Job אִיּוֹב
A righteous man who endured great suffering
Who is Job in the Bible?
Job was a righteous man from the land of Uz who became the central figure of the Book of Job, known for his unwavering faith despite extreme suffering (Job 1:1-2:10). Described as blameless and upright, he lost his children, wealth, and health when God permitted Satan to test his faith, yet he maintained his integrity and refused to curse God (Job 1:22, 2:10). Throughout his ordeal, Job engaged in profound dialogues with three friends who came to comfort him, along with a fourth friend named Elihu, as he wrestled with questions about suffering and divine justice (Job 2:11-37:24). God ultimately responded to Job, reaffirming His sovereignty and wisdom, after which Job's fortunes were restored (Job 38-42:10). Job's story demonstrates the theological significance of faithful perseverance through suffering and remains one of Scripture's most profound meditations on faith, doubt, and God's inscrutability, with Job later cited by Ezekiel alongside Noah and Daniel as exemplars of righteousness (Ezekiel 14:14, 20).
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.
And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”
Biography
Job was a man from the land of Uz, described as blameless, upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (Job.1.1). He was blessed with seven sons, three daughters, and great wealth (Job.1.2-3). However, God allowed Satan to test Job's faith through a series of severe trials, including the loss of his children, wealth, and health (Job.1.6-2.10).
Throughout his suffering, Job maintained his integrity and did not sin against God (Job.1.22; 2.10). He engaged in a lengthy dialogue with his three friends - Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar - who came to comfort him but ultimately accused him of wrongdoing (Job.2.11-31.40). A fourth friend, Elihu, also spoke to Job, emphasizing God's justice and sovereignty (Job.32-37).
Finally, God spoke to Job, challenging him to understand the mysteries of creation and divine wisdom (Job.38-41). Job acknowledged God's power and repented of his questioning (Job.42.1-6). In the end, God restored Job's fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before, and blessed him with seven more sons and three more daughters (Job.42.10-17).
Job's story is a testament to faith in the face of adversity, and he is mentioned alongside Noah and Daniel as an example of righteousness (Ezk.14.14,20). His perseverance is also commended in the New Testament (Jas.5.11). The book of Job grapples with the question of suffering and the sovereignty of God, ultimately showcasing God's wisdom and the importance of trust in Him.
Family
Offspring
- Jemimah FemaleSister of KeziahOne of Job's daughters born after his restoration.View full profile →
- Keziah FemaleSister of JemimahJob's second daughter born after his restorationView full profile →
- Keren-happuch FemaleSister of JemimahJob's third daughter born after his restorationView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentJob 5 verses
- Job 1:1
"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil."
- Job 1:5
"And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice."
- Job 1:8
"Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”"
- Job 1:9
"Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?"
- Job 1:14
"a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אִיּוֹב |
| Greek | Greek | Ἰώβ |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Job
holder who lived in patriarchal times, or at least conditions, in the land of Uz, on the borders of Idumea. Outside of the Book of Job he is mentioned by Ezekiel (Eze 14:14,20) as one of 3 great personages whose representative righteousness would presumably avail, if that of any individuals could, to redeem the nation; the other two being Noah, an ancient patriarch, and Daniel, a contemporary of the prophet. It is difficult to determine whether Job was an actual personage or not. If known through legend, it must have been on account of some such experience as is narrated in the book, an experience unique enough to have become a potent household word; still, the power and influence of it is due to the masterly vigor and exposition of the story. It was the Job of literature, rather than the Job of legend, who lived in the hearts of men; a character so commanding that, albeit fictitious, it could be referred to as real, just as we refer to Hamlet or Othello. It is not the way of Hebrew writers, however, to evolve literary heroes from pure imagination; they crave an authentic basis of fact. It is probable that such a basis, in its essential outlines, existed under the story of Job. It is not necessary to suppose, however, that the legend or the name was known to Israel from ancient times. Job is introduced (Job 1:1) as if he had not been known before. The writer, who throughout the book shows a wide acquaintance with the world, doubtless found the legend somewhere, and drew its meanings together for an undying message to his and all times.
John Franklin Genung
|| I. INTRODUCTORY
1Place in the Canon
2Rank and Readers
IIThe Literary Framework
1Setting of Time, Place and Scene
2Characters and Personality
3Form and Style
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