Job1

The chapter introduces Job, a man of great wealth and righteousness in the land of Uz, who feared God and eschewed evil. In a heavenly council, Satan challenges Job's integrity, asserting that Job serves God only because of divine protection and blessings. The LORD grants Satan permission to test Job by afflicting his possessions and children, but forbids him from harming Job personally. Consequently, Job suffers the rapid loss of all his livestock, servants, and his ten children, yet he responds by worshipping God without sinning or charging God foolishly.
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Job's Character and Prosperity

1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. ​
2
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. ​
4
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. ​

Satan Challenges Job's Integrity

6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. ​
7
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ​
8
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? ​
9
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? ​
10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. ​

The Calamities Begin

13
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: ​
14
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ​
16
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ​
17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ​

Job's Faithful Response

20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, ​
21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. ​
22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. ​

Study Notes for Job 1

Verse 1

Job is introduced as a historical figure dwelling in Uz (likely Edom or Northern Arabia). 'Perfect and upright' signifies moral integrity and completeness, not sinlessness, while 'feared God' is the biblical definition of wisdom.

Verse 3

Job’s immense wealth—measured specifically in livestock—establishes him as the 'greatest of all the men of the east,' emphasizing the great scale of his future loss.

Verse 5

Job’s practice of offering burnt offerings after his children’s feasts shows his profound, proactive piety, fearing that they might have 'cursed God' (blasphemed or failed to honor Him) in their revelry.

Verse 6

The 'sons of God' (bene elohim) are members of the divine council, likely angelic beings. Satan (Hebrew: Ha-Satan, 'the accuser') is introduced not as God's equal, but as an adversarial figure subordinate to God.

Verse 7

Satan’s answer indicates his continuous activity as a roaming investigator and accuser on earth, contrasting with the heavenly setting of the divine council.

Verse 8

God initiates the discussion about Job, proving that the trial is not a random attack but a test ordained within a divine plan, centered on Job's exceptional righteousness.

Verse 9

Satan challenges the purity of Job’s devotion, arguing that Job serves God only because God has protected and rewarded him (a mercenary faith argument).

Verse 12

God grants Satan permission to proceed, but sets a clear boundary: Satan may touch Job's possessions, but not Job himself. This establishes the limits of evil power under divine sovereignty.

Verse 13

This verse sets the scene for the disasters, emphasizing that they occurred suddenly while the family was gathered, maximizing the shock and loss.

Verse 15

The Sabeans (likely marauders from the south) and the Chaldeans (v. 17, from the northeast) represent human agents of destruction, highlighting the worldly dangers Job faced.

Verse 16

'The fire of God' (likely lightning) is attributed to a natural phenomenon, showing that both human violence and natural disaster were used to strip Job of his wealth.

Verse 19

The death of all ten children is the most devastating loss, demonstrating the completeness of Job’s suffering and confirming the total removal of the 'hedge' mentioned in verse 10.

Verse 20

Job's actions—rending his mantle and shaving his head—are traditional signs of profound mourning. Falling down to worship demonstrates immediate submission, not rebellion.

Verse 21

This profound confession is the theological high point of the chapter, affirming God’s sovereignty over both giving and taking life and possessions. It directly contradicts Satan’s prediction that Job would curse God.

Verse 22

The narrator's concluding verdict confirms that Job passed the first test, maintaining his integrity and refusing to attribute moral wrongdoing or foolishness to God.

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