job (3), jobe

t. [Etym. uncertain. Usually given as if from the patriarch Job, in allusion to the rebukes he received from his friends, though it would seem probable, if a word with this meaning were derived from the story of the patriarch, it would take the form of the name of one of his friends. Against this view is to be urged the comparative easine with which his name is pronounced, when compared with theirs. Cf. Notes and Queries, June 21, 1884, p. 489.] To chide sternly; to reprimand, to scold. ( Eng. ) Job, s. Heb. Iyob ; Gr. Iob =a patriarch notable for his patience.] [1] The Book of Job : Old Test. Canon : In the English version of the Bible, Job stands first in order of the poetic books of the Old Testament, but it is the third in the Hebrew Scriptures, Psalms and Proverbs preceding it, and the Song of Solomon coming next. A prologue (ch. i. ii.) and the conclusion (ch. xlii. 7-17), are in prose. The rest is poetry, and of a very high order. In the historical prologue Job is introduced as deeply pious and exceedingly prosperous. Satan insinuates that he is pious simply because God has bribed him to be so by means of his prosperity, Remove the latter, and the former will also depart, Instead of ble ing, he will curse God to his face, To prove the falsity of this charge, Satan is allowed to strip Job of po e ions and children, and to afflict him with a loathsome disease. The patriarch bows uncomplainingly to the Divine decision, while the piety of his wife breaks down in the trial. Job's three friends-Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar arrive to comfort him, and the poetry begins. Job, in despair, curses the day of his birth: Eliphaz replies, and Job makes a rejoinder. Bildad follows, and Job answers him. Zophar next speaks, and Job tending to sympathize. Of course the allusion is to the severe rebukes administered to Job by his three friends, which forced him to exclaim, "Miserable comforters are ye all" (Job xvi. 2). *Job's-news, s. Bad news.