Guide to Job
Summary
The Book of Job contains some of the most complex and beautiful Hebrew poetry in the Bible. This book is likely set in the Patriarchal period and follows an Uzzite named Job. Job, having previously been blessed, is tried by personal loss and challenged by his friends. Even though he had done no wrong, he wrestles with a worldview his friends share that suffering is caused by sin, and the righteous will not suffer. Finally, Job takes his yearnings for answers to the Lord and the Lord comes to Job, ultimately leading to Job’s blessings being multiplied and his admittance into God’s presence. The book’s structure can generally be summarized as a five-part drama: (1) Job is tried and afflicted (ch. 1–2), (2) Job’s dispute with his three friends given in poetic form (ch. 3–31), (3) a monologue by Elihu (ch. 32–37), (4) the Lord’s two divine speeches ultimately leading to Job’s admission to the presence of the Lord (Job 38–42:6), and (5) an epilogue detailing Job’s blessings following this encounter (Job 42:7–17).
Videos
Watch selected videos on this book of the Bible to enhance your study. Note: Not all videos included come from a Latter-day Saint perspective. Inclusion on this list should not imply endorsement for all content.
Historical Settings
Time
*All Dates Are Approximate, according to the narrative of the Bible. These dates may reflect literary significance as opposed to the precise dates of history.
See Biblical Chronology- Before 2100 BC*
Further Reading
Mack C. Stirling, “Job: An LDS Reading,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 45 (2021): 137–180.
John S. Tanner, “‘Hast Thou Considered My Servant Job?’” in Sperry Symposium Classics: The Old Testament, ed. Paul Y. Hoskisson (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2005), 266–82.
John S. Tanner, “The Book of Job,” in Studies in Scripture, vol. 4: 1 Kings to Malachi, ed. Kent P. Jackson (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1993), 393–406.