Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Job 1:1

Next

¶ There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

There was a man {H376} in the land {H776} of Uz {H5780}, whose name {H8034} was Job {H347}; and that man {H376} was perfect {H8535} and upright {H3477}, and one that feared {H3373} God {H430}, and eschewed {H5493} evil {H7451}.

There was a man in the land of 'Utz whose name was Iyov. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil.

Commentary

Job 1:1 (KJV) introduces the central figure of the Book of Job, setting the stage for one of the most profound explorations of suffering, faith, and divine justice in the Bible. This verse immediately establishes Job's extraordinary character and moral standing before God.

Context

The Book of Job is a foundational work of wisdom literature, likely originating in the ancient Near East. Verse 1 places Job in the "land of Uz," a geographical location generally thought to be east of Palestine, possibly in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. This detail highlights that Job was not an Israelite, suggesting that righteousness and the fear of God are not limited to one nation but are universal principles. The opening verse serves as a crucial introduction, presenting Job as a man of unparalleled virtue, whose subsequent trials will test the very nature of his devotion.

Key Themes and Job's Character

This verse provides a four-fold description of Job's exceptional character:

  • Perfect (Hebrew: tam): This does not imply sinless perfection, but rather completeness, integrity, and blamelessness in his walk with God and man. He was wholehearted and upright in his devotion, not lacking in any significant moral quality. This concept of blamelessness is also seen in figures like Noah (Genesis 6:9).
  • Upright (Hebrew: yashar): Signifies moral rectitude; Job walked a straight path, adhering to justice and righteousness. He was honest and honorable in his dealings.
  • Feared God: This phrase denotes profound reverence, awe, and submission to God's will. It’s a key concept in wisdom literature, often described as the foundation of true knowledge and wisdom. As seen in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
  • Eschewed Evil: Job actively turned away from and avoided wrongdoing. This wasn't merely passive avoidance but a deliberate and consistent rejection of sin, demonstrating his commitment to God's ways. This active shunning of evil is a mark of true wisdom and piety, aligning with principles found in Proverbs 3:7, which advises to "fear the LORD, and depart from evil."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used to describe Job are significant. Tam (perfect) conveys a sense of wholeness and integrity, indicating that Job's inner life and outward actions were consistent with his devotion to God. Yashar (upright) emphasizes his moral straightforwardness, indicating he was not devious or crooked in his ways. Together, these words paint a picture of a person of profound moral character, whose life was aligned with divine principles. The phrase "feared God" (yireh Elohim) is a common biblical idiom for true piety and obedience, highlighting a relationship built on reverence and respect for the Creator.

Practical Application

Job 1:1 serves as a powerful reminder that true righteousness is characterized by both internal integrity and outward action. Job's life, even before the trials began, exemplified a consistent commitment to God and a deliberate avoidance of sin. For believers today, this verse challenges us to cultivate a similar character: to live with integrity (perfect/blameless), to walk uprightly in all our dealings, to hold a deep reverence for God, and to actively turn away from all forms of evil. Job's initial description sets a high standard, demonstrating that a life devoted to God is possible, even in a world full of challenges, and prepares the reader to understand the profound nature of the tests he endures.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • James 5:11 (48 votes)

    Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

  • Ezekiel 14:14 (39 votes)

    Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver [but] their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 14:20 (37 votes)

    Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, [were] in it, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall [but] deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

  • Job 28:28 (20 votes)

    And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.

  • Job 2:3 (17 votes)

    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 1:8 (16 votes)

    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?

  • Job 23:11 (16 votes)

    My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.