Bless God and die: an examination of the role of Job's wife in the Masoretic text of Job

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the first two chapters, or the Prologue, in the Book of Job. The concentration is on the character of Job's wife who is heard from only in 2:9. By studying the parallel structure of chapters one and two in the Prologue to Job, the role of Job's wife becomes highlighted. Her inability to fit into this parallel structure becomes the focus of this thesis as it is questioned why and how she does not fit, and her purpose or role is examined. The first chapter reviews the history of misogynist commentaries that portray Job's wife in a less than favourable light. An examination of this history allows for the feminist-critical study of Job's wife which follows in chapter two. In pursuing the role of Job's wife, chapter three studies her character to see how she does, or does not, fit structurally in the Prologue to the Book of Job. Finally, chapter four examines the speech of Job's wife in 2:9 in detail to see if she can be reconstructed. Her character will be revealed as one who, like her husband, experiences a range of emotions and feelings, and who, also like her husband, can be said to suffer. In summary, this thesis is a feminist-critical study of the often underestimated character of Job's wife in Job 2:9.