Job 2:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But he said {H559} unto her, Thou speakest {H1696} as one {H259} of the foolish women {H5036} speaketh {H1696}. What {H1571}? shall we receive {H6901} good {H2896} at the hand of God {H430}, and shall we not receive {H6901} evil {H7451}? In all this did not Job {H347} sin {H2398} with his lips {H8193}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he answered her, "You're talking like a low-class woman! Are we to receive the good at God's hands but reject the bad?" In all this Iyov did not say one sinful word.

Berean Standard Bible

“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 2:10 marks a critical juncture in Job's narrative, showcasing his unwavering faith and integrity in the face of extreme suffering. After losing his family and possessions, and now afflicted with painful boils, Job is confronted by his wife, who urges him to curse God and die. Job's profound response rebukes her despair, asserting God's sovereignty over both blessings and calamities, thereby demonstrating his steadfast trust and refusing to sin with his lips despite immense provocation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 2:10 immediately follows Job's wife's desperate plea in [Job 2:9](/job/2-9 "Job 2:9 - Job's Wife Urges Him to Curse God"). This exchange occurs after Job has endured the loss of his children, servants, and all his possessions in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Initial Trials"). Crucially, [Job 1:22](/job/1-22 "Job 1:22 - Job Sins Not") records that Job did not sin or charge God foolishly in response to these initial tragedies. Satan's second challenge to God, detailed in [Job 2:1-6](/job/2-1-6 "Job 2:1-6 - Satan's Second Challenge and God's Permission"), escalates Job's suffering to physical affliction, striking him with painful boils. Job's wife, witnessing his agony, represents the human tendency to question God's goodness when suffering becomes unbearable. Job's reply in verse 10 serves as a powerful counterpoint, reaffirming his unshakeable faith and setting the stage for the subsequent dialogues with his three friends, who will attempt to explain his suffering through conventional theological frameworks.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering was often directly correlated with sin, and prosperity with divine favor. This "retribution theology" was a dominant worldview, making Job's experience and his friends' arguments understandable within their cultural milieu. Job's wife's advice to "curse God, and die" reflects a common ancient response to unbearable shame and suffering, suggesting that a quick, defiant end might be preferable to continued agony and perceived divine abandonment. The concept of God's absolute sovereignty, which Job articulates, was also deeply embedded in Hebrew thought, though the nature of "evil" or calamity coming from God's hand often perplexed people. Job's statement challenges the simplistic understanding of divine justice prevalent in his time, asserting a more complex, yet ultimately trusting, view of God's dealings with humanity.

* **Key Themes:** Job 2:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **unwavering faith and integrity** in the face of profound adversity. Job's response demonstrates that true faith is not conditional upon receiving only "good" from God but endures even through "evil" (calamity). This steadfastness is central to the book's purpose of exploring the nature of righteous suffering. Secondly, the verse highlights **divine sovereignty**, emphasizing God's ultimate control over all circumstances, both favorable and adverse. Job's rhetorical question acknowledges that God permits both blessings and hardships, challenging the notion that God is only present in prosperity. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that God's ways are higher than human ways, as seen in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher"). Finally, it touches upon the **nature of true wisdom**, contrasting Job's deep, theological understanding with his wife's superficial, despair-driven counsel. Job's wisdom is rooted in his unwavering trust in God's character, even when His actions are inscrutable, a wisdom echoed in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **foolish (Hebrew, _nâbâl'_):** From H5036, meaning "stupid; wicked (especially impious)." Job uses this term to describe his wife's speech, indicating that her suggestion to curse God is not merely born of despair but stems from a profound lack of spiritual understanding and an impious attitude towards God's sovereignty. It implies a moral and intellectual deficiency in comprehending the true nature of God and His dealings.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** From H2896, meaning "good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun... (good, a good or good thing)." In this context, "good" refers to blessings, prosperity, and favorable circumstances that God bestows. Job's question acknowledges that humanity readily accepts these benefits from God.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, meaning "bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity." Crucially, in this verse, "evil" refers to calamity, misfortune, or adversity, not moral wickedness or sin. Job's profound insight is that if one accepts the "good" (blessings) from God, one must also be prepared to accept the "evil" (calamity) that He permits, without questioning His character or abandoning faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh."**: Job directly rebukes his wife, likening her words to those of someone devoid of spiritual wisdom and understanding. The term "foolish" (Hebrew _nabal_) implies not just a lack of intelligence, but a moral and spiritual deficiency, particularly in her counsel to abandon faith in God. Her words are seen as impious and contrary to a proper understanding of God's character and sovereignty.
* **"What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question at the heart of Job's statement. He challenges the notion that one should only accept pleasant circumstances from God. By "good," he refers to blessings, prosperity, and favorable conditions. By "evil," he means calamity, adversity, and suffering (not moral evil). Job asserts that true faith involves accepting both the blessings and the trials that come from God's hand, acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty over all aspects of life.
* **"In all this did not Job sin with his lips."**: This concluding affirmation by the narrator is crucial. It confirms Job's integrity and steadfastness, even under the most extreme provocation and suffering. Despite his physical agony and his wife's despairing counsel, Job maintained his verbal purity and did not utter any word that would be considered a sin against God, thus upholding his blameless character.

