Job 1:11

KJV

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {H199} put forth {H7971} thine hand {H3027} now, and touch {H5060} all that he hath, and he will curse {H1288}{H3808} thee to thy face {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you reach out your hand and touch whatever he has, without doubt he'll curse you to your face!"

Berean Standard Bible

But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

American Standard Version

But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:11 captures Satan's audacious and cynical challenge to God, asserting that Job's profound piety is merely a transactional response to divine blessings. This pivotal verse sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of the Book of Job, initiating a cosmic test designed to expose the true nature of human devotion and whether faith can endure when all earthly comforts and protections are stripped away. Satan's accusation directly questions the authenticity of Job's righteousness, proposing that under duress, even the most devout will renounce their Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 1:11 is situated within the opening narrative of the Book of Job, immediately following God's commendation of Job's unparalleled righteousness and Satan's counter-accusation. The preceding verses introduce Job as a man "perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed evil" in the land of Uz, blessed with immense wealth and a large family ([Job 1:1-5](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1-5 - Introduction to Job's Piety and Prosperity")). In a heavenly council, God highlights Job's integrity ([Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Commendation of Job")), prompting Satan, "the accuser," to suggest that Job's devotion is merely a self-serving response to God's protective "hedge" around him and his possessions ([Job 1:9-10](/job/1-9 "Job 1:9-10 - Satan's Accusation and the Hedge")). Verse 11 serves as Satan's direct dare, proposing a test where Job's blessings are removed, predicting Job will then "curse thee to thy face," thereby challenging God's assessment of His servant and the very nature of genuine faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the patriarchal period, likely predating the Mosaic Law, given the absence of references to Israel's covenant or the temple system. The land of Uz, though its precise location is debated, is generally understood to be in the Edomite region or northern Arabia, placing Job within a broader ancient Near Eastern context. In this era, prosperity was often seen as a direct sign of divine favor, and suffering as a consequence of sin, a common theological framework challenged by Job's experience. The concept of a divine council where heavenly beings present themselves before God is also consistent with ancient Near Eastern cosmology. Satan, as "the accuser" (Hebrew: _satan_), functions as a prosecuting attorney in this divine court, reflecting a cultural understanding of legal challenges and accusations within a hierarchical structure.
* **Key Themes:** Job 1:11 is a crucible for several profound themes that permeate the entire book. Firstly, it directly confronts **the nature of true faith and piety**, questioning whether devotion to God is conditional upon material blessings or if it can withstand immense suffering. Satan's cynical assertion that Job's faith is transactional sets the stage for Job's unwavering, though often agonizing, demonstration of unconditional faith, even unto death ([Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Declaration of Faith")). Secondly, the verse highlights **Satan's role as the accuser and his tactics** against humanity and God's righteous ones. He seeks to undermine God's relationship with His creation by impugning human motives and provoking God to withdraw His favor, a role seen elsewhere in Scripture ([Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - Satan, the Accuser of the Brethren")). Finally, it introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty and the permission of evil**. God's allowance of Satan to test Job, while limiting the extent of the suffering, underscores His ultimate control over all forces, even malevolent ones, and suggests that His purposes often transcend human understanding of justice and suffering ([Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and God's Sovereignty")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Curse (Hebrew, _bārakh'_):** The Hebrew verb בָּרַךְ (_bārakh_) typically means "to bless." Its use here in Job 1:11, and again in Job 2:5 and 2:9, is a striking example of an ironic euphemism, meaning the exact opposite: "to curse," "to renounce," or "to blaspheme." This ironic usage emphasizes the depth of Satan's cynical conviction that Job's piety is superficial. Satan implies that Job's true feelings for God are not reverence but resentment, which would surface as open blasphemy once his blessings were removed. This linguistic inversion highlights the profound spiritual battle at play, where the very act of "blessing" God could be twisted into an act of ultimate rejection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But put forth thine hand now":** This phrase represents Satan's direct challenge and provocation to God. The "hand" here symbolizes divine power, intervention, and action. Satan is daring God to actively withdraw His protection and blessings from Job, to personally inflict suffering or allow it to be inflicted, rather than maintaining the "hedge" He had previously placed around Job and his possessions. It is an invitation for God to engage in a test of Job's loyalty.
* **"and touch all that he hath":** This specifies the scope of the proposed test. "All that he hath" refers to Job's vast material wealth (oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels), his servants, and implicitly, his family, as detailed in Job 1:3. Satan believes that Job's faith is inextricably linked to his prosperity, and by removing these external blessings, Job's true heart will be revealed. This clause outlines the precise nature of the affliction Satan wishes to bring upon Job.
* **"and he will curse thee to thy face":** This is Satan's confident prediction of Job's reaction. The phrase "to thy face" (Hebrew: `'al-pāneykā`) implies an open, defiant, and public renunciation or blasphemy. It suggests that Job would not merely grumble or question God privately, but would openly and contemptuously reject God's authority and goodness, thereby proving Satan's assertion that Job's righteousness was conditional and self-serving. This predicted outcome is the ultimate goal of Satan's challenge: to discredit Job and, by extension, God's assessment of human integrity.

