Job 2:5
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Original Language Analysis
שְֽׁלַֽח
put forth
H7971
שְֽׁלַֽח
put forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
2 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 14
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יָֽדְךָ֔
thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֔
thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 14
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
וְגַ֥ע
now and touch
H5060
וְגַ֥ע
now and touch
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
עַצְמ֖וֹ
his bone
H6106
עַצְמ֖וֹ
his bone
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
7 of 14
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
בְּשָׂר֑וֹ
and his flesh
H1320
בְּשָׂר֑וֹ
and his flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
9 of 14
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
10 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Job 1:11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.Job 1:5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.Leviticus 24:15And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, physical disease was often interpreted as divine judgment and resulted in social ostracization. Satan's request thus encompasses not just pain but complete social alienation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your faith respond when physical suffering is added to circumstantial trials?
- What does God's permission for Job's physical affliction teach us about the purposes of bodily suffering?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Satan requests permission to touch Job's 'bone and flesh'—his physical person—predicting this will cause Job to curse God directly ('to thy face'). The Hebrew 'nega'' (touch) is the same word used for plague or affliction, suggesting painful physical disease. Satan assumes that bodily suffering penetrates deeper than economic loss, revealing his belief that humans are fundamentally materialistic. Yet God's grant of permission demonstrates His confidence that true faith endures even physical torment.