Job 2:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 2:4 captures a pivotal moment in the cosmic drama of Job's suffering, as Satan, undeterred by Job's initial steadfastness, proposes an escalation of his affliction to the LORD. This verse reveals the Adversary's cynical worldview, positing that human devotion is inherently transactional and self-serving, contingent only on personal well-being. Satan's challenge, "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life," sets the stage for the profound theological inquiry into the nature of true, disinterested faith that underpins the entire Book of Job.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 2:4 immediately follows the second heavenly council, mirroring the structure of the first in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - The First Heavenly Council and Job's Initial Trials"). In this second encounter, the LORD again commends Job's integrity, noting that despite Satan's efforts to incite Job against God, Job "still holds fast his integrity" ([Job 2:3](/job/2-3 "Job 2:3 - God's Commendation of Job's Integrity")). This divine affirmation directly provokes Satan's renewed and more audacious challenge. The verse acts as the turning point for the second wave of Job's trials, shifting the focus from external possessions and family to Job's own physical person, thereby intensifying the test of his faith and setting the stage for the subsequent dialogue between Job and his friends.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location generally associated with Edom or northern Arabia, suggesting a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a person's well-being was often seen as directly correlated with their righteousness or divine favor. Suffering, conversely, was frequently interpreted as a sign of sin or divine displeasure. Satan's challenge, "Skin for skin," taps into this cultural understanding, implying that Job's piety is merely a calculated response to his prosperity and health. The concept of "life" (Hebrew: _nephesh_) in this context encompasses not just biological existence but the entirety of one's being, vitality, and well-being, making the threat to Job's "skin" or body a direct assault on his very essence and his perceived standing before God and humanity.

* **Key Themes:** Job 2:4 is central to several overarching themes within the Book of Job. It directly addresses the **nature of true piety and disinterested faith**, challenging the assumption that all worship is transactional. Satan's cynical assertion that "all that a man hath will he give for his life" posits that self-preservation is the ultimate human motivator, thereby questioning the possibility of genuine, unconditional devotion to God. This verse also highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and the limits of evil**, as Satan, despite his malicious intent, can only act within the boundaries set by God ([Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Limits on Satan's Power")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **suffering as a test**, shifting the focus from external losses to personal physical affliction, which will profoundly impact Job's internal struggle and his theological debate with his friends throughout the book. The integrity of Job, affirmed by God in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Praise of Job") and [Job 2:3](/job/2-3 "Job 2:3 - God's Praise of Job"), is precisely what Satan seeks to dismantle through this escalated trial.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Skin (Hebrew, _‘ôwr'_):** From H5785, this word literally refers to the outer covering of the body. In the idiom "skin for skin," it symbolizes one's physical health, personal well-being, and even life itself. Satan's challenge implies that while Job's possessions and family were external to his physical person, his own "skin" (body/health) is the ultimate boundary beyond which no one would maintain integrity. It suggests a deeply personal and visceral level of affliction, indicating that the test is moving from external losses to an assault on Job's very physical being.

* **Life (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, while often translated as "life" or "soul," _nephesh_ in Hebrew thought encompasses the whole person, their vitality, breath, and inner being. It refers to the very essence of existence, not merely biological function. Satan argues that a person would sacrifice everything—possessions, relationships, even honor—to preserve their _nephesh_, their very existence and identity. This highlights the profound depth of the test Satan proposes for Job, suggesting that the preservation of one's core being is the ultimate motivator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Satan answered the LORD, and said,"**: This clause establishes the setting of the second heavenly council, emphasizing Satan's direct and defiant response to God's commendation of Job. It underscores the adversarial nature of Satan (H7854, _sâṭân_), who acts as the "accuser" ([Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - Satan, the Accuser")), engaging in a verbal exchange (H6030, _‘ânâh_, "answered"; H559, _ʼâmar_, "said") with the sovereign LORD (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_).

* **"Skin for skin,"**: This is an ancient idiom (H5785, _‘ôwr_), likely a proverb, signifying a quid pro quo or an exchange where something of lesser value (or external) is given up to save something of greater, more personal value (one's own body/health). Satan implies that Job's losses in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Initial Sufferings") were tolerable because they did not directly touch his physical person. He suggests that Job's piety was merely a calculated exchange for his personal comfort and safety.

