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Book of Job

Byzantine illuminated manuscript of the book of Job, circa 1400. Codex Gr. 135, folio 46, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, France.

This Byzantine manuscript illustration depicts Job and three friends in a scene from the book of Job. Job’s seated figure is covered in skin lesions, his tormented gaze directed toward his friends on the opposite hillside. Job’s head is surrounded by a halo, signifying grace. Job’s friends wear golden crowns and concerned faces. Most Christian interpreters have understood these friends to be three kings who foreshadow the three wise men sent by Herod to find Jesus (Matt 2:1).

Byzantine illuminated manuscript of the book of Job, circa 1400. Codex Gr. 135, folio 46, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, France.

Relating to the Byzantine empire, which ruled the Eastern Mediterranean from the fifth century CE to 1453; its capital was Byzantium (modern Istanbul).

A text of pages bound leaf style, like a modern book—as opposed to a scroll, which has no discrete pages.

People who study a text from historical, literary, theological and other angles.

Matt 2:1

The Visit of the Wise Men
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

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