Job 1:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Satan {H7854}, Whence {H370} comest {H935} thou? Then Satan {H7854} answered {H6030} the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, From going to and fro {H7751} in the earth {H776}, and from walking up and down {H1980} in it.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI asked the Adversary, "Where are you coming from?" The Adversary answered ADONAI, "From roaming through the earth, wandering here and there."

Berean Standard Bible

“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:7 unveils a profound interaction within the divine council, where the LORD directly addresses Satan, challenging his presence and activities. This pivotal exchange establishes Satan's role not as an independent, omnipotent force, but as a created being under God's ultimate authority, actively engaged in surveying the earth for purposes of accusation and opposition. This dialogue sets the stage for the unfolding drama of Job's suffering, revealing the unseen spiritual dimensions that profoundly influence human experience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Job 1:6](/job/1-6 "Job 1:6 - The Heavenly Council") where "the sons of God" (often understood as angelic beings) present themselves before the LORD. The arrival of Satan "among them" is significant, indicating his access to the divine court, albeit as an adversary. The dialogue in [Job 1:7](/job/1-7 "Job 1:7 - God Questions Satan") is the first direct conversation between God and Satan in the book, initiating the central conflict. It establishes the spiritual backdrop against which Job's earthly trials will unfold, demonstrating that his suffering is not arbitrary but part of a cosmic drama orchestrated or permitted by divine decree. This scene functions as a crucial exposition, explaining the origin of Job's impending trials before they are introduced on earth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a "heavenly council" or "divine assembly" is a recurring motif in ancient Near Eastern literature and within the Old Testament itself (e.g., [1 Kings 22:19-23](/1_kings/22-19 "1 Kings 22:19 - Micaiah's Vision of the Heavenly Host"), [Psalm 82:1](/psalms/82-1 "Psalm 82:1 - God Presides in the Divine Assembly")). In this context, God is depicted as the supreme ruler, presiding over His celestial court, where various spiritual beings present themselves and receive assignments or render accounts. Satan's presence, though adversarial, highlights the ancient understanding of spiritual forces operating within God's sovereign domain. His role as an "accuser" or "adversary" was a recognized legal and social function in the ancient world, providing a conceptual framework for his spiritual activity.

* **Key Themes:** [Job 1:7](/job/1-7 "Job 1:7 - God's Interrogation of Satan") is foundational for several key themes in the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's absolute sovereignty** over all creation, including malevolent spiritual forces. Satan, despite his malice, is not an independent power but is accountable to God, answering His direct inquiry. Secondly, it reveals **Satan's nature and activity** as a relentless, watchful adversary, "going to and fro in the earth," actively seeking opportunities to accuse, tempt, and bring destruction, a depiction echoed in [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Devil Prowls Like a Lion"). Thirdly, the verse pulls back the curtain on the **spiritual realm's profound influence** on human experience, demonstrating that earthly trials can have unseen spiritual origins, not always directly linked to personal sin, aligning with the concept of spiritual warfare described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satan (Hebrew, _śāṭān'_):** This word is not initially a proper name but a title or description meaning "adversary," "opponent," or "accuser." In [Job 1:7](/job/1-7 "Job 1:7 - The Adversary"), it appears with the definite article ("the Satan"), suggesting a specific role as the accuser or prosecutor within the divine court, rather than a personal name. Over time, particularly in later biblical books and intertestamental literature, this figure becomes personified as the chief antagonist of God and humanity. His presence here signifies his designated function as the one who opposes God's purposes and humanity's righteousness.
* **Going to and fro / Walking up and down (Hebrew, _hithalek_):** The Hebrew verb הִתְהַלֵּךְ (_hithalek_), a Hithpael form of הָלַךְ (_halak_, "to walk"), emphasizes a continuous, active, and purposeful movement. The repetition of the phrase "going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" highlights Satan's restless, pervasive, and investigative surveillance. He is depicted not as omnipresent, but as diligently patrolling the earth, observing human behavior, and seeking opportunities to find fault, accuse, or instigate trouble. This imagery portrays him as a cosmic scout or spy, constantly assessing the world for vulnerabilities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?"**: This opening clause establishes God's absolute sovereignty and initiative. God is not surprised by Satan's presence but directly challenges him, demanding an account of his activities and location. This question is not born of ignorance but of divine authority, compelling Satan to reveal his movements. It highlights God's ultimate control, even over the forces of evil, who must answer to Him.
* **"Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."**: Satan's immediate and direct response confirms his subordinate position and accountability to God. His description of his activity reveals his character and mission: a tireless, pervasive, and investigative presence on earth. This "going to and fro" is not aimless wandering but a purposeful reconnaissance, seeking out human weaknesses, opportunities for accusation, and avenues to challenge God's righteous rule and the integrity of His servants. It paints a picture of a vigilant, active adversary.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Dialogue** is central, immediately establishing a direct, confrontational exchange between the LORD and Satan, which drives the narrative forward and sets the tone for the cosmic conflict. This direct address underscores the personal nature of the spiritual battle. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the depiction of God speaking and Satan answering, portraying divine and spiritual beings in human-like conversational terms to make their interaction comprehensible to a human audience. Furthermore, the phrase "going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" utilizes **Imagery** to vividly convey Satan's restless, pervasive, and investigative activity. This imagery is not merely descriptive but symbolic, representing his constant search for opportunities to accuse and undermine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:7 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical portrayal of Satan and God's sovereignty. It reveals that evil is not an independent, co-equal power to God, but a created entity operating strictly within divine parameters. Satan's presence in the heavenly court and his obligation to answer God's query underscore that even the adversary is ultimately subservient to the Creator's will and permission. This provides immense comfort, assuring believers that no evil can befall them without God's knowledge and ultimate allowance, always serving His larger, often mysterious, purposes. The verse also introduces the theme of the "accuser," a role Satan frequently plays throughout Scripture, highlighting the spiritual battle against slander and condemnation.

