The Book of Job is told in poetry and framed by a prose tale, most likely written at different times by different hands. The prose details Job, blessed by God to be a wealthy and prosperous man due to his devout piety. An adversary sent to find corruption on Earth believes Job is pious only due to his blessings and that he will curse God if these are taken away. To test this, Job loses all his possessions and family, but he refuses to curse God.

​

In the poem, Job is suffering. As he cannot find any fault in himself, he concludes that God likes to torture and does not know how to manage the world. His friends say he could have sinned without realizing it, and that the best course of action is to apologize to end the suffering. Wanting answers and vowing innocence, Job wishes he could speak to God and condone him for the undeserved retributive justice.

​

​God appears and, rather than addressing Job’s statements, speaks to the mysteries of managing the universe. Job realizes he did not understand God’s role and, having seen God for himself, repents.

I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees thee;

therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.

Leon Bonnat, Job, 1880