Job

The Book of Job

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   prologue: Job's suffering1:1–2:13Job's righteousness declared by God; Job has seven sons and three daughters—all of whom are killed; Job's flocks are lost: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys; Job's family members (Job's children, who were brothers and sisters) hold parties; death; the three friends come to help Job
2. b
   Job's introductory speech: he wishes his birth had never happened3:1–26topics: birth, womb, offspring, counting months, day, night, light, darkness, dawn, Leviathan, clouds, freedom, captivity, life, death, awaking, etc.; there are many tragic "mistakes" in Job's life and in this world: things that should never happen
3. c
   cycle of speeches by Job and his three older friends4:1–27:23Job's speeches focus on his terrible suffering and his innocence; friends' speeches: Job suffers because he has sinned
4. d
   CENTER: poem about wisdom28:1–28only God knows why things are the way they are
5. c′
   cycle of summation speeches by Job and his younger friend29:1–37:24Job's speeches focus on his terrible suffering and his innocence; friends' speeches: Job suffers because he has sinned
6. b′
   God's closing speech: birth and all life is under God's good control38:1–42:6topics: birth, womb, offspring, counting months, day, night, light, darkness, dawn, Leviathan, clouds, freedom, captivity, life, death, awaking, etc.; 60 nouns and verbs, totaling 120 repetitions, are shared with chap. 3; there are no "mistakes" in this world: everything is under God's good control
7. a′
   epilogue: Job's suffering reversed42:7–17Job's righteousness declared by God; Job has seven more sons and three more daughters—his new daughters surpassing his first ones in beauty; Job's flocks are restored: 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, 1,000 donkeys; Job's family members (his brothers and sisters) hold a party; Job's restoration; three friends must come to Job for help

Chiastic matching of the prologue and epilogue

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

Prologue (a–g) and epilogue (g′–a′).

1. a
   introduction: Job lives a righteous life1:1
2. b
   Job's children: seven sons and three daughters1:2
3. c
   Job's flocks: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys1:3
4. d
   parties of Job's family members1:4–5they are brothers and sisters
5. e
   Job's afflictions1:6–2:10
6. f
   three friends (names listed) come to Job to console him2:11
7. g
   friends are silent seven days and seven nights2:12–13
8. g′
   friends rebuked for words; seven bulls and seven rams42:7–8
9. f′
   three friends (names listed) come to Job to ask for help42:9
10. e′
    Job's afflictions are reversed42:10
11. d′
    party of Job's family members42:11his brothers and sisters
12. c′
    Job's flocks: 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, 1,000 donkeys42:12
13. b′
    Job's children: seven sons and three daughters42:13–15
14. a′
    conclusion: Job dies old and full of days42:16–17