Seven Interesting Things about the Epilogue to Job

Authors

  • David J.A. Clines University of Sheffield

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/BPTh.2013.001

Keywords

the Book of Job, the Epilogue, the fortunes of Job, the wrath of Jahwe, intercessory prayer, “false naivety”

Abstract

In this paper I will draw attention to seven points in Job 42:7–17 that are not usually noticed or satisfactorily explained. (1) In what way has Job spoken of Yhwh what is right? (2) Does Job know of Yhwh’s evaluation of him? (3) Why is Yhwh at risk of behaving outrageously? (4) Why should Job’s prayer here be efficacious when his prayer in chap. 1 was not? (5) When are Job’s fortunes restored? (6) What does the doubling of Job’s possessions signify? (7) Why does Job live 140 years after his dispute with Yhwh? The Epilogue will be shown to be more subtle than is generally recognized, and the writing may be another example of the “false naivety” I have argued for previously in the Prologue.

References

Bracke J. M., “šűb šébűt: A Reappraisal,” ZAW 97 (1985).

Clines D. J. A., “Job’s Fifth Friend: An Ethical Critique of the Book of Job”,Biblical Interpretation 12 (2004) 233–50.

Clines D. J. A., The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew, VIII: Sin–Taw [Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2011].

Iwański D., The Dynamics of Job’s Intercession (AnBib, 161; Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, 2006).

Job 38–42 [Word Biblical Commentary, 18B; Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011].

Newsom C., “The Book of Job. Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections”, in The New Interpreter’s Bible (ed. Leander Earl Keck; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996).

Numfor Ngwa K., The Hermeneutics of the “Happy” Endingin Job 42:7–17 (BZAW, 254; Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2005).

Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia

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Published

2014-02-04

How to Cite

1.
CLINES, David J.A. Seven Interesting Things about the Epilogue to Job. Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia. Online. 4 February 2014. Vol. 6, pp. 11-22. [Accessed 21 September 2026]. DOI 10.12775/BPTh.2013.001.

Issue

Vol. 6 (2013): Księga Hioba

Section

Biblica

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