Job 2:7

KJV

¶ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

KJV (with Strong's)

So went {H3318} Satan {H7854} forth {H3318} from the presence {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}, and smote {H5221} Job {H347} with sore {H7451} boils {H7822} from the sole {H3709} of his foot {H7272} unto his crown {H6936}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the Adversary went out from the presence of ADONAI and struck Iyov down with horrible infected sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

Berean Standard Bible

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

American Standard Version

So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 2:7 marks the dramatic escalation of Job's trials, as Satan, having received explicit divine permission, inflicts a devastating physical plague upon him. This verse vividly describes the onset of Job's "sore boils," a severe and widespread skin affliction that covered his entire body. It is a pivotal moment that transitions the narrative from the loss of Job's external possessions and family to an intensely personal suffering, directly impacting his physical well-being and setting the stage for the profound theological dialogues that follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 2:7 is the immediate and direct consequence of the second heavenly council described in [Job 2:1-6](/job/2 "Job 2 - Satan's Second Challenge and God's Permission"). Following Job's remarkable steadfastness after the catastrophic loss of his children and possessions in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Righteousness and First Trial"), Satan challenges God's assessment of Job's integrity, claiming that Job would surely curse God if his own body were afflicted. God grants permission for this test, but with the crucial limitation that Job's life must be spared ([Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Limit on Satan")). This verse, therefore, represents the physical manifestation of that divine allowance, initiating the period of intense personal suffering that dominates the subsequent chapters and prompts the arrival of Job's three friends.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering, especially severe illness, was often directly attributed to sin or divine displeasure. This cultural assumption forms a critical backdrop for the book of Job, as Job's friends will repeatedly try to convince him that his suffering must be a consequence of some unconfessed sin. The "boils" (Hebrew: *shechin*) mentioned here were a well-known and dreaded affliction, likely a severe form of carbuncles or festering ulcers, similar to the plague inflicted upon the Egyptians in [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils"). Such a disease would not only cause excruciating physical pain and disfigurement but also render the afflicted ritually unclean and socially ostracized, intensifying Job's isolation and humiliation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Evil**, demonstrating that even Satan, the adversary, operates strictly within the boundaries and permissions set by God. His actions are not independent but are part of a divinely orchestrated, albeit mysterious, plan. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Undeserved Suffering**, as Job, declared "blameless and upright" by God Himself ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Character")), is subjected to extreme physical torment without having committed any sin to warrant it. This challenges the simplistic retribution theology prevalent in the ancient world and explored throughout the book. Finally, it sets the stage for the profound test of **Integrity and Faith Under Duress**, as Job's physical affliction pushes him to the brink, forcing him to grapple with the mystery of suffering and the nature of God's justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satan (Hebrew, _śāṭān'_):** This term, meaning "adversary" or "accuser," functions as a proper noun here, referring to the specific angelic being who challenges God's assessment of Job. His "going forth from the presence of the LORD" emphasizes his subordinate role and the fact that his actions are not independent but are permitted and constrained by divine authority. He is not an equal and opposite force to God but a creature acting within God's sovereign will.
* **Boils (Hebrew, _šəḥîn'_):** This word denotes a severe, inflammatory skin eruption, often accompanied by fever and intense pain. It signifies a debilitating and disfiguring disease, suggesting festering sores or carbuncles that would have made Job's life miserable. The use of this specific term evokes a sense of extreme physical distress and often carries connotations of uncleanness or severe illness in ancient Near Eastern contexts, further isolating Job.
* **From the sole of his foot unto his crown (Hebrew, _mikkaf raḡlô wəʿaḏ qodqodô'_):** This is a powerful Hebrew idiom, a merism, signifying totality or completeness. It emphasizes that no part of Job's body was spared from the affliction. The pain and disfigurement were absolute, affecting him from head to toe, underscoring the comprehensive and overwhelming nature of his suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD":** This clause establishes the immediate consequence of the heavenly dialogue. Satan's departure signifies his dismissal from the divine council, empowered by God's permission to execute the agreed-upon test. It reinforces the theme of God's ultimate sovereignty, as Satan's actions are explicitly sanctioned and limited by the Lord.
* **"and smote Job with sore boils":** This describes the direct action of the adversary. The verb "smote" (Hebrew: *wayyakh*) indicates a forceful and direct strike, highlighting the immediate and painful onset of the disease. The "sore boils" are the chosen instrument of affliction, targeting Job's physical body, which Satan claimed was the basis of Job's piety.
* **"from the sole of his foot unto his crown":** This vivid description emphasizes the totality and severity of Job's physical suffering. It is not a localized ailment but a full-body affliction, ensuring maximum pain, disfigurement, and debilitation. This comprehensive suffering serves to test Job's integrity to its absolute limit, leaving no part of him untouched by the trial.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The use of **Merism** in "from the sole of his foot unto his crown" powerfully conveys the completeness and totality of Job's affliction, emphasizing that no part of his body was spared. This is a form of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the suffering to underscore its severity. There is also a strong sense of **Irony** at play: Job, a man declared righteous and blameless by God, is subjected to such extreme and undeserved suffering, challenging conventional notions of divine justice. The "sore boils" themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing the overwhelming and pervasive nature of Job's trial, affecting not just his external circumstances but his very physical being, mirroring the profound spiritual and emotional torment he is about to endure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 2:7 is a profound theological statement on the nature of suffering, divine sovereignty, and the reality of spiritual warfare. It shatters the simplistic notion that all suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin, presenting the case of a righteous man afflicted for reasons beyond his comprehension. This verse powerfully asserts that even the adversary, Satan, operates under God's ultimate authority and permission, reinforcing the truth that God remains sovereign even over evil and chaos. It underscores that God's purposes, though often mysterious, transcend human understanding and that trials can serve to refine and demonstrate true faith, rather than merely punish wrongdoing.