* **"yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life."**: This expands on the "skin for skin" idiom, making Satan's cynical worldview explicit. He asserts a universal principle: human beings (H376, _ʼîysh_) will sacrifice absolutely everything (H5414, _nâthan_, "give")—possessions, family, reputation, and even their integrity—if their own life or physical well-being (H5315, _nephesh_) is at stake. This statement is a direct challenge to the authenticity of Job's faith and, by extension, to the possibility of truly selfless devotion to God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Idiom** with the phrase "Skin for skin," which is a proverbial expression conveying the idea of a desperate exchange for self-preservation. This idiom is immediately followed by a direct, cynical **Assertion** from Satan, articulating his worldview that human devotion is purely transactional and self-serving. The entire exchange between God and Satan is a form of **Dramatic Dialogue**, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative and revealing the characters' motivations and perspectives within the cosmic court. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as Satan, the accuser, unwittingly becomes an instrument in God's plan to demonstrate the purity of Job's faith, despite his intention to prove its conditional nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 2:4 profoundly challenges the simplistic retribution theology prevalent in the ancient world and among Job's friends, which posited a direct correlation between sin and suffering. Satan's assertion that Job's piety is conditional, a mere exchange for health and prosperity, forces a deeper theological inquiry into the nature of true faith. It raises the question of whether humanity can serve God purely for who He is, rather than for what He provides or protects. This verse sets the stage for a demonstration of disinterested devotion, where suffering is not a punishment for sin but a crucible for refining and revealing the authenticity of one's relationship with the Divine. It underscores that God's ways are higher than human understanding, and His purposes often transcend our immediate comprehension of justice or reward.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Testing in the Wilderness")
* [1 Peter 1:6-7](/1_peter/1-6 "1 Peter 1:6-7 - Faith Tested by Fire")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-5 - Perseverance Through Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 2:4 serves as a stark mirror, inviting us to critically examine the foundations of our own faith. Is our devotion to God truly unconditional, rooted in His inherent worthiness, or is it implicitly a transaction, contingent upon our comfort, health, and prosperity? Satan's cynical challenge forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our faith is most genuinely tested not in times of blessing, but in the crucible of suffering, when "skin for skin" seems to be the only option. This verse calls us to cultivate a faith that endures beyond material loss, physical affliction, and emotional distress, a faith that trusts in God's character even when His providence seems inscrutable. It reminds us that true integrity is revealed when everything external has been stripped away, leaving only the bare essence of our trust in God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the underlying assumptions about God's character and purposes that shape my faith?**
* **If I were to lose everything—my health, my possessions, my relationships—would my faith in God remain steadfast, or would I be tempted to curse Him?**
* **How does the story of Job challenge my understanding of suffering and its relationship to divine justice?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to view my relationship with God as a transactional exchange?**

### FAQ

**What is the meaning of "Skin for skin" in Job 2:4?**

Answer: "Skin for skin" (Hebrew: עֹור בְּעַד עֹור, _‘ôr bə‘aḏ ‘ôr_) is an ancient idiomatic expression that signifies a desperate exchange, where something of lesser or external value is given up to preserve something of greater, more personal value—specifically, one's own physical well-being or life. Satan uses this proverb to argue that Job's previous losses (possessions, children) were tolerable because they did not directly touch his "skin" or body. He cynically suggests that any person, including Job, would sacrifice anything external to save their own physical life or health. It implies that Job's piety was merely a calculated self-preservation, and if his own body were afflicted, his true, self-serving nature would be exposed, causing him to curse God. This phrase sets up the ultimate test of Job's integrity, moving the suffering from external circumstances to Job's personal physical being, as seen in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Satan Afflicts Job with Boils").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 2:4, with Satan's cynical assertion that "all that a man hath will he give for his life," stands in stark contrast to the ultimate act of self-giving found in Jesus Christ. While Satan believes humanity's highest motive is self-preservation, Christ demonstrates a divine love that is utterly selfless and sacrificial. Jesus did not cling to His own "skin" or "life" but willingly laid it down for the sake of others, fulfilling the prophecy of the [Suffering Servant](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). He endured unimaginable physical and spiritual affliction, not for His own preservation, but to secure eternal life for those who believe in Him. His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), far from being a curse, was the ultimate act of obedience and trust, demonstrating a faith that went beyond the "skin for skin" calculus. Christ's resurrection further vindicates this selfless love, proving that true life is found not in preserving one's own existence at all costs, but in surrendering it for a greater purpose, echoing His own words in [John 12:25](/john/12-25 "John 12:25 - Losing Life to Gain It"). Thus, Job 2:4, by highlighting the depth of Satan's cynicism about human nature, ultimately magnifies the unparalleled, unconditional love and sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who offers His life for the redemption of the world.

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

Philippians 3:8

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

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

¶ 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

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

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

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

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.