Job 2:4-10

4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life.

5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

6 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish^[a] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job 2:4-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 2

This chapter gives an account of a second trial of Job's constancy and integrity, the time and occasion of it, Job 2:1-3; the motion made for it by Satan, which being granted, he smote him from head to foot with sore boils, which he endured very patiently, Job 2:4-8; during which sad affliction he is urged by his wife to give up his integrity, which he bravely resisted, Job 2:9,10; and the chapter is concluded with an account of a visit of three of Job's friends, and of their conduct and behaviour towards him, Job 2:11-13.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 1:10
• 2. Job 16:8; Job 19:20; Job 33:21; Psalms 102:5; Lamentations 4:8
• 3. S Exodus 20:7; S Job 1:11
• 4. 2 Corinthians 12:7
• 5. S Job 1:12
• 6. S Deuteronomy 28:35; Job 7:5; S Job 16:16
• 7. Genesis 18:27; Esther 4:3; Job 16:15; Job 19:9; Job 30:19; Job 42:6; Psalms 7:5; Isaiah 58:5; Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 6:26; Lamentations 3:29; Ezekiel 26:16; Ezekiel 27:30; Jnh 3:5-8,6; Matthew 11:21
• 8. Job 6:29; Job 13:15; Job 27:5; Job 33:9; Job 35:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:8
• 9. S Exodus 20:7; S 2 Kings 6:33
• 10. S Job 1:21; S Ecclesiastes 2:24; Lamentations 3:38
• 11. S Job 1:22; S Job 6:24; Psalms 39:1; James 1:12; James 5:11

Footnotes

• [a]. The Hebrew word rendered "foolish" denotes moral deficiency.