Skip to content
Home » Who is Job Writing To in the Bible?

Who is Job Writing To in the Bible?

When you open your Bible, you will rarely find the person named ‘Job’ in a good mood. The renowned book of Job is chock-full of bad-hair days, wrong turnings, and frustrating trials. Few books give you such a clear picture of what it means to be ‘human’. Here are some fascinating tidbits about the biblical character Job and his epic struggle with God.

A Long and Painful History

The Book of Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible and is generally accepted to have been written between the years 400 and 300 BC. Its first three chapters are believed to have been composed some time between 8 and 4 BC. The last three chapters were probably added later. The author of the Book of Job, who was likely a man named Job, was a very wealthy and pious scholar who lived in what is now Turkey about 3000 years ago. The Book of Job is actually two books in one; this is because the author alternates between two different voices. The first voice is that of Job, the second is that of the fictitious ‘Wise’ Man. It is said that the first part of the work is modelled closely after the author’s own suffering and endurance. In the beginning of the 21st century, archaeologists found numerous clay tablets in what is now Iraq that were accidentally dropped by birds and washed to the sea. The tablets, which were inscribed in cuneiform, provided detailed records of the daily transactions of a Sumerian merchant named Rim-Sin. One of the merchants sold oil, gum, and honey; another traded grain, wine, and clothing; and a third sold animals and metal tools.

A Sumerian legend says that one of the gods, Sin, taught humanity the use of paper and ink. The tablets provide ample evidence that paper was used in ancient Sumeria. Unfortunately for the mercantile class, the clay tablets did not survive the flood. We do not know how or where Job spent his exile, but it is quite clear that God rescued him and gave him a new family (Job has seven sons and daughters). Job was eventually pardoned of all his sins and returned to live in comfort with his wife and children. The Book of Job ends with the triumphant return of the righteous and prosperous Job to his community. Themes of adversity and perseverance are woven throughout the text, and the book’s ending encourages the reader to trust in God rather than worldly achievements. Modern readers can learn a lot from this ancient story about the human spirit and its ability to rise above overwhelming odds. Whether or not you believe in God, you have to respect the power of religion and the wisdom of olden times.

A Literary Masterpiece

The Book of Job is a masterpiece of literature that has inspired countless authors and creative people. It has been called ‘the Bible’s most famous quest’ and ‘the greatest theological tragedy ever written’. Here are some of the most interesting tidbits about the Book of Job and the great literary masterpiece that it is:

  • The Book of Job is actually two books in one. Its first three chapters are believed to have been composed some time between 8 and 4 BC, and the last three chapters were probably added later. The writer of the Book of Job, who was likely a man named Job, was a very wealthy and pious scholar who lived in what is now Turkey about 3000 years ago. His family was the first to believe in his innocence after he was accused of a terrible crime. Despite this, Job was afflicted with terrible trials that tested his faith in God. The Book of Job is actually two books in one; its first three chapters are believed to have been composed some time between 8 and 4 BC, and the last three chapters were probably added later. The writer of the Book of Job, who was likely a man named Job, was a very wealthy and pious scholar who lived in what is now Turkey about 3000 years ago. His family was the first to believe in his innocence after he was accused of a terrible crime. Despite this, Job was afflicted with terrible trials that tested his faith in God. In the beginning of the 21st century, archaeologists found numerous clay tablets in what is now Iraq that were accidentally dropped by birds and washed to the sea. The tablets, which were inscribed in cuneiform, provided detailed records of the daily transactions of a Sumerian merchant named Rim-Sin. One of the merchants sold oil, gum, and honey; another traded grain, wine, and clothing; and a third sold animals and metal tools.

  • The Book of Job is often cited as the Bible’s most famous ‘quest’. The great literary masterpiece has been called ‘the Bible’s most famous quest’ and ‘the greatest theological tragedy ever written’. Here are some interesting tidbits about the Book of Job and the great literary masterpiece that it is:
    • The Book of Job is actually two books in one; its first three chapters are believed to have been composed some time between 8 and 4 BC, and the last three chapters were probably added later. The author of the Book of Job, who was likely a man named Job, was a very wealthy and pious scholar who lived in what is now Turkey about 3000 years ago. His family was the first to believe in his innocence after he was accused of a terrible crime. Despite this, Job was afflicted with terrible trials that tested his faith in God. The Book of Job is actually two books in one; its first three chapters are believed to have been composed some time between 8 and 4 BC, and the last three chapters were probably added later. The author of the Book of Job, who was likely a man named Job, was a very wealthy and pious scholar who lived in what is now Turkey about 3000 years ago. His family was the first to believe in his innocence after he was accused of a terrible crime. Despite this, Job was afflicted with terrible trials that tested his faith in God. In the beginning of the 21st century, archaeologists found numerous clay tablets in what is now Iraq that were accidentally dropped by birds and washed to the sea. The tablets, which were inscribed in cuneiform, provided detailed records of the daily transactions of a Sumerian merchant named Rim-Sin. One of the merchants sold oil, gum, and honey; another traded grain, wine, and clothing; and a third sold animals and metal tools.
    • The Book of Job is filled with symbolism and allusions to other texts. It is teeming with allegories that can only be comprehended by a literary genius. For example, the Hebrew word for ‘trouble’ and the Egyptian word for ‘red’ are both translated as ‘Job’ in the Bible. The words ‘red’ and ‘sauce’ are also both translated as ‘Job’ in the Bible. The word ‘saliva’ is also translated as ‘Job’. It is said that the author of the Book of Job, who was likely a man named Job, was inspired by a dream he had about seven wizards seeking to bring him unprecedented misery. In the dream, seven different comets were aligned to strike the Earth. When these comets are aligned, it is said to portend terrible times. The Book of Job is indeed rich in allegories and can leave the average reader in awe. Its rich symbolism and allusions to other works of literature would not be lost on the great Renaissance artists, whose works are still among the most recognisable in art history.
    • The Book of Job is a unique manuscript in that it is a ‘point-counterpoint’ structure. The text is made up of alternating verses, which are usually in the same metre (lines of poetry or songs) but deal with completely different themes. The first part of the book is framed by two long poetic arguments between Job and his three friends. The first chapter is introduced by the line, “Now it happened one day that…” The pattern continues through the entire book, with each set of arguments concluded by a verse of lamentation. Modern readers can learn a lot from this ancient story about the human spirit and its ability to rise above overwhelming odds. Whether or not you believe in God, you have to respect the power of religion and the wisdom of olden times.
    • The Epic Struggle With God

      The Book of Job is often cited as the Bible’s most famous ‘quest’. It has been called ‘the Bible’s most famous quest’ and ‘the greatest theological tragedy ever written’. Here are some interesting tidbits about the epic struggle between Job and God: