“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?”
The book of Job is challenging. Its Hebrew is often obscure, its length and subject matter are intimidating, and its meaning has been debated throughout the history of biblical interpretation. In this commentary, Duane A. Garrett presents a fresh argument for the book’s meaning. Job demonstrates the inability of Wisdom, as a theological tradition, to solve the problem of evil. Without rejecting Wisdom, it shows that only God can truly deal with evil. God’s answer to evil is found only in Christ, who is anticipated in the book of Job.
With a meticulous eye for detail, Duane Garrett masterfully untangles the complex intricacies of the frequently read but perplexing book of Job. Garrett’s exploration reaches profound depths, elucidating textual and theological insights that resonate in our modern era. This commentary stands as a monumental achievement, essential for those seeking a fresh perspective with the aim of further unraveling the tapestry of the book of Job.
—Dominick S. Hernández, associate professor of Old Testament and Semitics; director of Talbot en Español, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Foundational for Garrett’s interpretation of Job is his welcome return to some often-abandoned traditional claims: the book’s origin in the Solomonic era and its compositional integrity, a reticence to emend the Hebrew text, a consistent but developing Job figure, and a primary focus on theodicy marked by multiple sages desperately seeking to uphold the retribution principle. By adding to these some more-novel hermeneutical perspectives … this commentary offers a fresh interpretation of a frequently misunderstood and consequently misapplied wisdom book.
—Richard Schultz, Blanchard Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College
The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series incorporates the latest in critical biblical scholarship, yet each volume is written from a distinctly evangelical perspective. The authors explore the context and meaning of the biblical books while showing the value and truth of the texts in ancient times and today. These commentaries present historical and literary insights for understanding the text within the Bible’s larger story and applying it to everyday life.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
Duane A. Garrett is the John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and professor of biblical theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books, including The Problem of the Old Testament: Hermeneutical, Schematic, and Theological Approaches.