Job 1:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hast not thou made an hedge {H7753} about him, and about {H1157} his house {H1004}, and about all that he hath on every side {H5439}? thou hast blessed {H1288} the work {H4639} of his hands {H3027}, and his substance {H4735} is increased {H6555} in the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You've put a protective hedge around him, his house and everything he has. You've prospered his work, and his livestock are spread out all over the land.

Berean Standard Bible

Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

American Standard Version

Hast not thou made a 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:10 is a pivotal verse that captures the essence of Satan's cynical challenge to God regarding the integrity of Job's faith. In this heavenly dialogue, Satan contends that Job's exemplary piety, described by God as unparalleled, is not born of genuine devotion but is merely a pragmatic response to the comprehensive divine protection and lavish material blessings God has bestowed upon him. This accusation, framed as a rhetorical question, sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of Job's trials, raising profound questions about the nature of true worship, the source of human suffering, and the ultimate sovereignty of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the dramatic opening scene of the Book of Job, specifically in the heavenly court. It directly follows God's commendation of Job as "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil" [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Commendation of Job"). Satan, having presented himself before God, responds to this divine praise by questioning the authenticity of Job's righteousness. Job 1:9, "Doth Job fear God for naught?", immediately precedes our verse, articulating Satan's core suspicion. Job 1:10 then elaborates on *why* Satan believes Job serves God—because of the immense prosperity and security God has provided. This accusation serves as the catalyst for God's permission to test Job, initiating the central conflict of the book: the integrity of a righteous person's faith in the face of inexplicable suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the patriarchal era, likely reflecting a time before the Mosaic Law, given the absence of references to Israelite customs or institutions. In the ancient Near East, prosperity, numerous offspring, and long life were generally considered signs of divine favor and blessing for righteousness, while suffering and loss were often attributed to divine judgment for sin. Job's immense wealth and large family, detailed in [Job 1:2-3](/job/1-2 "Job 1:2-3 - Job's Family and Wealth"), would have been understood by his contemporaries as clear evidence of God's blessing. Satan's argument in Job 1:10 plays directly into this cultural understanding, suggesting that Job's piety is merely a transactional response to this perceived divine reward. The concept of a "heavenly council" or "divine assembly" where lesser divine beings (like "the sons of God," which includes Satan) present themselves before the supreme deity was also a common motif in ancient Near Eastern mythology, though here it is uniquely presented within a monotheistic framework.
* **Key Themes:** Job 1:10 introduces and reinforces several key themes that permeate the entire book. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Protection and Blessing**, explicitly acknowledging God's active and comprehensive safeguarding of Job and his possessions. This divine "hedge" and the increase of Job's substance are undeniable facts, as also described in [Job 1:3](/job/1-3 "Job 1:3 - Job's Great Substance"). Secondly, the verse encapsulates **Satan's Accusation** and his role as "the Accuser" (a meaning of his name), presenting a cynical view of human righteousness as conditional and self-serving. This challenges the very notion of disinterested piety. Thirdly, it sets up the central theological inquiry into **The Nature of True Faith**. By suggesting Job's faith is merely a product of prosperity, Satan implicitly asks whether genuine devotion can exist independently of material gain and comfort. This question becomes the driving force behind Job's subsequent trials, forcing an examination of faith that endures even when the visible signs of God's favor are removed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hedge (Hebrew, _śāḵ_):** The Hebrew word סָךְ (_śāḵ_), often translated as "hedge," refers to a fence, barrier, or protective wall. In this context, it vividly conveys the idea of God's comprehensive, impenetrable, and intentional safeguarding around Job, his household, and all his possessions. The phrase "on every side" emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of this divine protection, leaving no vulnerability. Satan's use of this term acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous care over Job's life, confirming that Job's prosperity was not accidental but divinely orchestrated.
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _bārak_):** The verb בָּרַךְ (_bārak_) means "to bless," "to praise," or "to kneel." Here, it signifies God's active bestowal of favor and prosperity upon Job's endeavors. Satan admits that God has directly intervened to ensure the success of Job's work, implying that Job's wealth is not merely a result of his own diligence but a direct divine gift. This highlights the ancient Near Eastern understanding that all true prosperity ultimately originates from the divine.
* **Increased (Hebrew, _pāraṣ_):** The verb פָּרַץ (_pāraṣ_) means "to break forth," "to burst out," or "to spread abroad." When applied to "substance" (wealth, possessions), it denotes an overflowing, rapid, and abundant expansion. Satan's choice of this word underscores the extraordinary magnitude of Job's prosperity, which had not merely grown but had "burst forth" beyond normal limits, making him "the greatest of all the people of the east" [Job 1:3](/job/1-3 "Job 1:3 - Job's Greatness"). This emphasizes the perceived unfairness of Job's situation from Satan's perspective—he had everything, so why wouldn't he be pious?

