Job 1:10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹֽא
H3808
הֲלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שַׂ֣כְתָּ
Hast not thou made an hedge
H7753
שַׂ֣כְתָּ
Hast not thou made an hedge
Strong's:
H7753
Word #:
3 of 17
to entwine, i.e., shut in (for formation, protection or restraint)
וּבְעַ֥ד
about him and about
H1157
וּבְעַ֥ד
about him and about
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
4 of 17
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
וּבְעַ֥ד
about him and about
H1157
וּבְעַ֥ד
about him and about
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
5 of 17
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
בֵּית֛וֹ
his house
H1004
בֵּית֛וֹ
his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּבְעַ֥ד
about him and about
H1157
וּבְעַ֥ד
about him and about
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
7 of 17
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִסָּבִ֑יב
and about all that he hath on every side
H5439
מִסָּבִ֑יב
and about all that he hath on every side
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
11 of 17
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֤ה
the work
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֤ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
12 of 17
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדָיו֙
of his hands
H3027
יָדָיו֙
of his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בֵּרַ֔כְתָּ
thou hast blessed
H1288
בֵּרַ֔כְתָּ
thou hast blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
14 of 17
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּ
and his substance
H4735
וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּ
and his substance
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
15 of 17
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
Cross References
Psalms 34:7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Zechariah 2:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.Zechariah 2:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.Psalms 107:38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.Job 31:25If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;Isaiah 5:2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.Genesis 26:12Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
Historical Context
The concept of divine protection hedging the righteous appears throughout Scripture and Ancient Near Eastern literature, but here it uniquely emphasizes God's active, sovereign preservation of His covenant people.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways have you experienced God's protecting hedge in your life?
- How does knowing God sovereignly permits trials affect your response to suffering?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Satan acknowledges God's protective sovereignty over Job's person, family, and possessions. The Hebrew 'suk' (hedge) implies a thorough, impenetrable barrier. This reveals a profound Reformed truth: believers are preserved not by their own strength but by God's sovereign protection. Satan can only touch God's elect when permission is granted for their ultimate sanctification (Romans 8:28), as with Job and Peter (Luke 22:31-32).