Book of Job

BOOK OF JOB. Many various conjectures have been made concerning the Book of Job. Some have been of opinion, that Job himself wrote it at first, in Syriac or Arabic, and Moses or some other Israelite afterwards translated it into Hebrew. Others suppose Elihu, one of Job’s friends, to have been the Author of it, or Moses, Solomon, Isaiah, or some other writer still more modern. It is certain, that no decisive proof towards discovering the Author is furnished by the Book itself. So much seems to be out of all dispute, that he who composed it, whosoever he was, was a Jew by religion, and later than the time of Job. There are so many allusions in it to the expressions of the Scripture, that every one must believe it was very familiar to him. We have cited a great number of those allusions and parallel places which occur in Job and other sacred writers; and have set the arguments in their proper light, whereby each of these opinions are maintained, which are proposed with relation to the Author of this Book.

The original language of the Book of Job is Hebrew, but blended with many Arabic and Chaldee expressions; and several particular turns, which are not to be met with in Hebrew; for which reason this work is so obscure and difficult. It is written in verse, but not confined to any particular measure or cadence, and the beauty of these verses consists principally in noble expressions, bold and sublime thoughts, lively emotions, fine descriptions, and a great diversity of characters. I do not believe that in all antiquity there is a piece of poetry to be found which is more copious, more lofty, more magnificent, more diversified, more adorned, or more affecting than this. The Author, whosoever he was, has put in practise all the beauties of his art, to make the four persons whom he brings upon the stage, keep up each his proper character, and maintain the opinions which they were engaged to defend. The history, as to the substance and circumstances of it, is exactly true; the sentiments, reasons, and arguments of the several persons are very faithfully expressed: but it is very probable, that the terms and turn of expression are the Poet’s or the Writer’s, whosoever he may be.

Vide Synod. v. Oecumen. collat 4. art. 63. Jacobi v. 11. Suffe-rentiam beati Job auditis.As to the canonical authority of the Book of Job, it is generally acknowledged in the Greek and Latin Churches, wherein it has always been esteemed as an article of faith; and this opinion is derived from the Synagogue to the Christian Church. S. Paul in several places seems to quote the Book of Job; at least visibly alludes to it¹. S. James in his Epistle commends the patience of Job, and says, that it was well known to those he wrote to. Theodore, of Mopsuesta, accuses the Author of the Book of Job with a vain ostentation of profane sciences, with writing a fabulous and poetical history. He reproaches him likewise with making Job speak things inconsistent with the religion and piety of this holy man, and more proper to give offence than edify. But this famous and bold Critick judged of the Book of Job only from the Greek version which he had in his hands, wherein indeed there are observed to be some allusions to fable, and poetical history. But if he had seen the original text, he would have remarked nothing like it. Some charge Luther also, and the Anabaptists, with rejecting the book of Job: but Schultet and Spanheim endeavour to justify Luther in this particular. As to all the difficulties which I have briefly set down, and several others which are proposed relating to the book and person of Job, the Reader, if he pleases, may consult Pineda’s Comment, or ours, and the history of Job by M. Spanheim.

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