Job

Job by Léon Bonnat, 1880.

Job (/'dʒoʊb/; Hebrew: אִיּוֹב, Modern Iyyov Tiberian ʾIyyôḇ ; Arabic: أيّوب‎, ʾ Ayoub), is a gentile man in the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible, as well as a prophet in Islam. In brief, the book begins with an introduction to Job's character — he is described as a blessed man who lives righteously. Satan, however, challenges Job's integrity, arguing that Job serves God simply because of the "hedge" with which God protects him. God progressively removes that protection, allowing Satan to take his wealth, his children, and his physical health. Job remains loyal throughout, and does not curse God. The main portion of the text consists of the discourse of Job and his three friends concerning why Job was so punished, after which God steps in to answer Job and his friends. The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning and he lived 140 years (Job 42:16-17).

In ancient literature

Job appears in several works of ancient literature:

• He is the protagonist of the Book of Job from the Hebrew Bible/Christian Old Testament.
• He is mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel ^[1]
• He is briefly referenced in the Christian Epistle of James.
• He is discussed as a prophet in the Qur'an.
• He is also the protagonist of a pseudepigraphal book called the Testament of Job.

Job in Judaism

A clear majority of Rabbinical Torah scholars saw Job as having existed in real life. He was seen as a real and powerful figure. Some 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.^[2]

There is a minority view among Rabbinical 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 ^[3]:

• 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).

Job in Christianity

Christianity accepts the Book of Job as canon in the Old Testament and thus contains the same information regarding Job as discussed above in the Hebrew Bible. In addition, Job is mentioned in the New Testament: the Epistle of James 5:11 cites Job as an example of perseverance in suffering. The New Testament also quotes and references the Book of Job throughout.

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.

He is commemorated as a patriarch by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in their Calendar of Saints on May 9, and in the Calendar of saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church on August 30.

Job in Islam

In the Qur'an, which is written in Arabic, Job is known as Ayyoub (Arabic: أيّوب‎) and considered a prophet in Islam. In the Arabic language the name of Job (Ayyūb) is symbolic of the virtue of patience, though it does not mean patience in itself.

There are a number of references to Job in the Qur'an. They include:

• Job's prophecy: 4:163, 6:84
• Trial and patience: 21:83, 21:84, 38:41, 38:42, 38:43, 38:44

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of gold locusts fell on him and he started collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him, 'O Job! Have I not made you rich enough to need what you see? He said, 'Yes, O Lord! But I cannot dispense with your Blessing.Volume 4, Book 55, Number 604: Sahih Bukhari)

Local traditions regarding Job

In Palestinian folk tradition Job's place of trial is Al-Joura, a village outside the town of Al Majdal. It was there God rewarded him with a fountain of youth that removed whatever illnesses 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.

An outer view of the Druze shrine of Prophet Job

The tomb of Job, outside Salalah, Oman

In Turkish tradition, Job is known as Eyyûb or Eyüp and lived in Şanlıurfa’^[4].

There is also a tomb of Job in Jabal Qara outside the city of Salalah in Southern Oman.

Additionally, the Druze community also maintains a tomb for the Prophet Job in the El-Chouf mountain district in Lebanon. (See photo on right) Cultural Heritage

See also

• Book of Job
• Elihu
• Prophets of Islam
• Testament of Job.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Job

• Book of Job (English)
• Book of Job with Hebrew and English
• Themes of Job
• Summary of Job's life.
• A resource page network on Job
• Putting God on Trial - The Biblical Book of Job complete online commentary
• Aristeas identifies Job with the Jobab mentioned in Genesis 36:33, a great-grandson of Esau
• An international fraternal organization for young women based on the teachings of the book of Job.
• The Story of Ayyub (Job). The same page is also available here