patience of Job, the

the patience of Job

An immense and unyielding degree of patience and conviction, especially in the face of problems or difficulty. A reference to the biblical figure Job, whose absolute faith in God remained unshaken despite the numerous afflictions set upon himself, his family, and his estate by Satan. This field of work requires the patience of Job, so if you're looking for immediate results, you're in the wrong profession. My sister is amazing. She has five unruly children, but she has the patience of Job with every single one of them.
See also: job, of, patience
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

patience of Job, the

Long-suffering and forbearing. In the Old Testament Book of Job, the protagonist is the personification of both poverty and patience, subjected to numerous trials. His poverty has been referred to from time to time, but not nearly so frequently as his patience. Shakespeare used both in Henry IV, Part 2 (1.2): “I am as poor as Job, my lord, but not so patient.” And Jonathan Swift put it in rhyme (The Beasts’ Confession, 1732): “While others of the learned Robe would break the patience of a Job.”
See also: of, patience
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • the patience of Job
  • have the patience of Job
  • have the patience of a saint
  • the patience of a saint
  • the patience of a saint/of Job
  • a Job's comforter
  • comforter
  • labor under the delusion of/that
  • labor under the illusion of/that
  • take a stand
References in periodicals archive
Should Hariri be able to manage such a gargantuan task, he will have to have the patience of Job, the expertise of a circus juggler and the wisdom of Plato.
Some story titles include Crossing the Red Sea, Solomon's Wisdom, A Chariot to Heaven, At the Bottom of the Well, the Patience of Job, the Four Fishermen, the Bread From Heaven, the Rich Young Man, the Empty Tomb, Saul the Persecutor, God's Armor, Love One Another, and The Revelation of God.
You need the patience of Job, the skin of a rhinoceros and the peace-keeping skills of Kofi Annan.
My auld man, no a bad player himself, was teaching me, with the patience of Job, the rudimentary lessons of gowf.
Lesson Number Four: Even if you have the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon and the leadership charisma of Patton, you will likely be disappointed with the human race as a productive force.
And pulling together all the necessary elements--military manpower, jets, tanks, subs and choppers to make combat look authentic on film--can require the patience of Job, the stamina of Samson and the savvy of a street-wise Solomon.