Introduction to Job

In reading the article on the introduction to Job by Keil and Delitzsch, they bring out some interesting points on:

1) The composition time of Job. Based upon the type of writing (Chokma or wisdom just like Proverbs and Songs of Solomon) and also upon the knowledge of the law that seemed to be present with the writer, the most likely composition time is during the time of Solomon.

2) Geography and time of life of Job. Although it was not written until much later, Job was supposed to have lived during the time of the Patriarchs, probably during the time of Abraham. According to K&D, tradition places the abode of Job in the land of Hauran (Uz according to Job 1) which is in the southwestern corner of Syria. Delitzsch actually talks about taking a trip to the land of Hauran, to the Monastery of Job, which is a location built around areas traditionally applied to Job: a tomb, a fountain that was said in the Quran (Quran 38: 42) to have come from Job and been a place for him to bath after his trials. Delitzsch also tells us of a Greek inscription that he found which would have come from around 567AD, predating Islam and making this traditional place of Job apply to Christian as well as Islamic tradition. Hauran is not only a candidate land because of tradition, however, but it is likely because of the fruitfulness of the land, and therefore the possibility that Job could actually be simultaneously plowing with his 500 yolk of oxen.