* [Zechariah 3:1-2](/zechariah/3-1 "Zechariah 3:1-2 - Joshua and the Accuser")
* [Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - The Accuser of the Brethren")
* [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:7 offers profound insights into the nature of spiritual reality and our posture within it. It calls us to a sober awareness that we live in a world where an active, intelligent adversary is at work, constantly seeking to undermine faith, sow discord, and bring accusation. This awareness should not lead to fear or paranoia, but to spiritual vigilance, prompting us to "be sober-minded; be watchful" as [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Devil Prowls") exhorts. Crucially, this verse also provides immense comfort and confidence in God's ultimate sovereignty. Satan operates under God's permission and within His boundaries. No trial, temptation, or suffering can come into our lives without passing through the filter of God's perfect will. This truth anchors our hope, reminding us that even in the face of spiritual opposition, God remains on the throne, orchestrating all things for His glory and our good, even when His ways are beyond our full comprehension. Our response, like Job's, should be one of unwavering trust and worship, even amidst inexplicable suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over Satan, as depicted in this verse, impact your view of personal suffering or trials?**
* **In what ways might Satan's "going to and fro" manifest in our modern world, and how can believers remain vigilant against his schemes?**
* **How does the knowledge that Satan is an "accuser" influence your understanding of grace, forgiveness, and your identity in Christ?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 1:7 imply that Satan is omnipresent or all-powerful?**

Answer: No, [Job 1:7](/job/1-7 "Job 1:7 - Satan's Limited Prowling") explicitly refutes the idea that Satan is omnipresent or all-powerful. His response, "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it," indicates that he is a finite, created being who must physically move from place to place. He is not like God, who is omnipresent (e.g., [Psalm 139:7-10](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7 - God's Omnipresence")), nor is he omniscient or omnipotent. He is a powerful spiritual being, but his power is limited, and he operates entirely under God's ultimate authority and permission, as demonstrated by the fact that he must answer God's direct inquiry.

**Why does God allow Satan to appear in His presence and to "go to and fro" on earth?**

Answer: The Book of Job, particularly [Job 1:6-12](/job/1-6 "Job 1:6-12 - The Heavenly Challenge"), reveals that God, in His sovereign wisdom, permits Satan access to the divine council and allows him to operate on earth for His own purposes, which are often beyond human comprehension. This permission does not imply God's approval of evil, but rather His ability to use even the schemes of the adversary to achieve His righteous ends. In Job's case, God uses Satan's challenge to demonstrate Job's genuine faith and to display His own glory and sovereignty. This dynamic underscores that evil forces are not independent but are ultimately subject to God's overarching plan, serving, however unwittingly, to bring about His perfect will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Job 1:7](/job/1-7 "Job 1:7 - God's Authority Over Satan") portrays Satan as an active and formidable accuser, the New Testament reveals the ultimate triumph over this adversary through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very "going to and fro" of Satan, seeking whom he may devour, finds its decisive counterpoint in Christ's mission to "destroy the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Devil's Works")). Jesus, through His death and resurrection, disarmed the principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the true and final Victor, who, by His own death, rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). The accuser of the brethren, as he is called in [Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - The Accuser Cast Down"), has been cast down, and his ultimate fate is sealed, for he will be thrown into the lake of fire forever ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - Satan's Final Doom")). Thus, Job 1:7, while showing Satan's present activity, ultimately points forward to the definitive victory secured by the Lamb of God, who alone has conquered sin, death, and the devil.

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

1 Peter 5:8

¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Job 2:2

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.

Matthew 12:43

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Revelation 12:12

¶ Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 12:17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 20:8

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

Zechariah 1:10

And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These [are they] whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.