The book of Job, which deals with deep-seated conflict between the integrity of God and the integrity of man and belongs to a group of writings known as wisdom literature, surpasses any of its known Babylonian or Egyptian forerunners in the beauty of its poetic discourses and in its insight - the poet struggles to probe the meaning of life, especially life where suffering and injustice prevail for no apparent reason.

The Book of Job, among the greatest masterpieces of world literature, deserves a commentary alert both to the windings of its arguments and to the massive theological problem it raises: the conflict of faith and experience, that is, does it have to do primarily with the why of suffering, or is the chief issue rather the problem of the moral order of the world, of the principles on which it is governed? While many feel that Job is too long, full of windy and tedious words, Clines shows in detail how every element is essential and how only the interweaving of literary and theological perspectives can reveal the richness of the writing. To this end, he supplies a uniquely comprehensive General Bibliography (as well as pericope bibliographies), unrestricted by scholarly apartheid, which includes works of sermons and popular devotions valuable for their theological and spiritual insights. A verse-by-verse commentary, this volume never loses sight of the forest for the trees and, especially in the Explanation sections, constantly surveys the progress of the Book of Job. A particular focus is the unraveling of the arguments and the identification of the distinctive viewpoints of the book's speakers. The textual Notes, which center on explaining why the English versions of Job differ so amazingly from one another, support the author's carefully worded Translation.
In his Introduction, Clines says: "Reading and close-reading the Book of Job, the most theologically and intellectually intense book of the Old Testament, is a perennially uplifting and not infrequently euphoric experience. The craftsmanship in the finest details, the rain of metaphors, the never-failing imagination of the poet are surpassed only by the variety and delicacy of the theological ideas and the cunning of this most open of texts confronting its readers with two new questions along with any answer."

The book of Job has been hailed as a literary masterpiece. Yet it poses one of the most difficult literary problems in the Old Testament: how to understand the order of speeches and speakers from chapters 26 through 37.
In this second volume of his commentary on Job, Clines addresses the problem directly with a sweeping proposal. He argues that chapter 26 continues Bildad's speech from the previous chapter. Job's ninth speech is shorter than usually recognized, only 27:1-6, 11-12. Clines finds Zophar's missing third speech in 27:7-10, 13-17; 24:18-24; and 27:18-23, thus completing the last cycle of speeches by the three friends. Finally, Clines solves the mystery of the wisdom poem in chapter 28 by crediting it to Elihu and showing that it should follow Elihu's other four speeches (chaps. 32-37) as their climax. This new reconstruction allows Job's final speeches (29:1-31:40) to end the cycle and lead into God's response (chaps. 38-41). Through it all, Clines guides readers through the intricacies of Job's language as well as the sweep of the book's theology. He concisely summarizes the views of other commentators, but also notes the choices that readers can and must make in order to evaluate Job's honesty and judge the character of one of the most vivid personalities in biblical literature.

Complete the Old Testament series of the Word Biblical Commentary with Clines' monumental study of Job.& Volume 18 is devoted entirely to the response of the Lord from the tempest to Job, together with the replies of Job (Job 38-42), presenting the Lord's own explanation of his manifold purposes in creation and bringing to an unexpected conclusion Job's dramatic quest for justice. Difficult portions of the Hebrew text are thoroughly handled, but the commentary is written for the non-technical reader and scholar alike. Clines uncovers the driving force of the argument and the drama of the book. The Explanation sections& at the end of each chapter brilliantly summarize the views of the speakers and offer thoughtful reflections on their theological value. The volume concludes with a unique 250-page bibliography of virtually everything that has been written about the Book of Job, including its influence on art, music and literature.
Features include: Complete new translation and verse by verse commentary on the Book of Job, in constant dialogue with other commentators Extensive scholarly notes on the Hebrew text of the book and its many obscure terms Unparalleled bibliography gives sweeping coverage of all aspects of the Book of Job from scholarly books to art, literature, and music

The Latin American liberation theologian's profound reading of the book of Job.