Seeing the World through Tearful Eyes: Similes in Job’s Laments

Abstract

This thesis seeks to explore a comprehensive approach to understanding the diverse similes used in Job’s laments throughout chapters 3–31. Most previous metaphor studies within the discipline of HB/OT, and of the book of Job in particular, have primarily focused on key metaphors or have treated similes as a subset of metaphors. My observation of the distinct usage of similes in Job’s laments raises several fundamental questions that underpin this investigation: What are the similarities and differences between similes and metaphors? How does the author of Job integrate similes into the construction of Job’s speeches, particularly his laments? How can these similes reflect Job’s life experiences and associated emotions? And how do they engage the audience in Job’s expression of suffering? The first part of this thesis covers scholarly literature and methodology relevant to the study. It begins by reviewing the discussion of the nature of simile and by highlighting notable works that apply cognitive-linguistic methods to study metaphors and similes in the HB/OT, with a particular focus on the book of Job. It then outlines the basics of a linguistic-literary approach—an adaptation of the Conceptual Blending model—that I have developed to analyse the similes in Job’s laments. After laying the groundwork by exploring the literary form of lament and categorising the selected similes, the second part of the thesis delves into an in-depth analysis of different types of similes in Job’s laments. These include zoomorphic, botanical, elemental, climatic, comestible, artefactual, and anthropic similes. The key findings of this study reveal that Job, amid his profound distress, deliberately employs a wide range of similes to convey his laments. While these similes, like metaphors, evoke vivid imagery to express Job’s laments, their distinct linguistic structure allows Job to create a space for reflection on human suffering and to convey his perspectives with greater explicitness and clarity. This, in turn, enables Job to compel his audience (including his friends) to recognise his suffering and to seek God’s compassion and vindication more directly. This thesis concludes that similes, often regarded as inferior to metaphors, can, in fact, possess a comparable cognitive and rhetorical function. They also express perceptions and emotions in a more explicit and accessible manner due to their unique linguistic structure. Therefore, similes merit greater attention in exploring the overall meaning and theological significance of the book, particularly within the emotionally charged context of Job’s laments.