Divine Anger, Intercession, and Restoration: Theology and Ethics in Job 42:7–10

The epilogue to the book of Job (42:7–17) has often been denigrated as an anticlimactic ending that ruins a good story. Particularly controversial is the surprising divine verdict against the orthodox friends of Job for their failure to speak rightly about God, as Job has, even though Job has uttered vitriolic criticisms of God and has been reprimanded by YHWH. This essay offers a fresh re-consideration of this verdict within its literary context. It maintains that Job 42:7–10 is a coherent passage that offers an appropriate and theologically rich conclusion to the book.