Job 1:9

KJV

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Satan {H7854} answered {H6030} the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Doth Job {H347} fear {H3372} God {H430} for nought {H2600}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The Adversary answered ADONAI, "Is it for nothing that Iyov fears God?

Berean Standard Bible

Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

American Standard Version

Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:9 encapsulates the pivotal challenge posed by Satan to the LORD concerning the integrity of Job's faith. This verse introduces the core theological question of the book: Is human devotion to God truly disinterested, or is it merely a transactional response to divine blessing? Satan's cynical interrogation sets the stage for the profound trials Job is about to endure, designed to test the authenticity of his piety beyond any expectation of reward or protection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 1:9 immediately follows the LORD's commendation of Job in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Commendation of Job"), where God highlights Job's blameless and upright character, his fear of God, and his avoidance of evil. This divine praise serves as the direct catalyst for Satan's appearance among the "sons of God" in the heavenly court. Satan's question is a direct challenge to God's assessment, implying that Job's righteousness is conditional. The narrative then swiftly moves to [Job 1:10](/job/1-10 "Job 1:10 - Satan's Accusation of God's Hedge") and [Job 1:11](/job/1-11 "Job 1:11 - Satan's Dare to God"), where Satan elaborates on his accusation, asserting that Job serves God only because God has protected and prospered him, and daring God to remove this "hedge" to prove his point. This exchange establishes the central conflict and the dramatic tension that will drive the entire narrative of Job's suffering and theological debate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely in the ancient Near East, a region where the concept of retribution theology was prevalent. This belief system posited a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. In this cultural milieu, a person's material blessings were often seen as clear evidence of divine favor, and misfortune as a sign of sin. Satan's challenge in [Job 1:9](/job/1-9 "Job 1:9 - Satan's Challenge to Job's Piety") directly taps into this worldview, questioning whether Job's piety is genuine or merely a pragmatic response to the benefits he receives from God. The depiction of a "heavenly council" (also seen in [1 Kings 22:19-23](/1_kings/22-19 "1 Kings 22:19 - Micaiah's Vision of the Heavenly Council") and [Psalm 82:1](/psalms/82-1 "Psalm 82:1 - God Presides in the Divine Council")) reflects a common ancient Near Eastern literary motif, where divine decisions are presented as being made within a celestial assembly, though here, it underscores God's sovereignty even over the adversary.

* **Key Themes:** Job 1:9 introduces several critical themes that permeate the Book of Job. Foremost is the **nature of true piety**, challenging whether faith can exist purely for God's sake, independent of personal gain or loss. Satan's accusation questions the very possibility of disinterested worship, suggesting that all human devotion is inherently selfish. This sets up the grand experiment of Job's suffering, which will test the limits of this transactional view of faith. Another significant theme is **spiritual warfare**, revealing an unseen dimension where cosmic forces contend over human souls and divine reputation. Satan acts as the accuser, seeking to discredit God's servant and, by extension, God's justice and wisdom. This verse also subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty and permission**, as God allows Satan to test Job, demonstrating that even the adversary operates within God's ultimate control, a concept echoed in [Luke 22:31-32](/luke/22-31 "Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus Prays for Peter's Faith"). The entire book, initiated by this challenge, ultimately grapples with the problem of **undeserved suffering** and the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine mystery.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nought (Hebrew, _chinnam'_):** This crucial Hebrew adverb (חִנָּם) carries the meaning of "gratuitously," "without cause," "for nothing," "without recompense," or "for no advantage." When Satan asks, "Doth Job fear God for nought?", he is implying that Job's devotion is not genuine or selfless but is entirely conditional upon the material blessings and protection he receives from God. It suggests a cynical, utilitarian view of faith, where worship is merely a means to an end—personal prosperity and safety. The entire narrative of Job's suffering is designed to refute this cynical assertion, demonstrating that true piety can indeed exist "for nought," purely out of love and reverence for God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Satan answered the LORD":** This phrase positions Satan as directly responding to God's commendation of Job in the preceding verse. It highlights Satan's role as the "accuser" (a meaning derived from his name, "adversary" or "accuser" in Hebrew), not merely questioning God's judgment but directly challenging the integrity of God's most devoted servant. The setting is a divine council, emphasizing that this is a cosmic dispute with profound implications for understanding God's character and human faith.
* **"and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?":** This rhetorical question is the crux of Satan's challenge. It is an accusation disguised as an inquiry, implying that Job's fear of God (meaning reverence, worship, and obedience) is not born of genuine devotion but is a calculated response to the benefits God has bestowed upon him. The phrase "for nought" (חִנָּם, _chinnam_) suggests that Job's piety is transactional, a quid pro quo arrangement where God's blessings are the payment for Job's righteousness. Satan's question posits that if the benefits were removed, Job's "fear" would vanish, leading him to curse God. This sets the stage for the ultimate test of Job's faith.

