Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Original Language Analysis
הָאִ֣ישׁ
There was a man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
There was a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ע֖וּץ
of Uz
H5780
ע֖וּץ
of Uz
Strong's:
H5780
Word #:
4 of 15
uts, a son of aram, also a seirite, and the regions settled by them
שְׁמ֑וֹ
whose name
H8034
שְׁמ֑וֹ
whose name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
6 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָאִ֣ישׁ
There was a man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
There was a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
תָּ֧ם
was perfect
H8535
תָּ֧ם
was perfect
Strong's:
H8535
Word #:
10 of 15
complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
James 5:11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.Ezekiel 14:14Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 14:20Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.Job 2:3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.Job 1:8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?Genesis 6:9These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Genesis 17:1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.Genesis 22:12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Historical Context
The land of Uz was likely located in northern Arabia or Edom, east of Israel. The patriarchal setting (evidenced by Job's long lifespan, lack of Mosaic law references, and wealth measured in livestock) places this narrative around 2000-1800 BC, contemporary with Abraham. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature addressed universal human concerns—suffering, justice, mortality—making Job's non-Israelite setting appropriate for exploring theodicy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's own testimony about Job's character challenge us to live with the integrity that God Himself would commend?
- What does Job's position as a righteous Gentile teach about God's universal standards and grace beyond ethnic Israel?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The opening verse establishes Job's character with four Hebrew terms defining his righteousness. 'Perfect' (tam, תָּם) means complete, whole, or having integrity—not sinless perfection but wholehearted devotion. 'Upright' (yashar, יָשָׁר) denotes moral straightness, walking the right path without deviation. 'Feared God' (yare Elohim, יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים) describes reverential awe that produces obedience—the foundation of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). 'Eschewed evil' (sur me-ra, סוּר מֵרָע) means turning away from or departing from evil, showing active resistance to sin. Together these terms paint Job as the Old Testament's exemplar of righteousness, comparable only to Noah and Daniel (Ezekiel 14:14). This introduction is critical because it establishes that Job's coming suffering cannot result from personal sin—God Himself testifies to Job's character.