Book Of Job (Otl) [Paperback]

I am preparing a sermon series on the Book of Job and Habel's work has been very helpful. While not as good as Hartley's work The Book of Job (New International Commentary on the Old Testament)or as extensive as Clines' Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 17, Job 1-20 (clines), 617pp I find it better than Andersen's Job (Tyndale Old Testament Commentary Series). If one can only afford one modern commentary I would reccomend Hartley and Habel would be a close second.

I'm taking a class in Job currently, and so far (I've read up to ch 32) this commentary has been the most insightful. I've compared it a little with Balentine's and Hartley's. I haven't read other commentaries, but this has been one of the most insightful commentary that I've read on any biblical book. His primary strength is in appreciation of Job as a fine work of literature. Not that this negates the view of Job as the word of God. Rather, it enhances one's appreciation for Job as Scripture. It is only that he focuses on the literary features such as irony, sarcasm, parallelism, inclusio, use of key terms, etc. He brings the text alive through his constant reference to other parts in Job. He also creatively weaves in allusions to other parts of the OT as well as ANE myth and other literature. As an example of his writing and interpretation, here is what he has to say on a beloved verse (19:25):

"The go'el `rises' to testify on Job's behalf just as the Satan rose to challenge Job's integrity. Thus, Job's go'el is a `defender' or defense attorney who is the counterpart of the Satan, whose name is a technical title for his role as the `accuser' or prosecuting attorney. This figure need not be a personal deity like those of Sumerian theology (Pope), nor need the figure be identified any more precisely than is the `Satan.' The go'el is an appropriate sympathetic member of the heavenly council, an angel figure who assumes the role of the defender of Job's innocence, the arbiter of Job's trial (cf. Zech 3:1-5; Gen 48:16), and the vindicator of Job's integrity."

Very conservative readers may not appreciate this commentary (Habel was part of Seminex in the 1970s), but they can still appreciate the fact that Habel is very concerned about the literary unity of the text. Whereas other interpreters would argue for a longer editorial process of Job, he argues for the unity, not only of individual passages but of the book as a whole (prose and poetry sections). One downside is a lack of pastoral implications and theological interpretation. This is mostly higher biblical criticism, but with a high view of the book. Highly recommended. This commentary will open your eyes to the beauty in the book of Job.

This easily may be one of the most useful one volume commentaries on a biblical book available, incorporating immense scholarship, insightful commentary, and accessibility with affordability. If you can only afford to purchase one commentary on the Book of Job, you really need to look no further.