Lexical Summary Iob: Job Original Word: Ἰώβ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Job. Of Hebrew origin ('Iyowb); Job (i.e. Ijob), a patriarch -- Job. see HEBREW 'Iyowb Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2492: ἸώβἸώβ, ὁ, indeclinable (אִיּוב i. e. harassed, afflicted (but questioned; see Gesenius, Lex. (8th edition, by Mühlau and Volck) under the word)), Job, the man commended in the didactic poem which bears his name in the canon of the O. T. (cf. Ezekiel 14:14, 20) for his piety, and his constancy and fortitude in the endurance of trials: James 5:11. Topical Lexicon Identity and Background Job is presented in Scripture as a historical patriarch who “was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). He dwelt in the land of Uz, likely east of the Jordan and north of Edom, during a period roughly contemporaneous with the patriarchs. His wealth in livestock, servants, and family positioned him among the “greatest of all the people of the East” (Job 1:3), yet his true distinction lay in his godliness. Old Testament Narrative The Book of Job portrays a heavenly challenge in which Satan asserts that Job’s piety is mere self-interest (Job 1:9-11). God permits a series of devastations—loss of property, children, and health—while restricting Satan from taking Job’s life. Through cycles of dialogue with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, Job maintains his integrity, refusing to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9), yet struggling to reconcile his suffering with God’s justice. Elihu’s speeches emphasize divine pedagogy in suffering (Job 33:19-30), and the LORD’s whirlwind discourse (Job 38–41) reorients Job’s perspective, revealing divine wisdom beyond human scrutiny. Job repents of charging God with injustice (Job 42:6), prays for his friends, and is restored with twice the former prosperity (Job 42:10-17). Canonical Echoes Outside Job Ezekiel ranks Job with Noah and Daniel as exemplars of righteousness who could deliver only themselves by their own integrity (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). This prophetic affirmation attests to Job’s historicity and stature within Israel’s spiritual memory. New Testament Testimony The only occurrence of the Greek form Ἰὼβ (Strong’s 2492) is James 5:11: “See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy”. James uses Job to encourage believers facing oppression, highlighting both Job’s steadfastness and the Lord’s compassionate resolution. The apostolic witness thus confirms the continuing relevance of Job’s example for New Covenant saints. Key Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty and Goodness: Job’s trials occur under God’s permission, demonstrating that satanic assaults are circumscribed by divine authority (Job 1:12; Job 2:6). Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Job equips shepherds to walk with sufferers who wrestle with unanswered “why” questions, offering a model of lament that remains rooted in faith. Historical Reception and Significance Early Jewish tradition treated Job as an emblem of piety, while Church Fathers such as Gregory the Great viewed the book as a spiritual map for Christian maturity. Reformers highlighted Job’s insistence on sola fide trust amid suffering. In modern missions and counseling contexts, Job functions as a cross-cultural bridge, addressing universal questions of pain and justice. Conclusion The single Greek occurrence of Ἰὼβ in James underscores the apostolic affirmation of Job’s enduring testimony: steadfast faith under trial, rewarded by a compassionate and sovereign Lord. Within the whole canon, Job stands as a perennial witness that suffering need not negate righteousness, and that God’s ultimate purposes for His people are redemptive and righteous. Forms and Transliterations Ιωβ Ἰὼβ ιωβήλ Iob Iōb IṑbLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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