Reference: Job
American
A patriarch distinguished for his integrity and piety, his wealth, honors, and domestic happiness, whom God permitted, for the trial of his faith, to be deprived of friends, property, and health, and at once plunged into deep affliction. He lived in the land of Uz, lying, it is generally thought, in Eastern Edom, probably not far from Bozrah.
THE BOOK OF JOB, has originated much criticism, and on many points a considerable diversity of opinion still exists. Sceptics have denied its inspiration, and called it a mere philosophical romance; but no one who respects revelation can entertain this notion, or doubt that Job was a real person. Inspired writers testify to both. See Eze 14:14; Jas 5:11, and compare 1Co 3:19 with Job 5:13. The book itself specifies persons, places, and circumstances in the manner of true history. Moreover, the name and history of Job are spread throughout the East; Arabian writers mention him, and many Mohammedan families perpetuate his name. Five different places claim the possession of his tomb.
The precise period of his life cannot be ascertained, yet no doubt can exist as to its patriarchal antiquity. The book seems to allude to the flood, Job 22:15-17, but not to the destruction of Sodom, to the exodus from Egypt, or the giving of the Law. No reference is made to any order of priesthood, Job himself being the priest of his household, like Noah and Abraham. There is allusion to the most ancient form of idolatry, star-worship, and to the earliest mode of writing, Job 19:24. The longevity of Job also places him among the patriarchs. He survived his trial one hundred and forty years, and was an old man before his trial began, for his children were established each at the head of his own household, Job 1:4; 42:16. The period of long lives had not wholly passed away, Job 15:10. Hales places the trial of Job before the birth of Abraham, and Usher, about thirty years before the exodus, B. C. 1521.
As to the authorship of the book, many opinions have been held. It has all the freedom of an original composition, bearing no marks of its being a translation; and if so, it would appear that its author must have been a Hebrew, since it is written in the purest Hebrew. It exhibits, moreover, the most intimate acquaintance with both Egyptian and Arabian scenery, and is in the loftiest style of oriental poetry. All these circumstances are consistent with the views of those who regard Moses as its probable author. It has, however, been ascribed to various other persons. IT presents a beautiful exhibition of patriarchal religion. It teaches the being and perfections of God, his creation of all things, and his universal providence; the apostasy and guilt of evil spirits and of mankind; the mercy of God, on the basis of a sacrifice, and on condition of repentance and faith, Job 33:27-30; 42:6,8; the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body, Job 14:7-15; 19:25-27.
The main problem discussed in Job is the justice of God in suffering the righteous to be afflicted, while the wicked prosper. It is settled, by showing that, while the hand of a just God is manifest in his providential government of human affairs, it is his sovereign right to choose his own time and mode of retribution both to the evil and the good, and to subject the graces of his people to whatever trials he deems best.
The conference of Job and his friends may be divided into three parts. In the first, Eliphaz addresses Job, and Job replies; then Bildad and Job, and Zophar and Job speak, in turn. In the second part, the same order is observed and in the third also, except that after Job's reply to Bildad, the three friends have no more to urge, and instead of Zophar, a fourth friend named Elihu takes up the word; and the whole is concluded by the decision of Jehovah himself. The friends of Job argue that his remarkable afflictions must have been sent in punishment of highly aggravated transgressions, and urge him to confession and repentance. The pious patriarch, conscious of his own integrity and love to God cast down and bewildered by his sore chastisements, and pained by the suspicions of his friends, warmly vindicates his innocence, and shows that the best of men are sometimes the most afflicted; but forgets that his inward sins merit far heavier punishment, and though he still maintains faith in God, yet he charges Him foolishly. Afterwards he humbly confesses his wrong, and is cheered by the returning smile of God, while his uncharitable friends are reproved. The whole book is written in the highest style of Hebrew poetry, except the two introductory chapters and part of the last, which are prose. As a poem, it is full of sublime sentiments and bold and striking images.
