Job 2:6

KJV

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Satan {H7854}, Behold, he is in thine hand {H3027}; but save {H8104} his life {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to the Adversary, "Here! He is in your hands, except that you are to spare his life."

Berean Standard Bible

“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 2:6 marks a critical juncture in the narrative of Job, where the LORD grants Satan further, yet strictly limited, permission to afflict Job. Following Satan's initial failure to break Job's integrity through the destruction of his possessions and family, Satan returns to the heavenly court, asserting that Job's piety is superficial and would crumble if his physical body were touched. In this pivotal moment, God responds by placing Job in Satan's power, but with the absolute and non-negotiable boundary: "but save his life." This verse profoundly illustrates God's supreme sovereignty, the limited nature of evil, and the divine value placed on human life even amidst the most severe trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the second heavenly court scene in the book of Job, mirroring the structure of [Job chapter 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Character and Initial Trials"). In [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Character and Initial Trials"), Satan challenged Job's integrity, suggesting his piety was merely a result of divine blessings. God permitted Satan to destroy Job's possessions and family, yet Job remained steadfast, famously declaring, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" ([Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Response to Loss")). Satan's return in [Job 2](/job/2 "Job 2 - Satan's Second Challenge and Job's Affliction") indicates his dissatisfaction with the outcome, leading to a second, more intense phase of testing. The divine dialogue in [Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Permission and Limit to Satan") is the direct response to Satan's renewed accusation, setting the stage for Job's physical affliction, which begins immediately in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Satan Strikes Job with Boils").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location generally believed to be in Edom or northern Arabia, suggesting a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era. While its exact historical dating is debated, the narrative reflects a wisdom tradition common in the ancient Near East, exploring profound questions of suffering, divine justice, and human righteousness. The concept of a "heavenly court" where divine beings (including Satan) present themselves before God is a feature found in other ancient Near Eastern texts and biblical passages like [1 Kings 22:19-23](/1_kings/22-19 "1 Kings 22:19 - Micaiah's Vision of the Heavenly Court") and [Zechariah 3:1-2](/zechariah/3-1 "Zechariah 3:1 - Joshua and Satan in the Heavenly Court"). The cultural understanding of suffering often linked it directly to sin (a theme challenged in Job), making Job's innocent suffering particularly perplexing and revolutionary for its time. The value of life, even in the midst of extreme hardship, was paramount, and God's explicit command to "save his life" underscores this ancient reverence for human existence.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Permission and Limit to Satan") powerfully reinforces several central themes of the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God is ultimately in control, even over the actions of malevolent forces like Satan. Satan is not an autonomous power but operates strictly within the boundaries set by God, as seen in the repeated phrase "in thine hand" followed by a limitation. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Satan's Limited Power**, revealing that while he can inflict immense suffering, he cannot transgress God's sovereign decrees, particularly concerning life and death ([Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Power Over Life and Death")). Thirdly, it underscores the **Sanctity of Human Life**, as God explicitly preserves Job's life, signaling its intrinsic value and reserving ultimate authority over it. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **The Nature and Purpose of Suffering**, clarifying that Job's ordeal is not punitive but a test of his integrity and faith, designed to demonstrate the genuineness of his devotion beyond mere material blessings or physical comfort.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yad_):** In this context, "in thine hand" signifies delegated authority, power, and control. It indicates that Job is placed under Satan's sphere of influence to be afflicted, but this power is not inherent to Satan; it is granted and therefore limited by the Giver. This emphasizes God's ultimate dominion, even over the forces of evil.
* **Save (Hebrew, _shamar_):** The verb "shamar" means to keep, guard, preserve, or protect. Here, it is a direct command from the LORD to Satan, instructing him to preserve Job's life. This word highlights the active role God takes in setting boundaries and protecting Job's core existence, preventing the test from becoming a means of destruction. It underscores the divine value placed on human life.
* **Life (Hebrew, _nephesh_):** While often translated as "soul" or "spirit," in this context, "nephesh" refers to Job's physical life, his living being, his breath, or his very essence as a living person. God's command to "save his nephesh" means that Satan is permitted to inflict severe physical pain and disease, but he is forbidden from causing Job's death. This ensures that Job remains alive to make conscious choices and to articulate his faith (or lack thereof) throughout the trial.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Satan":** This clause re-establishes the divine authority and the setting of the heavenly court. It highlights that the ensuing action is not arbitrary but a direct result of God's sovereign decision and communication with the accuser. It positions God as the ultimate arbiter of events, even those involving suffering.
* **"Behold, he [is] in thine hand":** This grants Satan the desired permission to afflict Job physically. The phrase "in thine hand" denotes that Job is delivered into Satan's power and control for the purpose of the test. It signifies a transfer of immediate agency, allowing Satan to act upon Job's body, but this transfer is explicitly temporary and conditional, not absolute.
* **"but save his life":** This is the crucial, non-negotiable boundary set by God. It immediately qualifies the preceding permission, ensuring that Satan's power is strictly limited. This command protects Job's ultimate existence, preventing the test from culminating in death. It underscores the sanctity of human life in God's eyes and reinforces God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death, even in the face of permitted evil.

