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אִיּוֹב (iy.yov)

iy.yov

Job

H0347 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 50 verses

N:N-M-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
50 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Iyov refers to the patriarch whose life story fills the book bearing his name, as well as two brief mentions in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). Lexicons generally derive the name from the root meaning "to hate" or "to persecute," suggesting it signifies a man who was hated or persecuted. This etymology aligns with the narrative of his intense suffering and loss.

Although the exact linguistic origin remains debated among scholars, the traditional understanding emphasizes his endurance through calamity. He is depicted as a wealthy and pious man from Uz who faced trials that tested his faith, yet remained faithful. The name itself serves as a fitting label for a figure defined by his experience of being subjected to severe hardship.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Iyov carries a weight of deep human experience. Rooted in a word meaning 'persecuted' or 'hated,' it points to a life defined by severe trial. Yet the biblical narrative does not leave us with only suffering. It presents a man who, despite losing everything and facing intense pain, refused to curse God. This tension between his painful reality and his steadfast faith offers a profound model for anyone navigating their own seasons of hardship.

When we read about Job in Uz, we see that integrity is not the absence of trouble, but the choice to remain faithful within it. The text highlights that he 'did not sin with his lips' even when his world collapsed. This word invites us to trust that God sees our endurance. It reminds us that our worth is not measured by our comfort, but by our relationship with the Creator who sustains us through the fire.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 50 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Job46×
  • O Job3×
  • and/ Job2×
  • on/ Job1×
  • like/ Job1×
  • [was] Job1×
  • [belonged] to/ Job1×
  • <to>/ Job1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • אִיּ֗וֹב12×
  • אִיּ֖וֹב6×
  • אִ֭יּוֹב6×
  • אִיּ֣וֹב5×
  • אִיּ֑וֹב5×
  • אִיּוֹב֙4×
  • אִיּֽוֹב\׃4×
  • אִיּ֥וֹב3×
  • אִיּ֔וֹב3×
  • לְ/אִיּ֣וֹב1×
  • לְ/אִיּ֖וֹב1×
  • כְּ/אִיּ֑וֹב1×

Key Verses

  • Job 1:8
    Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”

    God explicitly identifies Job as His servant and unique in integrity, establishing the divine perspective on his character before any human judgment occurs.

  • Job 2:10
    But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.

    This verse captures the core of the name's meaning, showing Job accepting both good and evil from God's hand without sinning in speech.

  • Job 1:22
    In all this, Job didn’t sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.

    It summarizes his response to total loss, emphasizing that he maintained his moral standing and did not charge God with wrongdoing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Job mean in Hebrew?

The Hebrew name Iyov (H0347) is generally understood to derive from a root meaning 'to hate' or 'to persecute.' This etymology reflects the biblical figure's life, which was marked by intense suffering and loss. It serves as a fitting title for a man who endured severe trials while maintaining his faith.

Why is Job mentioned in Ezekiel?

Job appears twice in Ezekiel (chapters 14 and 20) as an example of exceptional righteousness. The prophet uses him alongside Noah and Daniel to illustrate that even the most righteous individuals could only save themselves, not others, during times of divine judgment. This highlights Job's reputation for integrity across Israel's history.

Is Job considered a historical figure?

Many Christians view Job as a historical person based on his mention in Ezekiel and James. Others see the book as a wisdom literature masterpiece using a representative figure to explore theological questions about suffering. Regardless of the genre, the text presents him as a real man from Uz who feared God.

Every Occurrence (50 verses across 1 books)

Job 50 verses
Job 1:1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and…

Job 1:5

It was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early…

Job 1:8

Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and…

Job 1:9

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

Job 1:14

that a messenger came to Job, and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them,

Job 1:20

Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped.

Job 1:22

In all this, Job didn’t sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.

Job 2:3

Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and…

Job 2:7

So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh, and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to his head.

Job 2:10

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God,…

Job 2:11

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, they each came from his own place: Eliphaz…

Job 3:1

After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed the day of his birth.

Job 3:2

Job answered:

Job 6:1

Then Job answered,

Job 9:1

Then Job answered,

Job 12:1

Then Job answered,

Job 16:1

Then Job answered,

Job 19:1

Then Job answered,

Job 21:1

Then Job answered,

Job 23:1

Then Job answered,

Job 26:1

Then Job answered,

Job 27:1

Job again took up his parable, and said,

Job 29:1

Job again took up his parable, and said,

Job 31:40

let briers grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

Job 32:1

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job 32:2

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was…

Job 32:3

Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Job 32:4

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

Job 32:12

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

Job 33:1

“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Job 33:31

Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

Job 34:5

For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.

Job 34:7

What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

Job 34:35

‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’

Job 34:36

I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

Job 35:16

therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”

Job 37:14

“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Job 38:1

Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind,

Job 40:1

Moreover Yahweh answered Job,

Job 40:3

Then Job answered Yahweh,

Job 40:6

Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind:

Job 42:1

Then Job answered Yahweh:

Job 42:7

It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled…

Job 42:8

Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a…

Job 42:9

So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what Yahweh commanded them, and…

Job 42:10

Yahweh restored Job’s prosperity when he prayed for his friends. Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:12

So Yahweh blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels,…

Job 42:15

In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among…

Job 42:16

After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations.

Job 42:17

So Job died, being old and full of days.