The DISEASE of Job is generally supposed to have been the elephantiasis, or black leprosy. The word rendered "boils" does not necessarily mean abscesses, but burning and inflammation; and no known disease better answers to the description given, Job 2:7-8; 7:5,13'>13,13'>13; 19:17; 30:17, than the leprosy referred to above. See LEPER.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.
"He captures the wise by their own shrewdness, And the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted.
"My flesh is clothed with worms and a crust of dirt, My skin hardens and runs.
"If I say, 'My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,'
"If I say, 'My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,'
"For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not fail. "Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil, read more. At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant. "But man dies and lies prostrate Man expires, and where is he? "As water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up, So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep. "Oh that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me! "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes. "You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.
"Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, Older than your father.
"My breath is offensive to my wife, And I am loathsome to my own brothers.
"That with an iron stylus and lead They were engraved in the rock forever! "As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. read more. "Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!
"Will you keep to the ancient path Which wicked men have trod, Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundations were washed away by a river? read more. "They said to God, 'Depart from us!' And 'What can the Almighty do to them?'
"At night it pierces my bones within me, And my gnawing pains take no rest.
"He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me. 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.' read more. "Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men, To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.
Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."
"Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."
After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves," declares the Lord GOD.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS";
We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Easton
persecuted, an Arabian patriarch who resided in the land of Uz (q.v.). While living in the midst of great prosperity, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a series of sore trials that fell upon him. Amid all his sufferings he maintained his integrity. Once more God visited him with the rich tokens of his goodness and even greater prosperity than he had enjoyed before. He survived the period of trial for one hundred and forty years, and died in a good old age, an example to succeeding generations of integrity (Eze 14:14,20) and of submissive patience under the sorest calamities (Jas 5:11). His history, so far as it is known, is recorded in his book.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves," declares the Lord GOD.
even though Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their son or their daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."
We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Fausets
Age, and relation to the canon. The book has a unique position in the canon. It is unconnected with Israel, God's covenant people, with whom all the other scriptures are associated. "The law" (towrah),the Magna Charta of the rest, occurs but once, and then not in its technical sense (Job 22:22). The Exodus is never alluded to, though the miraculous events connected with it in Egypt and the desert, with both of which Job shows his acquaintance, would have been appropriate to his and the friends' argument. The destruction of the guilty by the flood (Job 22:15), and that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Job 18:15) possibly, are referred to; but no later facts. The inference seems natural that the book was of an age anterior to Israel. Job's own life was of patriarchal length, 200 years. The only idolatry alluded to is the earliest, Sabeanism, the worship of the sun, moon, and seba or heavenly hosts (Job 31:26-28).
Job sacrifices as priest for his family according to patriarchal usage, and alludes to no exclusive priesthood, temple, or altar. Lastly, the language is Hebrew with an Arabic and Syriac infusion found in no other sacred book, answering to an age when Hebrew still retained many of the elements of the original common Semitic, from which in time branched off Hebrew, Syriac, and Arabic, carrying with them severally fragments of the common stock. The obscurity of several phrases, the obsolete words and forgotten traditions (e.g. that of the bushmen, Job 30:4-7), all mark a remote antiquity. The admission of the book into the Hebrew canon, notwithstanding the absence of reference to Israel, is accounted for if Let's theory be adopted that Moses became acquainted with it during his stay in Arabia, near Horeb, and added the prologue and epilogue. To the afflicted Israelites Job's patience and restoration were calculated to be a lesson of special utility.
The restriction of "Jehovah" (the divine name revealed to Moses in its bringing the fulfillment of the promise to God's covenant people just at that time: Ex 6:3) mostly to the prologue and epilogue favors this view. The Holy Spirit directed him to canonize the oriental patriarch's inspired book, just as he embodies in the Pentateuch the utterances of Balaam the prophet from the mountains of the East. The grand theme of the book is to reconcile the saint's afflictions with God's moral government in this present world. The doctrine of a future life in which the seeming anomalies of the present shall be cleared up would have given the main solution to the problem. But as yet this great truth was kept less prominent until "the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Job plainly refers to the resurrection, but not with that persistent prominence with which the New Testament saints rest on it as their continual hope; Job does not make it his main solution.
