JOB’S WIFE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/1013-8471/2531Abstract
Internal textual evidence, as well as external evidence drawn from behavioural patterns in the ancient Near East, shows that the book of Job contains not only a theological conflict between man and God, but also one between man and the society to which he belongs. Job’s physical affliction (שחין רע ) made him into a social outcast because of fear of contagion. The role of Job’s wife has to be understood within this context. In particular, this paper is focused on the speech of Job’s wife in the Prologue (2:9), allusions to her in 19:17, 30:12–13, 17–18, 31:1, 10, and her absence from the Epilogue. These sources suggest an image of Job’s wife that is at variance with the negative character usually ascribed to her.Metrics
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