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Testament of Job

A book written in the 1st century BCE or 1st century CE. Expands the biblical story of Job, describing his patience in suffering and his final words to his children.|||The earliest surviving fragments are in Coptic, of the 5th century (P. Köln 3221). Other early manuscripts are in Greek and Old Slavonic.|||Written in the 1st century BCE or 1st century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Expands the biblical story of Job. Describes his patience in suffering, his conflict with Satan, and his final words to his children.|||Spittler, R. P. " Testament of Job." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.|||Schenke, G. Der Koptische Kölner Papyruskodex 3221. Schöningh, 2009.|||Testament of Job — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/testamentjob.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Testament of Job — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Job|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Job said: I have endured all these things for the sake of the Lord." — Testament of Job 1:1

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Written in the 1st century BCE or 1st century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

The earliest surviving fragments are in Coptic, of the 5th century (P. Köln 3221). Other early manuscripts are in Greek and Old Slavonic.

Why It Matters for Study

Expands the biblical story of Job. Describes his patience in suffering, his conflict with Satan, and his final words to his children.

" And Job said: I have endured all these things for the sake of the Lord." — Testament of Job 1:1

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And Job said: I have endured all these things for the sake of the Lord." — Testament of Job 1:1 " And Job said: I have endured all these things for the sake of the Lord." — Testament of Job 1:1

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Spittler, R. P. " Testament of Job." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.
Schenke, G. Der Koptische Kölner Papyruskodex 3221. Schöningh, 2009.
Testament of Job — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/testamentjob.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Testament of Job — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Job|Background and scholarly discussion.