Background and Outline (Job)
Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project
The author of Job is anonymous. Job does not seem to be an Israelite, because he is said to be from the land of Uz (Job 1:1), which most scholars suggest was to the southeast of ancient Israel. Because he is cited in the book of Ezekiel (Ezek. 14:14, 20), it seems best to date his story no later than Ezekiel’s life (6th Century BC). His story, in any case, is timeless.
The book contains a wide variety of literary genres (narrative, poetry, visions, dialogue and others) woven together into a literary masterpiece. The most commonly accepted outline identifies two cycles of lament, dialogue, and revelation, sandwiched between a prologue and an epilogue:
Job 1:1-2:11 |
Prologue - Job's Prosperity Lost |
Job 3:1-26 |
Job's First Lament |
Job 4:1-27:23 |
Dialogue With the Three Friends |
Job 28:1-28 |
Wisdom Revealed |
Job 29:1-31:40 |
Job's Second Lament |
Job 32:1-37:24 |
Dialogue With Elihu |
Job 38:1-42:6 |
God Revealed |
Job 42:7-17 |
Epilogue - Job's Prosperity Restored |
Contributors: Timothy Johnson
Adopted by the Theology of Work Project Board April 28, 2011. Rev. June 28, 2011..
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