The Author and Date of The Book of Job

Hey brother - I was thinking about Job recently, and there's that debate out there on whether he was an actual person who lived before Moses, or he's a mythical character of fiction whose story is there to teach us lessons about patience and suffering.

The fact that he is referred to specifically in Ezekiel and the book of James indicates to me that he was an actual person:

Ezekiel 14: 14, 20

New King James Version

14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.

20 even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”

James 5:10-11

New King James Version

10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

I think these verses make it clear, coming right from "the Lord God" that Job was real person, and his story was a real experience.

What do you think? @cv5 has some excellent insights on this book and character in this forum.

I agree job was a real guy who lived most likely after the floods also it tells us where he was from . Meaning his ancestor was a descendant of Shem the line of Abraham .

he was from theland of uz which tells us he was the firstborn of Aram , and “the land of uz “was a result of the dividing of the nations and thier early inheritance

“And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash. These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭10:23, 31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I think giving us his geneology and also job soeaking much about his birth and conception and his hope for the future resurrection ect reveals that he was a man like Noah or Enoch who walked with the lord

the Bible is written in a poetic and prophetic form or literature being inspired by the holt ghost often we “ figure out” why it isn’t true

My opinion is just that an opinion but I agree with you job is an actually person

As I continue my journey through this remarkable book, I love the mystery surrounding the authorship and composition date.

As a Christian literary scholar, the Book of Job is in the same realm of the great classics of ancient literature, and I would argue it is at the top of the list with the rest of the Old Testament because it is God's Word and revelation to humanity. The Bible is the most important literary gift God has blessed us with by far.

Hardcore scholars have a tough time pinning The Book of Job down to an agreed upon date. The best guess they can somewhat agree upon is somewhere between the 2nd and 7th centuries B.C. According to Halley's Bible Handbook, "Ancient Jewish tradition ascribed the book to Moses." Wow, that would double the date estimated by scholars! I really like Halley's conclusion on the matter: "Modern Critics assign a much later date to the book of Job [than the time of Moses], but in the end it is the content of the book that is important, not our speculative guesses about its origins." Sorry Mr. Halley, I do have to speculate a little (fun to do so, but not a matter of salvation of course...).

The idea of the character of Job being an ancient story about an actual person that dates back to Moses or even earlier is intriguing. I also find merits in the actual written composition of the story taking place in that 2nd-7th century period due to the sophistication of the poetry/prose. It reminds me so much of reading the great classical dramas and poetry of that era.

In the midst of Job's deepest sorrows and suffering, the level of faith and prophetic insight he expresses is incredible. The author(s) appear to have had access and inspiration to a vast theological and literary library that implies to me having at the minimum the law, the prophets, and most of the writings composed in the Old Testament. The prose/poetry has a level of sophistication that reminds me of the Greek golden era of the classics (~300 B.C.).

The verse below is a great example and one of the best known and quoted from this book:

For I Know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God. (Job 19: 25-26)

This is a blaring reference to Christ's return and the resurrection of the dead, which the prophets and psalmists are only given glimpses of in Old Testament times. The Book of Ezekiel (~565 - 593 B.C.) gives a concrete description of a resurrection (see Ezekiel 37 as an example). The Book of Job wrestles with Old Testament teachings as a whole to glean new insights into our relationship with God, and it nicely sets the stage for New Testament teachings based on the solid foundation of our Rock, Jesus Christ!

It's interesting that the Lord puts Job in the list of "righteous" people with Daniel and Noah. The trials those three went through are beyond my comprehension, and they all were faithful to God even in the face of certain death apart from God's intervention. The character and righteousness all three of them exhibited must have been a talent God instilled within them because I'm sorry to say I would crumble facing the same circumstances they did.

Our neighbor across the street has that same type of character. She has endured two serious automobile accidents, and she just had open heart surgery on Thursday. All of us have been praying for her hard, and she is feeling much better now although still in an ICU. We were scared to death on Friday because she wouldn't wake up, and we were all afraid of the worst.

