Job Chapter 1 · Verse 12
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָֽה׃
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן
So Satan
H7854
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן
So Satan
Strong's:
H7854
Word #:
4 of 19
an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 19
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 #:
7 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָדֶ֑ךָ
Behold all that he hath is in thy power
H3027
יָדֶ֑ךָ
Behold all that he hath is in thy power
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 19
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
רַ֣ק
H7535
רַ֣ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
12 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁלַ֖ח
only upon himself put not forth
H7971
תִּשְׁלַ֖ח
only upon himself put not forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
13 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יָדֶ֑ךָ
Behold all that he hath is in thy power
H3027
יָדֶ֑ךָ
Behold all that he hath is in thy power
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 19
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
וַיֵּצֵא֙
went forth
H3318
וַיֵּצֵא֙
went forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן
So Satan
H7854
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן
So Satan
Strong's:
H7854
Word #:
16 of 19
an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good
מֵעִ֖ם
H5973
מֵעִ֖ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
17 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Cross References
2 Corinthians 12:7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.Isaiah 27:8In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.John 19:11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions often portrayed divine conflicts with chaos forces or rival deities. Job's monotheism stands distinct: Satan isn't an equal opponent but a created being requiring divine permission. This theological precision influenced later Jewish and Christian demonology. The passage's literary structure demonstrates that visible earthly suffering has invisible spiritual dimensions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that Satan requires God's permission to test us provide comfort during trials?
- What does God's setting of limits on Job's suffering teach about divine compassion within permitted testing?
Analysis & Commentary
God's permission to Satan includes both authorization and limits: 'all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.' This establishes God's absolute sovereignty—Satan operates only within divinely imposed boundaries. The verse refutes dualism and affirms monotheism: God alone is sovereign. The limitation reveals divine compassion—God doesn't abandon Job to unlimited suffering but carefully controls the test's parameters. This theological principle appears throughout Scripture: God uses even evil for His purposes (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28).