Job 2:10
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Original Language Analysis
תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי
speaketh
H1696
תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי
speaketh
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַנְּבָלוֹת֙
of the foolish women
H5036
הַנְּבָלוֹת֙
of the foolish women
Strong's:
H5036
Word #:
5 of 22
stupid; wicked (especially impious)
תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי
speaketh
H1696
תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי
speaketh
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
גַּ֣ם
What
H1571
גַּ֣ם
What
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַטּ֗וֹב
good
H2896
הַטּ֗וֹב
good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
9 of 22
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
נְקַבֵּ֑ל
and shall we not receive
H6901
נְקַבֵּ֑ל
and shall we not receive
Strong's:
H6901
Word #:
10 of 22
to admit, i.e., take (literally or figuratively)
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
at the hand of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
at the hand of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נְקַבֵּ֑ל
and shall we not receive
H6901
נְקַבֵּ֑ל
and shall we not receive
Strong's:
H6901
Word #:
16 of 22
to admit, i.e., take (literally or figuratively)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חָטָ֥א
sin
H2398
חָטָ֥א
sin
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
Cross References
James 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;Matthew 16:23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.John 18:11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Historical Context
Job's response reflects a mature ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition that acknowledged divine sovereignty over all of life, in contrast to the dualistic theologies of surrounding cultures that attributed evil to independent dark gods.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you truly accept both pleasant and painful circumstances as from God's hand?
- How does Job's theology of sovereignty differ from fatalism or stoicism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Job's rebuke of his wife is theologically profound: 'shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?' The Hebrew 'ra'' (evil/calamity) acknowledges that both blessing and affliction come from God's sovereign hand. This is not dualism—God doesn't commit moral evil—but it affirms that God ordains all circumstances, including suffering (Isaiah 45:7). The narrator's verdict 'in all this did not Job sin with his lips' shows that accepting God's sovereignty over both prosperity and adversity is righteous, not fatalistic.