Final answer:
Bullock favors the pre-exilic period as the time of composition for the book of Job, based on linguistic, stylistic, and historical factors. The use of archaic vocabulary and poetic language, as well as the reflection of pre-exilic social and religious concerns, support this view.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bullock favors the time of the composition of the book of Job as being in the pre-exilic period. This means that Bullock believes the book of Job was written before the Babylonian exile, which occurred around the 6th century BCE. Bullock supports his belief by examining the language and style of the book, as well as its historical and cultural context.
One reason for Bullock's favoring of the pre-exilic period is the presence of certain linguistic and stylistic features in the book of Job that are more characteristic of earlier Hebrew texts rather than later ones. For example, the book contains vocabulary and expressions that are more archaic and resemble the language of other pre-exilic biblical texts. Additionally, the book of Job uses poetic language and imagery, which were more common in earlier Hebrew poetry.
Furthermore, Bullock considers the historical and cultural context of the book of Job. He argues that the book reflects the social and religious concerns of the pre-exilic period, such as theodicy (the problem of suffering and evil in relation to God's justice) and the debate about the nature of divine retribution. These issues were particularly relevant in the pre-exilic period, when Israelite society faced various forms of adversity and sought to make sense of their experiences in light of their covenant relationship with God.