Even still we need something in addition, to clear off the clouds which hang over God's present government of this fallen earth. The first consideration suggested in this sublime history and poem is, "an enemy hath done this." The veil which hides the world of spirits is drawn aside, and Satan, the accuser of the brethren, appears as the mediate cause of Job's afflictions. Satan must be let do his worst to show that his sneer is false that religion is but selfishness," doth Job fear God for naught?" (Job 1:9). The patience and the final perseverance of the saints (Job 1:21; 2:10; 13:15), notwithstanding temporary distrust under Satan's persecutions which entailed loss of family, friends, possessions, and bodily health, are illustrated in Job's history.
God's people serve Him for His own sake, not merely for the temporary reward His service generally brings; they serve Him even in overwhelming trial (Ge 15:1). Herein Job is a type though imperfectly of Him who alone, without once harbouring a distrustful thought, endured all this as well as death in its most agonizing, humiliating form, and, worse than all, the hiding of even God's countenance from Him. Job's chief agony was not so much his accumulated losses and sufferings, not even his being misunderstood by friends, but that God hid His face from him, as these calamities too truly seemed to prove (Job 23:9). Yet conscience told him he was no hypocrite, nay though God was slaying him he still trusted in God (Job 23:10-15; 13:15; compare Abraham, Genesis 22). Job's three trials are progressive:
1. His sudden loss of all blessings external to himself, possessions, servants, and sons; he conquers this temptation: "naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
2. His loss of bodily health by the most loathsome sickness; still he conquers: "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"
3. His mental conflict brought on by the three friends' suspicion of his insincerity, which he felt untrue, but which seemed justified by his trials from God; this was the poignant sting to his soul, for he accepted their premises, that great suffering proved great sin.
Here he failed; yet amidst his impatient groans he still clung desperately to his faith and followed hard after God, and felt sure God would yet vindicate him (Job 23:10; 19:25-27). His chief error was his undue self justification before God, which he at last utterly renounces (Job 30:25 to Job 31; Job 32:1; 33:9; 9:17; 10:7; 16:17; 27:5; 29:10-17; 40:4-5; 42:5-6). After fretfully demanding God's interposition (23) to vindicate his innocence he had settled down into the sad conviction that God heeds not, and that His ways of providence are as a theory inexplicable to man while practical wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28). Elihu gives a leading solution of the problem. God not only hereafter shall judge the world, but even now providentially and morally controls all its affairs.
Even the righteous have sin which needs correction. God speaks to them by chastisement; He is not really silent (Job 16:21; 23:3; 31:35), as Job had complained (Job 33:14, etc.); He teaches them humility, and prepares them for pardon and life through the mediating Angel of the covenant (of whom Elihu is the type: Job 33:6-7,23-30). To Job's charge against God of injustice Elihu answers that God's omnipotence (Job 34:35-36), upholding man in life when He could destroy him, and His universal government, exclude the idea of injustice in Him. To Job's charge that God's providence is unsearchable, Elihu answers that suffering is to teach humility and adorntion of His greatness. Affliction to the saint is justice and mercy in disguise; he is thereby led to feel the heinousness of sin (via crucis via salutis), and not being permitted by God's love to fall away for ever he repents of the impatience which suffering betrayed him into for a time.
Then, justifying God and condemning himself, he is finally delivered from temporal afflictions. Now already the godly are happier amidst afflictions than the ungodly (Mr 10:29-30). Even these considerations do not exhaust the subject; still difficulties remain. To answer these, God Himself (Job 38) appears on the scene, and resolves all that remains uncleared into the one resting thought of faith, the sovereignty of God. We must wait for His solution hereafter of what we know not now (Joh 13:7). Elihu is the preacher appealing to Job's reason and conscience. God alone, in His appearing, brings home the truth experimentally to Job's heart: "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning Providence He hides a smiling face. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan God's work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain."