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?":** This rhetorical question, posed by Satan to God, is a thinly veiled accusation. Satan acknowledges God's active and comprehensive protection over Job, his family, and all his vast possessions. The "hedge" symbolizes an impenetrable barrier of divine favor and security, indicating that no harm could befall Job without God's permission. The phrase "on every side" emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of this protection, leaving no aspect of Job's life untouched by God's safeguarding hand.
* **"thou hast blessed the work of his hands,":** Satan further concedes that God has actively prospered Job's endeavors. This is not merely Job's hard work paying off, but God's direct intervention and favor ensuring the success and fruitfulness of everything Job undertook. This clause underscores the divine source of Job's immense wealth and influence, making it clear that his prosperity was not accidental but a direct result of God's blessing.
* **"and his substance is increased in the land.":** This final clause reiterates and amplifies the previous point, emphasizing the extraordinary growth and abundance of Job's possessions. "Substance" refers to his livestock, servants, and all his material wealth. The phrase "increased in the land" suggests a visible, undeniable, and overflowing prosperity that was widely recognized, further solidifying Satan's argument that Job's piety was merely a response to this unparalleled material gain.

#### Literary Devices
Job 1:10 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey Satan's accusation. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the "hedge" (סָךְ, _śāḵ_). This vivid image of a protective barrier or fence effectively symbolizes God's comprehensive and impenetrable safeguarding of Job and his possessions. It paints a picture of divine care that is both active and complete, leaving no room for external harm. The verse also functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, posed by Satan to God. This device is not meant to elicit an answer, but rather to make a forceful assertion, implying that the answer is obvious and undeniable from Satan's perspective. It serves to highlight Satan's cynical worldview and to challenge God's assessment of Job's integrity. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in Satan's description of Job's blessings ("all that he hath on every side," "substance is increased in the land"). While Job was indeed immensely wealthy, Satan's language exaggerates the extent to emphasize his point that Job's piety is merely a calculation based on overwhelming material advantage. This dramatic language underscores the high stakes of the spiritual conflict unfolding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:10 serves as a theological linchpin, raising fundamental questions about the nature of God's sovereignty, the integrity of human faith, and the reality of spiritual warfare. Satan's accusation challenges the very premise of disinterested worship, suggesting that all piety is ultimately self-serving. This verse forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our motives for serving God can be questioned, not just by external adversaries but by our own hearts. It highlights the biblical tension between divine blessing and human suffering, compelling us to consider whether our faith is conditional upon favorable circumstances or rooted in an unwavering trust in God's character, even when His ways are inscrutable. The "hedge" of protection, while a testament to God's care, also becomes the very thing Satan seeks to remove, demonstrating that even divine blessings can be weaponized in the spiritual realm to test the genuineness of devotion.

