Job and his wife and seven sons and three daughters

Job and the Eternal Plan of Happiness

The Old Testament Book of Job is a masterful work of sacred poetry—rich in symbolism, emotion, and spiritual depth. Yet its complexity can make it challenging to follow without thoughtful guidance. In this volume, we’ve included the complete text of the King James Version of Job, accompanied by commentary designed to illuminate the narrative and help readers engage more deeply with it’s teachings. As you conclude your reading of the book you will see that the entire Plan of Salvation is outlined in the narrative.

To enrich the study experience, we’ve also provided footnote references to both the Greek Septuagint and the Hebrew Bible versions of “The Book of Job”. These notes highlight linguistic nuances and interpretive variations across traditions, offering readers a broader perspective on the text.

Commentary

The following is an example of how this book is organized for your better understanding. One example among the more than 1,100 footnotes in this volume appears in Job 1:1, where the word “perfect” is rendered in the Hebrew as “whole-hearted.” While many of these notes reflect subtle linguistic differences that leave the core meaning intact, some offer insights that can significantly deepen or shift the interpretation of a verse.

Throughout the book, you’ll find commentary woven into the text—like the example shown below—drawn directly from the pages of this work. Each note offers contextual insight based on careful research, helping to illuminate the meaning behind the verses. This kind of thoughtful, enriching commentary appears in every chapter, guiding readers toward a deeper understanding of Job’s story and its spiritual significance.

To illustrate how this book is organized, consider the example of Job 1:1. Here, the verse is presented as it appears in the Old Testament, with interwoven commentary that provides contextual insights based on our research. Footnotes accompany the passage, allowing readers to explore alternative interpretations and textual variations.

Page Image With Commentary

Uz likely encompassed regions of southwestern Jordan and southern Israel. What we know of Job comes solely from the sacred text itself. From the outset, Scripture introduces him as “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1). His righteousness wasn’t theoretical—it was lived. And as the narrative unfolds, we witness a man whose faith remains unshaken, even as his world crumbles.

Though Job endures profound suffering, and at times longs for death, he never abandons his trust in God. His story does not begin with despair—it begins with dignity. His character is so steadfast that even heaven takes notice. And when calamity strikes, Job doesn’t curse—he worships.

This is the essence of spiritual resilience. Job’s journey reminds us that trials are not always signs of divine displeasure—they may be expressions of divine confidence. Sometimes, God allows suffering not to punish, but to reveal strength, to refine the soul, and to draw us closer to God’s Eternal Plan of Salvation.”