CONSTRUCTION. The artificial construction of the poem appears in the oft recurring sacred numbers three and seven. Job had seven thousand sheep, seven sons, and three daughters, both before and after his trials. His three friends sit with him seven days and nights. "Job" in Arabic means repentance, the name given him in after life from his experiences. His personal reality appears f
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east.
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great."
Uz his firstborn and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram
These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, are chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,
and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.
His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?
He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
"Let the day perish on which I was to be born, And the night which said, 'A boy is conceived.'
"He captures the wise by their own shrewdness, And the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted.
"For He bruises me with a tempest And multiplies my wounds without cause.
'According to Your knowledge I am indeed not guilty, Yet there is no deliverance from Your hand.
"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
"As water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up,
"If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes.
"Do you hear the secret counsel of God, And limit wisdom to yourself?
Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
"O that a man might plead with God As a man with his neighbor!
"There dwells in his tent nothing of his; Brimstone is scattered on his habitation.
"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. "Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; read more. Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!
"When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it on him while he is eating. "He may flee from the iron weapon, But the bronze bow will pierce him.
"Will you keep to the ancient path Which wicked men have trod,
"Please receive instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart.
"When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will save.
When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
"But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. "My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. read more. "I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. "But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. "For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such decrees are with Him. "Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence; When I consider, I am terrified of Him.
"Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'"
The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to their palate. "For when the ear heard, it called me blessed, And when the eye saw, it gave witness of me, read more. Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper. "The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me, And I made the widow's heart sing for joy. "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. "I was eyes to the blind And feet to the lame. "I was a father to the needy, And I investigated the case which I did not know. "I broke the jaws of the wicked And snatched the prey from his teeth.
"I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king among the troops, As one who comforted the mourners.
Who pluck mallow by the bushes, And whose food is the root of the broom shrub. "They are driven from the community; They shout against them as against a thief, read more. So that they dwell in dreadful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks. "Among the bushes they cry out; Under the nettles they are gathered together.
"Have I not wept for the one whose life is hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?
If I have looked at the sun when it shone Or the moon going in splendor, And my heart became secretly enticed, And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, read more. That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.
"Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written,
Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
"Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay. "Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you.
'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me.
"Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it.
"If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him, Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; read more. Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man. "He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me. 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.' "Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men, To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.
'Job speaks without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom. 'Job ought to be tried to the limit, Because he answers like wicked men.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.
The waters from the sea will dry up, And the river will be parched and dry.
Cursed be the day when I was born; Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, "A baby boy has been born to you!" And made him very happy.
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves," declares the Lord GOD.
though these three men were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters. They alone would be delivered, but the country would be desolate. "Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say, 'Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it,' read more. even though these three men were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered. "Or if I should send a plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it, even though Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their son or their daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."
"Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter."
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.
Hastings
JOB
1. The man Job.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place.
Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place.
But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, for You, O LORD, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. read more. "Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, 'Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.'
Then it came about, when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon and to the king of Shimron and to the king of Achshaph,
and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." read more. While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him.
Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.
"Let the day perish on which I was to be born, And the night which said, 'A boy is conceived.' "May that day be darkness; Let not God above care for it, Nor light shine on it.
"Let those curse it who curse the day, Who are prepared to rouse Leviathan. "Let the stars of its twilight be darkened; Let it wait for light but have none, And let it not see the breaking dawn; read more. Because it did not shut the opening of my mother's womb, Or hide trouble from my eyes.
"Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. "Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, read more. Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made all my bones shake. "Then a spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh bristled up. "It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice: 'Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? 'He puts no trust even in His servants; And against His angels He charges error. 'How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth! 'Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; Unobserved, they perish forever. 'Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, yet without wisdom.'
