Job 1:8

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Satan {H7854}, Hast thou considered {H7760}{H3820} my servant {H5650} Job {H347}, that there is none like him in the earth {H776}, a perfect {H8535} and an upright {H3477} man {H376}, one that feareth {H3373} God {H430}, and escheweth {H5493} evil {H7451}?

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI asked the Adversary, "Did you notice my servant Iyov, that there's no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil?"

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:8 captures a profound divine commendation of Job's character, as the LORD Himself challenges Satan to consider His servant's unparalleled integrity. This pivotal declaration establishes Job's exceptional piety, moral uprightness, and genuine devotion to God—a man uniquely blameless, reverent, and actively shunning evil—thereby setting the stage for the dramatic test of his faith and revealing the spiritual stakes behind his earthly prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The Book of Job opens with a prologue (chapters 1-2) that introduces Job, his family, and his prosperity, immediately followed by a scene in the heavenly court. Job 1:6-12 details the initial dialogue between God and Satan, where Satan, presenting himself among the "sons of God," is questioned about his activities. God then introduces Job, highlighting his exemplary character. Verse 8 is the LORD's direct challenge to Satan, initiating the cosmic wager that drives the entire narrative. This verse is crucial as it provides the divine perspective on Job *before* any trials, establishing his righteousness not as a human perception but as a heavenly affirmation, setting the foundation for the subsequent tests of his integrity and the exploration of the nature of suffering and divine justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of Job is "the land of Uz," a region likely east or southeast of Palestine, possibly in Edomite territory or northern Arabia. The patriarchal customs described, such as Job's role as a family priest offering sacrifices for his children, align with the early biblical period, suggesting a pre-Mosaic or early Mosaic era. The wealth described (livestock, servants) is typical of ancient Near Eastern prosperity. The concept of "fearing God" was a foundational virtue in ancient Israelite wisdom literature, signifying not terror but profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to the divine will. The dialogue between God and Satan reflects a common ancient Near Eastern literary motif of divine council, though uniquely applied here to explore the nature of righteousness and suffering.
* **Key Themes:** Job 1:8 is central to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Knowledge**, as God not only knows Job intimately but actively brings him to Satan's attention, demonstrating His control even over the accuser's sphere. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **True Righteousness**, distinguishing it from mere outward conformity. God's description of Job as "perfect and upright" (Hebrew: *tam* and *yashar*) emphasizes inner integrity and blamelessness, not sinless perfection, which is further evidenced by his active "fearing God" and "eschewing evil." This sets up the core question of the book: Is Job's righteousness genuine, or is it contingent on his prosperity? This verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Satan as the Accuser**, whose role is to challenge the authenticity of human faith, a role seen later in the temptation of [Jesus in the wilderness](/matthew/4 "Matthew 4 - The Temptation of Jesus") and in the heavenly court scene in [Zechariah 3](/zechariah/3 "Zechariah 3 - Joshua and the Angel of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Perfect (Hebrew, _tam_):** This term signifies completeness, integrity, or blamelessness, rather than absolute sinless perfection. It describes one who is wholehearted in their devotion to God, without hypocrisy or duplicity. In the Old Testament, it often refers to moral integrity and uprightness in one's walk with God, as seen when [God commands Abraham to "walk before me, and be thou perfect"](/genesis/17-1 "Genesis 17:1 - God's Command to Abraham").
* **Upright (Hebrew, _yashar_):** Meaning "straight" or "right," this word denotes moral rectitude, honesty, and justice. It describes a person whose actions and character are consistent with God's standards, walking a straight path without deviation into wickedness.
* **Escheweth (Hebrew, _sur_):** This is an active verb meaning "to turn aside from," "to depart from," or "to shun." It highlights Job's deliberate and consistent choice to actively separate himself from evil, demonstrating a conscious and intentional commitment to righteousness, not merely passive avoidance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Satan":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine authority and the cosmic nature of the dialogue. It signifies that the ensuing discussion about Job is initiated by God Himself, not by Satan, underscoring God's sovereignty and His intimate knowledge of His servant.
* **"Hast thou considered my servant Job":** God directly challenges Satan, drawing his attention to Job. The phrase "my servant Job" is a profound divine endorsement, indicating a special relationship and trust. It implies that Job is not just a righteous man, but one who serves God faithfully and is known personally by Him.
* **"that [there is] none like him in the earth":** This is a superlative declaration of Job's unique standing. God Himself testifies that Job is unparalleled in his righteousness among all people on earth at that time, setting him apart as an exceptional example of piety.
* **"a perfect and an upright man":** This describes Job's comprehensive moral character. "Perfect" (_tam_) indicates his blameless integrity and wholehearted devotion, while "upright" (_yashar_) speaks to his moral rectitude and just conduct in all aspects of life. Together, they paint a picture of a man complete in his moral and spiritual walk.
* **"one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?":** These two phrases encapsulate the active and passive dimensions of Job's piety. To "fear God" (_yare'_) implies a deep reverence, awe, and obedient submission to the LORD's will, which is often presented as the [beginning of wisdom](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). To "escheweth evil" (_sur ra'_) means to actively turn away from or shun wickedness, demonstrating a conscious and consistent choice for righteousness and a separation from sin.

