Job 2:9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Original Language Analysis
עֹֽדְךָ֖
H5750
עֹֽדְךָ֖
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מַֽחֲזִ֣יק
unto him Dost thou still retain
H2388
מַֽחֲזִ֣יק
unto him Dost thou still retain
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
5 of 9
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
בָּרֵ֥ךְ
curse
H1288
בָּרֵ֥ךְ
curse
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
7 of 9
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
Cross References
Job 2:5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.Job 2:3And 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.Genesis 3:6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.Malachi 3:14Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?Job 1:11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.Genesis 3:12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.2 Kings 6:33And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
Historical Context
Job's wife lost ten children yet receives only one verse. Her counsel to 'curse God and die' may reflect mercy—why prolong suffering?—yet it opposes faith. Job's response 'In all this did not Job sin with his lips' contrasts his later speeches where he comes close to charging God with injustice, showing that extended suffering tests even the righteous.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's commitment to receive both good and evil from God's hand challenge the prosperity gospel?
- In what ways might we subtly urge suffering believers to abandon faith rather than persevere?
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Analysis & Commentary
Job's wife urges him to 'curse God and die.' The verb barek normally means 'to bless' but here is a euphemism for cursing—ancient scribes avoided writing 'curse God.' Her counsel is Satan's desired outcome. Job's response calls her words foolish (nevalah, נְבָלָה), denoting moral senselessness. His rhetorical question 'Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?' establishes profound theology: faith must accept God's sovereignty in adversity as well as prosperity.