Name
The title “Job” is based on Job, the central character of the book.
Author
The authorship of Job is unknown. The book itself makes no mention of authorship. Based on the writing, the author was knowledgeable and wise. The author’s use of God’s name YHWH (Yahweh), indicates that he was an Israelite. Some suggest Job himself may have written the book, but others ascribe it to Moses or even Solomon.
Genre
Poetry. A mixture of prose and poetry (mostly poetry), dialog and monologue
Literary Form
A mixture of lawsuit terminology, wisdom disputation, and lament
Time Frame
The date of the book of Job is unknown. Scholar’s estimates range from the era of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Issac, Jacob — 2100 – 1900 B.C.) to the sixth century B.C. Much of the language and the events referenced point to the time of the Patriarchs.
Emphasis
The book of Job emphasizes God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and trustworthiness in all of life’s situations. Specifically,
- A major portion of the book of Job concerns ethical values as they relate to character.
- An individual’s position of righteousness before God: man’s self- righteousness versus God’s inherent righteousness.
- God’s justice stems from His righteousness.
Outline
- Prologue: The testing of Job (1:1-2:13)
- The debate between Job and his friends (3:1-31:40)
- The intervention of Elihu (chapters 32:1-37:24)
- The revelation of the Lord (38:1-42:6)
- Epilogue: The triumph of Job (42:7-42:17)
