IBT has recently released a new publication in the Adyghe language: the Old Testament book of Job.
IBT has been translating the Holy Scriptures into Adyghe for several decades. The first publication was the New Testament, released in 1991 and reprinted in 1992. Subsequent years saw the publication of a number of Old Testament books, including 1-2 Samuel/1-2 Kings, Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, Exodus, and Daniel. More recent publications include Deuteronomy, a bilingual edition of Ecclesiastes in Adyghe and Kabardian (2020), and Gospel Parables (2021).
The book of Job is a unique poetic work whose narrative extends beyond the history of the people of Israel. Its main character, Job, known in Adyghe tradition as Ayub, lives not in Judea but in the land of Uz. A righteous and wealthy man with a large family, Job endures numerous calamities and a profound sense of abandonment while remaining faithful to God. Unsatisfied with the exhortations of his friends, he seeks a direct answer from God Himself.
For generations, Christians, Jews, and Muslims have seen in Job's story an example of steadfastness in the face of the most severe life trials. For centuries, the book of Job has inspired thinkers and writers to reflect on the problem of evil and suffering in the world. It holds particular significance in existential philosophy, which focuses on the individual standing before God and experiencing existence as a deeply personal reality.
The translation was carried out by Sanyat Gutova, an experienced translator and long-time participant in the Adyghe translation project. The work presented particular challenges due to the richness of the original text's vocabulary, which bears traces of influence from other ancient languages. Many Hebrew words in Job occur only once in the entire Old Testament, making their meaning difficult to interpret with certainty. The translator therefore had to overcome numerous textual and lexical difficulties in the course of her work.
Adyghe, together with the closely related Kabardian language, belongs the Abkhaz-Adyghe language family. It is spoken primarily in the Republic of Adyghea in southern Russia, as well as in the Lazarevsky District of Sochi and the Tuapsinsky District of Krasnodar Krai. Adyghe speakers also reside in Moscow, Krasnodar, Nalchik, Cherkessk, and other cities. According to the 2021 census of the Russian Federation, 86,151 people speak Adyghe — a decrease compared with the 2010 census. The language is classified as vulnerable and is among those under threat of extinction.
The book of Job was published in a limited print run of 150 copies and will be distributed to readers through the regional libraries of the Republic of Adyghea and to churches. An electronic version is available on the IBT website.
IBT is dedicated to translating the Holy Scriptures into the languages of peoples who lack them, serving communities across Russia and beyond.