Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֧עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֧עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
הַשָּׂטָ֛ן
And Satan
H7854
הַשָּׂטָ֛ן
And Satan
Strong's:
H7854
Word #:
2 of 14
an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּעַד
H1157
בְּעַד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
7 of 14
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
וְכֹל֙
H3605
וְכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָאִ֔ישׁ
yea all that a man
H376
לָאִ֔ישׁ
yea all that a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 14
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)
יִתֵּ֖ן
hath will he give
H5414
יִתֵּ֖ן
hath will he give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Matthew 6:25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Historical Context
The 'skin for skin' saying may derive from bartering practices where traders would exchange lesser goods to preserve more valuable ones. Satan employs marketplace logic to interpret worship.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your faith in God depend on your personal health and safety?
- How does Satan's trading mentality contrast with Jesus's call to lose our lives to find them (Matthew 16:25)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Satan's proverb 'skin for skin' likely reflects an ancient trading principle—a person will sacrifice external possessions to preserve their own life. The phrase 'all that a man hath will he give for his life' reveals Satan's materialistic anthropology: he cannot comprehend worship that transcends self-preservation. This challenges the health-and-wealth gospel and exposes the prosperity heresy—Satan's own theology! Reformed faith maintains that true religion perseveres even to martyrdom (Revelation 2:10).