What's hard to understand even from a faith perspective is why a hard-core Christian person like this has been thrown in front of the lions for 10+ years. She lives the "cleanest" life I've ever seen, and she loves her family and our Lord dearly. But even with the faith she has, she still says she has questions for God on why she has had to endure one major trial after another in recent years.

People like her show me how much of a spiritual wimp I am in several areas yet. Job and my friend across the street are personifications of that fruit of the Spirit, patience. I think "longsuffering" (Gal. 5: 22) from the KJV translation is a better word. Patience today implies waiting in line for our "fast food" meal from McDonalds. Longsuffering can last for months or years waiting for that promised redemption and salvation from our Lord!

Job 19:25-27

New King James Version

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;

26 And after my skin is [a]destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,

27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my [b]heart yearns within me!

It's interesting that the Lord puts Job in the list of "righteous" people with Daniel and Noah. The trials those three went through are beyond my comprehension, and they all were faithful to God even in the face of certain death apart from God's intervention. The character and righteousness all three of them exhibited must have been a talent God instilled within them because I'm sorry to say I would crumble facing the same circumstances they did.

Our neighbor across the street has that same type of character. She has endured two serious automobile accidents, and she just had open heart surgery on Thursday. All of us have been praying for her hard, and she is feeling much better now although still in an ICU. We were scared to death on Friday because she wouldn't wake up, and we were all afraid of the worst.

What's hard to understand even from a faith perspective is why a hard-core Christian person like this has been thrown in front of the lions for 10+ years. She lives the "cleanest" life I've ever seen, and she loves her family and our Lord dearly. But even with the faith she has, she still says she has questions for God on why she has had to endure one major trial after another in recent years.

People like her show me how much of a spiritual wimp I am in several areas yet. Job and my friend across the street are personifications of that fruit of the Spirit, patience. I think "longsuffering" (Gal. 5: 22) from the KJV translation is a better word. Patience today implies waiting in line for our "fast food" meal from McDonalds. Longsuffering can last for months or years waiting for that promised redemption and salvation from our Lord!

Job 19:25-27

New King James Version

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;

26 And after my skin is [a]destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,

27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my [b]heart yearns within me!

Job handled the situation so poorly, stopping just short of cursing God.

Who are you to judge? Have you lost 10 children and virtually everything you own on one day followed by losing your health?

Point is, just because God stated Job was righteous in the beginning of the book doesn't
mean he had saving faith. How do we know he didn't? Read the rest of the book...lol

Point is, just because God stated Job was righteous in the beginning of the book doesn't
mean he had saving faith. How do we know he didn't? Read the rest of the book...lol

Point is, just because God stated Job was righteous in the beginning of the book doesn't
mean he had saving faith. How do we know he didn't? Read the rest of the book...lol

Who are you to judge? Have you lost 10 children and virtually everything you own on one day followed by losing your health?

Seems you missed the point friend. The post was about understanding the book of Job and more importantly, getting a better glimpse of God.

When we read Job through the lens of the common commentary regurgitate, we're left with a pissing contest between God and satan-at "faithful" Job's expense. May it never be said.

However, through the correct lens, we see a story of how hard it is for a rich, religious man to come to saving faith and the holy lengths God will go through to keep one of his.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

I once was blind but now I see..🎵

Is the hearing of the ear sufficient for salvation?

I think you're missing the point of the verse friend. Nobody saw God that day, he merely spoke out of a whirlwind.

Job is admitting he had heard of God but now he sees. It's what all us believers experience at salvation right pal?
I once was blind but now I see...🎵

Is the hearing of the ear sufficient for salvation?

My point was that a good case can be made that Job was already in a saving relationship with God, and the purpose of the trial was for God to reveal Himself more deeply and intimately to Job.

Seems you missed the point friend. The post was about understanding the book of Job and more importantly, getting a better glimpse of God.

When we read Job through the lens of the common commentary regurgitate, we're left with a pissing contest between God and satan-at "faithful" Job's expense. May it never be said.

However, through the correct lens, we see a story of how hard it is for a rich, religious man to come to saving faith and the holy lengths God will go through to keep one of his.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.