#### Literary Devices
Job 1:11 masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Irony**, specifically **Verbal Irony** and **Dramatic Irony**. The use of the Hebrew verb `bārakh` (to bless) to mean "to curse" is a potent example of **Euphemism** and **Verbal Irony**, highlighting Satan's cynical worldview and the shocking nature of his accusation. Satan uses a word of reverence to describe an act of ultimate rebellion, underscoring the perversion he seeks to inflict upon Job's faith. **Foreshadowing** is also evident, as Satan's challenge directly predicts the trials Job will endure, setting the narrative trajectory for the entire book. The verse also contains **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is made privy to the heavenly dialogue and Satan's malicious intent, while Job himself remains unaware of the true spiritual battle raging on his behalf, making his subsequent suffering all the more poignant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:11 serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of faith, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the mysterious interplay of divine sovereignty and human suffering. It posits a profound theological question: Is genuine faith a response to God's goodness, or can it endure even when that goodness seems absent or when suffering is inexplicable? Satan's challenge forces a confrontation with the transactional view of religion, where obedience is merely a means to material gain. The subsequent narrative demonstrates that true piety is not contingent on outward circumstances but is rooted in an unwavering trust in God's character, even when His ways are inscrutable. This verse also establishes Satan's role as the cosmic accuser, constantly seeking to undermine the relationship between God and humanity by questioning motives and provoking doubt.

* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "The Testing of Your Faith")
* [Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Satan, the Accuser of the Brethren")
* [1 Peter 4:12-13](/1_peter/4-12 "Suffering for Christ's Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:11 offers profound insights for believers navigating the complexities of faith and suffering in their own lives. It reminds us that trials are not always a result of personal sin or divine punishment, but can be part of a larger spiritual dynamic, testing the authenticity and depth of our devotion. Satan's accusation challenges us to examine the foundation of our own faith: Is our love for God conditional upon His blessings, or is it steadfast even when circumstances are dire and blessings seem to be withdrawn? This verse exposes the adversary's constant desire to undermine our relationship with God, to sow seeds of doubt, and to accuse us before Him. It calls us to cultivate a faith that is resilient, rooted in God's character rather than His gifts, and to trust in His sovereign plan even when it defies our understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own faith be conditional upon God's blessings, and how can I cultivate a more unconditional devotion?**
* **How does understanding Satan's role as the accuser in Job 1:11 help me interpret my own spiritual battles and temptations?**
* **If everything I "hath" were taken away, would my response be to "curse God to His face" or to cling to Him in trust?**
* **What comfort or challenge does Job's story, initiated by this verse, offer to those experiencing inexplicable suffering today?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow Satan to test Job, as proposed in Job 1:11?**

Answer: God allowed Satan to test Job not because He was unaware of Job's faithfulness, but to demonstrate the authenticity and unconditional nature of Job's piety, thereby refuting Satan's cynical accusation. This divine permission also serves to reveal God's ultimate sovereignty over all forces, including evil, and to provide a profound theological lesson for humanity about the nature of true faith and suffering. It underscores that God's purposes are often higher and more complex than human comprehension, and that genuine faith is proven in the crucible of adversity, ultimately bringing greater glory to God and deeper character formation in the believer, as seen in Job's restoration ([Job 42:10-17](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10-17 - Job's Restoration and Blessing")).

**What does "curse thee to thy face" really mean in this context?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word `bārakh` typically means "to bless," in Job 1:11 and other instances in the book (Job 2:5, 2:9), it functions as an ironic euphemism for "to curse," "to renounce," or "to blaspheme." Satan's prediction is that Job would openly and defiantly reject God, expressing contempt and anger directly towards Him. This linguistic twist highlights the depth of Satan's malice and his belief that Job's devotion was superficial, easily broken by suffering. It implies a public and direct act of rebellion against God, rather than mere private complaint.

**Does God allow believers to be tested by Satan today in a similar way?**

Answer: While the specific "heavenly council" scenario in Job is unique, the principle of spiritual testing and the adversary's desire to accuse believers remain relevant. Scripture indicates that believers face trials and temptations that can be used by God to refine their faith ([James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - The Purpose of Trials")) and that Satan is indeed an active adversary who seeks to devour and accuse ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober, Be Vigilant") and [Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - Satan, the Accuser")). However, God always sets limits on what Satan can do ([1 Corinthians 10:13](/1_corinthians/10-13 "1 Corinthians 10:13 - God's Faithfulness in Temptation")), and He uses all things, including trials, for the good of those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")). The core lesson is that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and true faith endures beyond prosperity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 1:11, with Satan's challenge to God regarding Job's integrity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, a righteous man who suffered innocently, serves as a profound type of Christ. While Job's suffering was a test of his own faith, Jesus' suffering was the perfect, vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the world, demonstrating not merely a man's integrity but God's perfect love and justice. Satan's accusation against Job—that his piety was conditional—is utterly refuted in Christ, who, though tempted in every way, remained without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Jesus did not "curse God to His face" even amidst unimaginable suffering on the cross; instead, He perfectly obeyed His Father, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")). His cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) was not a curse but a lament rooted in His identification with humanity's sin, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating His perfect submission. Through Christ's triumph over sin and death, Satan, the accuser, is ultimately defeated and disarmed ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph over Powers")). Thus, Job 1:11 foreshadows the cosmic battle that would culminate in Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, which secures the true and unconditional faith of all who believe in Him.

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

Job 2:5

But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 19:21

Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

Revelation 16:11

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Malachi 3:13

¶ Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee?

Malachi 3:14

Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Revelation 16:9

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Revelation 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.