God and Heirs: The Theme of Progeny in Job

ABSTRACT This paper explores the theme of children in the book of Job. It will be argued that a significant theme in Job is divine blessing through progeny to continue his household name. Both Job and his friends refer to the death of his progeny in the prologue as a sign of disfavor and the possible reinstatement of his children as divine favor. The focus upon progeny as heirs to continue the house of Job explains why the replacement of children in the epilogue is not presented as problematic in the text. Within the text, progeny is the sign of divine favor not specific children, so the epilogue is only concerned with the reinstatement of potential heirs to continue Job’s name.