Job's comforters

Cultural  

1. Three friends of Job who visited him in his affliction and offered him a way of making sense of his troubles: namely, that he was getting what he deserved. Job's friends maintained that misfortunes were sent by God as punishments for sin, and thus despite Job's apparent goodness, he must really be a terrible sinner. Job persistently disputed them, saying that God is supreme and mysterious — that God can send misfortunes to both good and wicked people and may not be second-guessed.

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A “Job's comforter” is someone who apparently offers consolation to another person but actually makes the other person feel worse.

Example Sentences

They are, of course, the modem equivalents of Job's comforters and plagues.

From Time Magazine Archive

Yes, she is one of Job's comforters, and will make your papa feel a great deal worse than there is any need.

From Marguerite Verne by Armour, Rebecca Agatha

Well," I replied, "my Job's comforters, I have accepted Kilronan, and am going there.

From My New Curate by Sheehan, Patrick Augustine

"You are one of Job's comforters, Martin," replied Gascoigne.

From Mr. Midshipman Easy by Marryat, Frederick

Forgive me, Ida, I will try to do better by you though I fear I shall prove one of Job's comforters.

From A Face Illumined by Roe, Edward Payson