Commentary on Job
Comprehensive analysis and insights from the Authorized King James Version (KJV)
Introduction to Job
Job is a wisdom book in the Old Testament that addresses life's fundamental questions and provides guidance for righteous living. The book explores themes of divine order, human experience, and practical ethics, offering insights for navigating the complexities of human existence.
Like other biblical wisdom literature, Job emphasizes the fear of the Lord as the foundation of true wisdom and contrasts the paths of wisdom and folly. The book demonstrates how reverence for God leads to discernment, virtue, and ultimately flourishing.
Throughout Job, readers encounter profound reflections on creation's order, human limitations, moral principles, and life's meaning. The book bridges theological truth and practical living, showing how divine wisdom applies to everyday decisions and relationships.
Historical Context
Job's setting reflects the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1800 BCE), though the book's composition may be later. The story occurs in the land of Uz, possibly in northern Arabia or southern Syria, among pastoral peoples contemporary with Abraham.
Wisdom Literature Context
Job belongs to the international wisdom tradition evident throughout the ancient Near East. Similar wisdom texts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan address suffering, divine justice, and human limitations. However, Job's monotheistic framework and covenant context distinguish it from its international parallels.
Literary Features
Job exemplifies biblical wisdom literature and poetic expression. The book uses carefully crafted language, figurative speech, and structural patterns to convey insights about divine order and human experience.
Poetic Structure
The poetry in Job primarily employs parallelism, where successive lines relate to each other in various ways:
- Synonymous parallelism - Second line restates the first with similar meaning
- Antithetic parallelism - Second line contrasts with the first
- Synthetic parallelism - Second line develops or completes the first
- Emblematic parallelism - One line uses a metaphor to illustrate the other
Literary Devices
Job employs numerous literary techniques including:
- Imagery - Vivid sensory language drawing on nature, daily life, and cultural practices
- Metaphor and simile - Comparisons that illuminate abstract concepts
- Acrostic patterns - Alphabetical arrangements that structure content
- Personification - Abstract qualities given human attributes (particularly wisdom)
These poetic features create aesthetic beauty while making the wisdom more memorable and impactful.
Key Passages in Job
Job 1:1
Opening statement establishing key themes
Job 10:1
Important development in the book's message
Job 21:1
Central teaching or turning point
Job 31:1
Application of key principles
Job 42:1
Concluding summary or final exhortation
Book Outline
Introduction and Background (1-10)
- Chapter 1 ( Job 1 Job 1: Chapter 1 )
- Chapter 2 ( Job 2 Job 2: Chapter 2 )
- Chapter 3 ( Job 3 Job 3: Chapter 3 )
- Chapter 4 ( Job 4 Job 4: Chapter 4 )
Main Section 1 (11-20)
- Chapter 11 ( Job 11 Job 11: Chapter 11 )
- Chapter 12 ( Job 12 Job 12: Chapter 12 )
- Chapter 13 ( Job 13 Job 13: Chapter 13 )
- Chapter 14 ( Job 14 Job 14: Chapter 14 )
Main Section 2 (21-30)
- Chapter 21 ( Job 21 Job 21: Chapter 21 )
- Chapter 22 ( Job 22 Job 22: Chapter 22 )
- Chapter 23 ( Job 23 Job 23: Chapter 23 )
- Chapter 24 ( Job 24 Job 24: Chapter 24 )
Conclusion and Final Exhortations (31-40)
- Chapter 31 ( Job 31 Job 31: Chapter 31 )
- Chapter 32 ( Job 32 Job 32: Chapter 32 )
- Chapter 33 ( Job 33 Job 33: Chapter 33 )
- Chapter 34 ( Job 34 Job 34: Chapter 34 )
Major Themes
The book develops several significant theological themes:
Divine Wisdom
True wisdom begins with reverence for God and aligns human understanding with divine perspective. This wisdom provides insight for navigating life's complexities and making decisions that honor God.
Creation's Order
The book reflects on patterns and principles embedded in the created order. By observing these patterns, humans can better understand how to live in harmony with God's design.
Human Experience
The text honestly addresses the full range of human emotions, questions, and struggles. This realistic portrayal validates authentic expression while directing these experiences toward God.
Ethical Living
Practical guidance for relationships, speech, work, and character development demonstrates how divine wisdom applies to everyday decisions and interactions.
Theological Significance
Job contributes significantly to biblical theology in several areas:
Understanding of God
The book reveals aspects of God's character and ways of working in history. Through divine actions, declarations, and interactions with humanity, Job deepens our understanding of God's attributes and purposes.