#### Literary Devices
Job 1:8 employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is **Divine Endorsement**, where God Himself provides a direct, unsolicited testament to Job's character, lending immense weight and authority to the description. This sets up the dramatic irony of the narrative, as the reader knows Job's righteousness is divinely affirmed, even as Satan challenges it. The use of **Rhetorical Question** ("Hast thou considered...?") is not for information but for challenge, inviting Satan to acknowledge a truth God already knows, thereby provoking the ensuing conflict. The verse also uses **Hyperbole** ("none like him in the earth") to emphasize Job's exceptional and unparalleled righteousness, highlighting his unique standing in God's eyes. Finally, the description of Job's character through a series of positive attributes ("perfect," "upright," "feareth God," "escheweth evil") functions as a form of **Characterization by Enumeration**, building a comprehensive and laudatory portrait of the protagonist.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:8 profoundly illustrates God's intimate knowledge of His creation and His active engagement with the spiritual realm. It reveals that true righteousness is not merely an outward display but an inner disposition of the heart, recognized and affirmed by God Himself. This divine commendation sets the stage for the cosmic conflict, highlighting that the testing of faith is often instigated or permitted by God, even when the accuser is Satan. The verse also introduces the critical theological question of whether genuine piety can exist apart from material blessing, a central inquiry explored throughout the book of Job.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence") - Illustrates God's exhaustive knowledge of individuals, mirroring His deep understanding of Job.
* [Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - Satan as the Accuser") - Depicts Satan's role as the "accuser of our brethren," reflecting his function in the heavenly court against Job.
* [James 1:12](/james/1-12 "James 1:12 - Blessed is the Man Who Endures Temptation") - Connects the endurance of trials with spiritual blessing, echoing Job's ultimate vindication after his tests.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:8 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, prompting a deep examination of the authenticity and depth of our faith. It challenges us to consider whether our righteousness is merely performative or if it stems from a genuine, God-honoring fear and a consistent, active turning away from evil. In a world often preoccupied with outward appearances and material blessings, Job's divinely affirmed character reminds us that true integrity is found in a wholehearted devotion to God, regardless of circumstances. This verse encourages us to cultivate a life where our private walk aligns with our public profession, knowing that God sees and values the sincerity of our hearts above all else. It calls us to strive for a blamelessness that is rooted in reverence for God and a deliberate separation from sin, trusting that such a life is profoundly pleasing to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's assessment of Job challenge your own understanding of what constitutes "perfect" and "upright" in God's eyes?**
* **In what ways do you actively "eschew evil" in your daily life, and how does this reflect your "fear of God"?**
* **If God were to describe your character to an accuser, what qualities do you believe He would highlight?**

### FAQ
**Does "perfect" in Job 1:8 mean Job was sinless?**

Answer: No, the Hebrew word *tam* (תָּם) translated as "perfect" does not imply absolute sinlessness in the modern sense. Instead, it conveys the idea of completeness, integrity, or blamelessness of character. It means Job was wholehearted in his devotion to God, sincere, and without hypocrisy. He was morally sound and upright in his conduct, living consistently with his faith. This understanding aligns with how the term is used elsewhere in the Old Testament, such as when [God tells Abraham to "walk before me, and be thou perfect"](/genesis/17-1 "Genesis 17:1 - God's Command to Abraham"), which is a call to integrity and faithful obedience, not an assertion of sinless perfection. Job, like all humans, was capable of sin, but his overall life demonstrated a profound commitment to God and a deliberate turning away from evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 1:8, with its divine commendation of Job's unparalleled righteousness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person of Jesus Christ. While Job was declared "perfect and upright" in a relative sense, demonstrating a human capacity for integrity and devotion, Jesus is the only one who is absolutely and perfectly righteous, the [Lamb of God without blemish or spot](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redemption through Christ's Precious Blood"). Job's "fear of God" and "eschewing evil" point to Christ, who perfectly embodied obedience to the Father, always doing His will and never yielding to temptation, even when facing the ultimate trial in [Gethsemane](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"). The cosmic dialogue between God and Satan in Job foreshadows the greater spiritual battle won by Christ on the cross, where He decisively defeated the accuser of the brethren, as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph over Principalities and Powers"). Job's suffering, though righteous, was for his own purification and to demonstrate the authenticity of his faith; Christ's suffering, however, was redemptive, the [perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ Offered Once to Bear the Sins of Many"), making it possible for all who believe to be declared righteous in God's sight, not by their own merit, but by His imputed righteousness, as articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Thus, Job 1:8 ultimately points beyond Job's exemplary character to the flawless character and saving work of Christ, through whom true perfection and uprightness are made available to humanity.

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.