"My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which vanish, Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts. read more. "When they become waterless, they are silent, When it is hot, they vanish from their place. "The paths of their course wind along, They go up into nothing and perish. "The caravans of Tema looked, The travelers of Sheba hoped for them. "They were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded.
"What is man that You magnify him, And that You are concerned about him,
"So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless will perish,
Who makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south;
"God will not turn back His anger; Beneath Him crouch the helpers of Rahab.
'Your hands fashioned and made me altogether, And would You destroy me? 'Remember now, that You have made me as clay; And would You turn me into dust again? read more. 'Did You not pour me out like milk And curdle me like cheese; Clothe me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews? 'You have granted me life and lovingkindness; And Your care has preserved my spirit. 'Yet these things You have concealed in Your heart; I know that this is within You: If I sin, then You would take note of me, And would not acquit me of my guilt. 'If I am wicked, woe to me! And if I am righteous, I dare not lift up my head. I am sated with disgrace and conscious of my misery. 'Should my head be lifted up, You would hunt me like a lion; And again You would show Your power against me. 'You renew Your witnesses against me And increase Your anger toward me; Hardship after hardship is with me.
"Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this,
"He makes counselors walk barefoot And makes fools of judges. "He loosens the bond of kings And binds their loins with a girdle. read more. "He makes priests walk barefoot And overthrows the secure ones. "He deprives the trusted ones of speech And takes away the discernment of the elders. "He pours contempt on nobles And loosens the belt of the strong. "He reveals mysteries from the darkness And brings the deep darkness into light. "He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away. "He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth's people And makes them wander in a pathless waste. "They grope in darkness with no light, And He makes them stagger like a drunken man.
"Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. "Like a flower he comes forth and withers He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. read more. "You also open Your eyes on him And bring him into judgment with Yourself. "Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one!
"Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one! "Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass. read more. "Turn Your gaze from him that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day like a hired man. "For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not fail. "Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil, At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant. "But man dies and lies prostrate Man expires, and where is he? "As water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up, So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep.
"But now He has exhausted me; You have laid waste all my company. "You have shriveled me up, It has become a witness; And my leanness rises up against me, It testifies to my face. read more. "His anger has torn me and hunted me down, He has gnashed at me with His teeth; My adversary glares at me. "They have gaped at me with their mouth, They have slapped me on the cheek with contempt; They have massed themselves against me. "God hands me over to ruffians And tosses me into the hands of the wicked. "I was at ease, but He shattered me, And He has grasped me by the neck and shaken me to pieces; He has also set me up as His target. "His arrows surround me Without mercy He splits my kidneys open; He pours out my gall on the ground. "He breaks through me with breach after breach; He runs at me like a warrior. "I have sewed sackcloth over my skin And thrust my horn in the dust. "My face is flushed from weeping, And deep darkness is on my eyelids, Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
"Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And my advocate is on high.
"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. "Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
"Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!
Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!
"Is not your wickedness great, And your iniquities without end? "For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause, And stripped men naked. read more. "To the weary you have given no water to drink, And from the hungry you have withheld bread. "But the earth belongs to the mighty man, And the honorable man dwells in it. "You have sent widows away empty, And the strength of the orphans has been crushed.
"Please receive instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart.
"They are insignificant on the surface of the water; Their portion is cursed on the earth They do not turn toward the vineyards. "Drought and heat consume the snow waters, So does Sheol those who have sinned. read more. "A mother will forget him; The worm feeds sweetly till he is no longer remembered And wickedness will be broken like a tree. "He wrongs the barren woman And does no good for the widow.
"Dominion and awe belong to Him Who establishes peace in His heights.
