Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: The Book of Job is a profound piece of wisdom literature in the Old Testament, exploring themes of suffering, divine justice, and human righteousness. It is named after its central character, Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1). The narrative addresses the complex relationship between God and humanity, particularly in the context of unexplained suffering. Authorship and Date: The authorship of the Book of Job remains uncertain, with no explicit claim within the text itself. Traditionally, some have attributed it to Moses, while others suggest Solomon or an unknown sage. The dating of the book is also debated, with estimates ranging from the patriarchal period to the post-exilic era. Its ancient setting and language suggest an early origin, possibly around the time of the patriarchs. Structure and Content: The Book of Job is structured into several distinct sections: 1. Prologue (Chapters 1-2): The narrative begins with a heavenly council where Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his righteousness is due to his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, resulting in the loss of his wealth, children, and health. Despite these trials, Job does not sin or blame God. 2. Dialogue (Chapters 3-31): This section consists of poetic dialogues between Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Each friend argues that Job's suffering must be a result of sin, urging him to repent. Job maintains his innocence and questions the justice of his suffering, expressing deep anguish and a desire for vindication. 3. Elihu's Speeches (Chapters 32-37): A younger man, Elihu, enters the discourse, offering a different perspective. He emphasizes God's greatness and justice, suggesting that suffering can be a means of divine instruction and refinement. 4. God's Response (Chapters 38-41): The Lord answers Job out of a whirlwind, challenging him with questions about the creation and order of the universe. God's speeches highlight His sovereignty and the limitations of human understanding. 5. Epilogue (Chapter 42): Job humbly acknowledges God's wisdom and repents for questioning His ways. God restores Job's fortunes, granting him double what he had before, and blesses him with a long life. Theological Themes: · Suffering and Divine Sovereignty: The Book of Job addresses the perplexing issue of why the righteous suffer. It affirms God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension. · Faith and Integrity: Job's unwavering faith and integrity, despite immense suffering, serve as a testament to genuine righteousness. His account encourages believers to trust in God's goodness, regardless of circumstances. · The Nature of God: Through God's speeches, the book reveals His majesty, power, and the intricate design of creation. It underscores the idea that God's purposes are ultimately beyond human understanding. · Human Limitation: The dialogues and God's response highlight the limitations of human wisdom and the need for humility before the Creator. Significance in the Canon: The Book of Job holds a significant place in the biblical canon as a profound exploration of the human condition and the nature of God. It challenges simplistic views of retribution and encourages a deeper trust in God's character. Its poetic beauty and philosophical depth have made it a timeless source of reflection and inspiration for believers throughout history. Key Verses: · Job 1:21 : "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." · Job 13:15 : "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face." · Job 42:5-6 : "My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes." The Book of Job remains a profound theological work, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries of suffering, the nature of God, and the depth of human faith. Smith's Bible Dictionary Book Of JobThis 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 .--
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. Job Job --Groping The Writings of Israel's Philosophers Job's Question, Jesus' Answer 'The End of the Lord' On the Interior Man On the Animals Sorrow that Worships Job. Resources What is the Book of Adam and Eve? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Book of Life? | GotQuestions.org What is the Book of Jubilees and should it be in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Book: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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