* [Psalm 91:11](/psalms/91-11 "Psalm 91:11 - Angels Guarding the Righteous")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Devil as a Roaring Lion")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Faith Produces Steadfastness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:10 profoundly challenges our contemporary understanding of faith, prosperity, and adversity. In a world that often equates divine favor with material blessings, Satan's accusation forces us to scrutinize the foundations of our own devotion. Are we serving God primarily for the "hedge" of protection and the "increase" of our substance, or out of a deep, unconditional love for who He is? This verse reminds us that true faith is not merely a fair-weather phenomenon but one that endures and even flourishes when the visible signs of God's blessing seem to be withdrawn. It prepares us for the reality that trials are not always a sign of God's disfavor or our sin, but can sometimes be a divine permission for our faith to be refined and proven genuine. Understanding this helps us navigate seasons of suffering with a more robust theological framework, recognizing that God's ultimate purpose is not always our comfort but our conformity to Christ and the vindication of His own name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "hedges" and "blessings" in my life that might inadvertently become the basis for my faith, rather than God Himself?**
* **How do I respond when the "hedge" of protection seems to be removed, or when my "substance" decreases? Does my faith waver, or does it deepen?**
* **Am I serving God primarily for what He can give me, or for who He is? What motivates my obedience and worship?**
* **How does the story of Job, beginning with Satan's accusation in this verse, challenge my assumptions about suffering and divine justice?**

### FAQ
**What does the "hedge" in Job 1:10 truly symbolize, and is it still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: The "hedge" symbolizes God's comprehensive, sovereign, and protective care over Job and all his possessions. It represents a divine barrier that prevents harm from reaching His servant without His express permission. For believers today, this concept remains profoundly relevant. While we may not always experience a literal, visible "hedge" against all adversity, the "hedge" symbolizes God's providential care and His ultimate control over all circumstances. Even when trials come, as they did for Job, they do so within the bounds of God's sovereign will and for His ultimate purposes, as seen in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good"). It reminds us that our lives are not subject to random chance or the unchecked malice of evil, but are held securely in the hands of a loving and powerful God.

**Does Job 1:10 suggest that Satan has independent power or that God is not fully in control?**

Answer: No, Job 1:10, along with the entire narrative of Job 1-2, clearly demonstrates that Satan operates strictly under God's sovereign permission and within His prescribed limits. Satan's question, "Hast not thou made an hedge about him...?", is an acknowledgment of God's absolute control over Job's life. Satan cannot touch Job or his possessions until God explicitly grants him permission, and even then, God sets strict boundaries (e.g., "only upon himself put not forth thine hand" in [Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Limit on Satan")). This verse underscores God's ultimate sovereignty, even over the forces of evil, and shows that Satan is a created being, subservient to the Creator's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 1:10, with Satan's cynical accusation against Job's integrity, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Satan's challenge to Job—"Does Job fear God for naught?"—is a question about the possibility of pure, disinterested obedience. In Job, we see a righteous man whose integrity is tested, and though he falters in understanding, his ultimate faithfulness is vindicated. However, in Christ, we find the perfect answer to Satan's accusation. Jesus, the true and greater Job, lived a life of absolute and unwavering obedience to the Father, not for any personal gain or "hedge" of protection, but out of perfect love and devotion. He endured unimaginable suffering, not because of His own sin, but to bear the sins of humanity, becoming the ultimate innocent sufferer. The "hedge" of divine protection that Job enjoyed was ultimately removed from Christ on the cross, where He was forsaken by the Father so that we might be brought into eternal blessing [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ decisively defeated Satan's accusations and demonstrated that true righteousness is possible and that genuine faith is not conditional upon earthly blessings. His suffering and vindication provide the ultimate answer to the problem of suffering and the nature of true piety, securing for believers a "hedge" of eternal salvation and an "increase" of spiritual blessings that far transcend any earthly prosperity [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 34:7

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Zechariah 2:5

For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Deuteronomy 28:2

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 28:6

Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out.

Proverbs 10:22

¶ The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Job 31:25

If I rejoiced because my wealth [was] great, and because mine hand had gotten much;