Definition

Proper noun A book in the Old Testament of the Bible. It tells the story of a man named Job, who endures severe suffering and loss. The book consists largely of poetic dialogues where Job questions the reason for his misfortune, his friends offer conventional explanations, and God ultimately replies from a whirlwind.

Usage

The term "Book of Job" is used to refer specifically to this biblical text. It is typically preceded by the definite article "the."

Examples * The Book of Job is often studied for its profound exploration of the problem of human suffering. * In the Book of Job, God speaks to Job out of a storm. * Her thesis analyzed the literary structure of the Book of Job.

Advanced Usage

• The "Book of Job" is a central text in the "Wisdom literature" of the Hebrew Bible.
• The phrase "the patience of Job" is an idiom derived from this book, referring to great endurance in suffering (see James 5:11 in the New Testament).

Variants and Related Words

• Job: The name of the central character. The book can be called simply "Job."
  • Example: We are reading the story of Job in class.
• Jobian (adj): Pertaining to the Book of Job or its themes.
  • Example: The novel deals with Jobian themes of unjust suffering.

Synonyms

• Job (when referring to the biblical book).

Related Idioms

• The patience of Job: Extreme patience or endurance in the face of adversity.
  • Example: You need the patience of Job to work in customer service.
• Job's comforter: Someone who, while purporting to give comfort, actually adds to one's distress (referring to Job's friends).
  • Example: Don't be such a Job's comforter; telling me it could be worse doesn't help.

Noun

1. a book in the Old Testament containing Job's pleas to God about his afflictions and God's reply