#### Literary Devices
The dialogue in [Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Permission and Limit to Satan") is central to the narrative, serving as a pivotal moment that advances the plot. The **Dialogue** between the LORD and Satan reveals the cosmic stakes of Job's trial and the direct interaction between divine and malevolent forces. There is a profound **Irony** present: Satan intends to prove Job's faith is conditional, yet God's permission, with its specific limitation, ultimately serves to prove Job's faith is unconditional and resilient even unto death's doorstep. The phrase "but save his life" functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting that Job will survive this ordeal and that God has a larger purpose for his life beyond the immediate suffering. Furthermore, the verse explicitly demonstrates **Limited Omnipotence** (of Satan), as God's command clearly delineates the extent of Satan's power, reinforcing that Satan is a subordinate, created being who cannot act outside of divine permission and boundaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 2:6 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God, evil, and human suffering. It unequivocally asserts God's supreme sovereignty over all creation, including the spiritual realm and the forces of evil. Satan, despite his malevolent intent and destructive power, is not an independent entity but a created being who must operate within the strict boundaries set by the Almighty. This verse challenges the simplistic notion that all suffering is a direct punishment for sin, instead presenting it as a complex phenomenon that can serve divine purposes, such as testing and refining faith. God's command to preserve Job's life also underscores the inherent value and sanctity of human life, revealing a divine care that persists even in the midst of severe affliction. This divine limitation provides comfort, assuring believers that no trial is without God's oversight and ultimate control.

* [1 Corinthians 10:13](/1_corinthians/10-13 "1 Corinthians 10:13 - God's Faithfulness in Temptation")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 2:6 serves as a powerful reminder that even in our deepest valleys of suffering, God remains sovereign and actively involved. It teaches us that evil, though real and destructive, is ultimately constrained by divine decree. When we face trials that seem overwhelming, this verse offers immense comfort: our lives are not subject to the arbitrary whims of malevolent forces, but are held securely in the hands of a loving God who sets boundaries even for our adversaries. This passage encourages us to trust in God's wisdom and purpose, even when we cannot understand the "why" behind our pain. It calls us to endure with integrity, knowing that our ultimate well-being and eternal life are preserved by Him, and that every affliction has a divinely appointed limit and purpose, ultimately designed to refine our faith and reveal His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the limitation placed on Satan in Job 2:6 impact your understanding of God's control over evil and suffering in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using a current or past trial in your life to test or refine your faith, rather than to punish you?**
* **How does the sanctity of life, as highlighted by God's command to "save his life," influence your perspective on human dignity and the value of every individual?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 2:6 suggest that God is the author of evil, or that He directly causes suffering?**

Answer: No, Job 2:6 does not suggest that God is the author of evil. Instead, it powerfully demonstrates God's supreme sovereignty over all creation, including evil forces like Satan. God does not cause evil, but He permits it to operate within specific, divinely appointed boundaries. In this verse, God allows Satan to afflict Job, but He explicitly limits the extent of that affliction, preventing Satan from taking Job's life. This distinction is crucial: God is not the source of evil, but He is sovereign over it, able to use even the evil intentions of others to accomplish His ultimate purposes, often for the testing and refining of His people's faith, as seen throughout [the book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 2:6, with its profound depiction of innocent suffering under divine permission and limitation, finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, though righteous, suffered due to Satan's accusations, yet his life was preserved. Jesus, however, the truly innocent and perfectly righteous Son of God, willingly entered into the ultimate suffering, allowing His life to be taken as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). While Satan was permitted to tempt and afflict Job, his power was utterly broken by Christ's death and resurrection. The "life" that God commanded Satan to save in Job's case foreshadows the eternal life that Jesus secures for all who believe in Him. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus conquered the power of death and the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")), offering not just temporary preservation but eternal salvation. Thus, while Job's physical life was spared for a temporal purpose, Christ's death and resurrection ensure that believers receive eternal life, a life that Satan can never touch or destroy ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus Gives Eternal Life")). Jesus is the ultimate Job, whose suffering was not for His own sin but for ours, and whose victory guarantees our enduring life in Him.

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.