* [Exodus 9:9](/exodus/9-9 "Exodus 9:9 - Plague of Boils")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 2:7 confronts us with the stark reality of undeserved suffering, a profound mystery that resonates deeply with human experience. It challenges us to reconsider our assumptions about why bad things happen, reminding us that not all pain is punitive. Instead, like Job, we may find ourselves in trials that serve a higher, often hidden, purpose—perhaps to refine our faith, to demonstrate God's ultimate control, or to deepen our empathy for others. This verse calls us to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances are excruciatingly painful and defy our understanding. It encourages steadfastness when our physical and emotional resources are depleted, knowing that God sets the boundaries for all trials and that His ultimate purposes are good, even when the immediate experience is devastating.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job 2:7 challenge common assumptions about the relationship between sin and suffering?**
* **In what ways does this verse affirm God's ultimate sovereignty, even in the face of evil and affliction?**
* **How might Job's physical suffering prepare us to understand the deeper spiritual and emotional trials he later faces?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow Satan to afflict Job so severely?**

Answer: God allowed Satan to afflict Job so severely primarily to demonstrate the genuine nature of Job's faith and righteousness. Satan had accused Job of serving God only because of the blessings he received, implying his piety was conditional and self-serving ([Job 1:9-11](/job/1-9 "Job 1:9-11 - Satan's First Challenge")). By allowing the severe affliction, God was essentially putting Job's faith on trial, not because God doubted Job, but to silence Satan's accusations and reveal to the heavenly court (and ultimately to us) that true devotion is not contingent on prosperity. It also highlights God's ultimate control over all forces, including evil, as Satan could only act within the precise limits set by God ([Job 2:6](/job/2-6 "Job 2:6 - God's Limit on Satan")).

**What were "sore boils" like in ancient times, and why this specific affliction?**

Answer: "Sore boils" (Hebrew: *shechin*) refer to a severe, painful, and often festering skin disease, likely a form of carbuncles or ulcers. In ancient times, such an affliction would have been incredibly debilitating, causing constant pain, fever, disfigurement, and extreme discomfort. It would also have rendered Job ceremonially unclean and socially isolated, as contact with such a condition was avoided ([Leviticus 13:18-23](/leviticus/13-18 "Leviticus 13:18-23 - Laws Concerning Boils")). This specific affliction was chosen by Satan, with God's permission, because it targeted Job's physical body, which Satan claimed was the last bastion of Job's self-interest ("skin for skin," [Job 2:4](/job/2-4 "Job 2:4 - Satan's Second Challenge")). It was designed to maximize his suffering and test his integrity to the absolute limit, leaving no part of him untouched by pain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's undeserved suffering in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Satan Afflicts Job") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, a righteous man, suffered immensely, bearing afflictions "from the sole of his foot unto his crown" without having sinned. This foreshadows the perfect and sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who bore the full weight of humanity's sin and infirmities, not for His own transgression, but for ours. Just as Job was "smote" by Satan with permission, Christ was "smitten by God" and "afflicted" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant")), enduring physical torment, social rejection, and spiritual abandonment on the cross. His body was scourged and pierced, experiencing pain from head to foot, a suffering far greater than Job's because it was for the sins of the world. While Job's story leaves us with the mystery of suffering, Christ's suffering provides the answer: through His wounds, we are healed ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). His victory over Satan on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")) ultimately disarms the accuser and offers eternal hope, demonstrating that God's sovereign plan culminates not in inexplicable suffering, but in redemptive love and the promise of a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more pain or sorrow ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Pain")).

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

Deuteronomy 28:35

The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

Isaiah 1:6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Job 30:30

My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.

Deuteronomy 28:27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

Job 7:5

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

1 Kings 22:22

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

Isaiah 3:17

Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.