Job 2 and 42:7–10 as Narrative Bridge and Theological Pivot

This article reexamines the literary relationship between the prose frame (Job 1–2, 42:7–17) and the poetic core (3:1–42:6) of the book of Job. Building on previous work that identifies Job 1, 42:11–17 as an older and independent composition, I argue that the author of the poetic core composed Job 2, 42:7–10 as a narrative bridge and a theological pivot from the prose frame to the poetic core. Job 2, 42:7–10 narratively connects the prose frame to the poetic dialogue, principally through the introduction of Job’s friends, and broaches pivotal theological themes to prepare for the contentious dialogue to come.