Biblical Matters

Beyond that one verse, James shares with Job a cluster of themes: testing that refines faith (Jas 1:2-4; Job 23:10), wisdom that comes from God (Jas 1:5; Job 28:12-28), speech as the measure of integrity (Jas 3:2; Job 2:10), care for widows and orphans (Jas 1:27; Job 29:12-13) and the prayer of a righteous person (Jas 5:16; Job 42:8-10). The parallels are thematic; James never quotes Job directly.

Widows and orphans had no male protector and were legally vulnerable; the law placed them under God’s special protection (Exod 22:22-24; Deut 10:18; Deut 24:17).

Job’s defence lists concrete deeds for the poor, widow, orphan and stranger (Job 29:12-16; Job 31:16-22); James defines pure religion by the same deeds (Jas 1:27) and argues that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:17).

James defines “pure and undefiled religion” as caring for orphans and widows in their distress (Jas 1:27), in line with the Law’s protection of widows (Exod 22:22-24).

Job rescued “the fatherless who had no helper” (Job 29:12) and shared his food with them (Job 31:17). He accuses his friends of a callousness that would “cast lots for an orphan” (Job 6:27).

James’s word is orphanos, “bereaved, without parents”; the Hebrew term in Job is yātôm, “fatherless”. Both describe a child without legal protection.

עֳנִי o.ni H6040 affliction; πειρασμός peirasmos G3986G temptation/testing: temptation; θλῖψις thlipsis G2347 pressure. peirasmos in Jas 1:2 and Jas 1:12 means an outward trial; thlipsis is pressure or affliction (the “distress” of widows and orphans in Jas 1:27). Hebrew ʿŏnî “affliction” describes Job’s “days of affliction”.

Put faith into practice for the vulnerable: practical support for widows, orphans, refugees and unpaid workers (Jas 1:27; Jas 5:4; Job 31:16-22).

Abraham must teach “righteousness and justice”; Job lists care for the poor, widow and orphan.