#### Literary Devices
Job 2:10 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" This question is not meant to be answered but to provoke thought and highlight the absurdity of accepting only blessings while rejecting trials. It serves to underscore Job's profound understanding of divine sovereignty. **Contrast** is also central, as Job's unwavering faith and wise response are set in stark opposition to his wife's despairing and "foolish" counsel. This contrast emphasizes the depth of Job's integrity. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**, as Job, the one suffering immensely, is the one who upholds theological truth, while his wife, presumably less afflicted, succumbs to spiritual despair. The narrator's concluding statement, "In all this did not Job sin with his lips," functions as a definitive **Affirmation** of Job's blamelessness, directly countering Satan's accusations and reinforcing the central theme of Job's integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 2:10 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's sovereignty and the appropriate human response to suffering. It challenges a simplistic "prosperity gospel" theology, asserting that God is the source of all things, both perceived blessings and calamities. The "evil" Job speaks of is not moral evil, but rather adversity and hardship, which God permits for His own wise, though often inscrutable, purposes. Job's acceptance of both good and evil from God's hand demonstrates a mature faith that trusts in God's ultimate goodness and wisdom, even when His immediate actions are painful and incomprehensible. This verse sets a high standard for spiritual endurance, teaching that true devotion is not contingent on favorable circumstances but is rooted in an unwavering trust in God's character, regardless of one's present reality.

* [Lamentations 3:38](/lamentations/3-38 "Lamentations 3:38 - Good and Evil from God's Mouth"): "Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?"
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Light and Darkness, Good and Evil"): "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good"): "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 2:10 stands as a timeless beacon for believers navigating the storms of life. It calls us to a deeper, more robust faith that does not waver when circumstances turn dire. In a world that often teaches us to expect only good and to blame God for any hardship, Job's response challenges us to re-evaluate our understanding of divine sovereignty and human suffering. His integrity, maintained even when his wife, his closest companion, urged him to despair, reminds us that our faith must be rooted in God's unchanging character, not in our fluctuating comfort. This passage encourages us to cultivate a perspective that sees God's hand in all things, trusting that even in the midst of "evil" (calamity), His purposes are ultimately good and His wisdom unfathomable. It is a powerful call to resist the temptation to curse God or abandon our faith when life becomes unbearable, instead choosing to hold fast to our confession with unwavering hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when faced with unexpected hardship or suffering? Do I question God's goodness?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "sin with my lips" when under pressure, similar to Job's wife's suggestion?**
* **How does Job's understanding of receiving "evil" (calamity) from God challenge my own theology of suffering?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a faith that is resilient enough to embrace both the "good" and the "evil" from God's hand?**

### FAQ

**Why did Job's wife tell him to curse God and die?**

Answer: Job's wife, witnessing her husband's unimaginable suffering—having lost all their children, possessions, and now seeing Job afflicted with painful, disfiguring boils—was overwhelmed by despair and grief. Her words in [Job 2:9](/job/2-9 "Job 2:9 - Job's Wife's Despair") were likely an expression of her own brokenness and a desperate plea for an end to the agony, both for Job and for herself. In her mind, if God allowed such suffering, then perhaps cursing Him and ending the pain through death was a more merciful option than continued existence. Her counsel stemmed from human weakness and a limited, pain-driven perspective, failing to grasp God's deeper purposes or Job's profound faith.

**Does "evil" in Job 2:10 mean moral evil or sin?**

Answer: No, in this context, the Hebrew word for "evil" (H7451, _raʻ_) unequivocally refers to **calamity, misfortune, adversity, or hardship**, not moral wickedness or sin. Job is acknowledging that God has the prerogative to allow both prosperity ("good") and suffering ("evil" in the sense of calamity) into human lives. This distinction is crucial for understanding that God is not the author of sin but is sovereign over all circumstances, including the trials and tribulations that befall humanity. This understanding aligns with other passages like [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Light and Darkness, Good and Evil") and [Lamentations 3:38](/lamentations/3-38 "Lamentations 3:38 - Good and Evil from God's Mouth"), which speak of God's sovereignty over all events, including those that bring distress.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 2:10, though set in the Old Testament, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's steadfast endurance in suffering, his willingness to receive both "good" and "evil" from the hand of God without sinning with his lips, foreshadows the ultimate suffering servant. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, truly "received evil" in its most profound sense, enduring unimaginable physical torment, emotional anguish, and spiritual abandonment on the cross, as described in [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant"). Unlike Job, who was innocent but suffered, Christ was perfectly innocent and suffered *for* the sins of humanity, becoming the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) reveals the depth of His suffering, yet He did not sin with His lips, but rather perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to endure suffering, knowing that He has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")) and that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all ([2 Corinthians 4:17](/2_corinthians/4-17 "2 Corinthians 4:17 - Our Light and Momentary Troubles")). Job's integrity points to Christ's perfect obedience, which becomes the foundation for our own hope and endurance in suffering.

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

James 1:12

Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Lamentations 3:38

Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

Lamentations 3:41

Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto God in the heavens.

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.

Job 1:22

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Romans 12:12

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

James 5:10

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.