Job 2:5

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

Job 2:5 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
The Message Bible (MSG)
5 But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He'd curse you to your face, that's what."
American Standard Version (ASV)
5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
5 But stretch out your hand, and strike his flesh and bones. I bet he'll curse you to your face."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 "But reach out your hand and strike his flesh and bones. Then I'm sure he will speak evil things against you. In fact, he'll do it right in front of you."

Job 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 2:5

But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh,
&c.] That is, his body, which consisted of flesh and bones; these are the constituent parts of the body, and which distinguish it from spirit, ( Luke 24:39 ) ; this is the motion made by Satan for a second trial of Job's integrity; he moves that God would take off his hand of providence over him, which secured his health unto him, and stretch his hand of power upon him, and fill his flesh with diseases, and his bones with rottenness; or break them, and touch him to the quick, to the marrow, which gives exquisite pain; or by his bone may be meant him himself F21:

and he will curse thee to thy face;
he will fly in thy face, arraign thy providence, and call in question thy wisdom, justice, truth, and faithfulness: or he will "bless thee" F23, and take his farewell of thee F24, and have nothing more to do with thee or religion; if he does not do this, for something is to be understood, the words being an imprecation, let me be in a worse condition than I am at present; let me not have the liberty of ranging about in the earth, to do the mischief I delight in; let me bound, and cast into the bottomless pit before my time, or be thrown into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, where I know I must be forever.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 So Gussetius and Genevenses, in ib. p. 630.
F23 (Kkrby) "benedicet tibi", Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt.
F24 "Te valere jubebit", Schultens.

Job 2:5 In-Context

3 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
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.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Job 16:8; Job 19:20; Job 33:21; Psalms 102:5; Lamentations 4:8
  • 2. S Exodus 20:7; S Job 1:11
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