jewish Publication Society, to name and shame) in order to insert their theological presuppositions into the text. Now, Job could mean one of two things:

1. since the heavens will never end, the dead will always stay dead
2. the dead will stay dead until the heavens end, which will actually happen [at which point they will presumably be resurrected]

The JPS wording appears crafted to force the 2nd interpretation — sneaky sneaky! Especially given that the preceding verses contrast people with plants. To paraphrase Job: sure, a plant can come alive again but you think a person can?! (HT Robert Price). Lesson: do not trust Bible translations on topics of seeming importance. Ever.