Bible Dictionary: Book Of Job

◄ Book Of Job ►

Jump to: Smith's • Greek • Library • Subtopics

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Book Of Job

This book has given rise to much discussion and criticism, some believing the book to be strictly historical; others a religious fiction; others a composition based upon facts. By some the authorship of the work was attributed to Moses, but it is very uncertain. Luther first suggested the theory which, in some form or other, is now most generally received. He says, "I look upon the book of Job as a true history, yet I do not believe that all took place just as it is written, but that an ingenious, pious and learned man brought it into its present form." The date of the book is doubtful, and there have been many theories upon the subject. It may be regarded as a settled point that the book was written long before the exile, probably between the birth of Abraham and the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt --B.C. 2000-1800. If by Moses, it was probably written during his sojourn in Midian. "The book of Job is not only one of the most remarkable in the Bible, but in literature. As was said of Goliath's sword, There is none like it;? none in ancient or in modern literature." --Kitto. "A book which will one day, perhaps, be seen towering up alone far above all the poetry of the world." --J.A. Froude. "The book of Job is a drama, and yet subjectively true. The two ideas are perfectly consistent. It may have the dramatic form, the dramatic interest, the dramatic emotion, and yet be substantially a truthful narrative. The author may have received it in one of three ways: the writer may have been an eyewitness; or have received it from near contemporary testimony; or it may have reached him through a tradition of whose substantial truthfulness he has no doubt. There is abundant internal evidence that the scenes and events recorded were real scenes and real events to the writer. He gives the discussions either as he had heard them or as they had been repeated over and over in many an ancient consensus . The very modes of transmission show the deep impression it had made in all the East, as a veritable as well as marvellous event." --Tayler Lewis. the design of the book. --Stanley says that "The whole book is a discussion of that great problem of human life: what is the intention of Divine Providence in allowing the good to suffer" "The direct object is to show that, although goodness has a natural tendency to secure a full measure of temporal happiness, yet that in its essence it is independent of such a result. Selfishness in some form is declared to be the basis on which all apparent goodness rests. That question is tried in the case of Job." --Cook. Structure of the book .-The book consists of five parts: -- I. Chs. 1-3. The historical facts. II. Chs. 4-31. The discussions between Job and his three friends. III. Chs. 32-37. Job's discussion with Elihu. IV. Chs. 38-41. The theophany --God speaking out of the storm. V. Ch. 42. The successful termination of the trial. It is all in poetry except the introduction and the close. The argument .--

One question could be raised by envy: may not the goodness which secures such direct and tangible rewards be a refined form of selfishness' Satan, the accusing angel, suggests the doubt, "Doth Job fear God for nought " and asserts boldly that if those external blessings were withdrawn, Job would cast off his allegiance" he will curse thee to thy face." The problem is thus distinctly propounded which this book is intended to discuss and solve: can goodness exist irrespective of reward ? The accuser receives permission to make the trial. He destroys Job's property, then his children; and afterward, to leave no possible opening for a cavil, is allowed to inflict upon him the most terrible disease known in the East. Job's wife breaks down entirely under the trial. Job remains steadfast. The question raised by Satan is answered.
Then follows a discussion which arises in the most natural manner from a visit of condolence on the part of three men who represent the wisdom and experience of the age. Job's friends hold the theory that there is an exact and invariable correlation between sin and suffering. The fact of suffering proves the commission of some special sin. They apply this to Job, but he disavows all special guilt. He denies that punishment in this life inevitably follows upon guilt, or proves its commission. He appeals to facts. Bad men do sometimes prosper. Here, at ch. 14, there is a pause. In the second colloquy the three friends take more advanced ground. They assume that Job has been actually guilty of sins, and that the sufferings and losses of Job are but an inadequate retribution for former sins. This series of accusations brings out the in most thoughts of Job. He recognizes God's hand in his afflictions, but denies they are brought on by wrong-doing; and becomes still clearer in the view that only the future life can vindicate God's justice. In his last two discourses, chs. 26-31, he states with incomparable force and eloquence his opinion of the chief point of the controversy: man cannot comprehend God's ways; destruction sooner or later awaits the wicked; wisdom consists wholly in the fear of the Lord and departing from evil."--Cook.
Elihu sums up the argument "The leading principle of Elihu's statement is that calamity, in the shape of triad, is inflicted on comparatively the best of men; but that God allows a favorable turn to take place as soon as its object has been realized." The last words are evidently spoken while a violent storm is coming on.
It is obvious that many weighty truths have been developed in the course of the discussion: nearly every theory of the objects and uses of suffering has been reviewed, while a great advance has been made toward the apprehension of doctrines hereafter to be revealed, such as were known only to God. But the mystery is not us yet really cleared up; hence the necessity for the theophany. ch. (Job 38:41) From the midst of the storm Jehovah speaks. In language of incomparable grandeur he reproves and silences the murmurs of Job. God does not condescend, strictly speaking to argue with his creatures. The speculative questions discussed in the colloquy are unnoticed, but the declaration of God's absolute power is illustrated by a marvellously beautiful and comprehensive survey of the glory of creation and his all-embracing providence. A second address completes the work. It proves that a charge of injustice against God involves the consequence that the accuser is more competent that he to rule the universe.

Greek

2492. Iob -- Job, a patriarch
... Transliteration: Iob Phonetic Spelling: (ee-obe') Short Definition: Job Definition:
(Hebrew), Job, the hero of the book of that name in the Old Testament. Job. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2492.htm - 5k

Library

Book of Job.
... Treatises. Book of Job. This translation was dedicated to Paula and Eustochium,
about the year 388. He complains that even the revision ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book of job.htm

Job
... The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not
indeed the greatest. ... The date of the book of Job is not easy to determine. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

Job --Groping
... THE Book of Job is a most marvellous composition. Who composed it, when
it was composed, or where"nobody knows. Dante has told ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/vii jobgroping.htm

The Writings of Israel's Philosophers
... [Sidenote: The primitive story of Job]. The basis of the book of Job Is undoubtedly
a primitive story. ... [Sidenote: Probable history of the book of Job]. ...
/.../xi the writings of israels.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... THE BOOK OF JOB JOB'S QUESTION, JESUS' ANSWER. 'If a man die, shall he live
again?'"Job 14:14. ... The Book of Job is probably a late part of the Old Testament. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

'The End of the Lord'
... THE BOOK OF JOB 'THE END OF THE LORD'. 'Then Job answered the Lord, and
said, 2. I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end of the lord.htm

On the Interior Man
... The throat is discernment of understanding; in the book of Job: does not my throat
meditate on wisdom? And in a bad part: my throat has been made hoarse. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/vi on the interior man.htm

On the Animals
... [Ps.79(80):14(13)]. The tiger is effeminate arrogance; in the book of Job, according
to the Hebrews: the tiger dies because it has no prey. [Job 4:11]. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iv on the animals.htm

Sorrow that Worships
... THE BOOK OF JOB SORROW THAT WORSHIPS. 'Naked ... This book of Job wrestles with
the problem of the meaning of the mystery of sorrow. Whether ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sorrow that worships.htm

Job.
... For they must allow that those translators who it is clear have left out numerous
details, have erred in some points; especially in the book of Job, where, if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/job.htm

Subtopics