The Book of Job (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT)

by John E. Hartley

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1988

Overview

This commentary on Job follows in the tradition of the NICOT series by providing an up-to-date evangelical commentary based on thorough scholarship. John E. Hartley deals carefully with this book whose language, text, and theology are not only among the most intriguing in the Old Testament but also among the most difficult to grasp.

Hartley begins with a thorough introduction that treats matters of title and place in the canon, text, language, parallel literature in the ancient Near East and Old Testament, author, date, literary features, poetry, structure and genres, and message. In the commentary proper, Hartley uses his knowledge of the cognate ancient Near Eastern languages and displays extensive research in offering a detailed, verse-by-verse exposition that relates each section of the text to the overall message of the book.

Key Features

• Verse-by-verse commentary
• In-depth discussion of textual and critical matters
• Introduction to the authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology of Job

Contents

Top Highlights

“The Satan’s question insinuated that all good deeds spring from selfish motives.” (Page 73)

“The basic tension is between one’s belief in God and one’s personal experience.” (Page 43)

“In conclusion, the book of Job teaches that a person may serve God faithfully, whether his circumstances are bleak or filled with promise, for he has the assurance that God is for him, seeking his ultimate good. A person can triumph over suffering through faith in God.” (Page 50)

“Job’s concession means that he believes that everything occurring on earth takes place within the framework of the divine wisdom. No hostile force, be it earthly ór heavenly, prevents God from carrying out his purpose.” (Pages 535–536)

“Then the only solution they can offer to him is the way of repentance. Because they encourage Job to repent primarily to escape his suffering and to receive God’s blessing, they unsuspectingly tempt him to use God for personal gain, the essence of sin. Therefore, if Job followed their counsel, he would confirm the Satan’s proposition that human beings are totally self-serving in their worship of God.” (Pages 48–49)

Endorsements

Comprehensive, detailed, well-researched, and well-reasoned. An outstanding contribution to studies on the Book of Job.

—Bibliotheca Sacra

A very good, solid, traditional commentary on Job in a respected evangelical commentary series. It is another jewel in the crown of NICOT.

—Hebrew Studies

One of the most readable serious commentaries on Job to be written in recent years. The depth of scholarship evident in the book and the ability to relate it to the everyday world are delightful indeed.

—Southwestern Journal of Theology

Product Details

• Title: The Book of Job
• Author: John E. Hartley
• Series: New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 1988
• Logos Release Date: 2009
• Pages: 605
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Job › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780802825285, 0802825281
• Resource ID: LLS:NICOT18JOB
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:27:06Z

About John E. Hartley

John E. Hartley is professor of Old Testament and chair of the department of biblical studies in the C.P. Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. He is the author of The Book of Job: New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT), Genesis: Understanding the Bible, and Salvation.