Job (Biblical figure)
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Job (Hebrew אִיּוֹב, Arabic: أيوب, Standard Hebrew Iyyov, Tiberian Hebrew ʾIyyôḇ), was the protagonist of the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible.
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In the Hebrew Bible
According to the Hebrew Bible, Job lived in the land of Uz (location unknown). He was an extremely wealthy man for his time and was declared to be the greatest man amongst the people of the East; he was righteous, prosperous and had a large family. Job suddenly lost his family and wealth, but maintained his integrity and was eventually rewarded with even greater prosperity than before. Job lived 140 years after his time of trial, 248 years in all, long enough to see his great-grandchildren.
Job is also mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel (14:14,20), along with Noah and Daniel, as among the most righteous men.
Jewish view of Job
Classical Torah scholarship has not doubted Job's existence. He was seen as a real and powerful figure. The scholars of Orthodox Judaism maintain that Job was in fact one of three advisors that Pharaoh consulted, prior to taking action against the increasingly multiplying "Children of Israel" mentioned in the Book of Exodus during the time of Moses' birth. The episode is mentioned in the Talmud (Tractate Sotah): Balaam gives evil advice urging Pharaoh to kill the Hebrew male new-born babies; Jethro opposes Pharaoh and tells him not to harm the Hebrews at all, and Job keeps silent and does not reveal his mind even though he was personally opposed to Pharaoh's destructive plans. It is for his silence, that God subsequently punishes him with his bitter afflictions. [1].
There is a minority view amoung Rabinnical scholars, for instance that of Rabbi Simeon ben Laqish, that says Job never existed (Midrash Genesis Rabbah LXVII). In this view, Job was a literary creation by a prophet who used this form of writing to convey a divine message. On the other hand, the Talmud (in Tractate Baba Batra 15a-16b) goes to great lengths trying to ascertain when Job actually lived, citing many opinions and interpretations by the leading sages. Job is further mentioned in the Talmud as follows [2]:
- Job's resignation to his fate (in Tractate Pesachim 2b)
- When Job was prosperous, anyone who associated with him even to buy from him or sell to him, was blessed (in Tractate Pesachim 112a)
- Job's reward for being generous (in Tractate Megillah 28a)
- King David, Job and Ezekiel described the Torah's length without putting a number to it (in Tractate Eruvin 21a)
In Christianity
The book of Job is referred to in the Epistle to Hebrews 12:5; and in the First Epistle to the Corinthians 3:19.
The book of Job narrates the tragedy of the loss of his children, wealth, and physical soundness. The book begins with an introduction to Job's character, stating that he was a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil, and gives an overview of his riches. It chronicles a dialogue between Satan and God; Satan challenges Job's integrity, ending in God giving Job into Satan's hand. The main portion of the text consists of the discourse of Job and his three friends, ending in God answering Job. Themes of the book include the omnipotence of God and restoration.
Job's declaration "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25) is considered by Christians to be a proto-Christian statement of belief, and is the basis of several Christian hymns.
Some hold that Job was not a real historical figure. In this view, the narrative is a parable, written under divine inspiration in order to teach theological truths, but was never meant to be taken as literally true in a historical sense.
Other Christians believe that Job was a real historical figure. Such believers accept the narrative statements in the book which treat Job as an actual person; this belief is also based on the references to Job in the Book of Ezekiel and in the Epistle of James. Secular verification of Job's historicity, however, is lacking. However, some Christians might note that this is not unusual considering few people of the ancient world have left any trace by which their existence might be proven today.
In Islam
In the Qur'an he is known as Ayub (Arabic: أيوب ) and is considered a prophet in Islam.
In Palestinian folk tradition Ayub's place of trial is Al-Joura, a village outside the town of Al Majdal (now Ashkelon). It was there where God rewarded him with a fountain of youth that removed whatever illness(es) he had, and gave him back his youth. The town of Al-Joura was a place of annual festivities (4 days in all) when people of many faiths gathered and bathed in a natural spring.
In Arabic language the name Ayub is symbolic of the virtue of patience, though it does not mean patience in itself.
