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Job1

King James Version · Public Domain

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.

2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

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.

6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

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?

9Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 1.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The piety and prosperity of Job. (1–5). Satan obtains leave to try Job. (6–12). The loss of Job's property, and the death of his children. (13–19). Job's patience and piety. (20–22).

vv1-5

Job was prosperous, and yet pious. Though it is hard and rare, it is not impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. By God's grace the temptations of worldly wealth may be overcome. The account of Job's piety and prosperity comes before the history of his great afflictions, showing that neither will secure from troubles. While Job beheld the harmony and comforts of his sons with satisfaction, his knowledge of the human heart made him fearful for them. He sent and sanctified them, reminding them to examine themselves, to confess their sins, to seek forgiveness; and as one who hoped for acceptance with God through the promised Saviour, he offered a burnt-offering for each. We perceive his care for their souls, his knowledge of the sinful state of man, his entire dependence on God's mercy in the way he had appointed.

vv6-12

Job's afflictions began from the malice of Satan, by the Lord's permission, for wise and holy purposes. There is an evil spirit, the enemy of God, and of all righteousness, who is continually seeking to distress, to lead astray, and, if possible, to destroy those who love God. How far his influence may extend, we cannot say; but probably much unsteadiness and unhappiness in Christians may be ascribed to him. While we are on this earth we are within his reach. Hence it concerns us to be sober and vigilant, 1Pe 5:8. See how Satan censures Job. This is the common way of slanderers, to suggest that which they have no reason to think is true. But as there is nothing we should dread more than really being hypocrites, so there is nothing we need dread less than being called and counted so without cause. It is not wrong to look at the eternal recompence in our obedience; but it is wrong to aim at worldly advantages in our religion. God's people are taken under his special protection; they, and all that belong to them. The blessing of the Lord makes rich; Satan himself owns it. God suffered Job to be tried, as he suffered Peter to be sifted. It is our comfort that God has the devil in a chain, Re 20:1. He has no power to lead men to sin, but what they give him themselves; nor any power to afflict men, but what is given him from above. All this is here described to us after the manner of men. The Scripture speaks thus to teach us that God directs the affairs of the world.

vv13-19

Satan brought Job's troubles upon him on the day that his children began their course of feasting. The troubles all came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed. His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news is brought him that they are killed. They were taken away when he had most need of them to comfort him under other losses. In God only have we a help present at all times. (Job 1:20-22)

Cross References

Job 1
v8Job 2:3thematic

Direct parallel where God repeats his assessment of Job's integrity to Satan.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v61 Kings 22:19allusion

Micaiah's vision of the heavenly host standing before God parallels the sons of God presenting themselves.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v71 Peter 5:8thematic

Satan walking about the earth looking for prey directly echoes Peter's warning of the roaring lion.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v211 Timothy 6:7thematic

Paul echoes Job's confession that we brought nothing into this world and carry nothing out.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Identifies the land of Uz in connection with the territory of Edom.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Genesis 6:9thematic

Noah is described as perfect and upright, establishing the patriarchal definition of integrity.

Supported by JFB

v6Job 38:7thematic

Identifies the 'sons of God' as the angels present at creation.

Supported by JFB

v12Luke 22:31thematic

Satan's demand to sift Peter parallels his petition to test Job's faith.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Genesis 36:28thematic

Mentions Uz as a descendant of Esau, illuminating the geography and genealogy of Uz.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Exodus 19:10thematic

Illustrates the practice of outward purification and sanctification prior to worship.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Satan acting in his primary role as the accuser of the brethren before God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v11Job 2:9thematic

Job's wife uses the exact phrase Satan predicted: urging Job to curse God.

Supported by JFB

v1Proverbs 8:13thematic

Defines the fear of the Lord as hating and eschewing evil.

Supported by JFB

v3Job 42:12contrast

Contrasts Job's initial wealth here with his doubled, restored wealth at the end.

Supported by JFB

Solomon's warning about the house of feasting vs. mourning, echoing Job's concern for his sons.

Supported by JFB