Job 2:9

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Then said {H559} his wife {H802} unto him, Dost thou still retain {H2388} thine integrity {H8538}? curse {H1288} God {H430}, and die {H4191}.

His wife asked him, "Why do you still hold on to your integrity? Curse God, and die!"

Then Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die.

Commentary

Context

Job 2:9 occurs at a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of Job's trials. Having already lost his children, servants, and vast wealth in the first wave of calamity (Job 1:13-19), Job had responded with remarkable submission and worship (Job 1:21). However, in this second test, permitted by God to Satan (Job 2:6), Job is afflicted with painful, debilitating boils from head to foot. This verse captures the desperate counsel of Job's wife, who, having endured the same losses as Job, now witnesses his agonizing physical suffering and seems to have reached the breaking point of her own faith and endurance.

Key Themes

  • The Erosion of Faith Under Extreme Suffering: Job's wife's words highlight how profound grief and physical pain can shatter one's perspective and lead to despair. Her advice reflects a complete loss of hope in God's goodness or justice, seeing continued life and integrity as pointless torment.
  • The Challenge to Integrity: Her rhetorical question, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity?", is a bitter taunt. She questions the value of Job's unwavering devotion when it has seemingly brought him nothing but immense suffering. This directly attacks the core of Job's blamelessness and uprightness, which God Himself had affirmed (Job 2:3).
  • Counsel of Despair: The command "curse God, and die" is the ultimate counsel of despair. It suggests that death would be a preferable escape from suffering, and that renouncing God is a logical step if He allows such pain. It represents a profound spiritual crisis.
  • The Patience of Job: This verse sets the stage for Job's continued faithfulness, demonstrating the incredible steadfastness that later became a biblical byword (James 5:11).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "curse God" in Hebrew is barek Elohim (literally "bless God"). This is widely understood by scholars as a euphemism, where the opposite word is used to avoid speaking an unspeakable blasphemy. It conveys the idea of renouncing, reviling, or blaspheming God, implying a desire for Job to openly reject his faith and perhaps provoke divine judgment leading to death, or simply to find an end to his suffering by any means necessary, even if it meant spiritual destruction.

Practical Application

Job's wife's outburst serves as a stark reminder of the immense pressure suffering can place on faith. It teaches us:

  • Empathy for the Suffering: Her words, though harsh, stem from deep pain and grief. We are reminded to have compassion for those whose faith falters under extreme duress.
  • The Value of Integrity: The verse highlights the preciousness of holding onto one's integrity and faith even when circumstances seem to contradict God's goodness.
  • Resisting Despair: In moments of profound trial, the temptation to "curse God and die" can be strong. This passage encourages believers to resist such despair and cling to hope, even when understanding is elusive.
  • God's Sovereignty in Suffering: While Job's wife saw only an uncaring God, the larger narrative reveals a sovereign God who uses even intense suffering for ultimate good and to refine faith, as seen in Job's eventual restoration (Job 42:10-17).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Job 2:3

    And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

  • Job 2:5

    But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

  • Malachi 3:14

    Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

  • Job 1:11

    But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

  • Job 21:14

    Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

  • Job 21:15

    What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

  • 2 Kings 6:33

    And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil [is] of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?