Avraham and Iyyov/0
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Avraham and Iyyov
Introduction
Content Parallels
The stories of Avraham and Iyyov contain a number of similarities:
- Heavenly Test – Both Avraham and Iyyov are tested by Heaven (Bereshit 22 and Iyyov 1-2). Both tests include the death of children (Avraham is commanded to kill his son, Satan kills Iyyov's children). Both figures are shown to be truly God-fearing (Avraham is told he is "יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים", and Iyyov is tested in attempt to prove he is not). Both also feature an angelic figure (Avraham is stopped from killing his son by an angel, who also tells him he passed his test, while Iyyov's test was instigated by Satan).1
- Prayer for Others – Both Avraham and Iyyov pray for others, resulting in their recovery from the wrath of God (Bereshit 20 and Iyyov 42). In both cases, a negative interaction with Avraham or Iyyov (Avimelekh taking Avraham's wife, and Iyyov's friends conversation with him) results in God contacting them directly and threatening them (Avimelekh is told in a dream he will die, and Iyyov's friends are just told Hashem is angry with them). God tells them that the only way to appease him is to ask Avraham or Iyyov to pray for them. Avraham and Iyyov then indeed pray for them, which is followed by Hashem blessing them with children.
- Riches – Both Avraham and Iyyov are described as extremely rich, both before (Bereshit 13:2 and Iyyov 1:3) and after (Bereshit 24:1,35 and Iyyov 42:12) their major test.
- Three Friends – Avraham is described as having three allies (Bereshit 13:14) and Iyyov has three friends (Iyyov 2:11).
- Single Escapee – A single escapee notifies both Avraham and Iyyov of disasters which have befallen them. Avraham is notified by a refugee that his nephew was kidnapped (Bereshit 14:11-13) and Iyyov is notified of the four disasters, each time by a single escapee (Iyyov 1:14-19).
Literary Allusions
In addition to these similar episodes, there are a number of literary allusions between Avraham and Iyyov:
- תָמִים and יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים – Avraham is once commanded to be תָמִים (Bereshit 17:1), and is described as יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים (Bereshit 22:12). Iyyov is described as תָּם וְיָשָׁר וִירֵא אֱלֹהִים (Iyyov 1:1,8, 2:3).
- אַל תִּשְׁלַח יָדךָ – Avraham is commanded by the angel to avoid harming Yitzchak with the phrase "אַל תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל הַנַּעַר" (Bereshit 22:12), while Satan is warned against harming Iyyov with the identical phrase "רַק אֵלָיו אַל תִּשְׁלַח יָדֶךָ" (Iyyov 1:12).
- עָפָר וָאֵפֶר – Both Avraham and Iyyov describe themselves using the phrase "עָפָר וָאֵפֶר" (Bereshit 18:27 and Iyyov 30:19, 42:6).
- וַיהֹוָה בֵּרַךְ – At the end of their lives, we are told that God blessed ("וַיהֹוָה בֵּרַךְ אֶת") Avraham and Iyyov, with their riches including sheep, cattle, camels, and donkeys (Bereshit 24:1,35 and Iyyov 42:12).
- וַיָּמׇת... זָקֵן וְשׂבעַ – After recounting Avraham's long life-span, he is described as dying "בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֹבָה זָקֵן וְשָׂבֵעַ" (Bereshit 25:7-8). After the remainder of Iyyov's years are counted, he is described as dying "זָקֵן וּשְׂבַע יָמִים" (Iyyov 42:16-17).
- עוּץ – Avraham has a nephew named עוּץ (Bereshit 22:21), and Iyyov lives in עוּץ (Iyyov 1:1).
Analysis
- Degree of similarity –
- עוּץ – While the word used in both stories is identical, by Avraham it is referring to a person, and by Iyyov it is referring to a place.
- Distinctive phrases –
- יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים – While not unique, the description "יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים" is found rarely in Tanakh.2
- אַל תִּשְׁלַח יָדךָ – These exact three words in this exact order are unique.3
- עָפָר וָאֵפֶר – These are the only three occurrences of this combination.
- וַיהֹוָה בֵּרַךְ – These are the only occurrences of this exact phrase.
- זָקֵן וְשׂבעַ – This combination is found in only one other place.4
Points of Contrast
- What Happens to Children –
- Reaction to Test –
