Job 2:3
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַשָּׂטָ֗ן
unto Satan
H7854
הַשָּׂטָ֗ן
unto Satan
Strong's:
H7854
Word #:
4 of 27
an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good
הֲשַׂ֣מְתָּ
Hast thou
H7760
הֲשַׂ֣מְתָּ
Hast thou
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 27
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לִבְּךָ֮
considered
H3820
לִבְּךָ֮
considered
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
6 of 27
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָּאָ֗רֶץ
that there is none like him in the earth
H776
בָּאָ֗רֶץ
that there is none like him in the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
13 of 27
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אִ֣ישׁ
man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
14 of 27
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
תָּ֧ם
a perfect
H8535
תָּ֧ם
a perfect
Strong's:
H8535
Word #:
15 of 27
complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 27
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
וְעֹדֶ֙נּוּ֙
H5750
וְעֹדֶ֙נּוּ֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מַֽחֲזִ֣יק
and still he holdeth fast
H2388
מַֽחֲזִ֣יק
and still he holdeth fast
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
22 of 27
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וַתְּסִיתֵ֥נִי
although thou movedst
H5496
וַתְּסִיתֵ֥נִי
although thou movedst
Strong's:
H5496
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
Cross References
Job 1:8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?Job 9:17For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.Proverbs 16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.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.1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.John 9:3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.Philippians 3:12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Historical Context
This second heavenly council scene intensifies the test after Job passed the first trial. Satan's challenge escalates—people will endure loss of property but not personal pain. God's acknowledgment that He was 'moved' against Job 'without cause' demonstrates divine honesty about mystery—some suffering serves purposes beyond the sufferer's understanding, requiring trust in God's character.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's acknowledgment that Job suffered 'without cause' validate our struggles to understand suffering?
- What does Job 'holding fast his integrity' teach about persevering when God's purposes aren't clear?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's second testimony adds 'he holdeth fast his integrity' (machaziq be-tummato, מַחֲזִיק בְּתֻמָּתוֹ). The verb chazaq means to be strong, to hold firmly—Job clings to integrity despite loss. God then accuses Satan: 'although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause' (chinnam, חִנָּם). This divine statement is crucial: God acknowledges Job's suffering has no basis in personal sin. The phrase vindicates Job's protests and refutes his friends' theology that all suffering results from sin.