Then Job responded, "What a help you are to the weak! How you have saved the arm without strength! read more. "What counsel you have given to one without wisdom! What helpful insight you have abundantly provided! "To whom have you uttered words? And whose spirit was expressed through you? "The departed spirits tremble Under the waters and their inhabitants. "Naked is Sheol before Him, And Abaddon has no covering. "He stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing. "He wraps up the waters in His clouds, And the cloud does not burst under them. "He obscures the face of the full moon And spreads His cloud over it. "He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters At the boundary of light and darkness. "The pillars of heaven tremble And are amazed at His rebuke. "He quieted the sea with His power, And by His understanding He shattered Rahab.
"He quieted the sea with His power, And by His understanding He shattered Rahab. "By His breath the heavens are cleared; His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent.
"By His breath the heavens are cleared; His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent. "Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?"
"As God lives, who has taken away my right, And the Almighty, who has embittered my soul, For as long as life is in me, And the breath of God is in my nostrils, read more. My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit. "Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
"Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. "I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach any of my days.
"I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach any of my days. "May my enemy be as the wicked And my opponent as the unjust.
"May my enemy be as the wicked And my opponent as the unjust. "For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, When God requires his life?
"For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, When God requires his life? "Will God hear his cry When distress comes upon him?
"Will God hear his cry When distress comes upon him? "Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times?
"Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times? "I will instruct you in the power of God; What is with the Almighty I will not conceal.
"I will instruct you in the power of God; What is with the Almighty I will not conceal. "Behold, all of you have seen it; Why then do you act foolishly? read more. "This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the inheritance which tyrants receive from the Almighty.
"This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the inheritance which tyrants receive from the Almighty. "Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; And his descendants will not be satisfied with bread.
"Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; And his descendants will not be satisfied with bread. "His survivors will be buried because of the plague, And their widows will not be able to weep. read more. "Though he piles up silver like dust And prepares garments as plentiful as the clay, He may prepare it, but the just will wear it And the innocent will divide the silver. "He has built his house like the spider's web, Or as a hut which the watchman has made. "He lies down rich, but never again; He opens his eyes, and it is no longer. "Terrors overtake him like a flood; A tempest steals him away in the night. "The east wind carries him away, and he is gone, For it whirls him away from his place. "For it will hurl at him without sparing; He will surely try to flee from its power. "Men will clap their hands at him And will hiss him from his place.
"Men will clap their hands at him And will hiss him from his place.
"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'"
"Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand.
Let briars grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.
Let briars grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.
Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God. read more. And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned. So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, "I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.
"Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones; So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food. read more. "His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out. "Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death. "If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him, Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man. "He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me. 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.'
"He opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil.
"He delivers the afflicted in their affliction, And opens their ear in time of oppression.
"He delivers the afflicted in their affliction, And opens their ear in time of oppression.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
"Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, Or loose the cords of Orion?
"The ostriches' wings flap joyously With the pinion and plumage of love, For she abandons her eggs to the earth And warms them in the dust, read more. And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild beast may trample them. "She treats her young cruelly, as if they were not hers; Though her labor be in vain, she is unconcerned; Because God has made her forget wisdom, And has not given her a share of understanding. "When she lifts herself on high, She laughs at the horse and his rider.
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;
It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.
It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."
"Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job. read more. The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. Then all his brothers and all his sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the LORD had brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold. The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys.
The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters.
He had seven sons and three daughters.
He had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, and the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. read more. In all the land no women were found so fair as Job's daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers. After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days.
What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
Cursed be the day when I was born; Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, "A baby boy has been born to you!" And made him very happy. read more. But let that man be like the cities Which the LORD overthrew without relenting, And let him hear an outcry in the morning And a shout of alarm at noon; Because he did not kill me before birth, So that my mother would have been my grave, And her womb ever pregnant. Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame?
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, read more. even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves," declares the Lord GOD. "If I were to cause wild beasts to pass through the land and they depopulated it, and it became desolate so that no one would pass through it because of the beasts, though these three men were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters. They alone would be delivered, but the country would be desolate. "Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say, 'Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it,' even though these three men were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered. "Or if I should send a plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it, even though Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their son or their daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."
