Job 2:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 2:9 captures a moment of profound despair for Job's wife, who, having endured the same catastrophic losses as her husband and now witnessing his agonizing physical affliction, urges him to abandon his unwavering faith. Her bitter rhetorical question challenges the value of his integrity in the face of such immense suffering, culminating in the desperate counsel to "curse God, and die," suggesting that death would be a preferable escape from the relentless pain and that renouncing God is a logical response to perceived divine injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point in the narrative of Job. In [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Prosperity and First Trial"), Job loses his children, servants, and vast wealth, yet responds with remarkable submission and worship, proclaiming, "[The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Response to Loss")!" Following this, Satan challenges God again, asserting that Job's integrity would break if his own flesh were afflicted. God permits Satan to strike Job with painful boils from head to foot, as detailed in [Job 2:7-8](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7-8 - Satan Strikes Job with Boils"). It is in this context of extreme physical agony, after Job has already lost everything but his life, that his wife speaks these words, representing the breaking point of human endurance and faith under duress. Her counsel immediately precedes the arrival of Job's three friends, who will engage him in a lengthy theological debate about the nature of suffering.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, family was the primary unit of identity, security, and legacy. The loss of children and wealth, followed by debilitating illness, would have been an unimaginable catastrophe, stripping Job and his wife of all social standing, future hope, and personal comfort. Women in this culture often found their identity and security through their husband and children; thus, Job's wife's losses were as profound as Job's, if not more so in terms of her social and economic vulnerability. The concept of "integrity" (תֻּמָּה, _tummah_) was highly valued, signifying moral wholeness and blamelessness before God and man, often linked to prosperity as a sign of divine favor. Her counsel to "curse God, and die" reflects a worldview where suffering was often seen as a direct consequence of sin, and a life of integrity was expected to yield blessings. When this expectation was shattered, despair could lead to a complete rejection of divine justice or goodness. The euphemistic use of "bless" for "curse" highlights the cultural reverence for God's name, even in moments of profound anger or blasphemy.

* **Key Themes:** Job 2:9 contributes significantly to several major themes in the book of Job. It intensifies the theme of **suffering and its impact on faith**, illustrating how profound grief and physical pain can shatter one's perspective and lead to despair, even for those closely associated with the righteous. The wife's challenge directly assaults the theme of **Job's integrity**, which God Himself affirmed in [Job 2:3](/job/2-3 "Job 2:3 - God's Affirmation of Job's Integrity"), questioning the very value of blamelessness when it seemingly brings only torment. Her words also introduce the theme of **the counsel of despair**, contrasting sharply with Job's steadfastness and setting the stage for the book's exploration of human responses to inexplicable suffering. Furthermore, this verse highlights the **sovereignty of God** over suffering, as the reader knows (though Job and his wife do not) that these trials are permitted by God as part of a divine test, not as punishment for sin, challenging the prevailing theological framework of the time.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Integrity (Hebrew, תֻּמָּה, _tummah'_):** This word signifies completeness, blamelessness, moral uprightness, and sincerity. It describes a person whose character is whole and undivided in their devotion to God. In the context of Job, it refers to his unwavering faithfulness and righteousness, which God Himself attests to in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Description of Job") and [Job 2:3](/job/2-3 "Job 2:3 - God's Affirmation of Job's Integrity"). Job's wife's question, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity?", is a bitter taunt, questioning the worth of such devotion when it has yielded such immense suffering. She implies that his integrity is useless or even foolish in the face of his current reality.
* **Curse (Hebrew, בָּרֵךְ, _barek'_):** While the literal meaning of _barek_ is "to bless," it is widely understood by scholars as a euphemism for "to curse" or "to renounce" in this context. This linguistic phenomenon, known as antiphrasis, is used to avoid uttering a direct blasphemy against God, which was considered an unspeakable act. The implication is that Job's wife wants him to utterly reject God, to revile Him, and by doing so, 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. This euphemism underscores the gravity of her suggestion, hinting at the horror of directly blaspheming God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said his wife unto him":** This simple introductory clause sets the scene for a pivotal moment. It emphasizes that these words come from Job's closest companion, someone who has shared his losses and now witnesses his extreme physical pain. Her position as his wife adds a layer of emotional weight and betrayal to her counsel.
* **"Dost thou still retain thine integrity?":** This is a rhetorical question, laden with sarcasm, bitterness, and despair. It is not a genuine inquiry but an accusation and a challenge. She questions the rationality and value of Job's continued blamelessness and faithfulness to God, implying that his integrity has brought him nothing but ruin and agony. Her words suggest that Job's suffering has rendered his integrity meaningless or even foolish, especially given the traditional understanding that righteousness leads to blessing.
* **"curse God, and die.":** This is the climax of her desperate counsel, presenting a two-part command. The first part, "curse God," is the euphemistic call to renounce or blaspheme God, to abandon all faith and allegiance. The second part, "and die," suggests that death is the desired outcome, whether as a release from suffering or as a consequence of God's judgment for blasphemy. It is the ultimate counsel of despair, advocating for spiritual and physical annihilation as an escape from unbearable pain, reflecting a complete loss of hope in God's goodness, justice, or redemptive power.

