Job

Biblical Figure

In the Old Testament of the Bible, The Book of Job is the first of five books commonly called "The Books of Poetry" (the others are Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon). Estimates of its origin range from 1500 B.C. to 600 B.C., and the author is unknown, but it is assumed that the story of Job takes place sometime between Noah and Moses, and it is considered one of the earliest books of the Old Testament. In the story, Satan challenges God, saying that the loyal and righteous Job would abandon his faith if he were the victim of a series of terrible trials. God takes the bet and Job is subjected to a slew of raw deals. Job gets angry, but ultimately realizes the power and glory of God, and his faith carries him through. The theme of the story addresses the question of why bad things happen to good people, and is the source of the phrase "the patience of Job."