Job 2:4

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

And Satan {H7854} answered {H6030} the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Skin {H5785} for skin {H5785}, yea, all that a man {H376} hath will he give {H5414} for his life {H5315}.

The Adversary answered ADONAI, "Skin for skin! A person will give up everything he has to save his life.

“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.

And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Commentary

In Job 2:4, we hear Satan's cynical response to God's commendation of Job's unwavering integrity. This verse marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of suffering and faith, as Satan proposes an escalation of Job's trials.

Context

This verse occurs during a second heavenly assembly, following the devastating events of Job's loss of his children and possessions. Despite these calamities, Job remained steadfast, refusing to curse God (Job 1:22). When God again points out Job's blameless character, Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), counters with a new, more personal challenge. He argues that Job's faith is merely a self-serving transaction, a calculation based on personal comfort and well-being.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Satan's Cynical View of Humanity: Satan asserts that all human devotion is conditional, motivated by self-preservation. He believes that if a person's own body and life are threatened, they will abandon all principles, including their faith in God. This highlights a fundamental difference between God's understanding of human potential for true devotion and Satan's jaded perspective.
  • The Nature of True Faith: The core question of the Book of Job is whether one can serve God purely for who He is, rather than for what He provides. Satan's challenge forces this question to the forefront, setting the stage for Job's ultimate vindication of unconditional faith.
  • The Limits of Evil: Even in his malicious accusations, Satan operates under divine permission. God sets the boundaries for Job's suffering (Job 2:6), demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all circumstances, including the actions of evil.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Skin for skin" (Hebrew: עֹור בְּעַד עֹור, ‘ôr bə‘aḏ ‘ôr) is an ancient idiom. It suggests a quid pro quo, an exchange where one thing is given for another. In this context, it implies that a person will sacrifice anything external—possessions, family, even the well-being of others—to save their own physical life or health. Satan implies that Job's previous losses were acceptable because his own "skin" remained untouched. Now, he demands that Job's own body be afflicted to truly test his loyalty.

Practical Application

Job 2:4 prompts us to examine the motives behind our own faith. Is our devotion to God contingent on our circumstances, our health, or our material blessings? This verse challenges us to consider whether we would remain faithful even when stripped of comfort and afflicted personally. It reminds us that genuine faith is not a transactional agreement but a steadfast trust in God's character, regardless of the trials we face. Just as Job's story ultimately reveals, true devotion endures beyond all suffering, demonstrating the power of perseverance in faith.

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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

  • Philippians 3:8 (6 votes)

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

  • Philippians 3:10 (6 votes)

    That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

  • Matthew 6:25 (4 votes)

    Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

  • Matthew 16:26 (4 votes)

    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?

  • Jeremiah 41:8 (2 votes)

    But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

  • Esther 7:3 (1 votes)

    Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

  • Esther 7:4 (1 votes)

    For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.