#### Literary Devices
Job 1:9 masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Interrogation**, as Satan's direct question to the LORD forms the central challenge of the narrative. This question is not merely informational but deeply rhetorical and accusatory, designed to provoke a response and initiate a cosmic test. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Foil**, presenting Satan as a direct contrast to Job's blameless character, setting up the adversary who will test the limits of Job's integrity. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play, as the reader is privy to this heavenly conversation, understanding the cosmic stakes and the true nature of the test, while Job himself remains unaware of the reason for his impending suffering. This creates tension and anticipation, as the reader knows the "why" behind Job's trials, even as Job struggles to comprehend them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:9 introduces the profound theological question of the nature of genuine faith and the motives behind human devotion to God. Satan's cynical challenge forces a contemplation of whether our worship is truly for God's glory alone, or if it is always, at some level, self-interested. This sets up the entire Book of Job as a divine experiment to demonstrate that disinterested piety is indeed possible, even amidst profound suffering. The verse also highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, where unseen forces contend against God's people, seeking to undermine their faith and God's reputation. It reminds us that our faith may be tested, not always due to personal sin, but sometimes as part of a larger cosmic drama, to prove the authenticity and endurance of true devotion.

* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the LORD with All Your Heart")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - The Testing of Your Faith")
* [1 Peter 1:6-7](/1_peter/1-6 "1 Peter 1:6-7 - Faith Refined by Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:9 serves as a profound mirror for self-examination, challenging us to honestly assess the motives behind our own faith and service to God. Do we fear God "for nought," or is our devotion contingent upon the blessings and protections we receive? When life is prosperous, it is easy to praise God, but true faith is revealed in adversity. This verse calls us to cultivate a faith that is not transactional, but transformational—a love for God that endures even when understanding is limited, and circumstances are dire. It encourages us to pursue a relationship with God rooted in His intrinsic worthiness, rather than His benefits, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty regardless of our immediate circumstances. This kind of unconditional faith is robust, resilient, and truly honors God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my primary motivations for following God? Am I seeking Him for who He is, or for what He can give me?**
* **How do I respond to trials and suffering? Does my faith waver when blessings are withdrawn or difficulties arise?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to view my relationship with God as a transactional exchange?**
* **How can I cultivate a more "for nought" faith, one that is truly disinterested and centered solely on God's glory?**

### FAQ
**Who is Satan in this context, and what is his role?**
Answer: In the Book of Job, Satan (Hebrew: הַשָּׂטָן, _ha-satan_, "the adversary" or "the accuser") is presented not as an independent evil deity, but as a member of the heavenly court, subordinate to God. His role here is that of a prosecuting attorney or an accuser, challenging the integrity of God's servant, Job, and by extension, God's justice. He is allowed by God to test Job, operating within divine permission and serving God's ultimate purposes, even in his adversarial role. This depiction highlights God's absolute sovereignty, even over the forces of evil, as seen in [Job 1:12](/job/1-12 "Job 1:12 - God Grants Satan Permission").

**What does "fear God for nought" specifically mean?**
Answer: The phrase "for nought" translates the Hebrew word _chinnam_ (חִנָּם), which means "gratuitously," "without cause," "for nothing," or "without recompense." Satan's question, "Doth Job fear God for nought?", implies that Job's devotion is not selfless or genuine, but rather a calculated response to the material blessings and divine protection God has provided him. Satan suggests that Job's piety is conditional and motivated by self-interest, not by pure love or reverence for God Himself. The entire book aims to demonstrate that true piety can indeed exist "for nought," independent of external rewards.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 1:9, with Satan's cynical challenge to Job's piety, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the perfect, unconditional obedience of Jesus Christ. While Satan questioned whether any human could fear God "for nought," Jesus, the perfect man, lived a life of absolute devotion to the Father, not for personal gain or protection, but out of pure love and obedience, even to the point of death on a cross. Unlike Job, who was tested, Christ endured the ultimate suffering not for his own sin (for he had none), but as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His obedience was truly "for nought" in the sense that it was not motivated by self-preservation but by selfless love for humanity and perfect submission to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of genuine piety, not out of fear of punishment or hope of material reward, but out of grateful love for the One who first loved them ([1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "1 John 4:19 - We Love Because He First Loved Us")). Job's vindication foreshadows Christ's resurrection and ultimate victory over Satan and sin, demonstrating that true righteousness, though tested, will ultimately be glorified ([Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")).

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

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

1 Timothy 6:6

¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Job 21:15

What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Job 2:10

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.

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.