Job 2:7
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵא֙
So went
H3318
וַיֵּצֵא֙
So went
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן
Satan
H7854
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן
Satan
Strong's:
H7854
Word #:
2 of 14
an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good
מֵאֵ֖ת
H853
מֵאֵ֖ת
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)
פְּנֵ֣י
from the presence
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
from the presence
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיַּ֤ךְ
and smote
H5221
וַיַּ֤ךְ
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
6 of 14
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִכַּ֥ף
from the sole
H3709
מִכַּ֥ף
from the sole
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
11 of 14
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
רַגְל֖וֹ
of his foot
H7272
רַגְל֖וֹ
of his foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
12 of 14
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:35The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.Isaiah 1:6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.Job 30:30My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.Deuteronomy 28:27The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
Historical Context
Skin diseases in the ancient Near East resulted in ceremonial uncleanness and social quarantine. Job's affliction would exclude him from community worship and human fellowship, compounding his suffering with isolation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain worship when physical pain makes concentration difficult?
- What does Job's comprehensive physical affliction teach us about God's purposes in allowing bodily suffering?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Satan's immediate action ('went forth from the presence of the Lord and smote Job') shows his eagerness to execute his accusation. The 'sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown' indicates comprehensive, excruciating bodily affliction covering Job's entire body. The Hebrew 'shechin ra'' (evil boils/inflammation) suggests a painful, disfiguring condition. This physical suffering isolates Job socially while causing constant agony, testing whether his worship depends on comfort or conviction.