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.

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}.

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.

“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.

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

Job 2:10 stands as a powerful testament to unyielding faith amidst unimaginable suffering. This verse captures Job's profound response to his wife, who, in her despair, urged him to "curse God, and die" (Job 2:9). Job's reply, marked by spiritual discernment, demonstrates his steadfast trust in divine sovereignty, even when faced with the deepest personal calamity.

Context

This verse occurs during the second wave of intense suffering for Job, a blameless and upright man introduced in Job 1:1. Having already lost his vast possessions and all his children in a sudden catastrophe, Job is now afflicted with painful boils from head to foot. His physical agony is compounded by the emotional distress of his wife's counsel to abandon his faith. Job's response in this verse is a pivotal moment, showcasing his unwavering commitment to God despite everything.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: Job acknowledges that God is the ultimate source of both blessings ("good") and trials ("evil," meaning calamity or adversity). He understands that God is sovereign over all circumstances, not just the pleasant ones. This reflects a deep theological understanding that God's hand is in all of life's events.
  • Acceptance of God's Will: Job's rhetorical question, "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" demonstrates a radical acceptance of whatever God allows. This is not passive resignation but an active trust that God's plan, even when painful, is ultimately just and purposeful.
  • Faithfulness in Adversity: Amidst unimaginable loss and physical agony, Job refuses to succumb to bitterness or despair. His integrity is maintained, as the verse concludes: "In all this did not Job sin with his lips." This steadfastness contrasts sharply with the common human tendency to blame God during hardship, highlighting Job's exemplary faith.
  • Wisdom vs. Folly: Job labels his wife's counsel as that of "foolish women," emphasizing a spiritual discernment that recognizes God's character even in the face of suffering. True wisdom, for Job, is to trust God implicitly, regardless of circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "foolish women" translates the Hebrew word nevalah (נְבָלָה), which signifies not merely intellectual deficiency, but rather moral senselessness or spiritual perversity. Job is rebuking her for a profound lack of spiritual understanding and faith. The term "evil" (רָע, ra') in this context refers to calamity, misfortune, or adversity, not moral wickedness. Job is asserting that just as God provides good, He also permits or sends difficult circumstances, and a faithful heart must accept both.

Practical Application

Job 2:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine our own responses to suffering: Do we only praise God when things are good, or can we also trust Him when adversity strikes? Job's example encourages us to cultivate a deep-seated faith that acknowledges God as the source of all things, both pleasant and painful. It reminds us that our faith is truly tested not in prosperity, but in adversity. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of maintaining integrity, especially with our words, during trials, echoing the truth that God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. True spiritual strength is found in absolute surrender to God's sovereign will.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • James 1:12 (40 votes)

    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 (39 votes)

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

  • Lamentations 3:41 (39 votes)

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

  • Job 1:21 (22 votes)

    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 (22 votes)

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

  • Romans 12:12 (20 votes)

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

  • James 5:10 (16 votes)

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