#### Literary Devices
Job 2:9 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity?", which is not asked for information but to convey the wife's disbelief, frustration, and bitter sarcasm. It serves as an accusation, highlighting the perceived futility of Job's unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming suffering. Secondly, the use of **Euphemism** in "curse God" (literally "bless God" in Hebrew) is profoundly significant. This linguistic substitution underscores the unspeakable nature of blasphemy in ancient Israelite culture, even as it conveys the wife's desperate desire for Job to utterly renounce his faith. This device adds a layer of dramatic irony, as the reader is aware of the true meaning behind the polite phrasing. Finally, there is a strong element of **Dramatic Irony** throughout the passage. The reader knows, from the preceding chapters, that Job's suffering is part of a divine test orchestrated by God and Satan, not a result of Job's sin. Job's wife, however, is ignorant of this heavenly dialogue, making her desperate counsel and questioning of Job's integrity all the more poignant and tragic.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 2:9 serves as a stark theological confrontation, challenging the simplistic retribution theology prevalent in the ancient world—the idea that suffering is always a direct result of sin. Job's wife, like his later friends, operates within this framework, unable to reconcile Job's blamelessness with his intense suffering. Her counsel to "curse God, and die" represents the ultimate temptation to abandon faith when God's ways seem incomprehensible or unjust. It forces the reader to grapple with the nature of true integrity: is it conditional upon blessing, or can it endure even when all seems lost? The verse underscores that genuine faith is not merely a transaction for prosperity but an unwavering commitment to God's character, even when His actions are inscrutable. It highlights the profound spiritual battle that occurs in the crucible of suffering, where the very foundation of one's relationship with God is tested.

* [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response to Suffering")
* [James 1:12](/james/1-12 "James 1:12 - Blessed is the Man Who Endures Trial")
* [James 5:11](/james/5-11 "James 5:11 - The Patience of Job")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's wife's words, though harsh, emerge from a place of unimaginable pain and loss. Her outburst serves as a profound reminder of the immense pressure suffering can place on human faith and endurance. It compels us to cultivate a faith that is not merely transactional, expecting blessings for obedience, but one rooted in the unchangeable character of God, even when His providence is mysterious. In moments of profound trial, the temptation to despair, to question God's goodness, or even to "curse God and die" can be overwhelming. This passage encourages us to resist such despair, to cling to hope, and to trust in God's ultimate wisdom and love, even when understanding is elusive. It also calls for profound empathy for those who falter under extreme duress, recognizing that their words may stem from deep-seated anguish rather than intentional malice. Ultimately, Job's unwavering response to his wife's counsel becomes a beacon of steadfastness, demonstrating that true integrity is proven not in prosperity, but in perseverance through the darkest valleys.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does extreme suffering challenge our understanding of God's goodness and justice?**
* **What does "integrity" mean to you in the context of your faith, especially when faced with adversity?**
* **How can we support others who are struggling with their faith during times of intense pain or loss, without condoning despair?**
* **What are practical ways to "retain your integrity" when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises?**

### FAQ
**Why did Job's wife say "curse God, and die"?**

Answer: Job's wife uttered these words from a place of profound and multifaceted suffering. She had endured the same catastrophic losses as Job—all their children, their wealth, and their servants. Now, she witnessed her husband, once a pillar of their community, afflicted with a painful, debilitating disease, reduced to sitting in ashes and scraping his boils. Her counsel reflects a complete shattering of hope and a perception that continued life, especially one marked by such agony and loss, was pointless. The phrase "curse God, and die" suggests that death would be a preferable escape from the torment, and that renouncing God was a logical, albeit desperate, response if He allowed such pain. It was an expression of utter despair and a challenge to Job's continued, seemingly unrewarded, integrity in the face of what she perceived as divine abandonment or injustice.

**What is the significance of "curse God" being translated from the Hebrew "bless God"?**

Answer: The Hebrew phrase used is _barek Elohim_ (בָּרֵךְ אֱלֹהִים), which literally means "bless God." Scholars widely agree that in this context, it is a euphemism for "curse God" or "renounce God." This linguistic phenomenon, known as antiphrasis, involves using a word that means the opposite of what is intended, often to avoid speaking something considered taboo or blasphemous. In ancient Israelite culture, directly cursing God was an unspeakable act, punishable by death (e.g., [Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Punishment for Blasphemy")). By using "bless" in such a clearly negative context, Job's wife conveys the intensity of her despair and her desire for Job to utterly reject his faith, while still implicitly acknowledging the sacredness and fear associated with God's name, even in her moment of spiritual crisis. It highlights the profound horror of the suggestion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 2:9, with its desperate counsel to "curse God, and die," stands in stark contrast to the perfect integrity and ultimate suffering of Jesus Christ. Job's wife, in her brokenness, suggests that integrity is meaningless in the face of unmerited suffering. Yet, Christ, the ultimate example of blamelessness and integrity, endured suffering beyond human comprehension, not for His own sin, but for ours. On the cross, Jesus did not "curse God and die" but cried out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" – a cry of profound human anguish that nevertheless remained within the bounds of trust and submission to the Father's will, even as He bore the curse of humanity (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Where Job's wife saw death as an escape from suffering, Christ embraced death to conquer it, offering not a futile end but the promise of eternal life for those who trust in Him (cf. [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). His steadfastness in the face of the ultimate trial, even when tempted to abandon His mission (cf. [Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4 "Luke 4 - The Temptation of Jesus")), provides the true answer to the question of integrity under duress, demonstrating that unwavering faithfulness to God, even unto death, is the path to ultimate victory and redemption, fulfilling the very purpose that Job's suffering foreshadowed.

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

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?