Covenant Relationship
The book develops aspects of God's covenant relationship with Israel, showing both divine faithfulness and the consequences of human response. These covenant dynamics establish patterns that inform later biblical theology and find fulfillment in Christ.
Ethical Framework
Through both explicit commands and narrative examples, Job contributes to the biblical understanding of righteous living. These ethical principles reflect God's character and establish standards that remain relevant for moral formation.
Messianic Anticipation
Various passages in Job contribute to the developing messianic hope in Scripture. These elements find ultimate fulfillment in Christ, demonstrating the progressive nature of divine revelation and the unity of God's redemptive plan.
Cross References to Other Books
- Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets - Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets
- Romans 15:4 Old Testament written for our instruction - Old Testament written for our instruction
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 Old Testament examples as warnings - Old Testament examples as warnings
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Scripture's inspiration and usefulness - Scripture's inspiration and usefulness
- Hebrews 1:1-2 God's revelation in the prophets and in His Son - God's revelation in the prophets and in His Son
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 2:2 [Text of Job 2:2] - Key teaching in verse 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 4:4 [Text of Job 4:4] - Key teaching in verse 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 5:1 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn? - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 6:1 But Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 6:6 [Text of Job 6:6] - Key teaching in verse 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 7:1 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 8:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 8:8 [Text of Job 8:8] - Key teaching in verse 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 9 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 9:1 Then Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 10
Chapter 10 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 10:1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 10:10 [Text of Job 10:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 11:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 12:1 And Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 12:10 [Text of Job 12:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it. - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 14
Chapter 14 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 14:10 [Text of Job 14:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 15
Chapter 15 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 15:1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 16
Chapter 16 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 16:1 Then Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 16:10 [Text of Job 16:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 17
Chapter 17 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 17:1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 18
Chapter 18 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 18:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 18:10 [Text of Job 18:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 19
Chapter 19 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 19:1 Then Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 20
Chapter 20 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 20:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 20:10 [Text of Job 20:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 21
Chapter 21 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 21:1 But Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 22
Chapter 22 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 22:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 22:10 [Text of Job 22:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 23
Chapter 23 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 23:1 Then Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 24
Chapter 24 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 24:1 Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 24:10 [Text of Job 24:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 25
Chapter 25 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 25:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 26
Chapter 26 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 26:1 But Job answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 26:10 [Text of Job 26:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 27
Chapter 27 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 27:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 28
Chapter 28 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 28:1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 28:10 [Text of Job 28:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 29
Chapter 29 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 29:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 30
Chapter 30 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 30:1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 30:10 [Text of Job 30:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 31
Chapter 31 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 32
Chapter 32 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 32:10 [Text of Job 32:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 33
Chapter 33 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 34
Chapter 34 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 34:1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 34:10 [Text of Job 34:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 35
Chapter 35 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 35:1 Elihu spake moreover, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 36
Chapter 36 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 36:1 Elihu also proceeded, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 36:10 [Text of Job 36:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 37
Chapter 37 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 37:1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 38
Chapter 38 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 38:10 [Text of Job 38:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 39
Chapter 39 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 39:1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 40
Chapter 40 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 40:10 [Text of Job 40:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Chapter 41
Chapter 41 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? - Opening verse of the chapter
Chapter 42
Chapter 42 of Job continues the narrative with important developments and teachings.
Key Verses:
- Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, - Opening verse of the chapter
- Job 42:10 [Text of Job 42:10] - Key teaching in verse 10
Contemporary Application
This book provides valuable insights for contemporary application:
Understanding God's Character
The book reveals aspects of God's nature that remain relevant for today's believers. These divine attributes provide the foundation for theology, worship, and spiritual formation. Understanding God's character shapes our expectations, prayers, and relationship with Him.
Covenant Faithfulness
God's commitment to His covenant promises demonstrates His trustworthiness and faithfulness. This encourages believers to trust God's promises today and to model similar faithfulness in relationships and commitments. The covenant pattern also informs our understanding of baptism and communion as signs of the new covenant.
Ethical Guidance
While specific applications may require contextual adaptation, the book's ethical principles provide timeless guidance for moral decision-making. These principles address relationships, justice, integrity, and other aspects of personal and community life. They challenge contemporary cultural values that contradict biblical standards.
Spiritual Formation
The examples of both faithfulness and failure provide learning opportunities for spiritual development. These biblical accounts invite self-examination and encourage growth in godly character. They remind believers that spiritual formation involves both divine grace and human responsibility.