The book of Job is one of the Old Testament’s most intriguing works, according to some academics and critics, who have questioned its veracity, authorship, date of composition, and central idea or aim.
The book of Job has received much literary acclaim. Some academics assert that its author is among the greatest writers in human history. According to a quote from Tennyson, the book of Job is “the greatest poem of antiquity or modern times.” It was described as “one of the greatest things ever written with a pen” by Carlisle. â1.
It is a magnificent dramatic poem that is a part of the Old Testament’s philosophic or wisdom literature. The prologue refers to the first two chapters, which detail Job’s struggles. The three main sections of the book are as follows: part one, false consolation from Job’s three friends (Job 3–31); part two, speeches from Elihu (Job 32–37); and part three, speeches from the Lord (Job 38–42:6). The three friends of Job receive a divine rebuke in the epilogue, and Job is restored and receives his reward in full (Job 42:7–17).
However, some biblical scholars have difficulty with the book of Job’s greatness as literature because they think it is fiction2 and that Job was not a real person. 3 However, substantial evidence exists to the contrary. A conservative scholar, M. J. There is no compelling evidence to dispute that Job was a real person or to argue that the events described in the book are not historically accurate, according to Unger. â4.
Scriptures place Job among the prophets, proving that he was a real man. For instance, the Lord tells Ezekiel about Noah, Daniel, and Job as three great men. (See Ezek. 14:14, 20. ) James also refers to Job. (See James 5:11. ) Doctrine and Covenants 121:10 [D&C 121:10], where the Lord refers to Job in response to the Prophet Joseph Smith’s plea, provides modern-day scriptural proof of Job’s existence.
Even though we believe Job was a real ancient prophet, that does not settle the authorship issue. Like John in the New Testament, did Job pen the book himself in the third person, or did a later prophet or scribe condense his writings?
The book’s publication date may contain hints about its author, but academics disagree on the dating. Some academics contend that the events date back to the patriarchal era. Others place the book’s publication between the 4th and 3rd centuries B C. Others date Job in Solomonâs era. 5.
If the Elihu mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 84:9 [D&C 84:9] is the same Elihu in Job 32, the book of Job would have been written around 1600 B.C., or roughly the second century before Moses. C. ). It’s possible that the book was a record that Moses brought from Midian, the country of his father-in-law Jethro, if this assumption and the date are true.
According to early Jewish tradition, Moses wrote the book of Job. The Talmud Sota V. He wrote it before penning the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses), according to Baba Bathra verses 8 and 14b and 15a. However, it is equally possible that when the Talmud claims that a specific man “wrote” a particular book, he merely copied or abbreviated it. Hezekiah and his team, for instance, wrote Isaiah, Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes, according to Baba Bathra 15a. â Wrote can refer to something that has been edited or compiled. Therefore, the Talmud speculates that Moses may have copied or condensed Job’s writings.
According to some authors, Amram and Jochebed, the parents of Moses, and Job were both alive at the same time. One of the early church’s most knowledgeable fathers, Eusebius, about A D. 300, believed that Job lived about 1800 B. C. If these dates for Job and Elihu are accurate (which we cannot be certain they are), they would indicate that the book of Job was written at least a century before Moses, or more specifically, during one of the four generations between Abraham and Moses.
The question posed by the book of Job is not at the center of the controversy surrounding the theme; rather, it is the question’s resolution. The book was written, according to almost all biblical scholars, to answer a question that has confounded mankind since the dawn of time: “Why do the righteous suffer, and how can their suffering be reconciled with an all-powerful and infinitely holy God?”7
Although they concur on the question, biblical scholars enjoy speculating on potential solutions. According to some, it is illustrated in Job 13:15, which says, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” which expresses the explicit faith that one should have in God. Others claim that the book illustrates the need for patience when enduring suffering, even when the cause is not always clear. According to a biblical scholar, the primary goal of the book of Job is to “contradict the prevalent theory that all suffering results from sin.” These are all significant lessons to be learned from the book of Job.
However, the Lord’s oft-quoted words to Joseph Smith, “Thou art not yet as Job,” hold the key to the main concept to be drawn from Job. â (D&C 121:10. It is clear from verse 10 that the Prophet Joseph Smith had not yet experienced all of his suffering; however, verse 8 [D&C 121:8] promises him that if he endured his suffering well, God would exalt him and that he would triumph over all his enemies. The implication is that one of the steps leading to exaltation is enduring afflictions well.
It is possible to view enduring trials and tribulations with the right mindset and spirit as a purging or purifying process. The Savior stated:
Every branch within me that does not bear fruit is cut off, and every branch that does bear fruit is cleansed so that it may bear more fruit. â (John 15:1â2. ).
Modern revelation reiterates the need to be cleansed and purified while still on earth: “But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not cleansed shall not abide the day.” â (D&C 38:8. ).
