Although Bible readers are familiar with the story of Job, few truly understand the book. Attempting to learn the “why” of suffering, readers get so bogged down in the book’s details they seldom finish it.
When studying the book, readers should follow three simple rules. First, read the entire book. Second, use the book’s outline as a “map:”
Chapter 1-2—Prologue
Chapter 3—Job’s lament
Chapters 4-14—1st cycle of speeches
Chapters 15-21—2nd cycle of speeches
Chapters 22-27—3rd cycle of speeches
Chapter 28—Wisdom interlude
Chapters 29-31—Job’s soliloquy
Chapters 32-37—Elihu’s intervention
Chapters 38-41—The Lord’s response
Chapter 42:1-6—Job’s “repentance”
Chapter 42:7-17—Epilogue
Third, learn the dramatic flow of the book. For example, in Chapters 4-27, Job argues with his three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. The book intensifies to Chapter 28, pauses, then intensifies to Chapter 38. At Chapter 38, it then slowly moves down to the Epilogue.
The book does not provide the “easy answers” to suffering readers want it to provide. Instead, it allows readers to journey with a fellow sufferer—Job—as he encounters friends who discuss his suffering to the point of argument. God calls Job to submit to God amid his pain and confusion. The “solution” to Job’s suffering is for Job to trust in the Lord.
I first taught the Book of Job in 1993 and never have left it. It was my dissertation topic. In my Wisdom Literature course, a third of the curriculum is devoted to Job. I recommend the following sources.
Job: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale Old Testament Commentary) by Francis Andersen
When my students begin their research, I tell them to “start small, then move big.” The Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series is often my first commentary to consult.
The series was created for ministers who want to study the Old Testament, but who may be intimidated by it. The series is concise, yet it contains the most important aspects of a commentary: introduction to the book, outline and verse-by-verse comments.
Francis Andersen’s contribution to the series is excellent. I used Andersen’s commentary in the classroom for many years, and students found it worthwhile.
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Early 20th-century commentaries spent an enormous number of pages on the Book of Job’s authorship and construction. Andersen, however, argues authorship and construction are easy to understand when one assumes the book is a unity. He invites readers to read the book as it is written and to see the book’s construction as part of the writer’s theme and flow.
The Book of Job (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament) by John Hartley
The New International Commentary on the Old Testament is a good commentary to continue where the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary leaves off.
As one would expect from a larger commentary, the work gives more time to authorship, outline and dramatic flow than the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary does, yet it does so without the use of too many technical terms. The Hebrew is transliterated, allowing the commentary to be accessible to anyone.
While addressing the early 20th-century arguments for a disjointed writing of the book, Hartley affirms the book should be read as a unity. When the book is read in its entirety, one learns trust in God is more important than any answer to suffering. Hartley’s commentary is especially helpful in understanding the latter part of the book—Chapters 28-41.
Job, 3 volumes (Word Biblical Commentary) by David Clines
The Word Biblical Commentary was my first choice when I was in seminary in the 1990s, and it often is found on ministers’ bookshelves. The series has stood up well, and it is well worth the time to read. Yet, it is not consulted as often as others, as it is one of the more technical commentaries.
When the series originated, authors were asked to be thorough but concise. With some books of the Bible, it became clear it was impossible to do both. For example, David Clines’ work on Job is in three volumes and was written over a 22-year span.
The first volume, Chapters 1-20, is the best of the three. Clines is at his clearest and most concise. The best feature of this volume is his introduction, in which he demonstrates well the unity of the Book of Job.
As for the other two volumes—Chapters 21-37 and Chapters 38-42—their best feature is Clines’ extensive and exhaustive bibliography. Like other volumes of the Word Biblical Commentary, Clines makes use of the biblical language, but it is unobtrusive.
Other noteworthy volumes
D. David Garland’s volume on Job in The Lamplighter Commentary series is one of the most concise commentaries on Job and one of my favorites. Garland taught for decades at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his class on Job was my first encounter with the book. While no longer in print, it is well worth finding.
J. Gerald Janzen’s volume on Job in The Interpretation Commentary series is a joy to read. The series was created to help ministers and avid Bible readers get a feel for how a book flows. Janzen is excellent at demonstrating the flow of the Book of Job, especially in the areas of the third cycle of speeches and Elihu’s intervention.
Finally, Edouard Dhorme’s commentary is a classic. It is one of the most technical volumes on Job ever written. It was also Garland’s favorite commentary on Job.
The Book of Job is not an easy book to read, but it is rewarding. Walk the path of the book and enjoy the journey.
Ken Gore is professor of biblical studies at Dallas Baptist University. He is a graduate of Hannibal-La Grange College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.
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