The scriptures do not state that Job was a prophet, or that he had any priestly calling. However, there is no doubt that he was a righteous man. In Job 1:1, he is described as a man who was "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." (Job 1:1.)
Much mystery surrounds Job. According to the book that bears his name, Job lived in the land of Uz. The location of this land of Uz is unknown, and even the time in which Job lived is questioned. Some scholars say he lived during the time of the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Others think he might have lived as late as the time of Malachi.Besides not having any information about the time or place in which Job lived, scholars know practically nothing of the man himself. Some boldly contend Job is a fictitious character who had a leading role in a purely literary story in the Bible.
In A Companion to Your Study of the Old Testament, Daniel H. Ludlow wrote: "Interpretations to the book of Job have been so varied and extreme that it has been claimed that Job has suffered more from the hands of the critics than he ever did from the hands of Satan.
"Many critics of the Bible have suggested that Job is a mythological character. In modern times, however, the Lord has verified that Job existed as a real person. To an inquiring Joseph Smith, the Lord replied: `Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.' (D&C 121:10.)"
Giving further evidence that Job was indeed a real person are two other scriptures that mention him by name, Ezekiel 14:14 and James 5:11.
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: A Companion to Your Study of the Old Testament, by Daniel H. Ludlow; and April 1969 and October 1987 general conference reports.
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