AN ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION OF JOB IN JOSEPH ALBO’S BOOK OF PRINCIPLES

Numerous medieval Jewish philosophers read the Book of Job allegorically to teach about divine providence and the suffering of the righteous. Joseph Albo’s interpretation reflects the influence of medieval philosophers including Saadia, Maimonides, Gersonides, Crescas and Duran, yet is unique in that it does not comprise one cohesive analysis, but references to Job are scattered throughout the work for the reader to synthesize, as is typical of other discussions in Sefer ha-‘Iqqarim [Book of Principles]. Furthermore, unlike other medieval interpretations which focus exclusively on divine providence, Albo’s allegorical reading reflects lessons about free choice. Albo uses the precedent of his influences who understand the dialogue between Job and his friends as a philosophical debate in which characters in the book are affliliated with erroneous opinions of divine providence, but instead innovatively associates characters’ positions with mistaken views regarding human choice. His exposition of Job deciphers different notions of free choice, which contribute to his demonstration of God’s providence over the individual and explanation of the adversity of the righteous.