The message seems to be twofold: exaltation requires purging and purifying, which are provided by suffering, and exaltation depends, at least in part, on how well one endures the suffering.
This is the fundamental message of the book of Job, according to Elder John Taylor: “Why was he put through this? That he might, as stated elsewhere, be made perfect through suffering.” â (In Journal of Discourses, 18:310. ).
For I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day, as Alma explained the purpose of afflictions and the eternal results from enduring them well. â (Alma 36:3. ).
And if children, then joint-heirs with Christ and heirs of God, if we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified together. â (Rom. 8:16â17. ).
All people go through suffering, the evil for their evil, and the righteous for their eternal glory. Paul emphasized that it is preferable to suffer for doing good deeds rather than for doing evil deeds. â (1 Pet. 3:17. ).
We must be willing to endure the purging that purifies if we expect to be exalted.
As a result, the book of Job is not only a source of comfort for those who have experienced suffering, but also a manual that can help us get ready to endure trials successfully. When viewed in this way, Job’s message assumes a powerful, energizing, and vitalizing meaning for each of our personal lives.
Who wrote the mysterious book of Job and Who is Job?
Even though we believe Job was a real ancient prophet, that does not settle the authorship issue. Like John in the New Testament, did Job pen the book himself in the third person, or did a later prophet or scribe condense his writings?
It is possible to view enduring trials and tribulations with the right mindset and spirit as a purging or purifying process. The Savior stated:
Although they concur on the question, biblical scholars enjoy speculating on potential solutions. According to some, it is illustrated in Job 13:15, which says, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” which expresses the explicit faith that one should have in God. Others claim that the book illustrates the need for patience when enduring suffering, even when the cause is not always clear. According to a biblical scholar, the primary goal of the book of Job is to “contradict the prevalent theory that all suffering results from sin.” These are all significant lessons to be learned from the book of Job.
If the Elihu mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 84:9 [D&C 84:9] is the same Elihu in Job 32, the book of Job would have been written around 1600 B.C., or roughly the second century before Moses. C. ). It’s possible that the book was a record that Moses brought from Midian, the country of his father-in-law Jethro, if this assumption and the date are true.
The message seems to be twofold: exaltation requires purging and purifying, which are provided by suffering, and exaltation depends, at least in part, on how well one endures the suffering.
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Who Wrote the Book of Job?
The Dead Sea Scrolls contained the Book of Job. It is one of the books in the Hebrew Bible. Ancient Jewish tradition credits its authorship to Moses. According to the Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra, 14b, 15a), “Moses wrote his own book, and the passages about Balaam and Job.”
Moses spent 40 years in the land of Median, which lends considerable support to the early claim that he wrote the Book of Job. He would gain a solid understanding of the land of Uz from this area. Additionally, Moses’ Egyptian tradition explains the allusions to Egyptian culture that are made in the book. Additionally, the idea of God as Creator and Sustainer fits in well with the account of creation in Moses’ book of Genesis.
Other Bible authors hardly ever use a number of other terms that are prevalent in the books of Moses and the Book of Job. El-Shaddai, “the Almighty,” is referred to 31 times in the book of Job and six times in the book of Genesis, respectively. However, it is not used in the Scriptures in this particular form anywhere else. Although Moses is given credit for writing the Book of Job, it is still possible that Job himself wrote most of the content before Moses did. The book is thought to have been written between the fourth and the sixth century BCE.
Some contemporary scholars disagree with the notion that Moses wrote the Book of Job and propose that Elihu, Solomon, and Ezra instead were its authors. Others think the book was written by an unidentified author who lived during the time of Solomon, David, or the Captivity. However, there isn’t enough evidence to support these later suggestions. The difference in writing styles between Job and the other books attributed to Moses is the basis for the Bible scholars’ rejection of the Mosaic authorship. But their proposals are weak because of the clear parallels.
FAQ
Who Wrote the Bible Book of Job?
According to early Jewish tradition, Moses wrote the book of Job. The Talmud Sota V. He wrote it before penning the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses), according to Baba Bathra verses 8 and 14b and 15a.
When did Moses write the Book of Job?
The 6th century BCE is the most likely time period for various reasons, with scholars generally agreeing that it was written between the 7th and 4th centuries BCE.
Is the story of Job a true story?
The vast majority of rabbis believed that Job was a real historical figure who existed. According to a minority view, Job never existed. According to this interpretation, Job was a prophet who created literature and used it to communicate a divine message.
Who is talking in the Book of Job?
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, three of Job’s friends, pay him a visit. Out of respect for his mourning, they sit with Job in silence for seven days. Job speaks on the seventh day, starting a conversation in which the four men each express their views on Job’s suffering in lengthy, poetic statements.