"But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, And it will be holy And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.
We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Morish
1. The 'perfect and upright man' whose history is given in the book of Job.
2. Son of Issachar. Ge 46:13. See JASHUB.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Smith
(persecuted), the third son of Issachar,
called in another genealogy JASHUB.
See Jashub
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Watsons
JOB, a patriarch celebrated for his patience, and the constancy of his piety and virtue. That Job was a real, and not a fictitious, character, may be inferred from the manner in which he is mentioned in the Scriptures. Thus, the Prophet Ezekiel speaks of him: "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God," Eze 14:14. Now since Noah and Daniel were unquestionably real characters, we must conclude the same of Job. "Behold," says the Apostle James, "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," Jas 5:11. It is scarcely to be believed that a divinely inspired Apostle would refer to an imaginary character as an example of patience, or in proof of the mercy of God. But, beside the authority of the inspired writers, we have the strongest internal evidence, from the book itself, that Job was a real person; for it expressly specifies the names of persons, places, facts, and other circumstances usually related in true histories. Thus, we have the name, country, piety, wealth, &c, of Job described, Job i; the names, number, and acts of his children are mentioned; the conduct of his wife is recorded as a fact, Job ii; his friends, their names, countries, and discourses with him in his afflictions are minutely delineated, Job 2:11, &c. Farther: no reasonable doubt can be entertained respecting the real existence of Job, when we consider that it is proved by the concurrent testimony of all eastern tradition: he is mentioned by the author of the book of Tobit, who lived during the Assyrian captivity; he is also repeatedly mentioned by Arabian writers as a real character. The whole of his history, with many fabulous additions, was known among the Syrians and Chaldeans; and many of the noblest families among the Arabs are distinguished by his name, and boast of being descended from him.
Since, then, says Horne, the book of Job contains the history of a real character, the next point is the age in which he lived, a question concerning which there is as great a diversity of opinion, as upon any other subject connected with this venerable monument of sacred antiquity. One thing, however, is generally admitted with respect to the age of the book of Job, namely, its remote antiquity. Even those who contend for the later production of the book of Job are compelled to acquiesce in this particular. Grotius thinks the events of the history are such as cannot be placed later than the sojourning of the Israelites in the wilderness. Bishop Warburton, in like manner, admits them to bear the marks of high antiquity; and Michaelis confesses the manners to be perfectly Abrahamic, that is, such as were common to all the seed of Abraham, Israelites, Ishmaelites, and Idumeans. The following are the principal circumstances from which the age of Job may be collected and ascertained:
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
She bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah. Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim.
Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt.
Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law before God.
Now the cities at the extremity of the tribe of the sons of Judah toward the border of Edom in the south were Kabzeel and Eder and Jagur,
and Gederoth, Beth-dagon and Naamah and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.
His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him.
"Please inquire of past generations, And consider the things searched out by their fathers. "For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow.
"For You write bitter things against me And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.
"Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, Older than your father.
"Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! "That with an iron stylus and lead They were engraved in the rock forever!
If I have looked at the sun when it shone Or the moon going in splendor, And my heart became secretly enticed, And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, read more. That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.
"Shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stop and no longer answer? "I too will answer my share, I also will tell my opinion.
The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys.
After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.
After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.
Concerning Edom Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has good counsel been lost to the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? "Flee away, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan, For I will bring the disaster of Esau upon him At the time I punish him.
Therefore hear the plan of the LORD which He has planned against Edom, and His purposes which He has purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: surely they will drag them off, even the little ones of the flock; surely He will make their pasture desolate because of them.
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves," declares the Lord GOD.
therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "I will also stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it And I will lay it waste; from Teman even to Dedan they will fall by the sword.
Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever. "So I will send fire upon Teman And it will consume the citadels of Bozrah."
"Will I not on that day," declares the LORD, "Destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau? "Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.