Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the litigation motif in Job. A key strand of this motif is Job's calling on a legal functionary to come to his aid. Many attempts have been made to identify such a figure, with the debate largely focusing on whether God or a third party is being summoned. It has been argued that Job's underlying desire is for a restored relationship with God, yet neither God nor a person other than God is on view. Indeed, no identifiable figure is envisaged, for Job is exploring any imaginable possibility, rather than hoping realistically. Such a view does most justice to difficult verses like 16:21 and 17:3, and is reinforced by the use in each passage of a different title to describe the figure. One consequence of this conclusion is that crucial passages like 16:18–22 and 19:25–27 are not to be understood as Job affirming a confident faith in either his vindication or resurrection.
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