Job2

Satan again presents himself before the LORD, who highlights Job's continued integrity despite his previous losses. Satan challenges that Job's loyalty is conditional, asserting that Job would curse God if his physical health were afflicted. The LORD permits Satan to strike Job with grievous boils, yet Job endures this suffering without sinning with his lips, even rebuking his wife for suggesting he curse God. Subsequently, Job's three friends arrive to mourn with him, sitting in silent solidarity for seven days.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

The Second Heavenly Council

1
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. ​
2
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3
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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. ​
4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. ​
5
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. ​

Satan Afflicts Job

7
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. ​
8
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. ​
9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. ​
10
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. ​

The Arrival of Job's Three Friends

11
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. ​
12
And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. ​
13
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. ​

Study Notes for Job 2

Verse 1

The repetition of the heavenly meeting reinforces that Job’s testing is not arbitrary, but occurs within the boundaries of God's sovereign plan. The 'sons of God' (bene elohim) refers to angelic beings.

Verse 3

God affirms Job’s integrity, noting that the initial destruction was ‘without cause’—meaning it was not merited by sin, highlighting the injustice Job suffers.

Verse 4

“Skin for skin” is a proverb suggesting a person will sacrifice anything (possessions or even health) to save their life. Satan argues that Job's piety is merely calculated self-interest.

Verse 6

The divine restriction, 'but save his life,' confirms that Satan operates only within the limitations set by God, maintaining divine sovereignty over the extent of the suffering.

Verse 7

The 'sore boils' (shehin ra') refers to a severe, agonizing skin disease, likely painful carbuncles or a form of leprosy, fulfilling Satan's demand to touch Job's body directly.

Verse 8

Scraping himself with a potsherd (broken pottery) and sitting in ashes were traditional ancient practices signifying deep grief, humiliation, and ritual mourning for severe illness.

Verse 9

Job's wife represents the common theological assumption that unmerited suffering implies divine rejection. Her advice to 'curse God, and die' urges him to abandon his covenant loyalty.

Verse 10

Job refuses to accept the simplistic theology that life should only consist of blessings. His response affirms that true integrity accepts both divine goodness and divine permission of suffering.

Verse 11

These three men are introduced by their place of origin, indicating they were respected figures. Their arrival initiates the lengthy poetic dialogue that forms the core of the book.

Verse 12

Their extreme reaction—weeping, tearing clothes, and sprinkling dust—demonstrates the shocking severity of Job's disfigurement; he was completely unrecognizable.

Verse 13

The seven-day silent vigil is a traditional period of profound mourning. Their initial silence shows great compassion, setting the stage for the failure of their subsequent attempts to comfort him.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options