The Book of Job

by Anonymous, Raymond P. Scheindlin (Editor)

"An extraordinary and invaluable version of this great biblical treasure."―David R. Slavitt, Philadelphia Inquirer One of the most powerful and unsettling Bible stories, The Book of Job undermines the claim that our world is governed by justice and meaning. It does so through a poetry of unsurpassed beauty captured in Raymond Scheindlin's superb new translation. Scheindlin's Job is not a patient sufferer but a defiant man who eloquently demands an argument with God. Job's words land like a fist, but he is left speechless by God's reply from the storm ― a commanding survey of creation and a challenge to man's place in it. Job's acceptance of God's power comes with a dignity and freshness that makes it compelling even today. In Scheindlin's vivid translation an ancient text speaks to us directly of timeless questions and passions. A selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, History Book Club, Quality Paperback Book Club, and Jewish Book Club

Genres: Religion, Poetry, Classics

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 1999

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Preston Scott Blakeley]

There is a reason it is Scripture. A remarkable book of catharsis and consolation. The Kierkegaardian ‘knight of faith’ critique shines brightly in this ancient classic.

[Briana Saussy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent translation of the book of Job; I highly recommend it. Job is a very confusing story and the last time I read it, I did so in concert with Carl Jung's Answer to Job, which gave me some insight into Jung's mind but not into Job's.

For me Job is a story that I keep returning to, along with similar works like the Bhagavad Gita. Currently one of the more intriguing aspects of the narrative to me is the apparently two part answer that Yaweh gives to Job. The first part is what I have been thinking about lately. Here the rhetorical, where were you, question is first posed to Job. The examples begin with the most abstract, universal examples: where were you when I placed the foundation of the Earth? But by the end of this section they become very specific--is it you that hunts prey for the lioness' hungry cub or feeds the raven's fledgling?" I think that Jung is not alone in his interpretation that Yaweh's questioning of Job is both childish and cruel, but I find that this section is extremely powerful because of the obviously different levels on which Job is thinking and Yaweh is thinking. I wonder if what the first part of the question and response section indicates is in part the unlimited, unbounded nature of the divine, and the apparent (from our position in the world perhaps) detachment and lack of compassion, that is actually a much more comprehensive love than we could ever imagine. I'm not sold on this as an interpretation, but I find its what I keep returning to.

[Sean Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible translation. Scheindlin's introduction and notes are absolutely first-rate. If you think that the Biblical Job is the patient long-suffering hero you've heard about, you're mistaken. To be sure, there is a patient Job in the story, but only for the first two chapters. The rest of the poem gives us the angry, resentful, impatient, indignant Job, who gets and gives grief from his "friends" and calls God a tyrant whom he longs to take to court. This text is amazingly subversive. You can read it as a "how to endure suffering" manual, but really, I think that stretches the author's intent a bit. Rather, read it as an extended discussion on innocent suffering - why God allows the innocent to suffer. The answer may not be terribly comforting.

[Kindle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Monologues and speeches aplenty. This book is all talking and no plot. This is a tired story. All the hard lessons equal great rewards.

The hardest lessons yield the best rewards. Because Job was so good he didn't have to learn from the struggle, he wouldn't have the chance to grow.

good stuff

bad stuff: ALL.THE.TALKING., Also God was a super dick (I know Satan was testing his boundaries but holy mother, these were people and he was not a loving god in any way shape or form)

[Mary Overton]

Yahweh’s voice from the storm in Scheindlin’s translation:
“Where is the path to where light dwells,
and darkness, where does it belong?
Can you conduct them to their regions,
or even imagine their homeward paths?
....
Where is the path to where lightning forks,
when an east wind scatters it over the ground?
Who cracked open a channel for the torrent,
clove the path for the thundershower,
to rain on lands where no man lives,
on wildernesses uninhabited,
to feed a wasteland, fill a desolation,
make it flower, sprout grass?
Does the shower have a father?
Who begot the drops of dew?
From whose womb did the ice come forth?
Who gave birth to the sky-frost -
water clotting as to stone,
the abyss congeals."
pp. 144-145

[Lizzy Frykman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I picked this translation back up. An authentic and moving framework and ethos. And the book of Job itself--I have always loved 38-41 and reading it just now floored me yet again. God is so vicious and majestic and humbling. I could read it everyday.

[Isabella Roh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting translation of the Biblical book, capturing the style of Hebrew poetry, but taking the story into a more pagan context and offering a rather cynical worldview in the introduction. A fascinating read, worth your time, and fun to read alongside a regular Biblical translation (such as ESV).

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read several translations of the Book of Job in a class on this particular book of the Bible and found none as moving as Scheindlin's. His imagery is unparalleled and clear. I was able to make sense of these characters and their struggles in an entirely new way.

[Elizabeth Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful translation for poetic appeal alone, but faulty theologically.

[Madi]

Read for class
Felt like a boring rap battle