Introduction to Job

Cycles in Job Table

Wisdom Literature

How to Study the Bible

1:1 the land of Uz The exact location of Uz is unknown. It was either near Edom (Gen 36:28; Lam 4:21) in the south or Aram in the north (Gen 10:22–23).

blameless Job is presented as an ideal person—a man of integrity devoted to God.

upright The Hebrew term used here, yashar, refers to something that is straight or level (compare Isa 26:7; Jer 31:9). It indicates honesty and righteousness (Psa 11:7; Prov 11:6). To be yashar is to be obedient to God (Exod 15:26; Deut 6:18).

God-fearing Describes a reverent attitude of respect, obedience, and trust toward God. Fearing God is closely associated with wisdom (e.g., Prov 1:7; Psa 111:10). Job’s integrity is a result of his attitude toward God. See notes on Job 1:9.

Fearing God in the Old Testament

turning away from evil A common attribute of a wise person in Proverbs (Prov 3:7; 14:16). This indicates that Job rejected wickedness and also pursued good (Pss 34:14; 37:27; Prov 4:27).

1:2 seven sons and three daughters Considered an ideal family (see Job 42:13). The number seven is symbolic of completeness in the ancient world (e.g., Gen 2:2–3; 1 Sam 2:5), and three was also a prominent number (e.g., Gen 6:10). The same ratio applies to Job’s sheep and camels (Job 1:3).

1:3 seven thousand sheep and goats Wealth was often measured by the number of livestock or servants (Gen 26:12–14; 30:43). Job was extremely wealthy; Nabal, who is described as being very rich, had only 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats (1 Sam 25:2).

greater than all Job was the greatest in terms of wealth, family, and integrity.

1:5 burnt offerings Job—a pious man—was also concerned with his children’s holiness. Not only were burnt offerings part of the law of Israel (Exod 29:38–41; Lev 1); they were also part of worship before the law was introduced (Gen 8:20; 22:2; Exod 10:25).

cursed God Job was concerned that his children might have unintentionally cursed God. See note on Job 1:11.

their heart In ancient Israelite thought, the heart was considered the center of a person’s character and primarily represented their cognitive abilities (1 Sam 16:7; Psa 24:4). The people of Israel were commanded to love Yahweh with all their hearts (Deut 6:4; Psa 9:1). See note on Exod 4:21.

Old Testament Anthropology

1:6 the sons of God The Hebrew phrase used here, bene elohim, which may be literally rendered as “sons of God,” refers to spiritual beings who (in this instance) are part of God’s council—the divine council. For this reason, some translations render the phrase bene elohim here and elsewhere as “angels.” See note on Gen 6:2.

Genesis 6 and the Sons of God

Deuteronomy 32:8 and the Sons of God

present themselves before Yahweh Portrays a divine council (Psa 82:1) with heavenly beings coming to report before the King, Yahweh. See note on Gen 1:26.

Satan The Hebrew word used here, satan, literally means “the accuser” or “the adversary.” He is likely acting as a prosecutor in a courtroom-like scene. In the ot, the term satan is often used to describe an adversary in general—whether human or divine (compare 1 Kgs 11:23–25). For example, in the Hebrew text of Num 22:22, the Angel of Yahweh is also described as a satan.

Satan in the Old Testament and the Serpent of Genesis 3

1:7 roaming Elsewhere, the Hebrew term used here describes people searching for something (Jer 5:1; Amos 8:12). The image of the satan figure wandering the earth looking for someone to accuse is similar to the nt depiction of the devil in 1 Pet 5:8 (compare note on Job 1:6).

1:8 my servant Job Yahweh singles out Job as the ideal example of humanity.

a blameless man and upright Mirrors the narrator’s description of Job in v. 1.

1:9 Job fear God for nothing The question of the source of Job’s piety lies at the heart of this book’s message: It may be a result of his blessing, or a response to God’s character and power (chs. 38–41). The satan figure summarizes Job’s piety with the phrase “fear God” (compare note on v. 1). Job was blameless and upright because he feared God.

1:10 You have blessed the work of his hands The satan figure suggests that God’s blessing is the reason for Job’s piety.

1:11 he will curse you to your face Here and in Job 1:5; 2:5; and 2:9 the Hebrew text actually uses the word for bless (barakh), not curse. This wording is antiphrastic—using a term with the opposite of its typical meaning. The use avoids having the biblical text explicitly say “curse God” in Hebrew. The dual usage of barakh, however, adds a layer of irony to the exchange since in v. 21 Job actually does bless Yahweh, even though he had lost his wealth. In v. 5, Job was concerned that his children might curse God “in their hearts.” Here, the satan figure asserts that—once God removes His blessing from Job—Job will curse God directly.

1:12 all that belongs to him God allows the satan figure to afflict Job, but only up to a point (compare 2:6 and note; note on v. 6). This conversation, and the real reason for his suffering, is never revealed to Job despite his many cries for an explanation (e.g., 7:20–21; 10:2–3; 23:2–7; 31:35).

1:13 sons and his daughters were eating and drinking One of the days described in v. 4.

1:15 the Sabeans Probably the inhabitants of Sheba in Southern Arabia (1 Kgs 10:1–13).

1:16 While this one was still speaking This phrase—repeated in Job 1:17 and 1:18—shows that Job received these catastrophic reports in sequence.

The fire of God fell from the heavens Probably refers to lightning (Num 11:1–3).

1:17 The Chaldeans The ancestors of the later Babylonian Empire. They would have most likely come from Mesopotamia toward the northeast.

1:19 a great wind came from across the desert Like the second catastrophe, this final catastrophe is meteorological. Two of the devastating events were natural disasters, and two were caused by people.

1:20 tore his outer garment and shaved his head Typical gestures of mourning (Gen 37:34; Ezra 9:3; Jer 7:29).

he worshiped Job acts unexpectedly. Instead of launching into a prayer of lamentation or mourning (Josh 7:6–8), he worships God.

1:21 Yahweh gives, and Yahweh takes If God chooses to give to Job, he will accept that. If God allows for what Job has to be taken away, he will accept that too. It will not change his belief in God.

Let Yahweh’s name be blessed See note on Job 1:11. Rather than curse God as the satan figure had predicted (v. 11), Job blesses His name.

1:22 Job did not sin and did not charge God Job unknowingly passes the satan figure’s first challenge (compare note on v. 6). He has shown that he does not fear God just because God has blessed him.