Job 2:4
Verse
Context
Job Loses His Health
3Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”4“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.5But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”
Sermons
John Gill
James Blaine Chapman
Jessie Penn-Lewis
St. John ChrysostomSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Skin for skin - That is, A man will part with all he has in the world to save his life; and he will part with all by piecemeal, till he has nothing left on earth, and even be thankful, provided his life be spared. Thou hast only destroyed his property; thou hast left him his life and his health. Thou hast not touched his flesh nor his bone; therefore he is patient and resigned. Man, through the love of life, will go much farther: he will give up one member to save the rest; yea, limb after limb as long as there is hope that, by such sacrifices, life may be spared or prolonged. This is the meaning given to the passage by the Targum; and, I believe, the true one; hence, Job 2:6, the Lord says, Save his life.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
4, 5 And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, and all that man hath will he give for his life: stretch forth yet once Thy hand, and touch his bone, and his flesh, truly he will renounce Thee to Thy face. Olshausen refers עזר בּעד עזר to Job in relation to Jehovah: So long as Thou leavest his skin untouched, he will also leave Thee untouched; which, though it is the devil who speaks, were nevertheless too unbecomingly expressed. Hupfeld understands by the skin, that skin which is here given for the other, - the skin of his cattle, of his servants and children, which Job had gladly given up, that for such a price he might get off with his own skin sound; but בּעד cannot be used as Beth pretii: even in Pro 6:26 this is not the case. For the same reason, we must not, with Hirz., Ew., and most, translate, Skin for skin = like for like, which Ewald bases on the strange assertion, that one skin is like another, as one dead piece is like another. The meaning of the words of Satan (rightly understood by Schlottm. and the Jewish expositors) is this: One gives up one's skin to preserve one's skin; one endures pain on a sickly part of the skin, for the sake of saving the whole skin; one holds up the arm, as Raschi suggests, to avert the fatal blow from the head. The second clause is climacteric: a man gives skin for skin; but for his life, his highest good, he willingly gives up everything, without exception, that can be given up, and life itself still retained. This principle derived from experience, applied to Job, may be expressed thus: Just so, Job has gladly given up everything, and is content to have escaped with his life. ואולם, verum enim vero, is connected with this suppressed because self-evident application. The verb ננע, above, Job 1:11, with בּ, is construed here with אל, and expresses increased malignity: Stretch forth Thy hand but once to his very bones, etc. Instead of על־פּניך, Job 1:11, על־פּ is used here with the same force: forthwith, fearlessly and regardlessly (comp. Job 13:15; Deu 7:10), he will bid Thee farewell.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Skin for skin--a proverb. Supply, "He will give." The "skin" is figurative for any outward good. Nothing outward is so dear that a man will not exchange it for some other outward good; "but" (not "yea") "life," the inward good, cannot be replaced; a man will sacrifice everything else for its sake. Satan sneers bitterly at man's egotism and says that Job bears the loss of property and children because these are mere outward and exchangeable goods, but he will give up all things, even his religion, in order to save his life, if you touch his bones and flesh. "Skin" and "life" are in antithesis [UMBREIT]. The martyrs prove Satan's sneer false. ROSENMULLER explains it not so well. A man willingly gives up another's skin (life) for his own skin (life). So Job might bear the loss of his children, &c., with equanimity, so long as he remained unhurt himself; but when touched in his own person, he would renounce God. Thus the first "skin" means the other's skin, that is, body; the second "skin," one's own, as in Exo 21:28.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh,.... That is, his body, which consisted of flesh and bones; these are the constituent parts of the body, and which distinguish it from spirit, Luk 24:39; this is the motion made by Satan for a second trial of Job's integrity; he moves that God would take off his hand of providence over him, which secured his health unto him, and stretch his hand of power upon him, and fill his flesh with diseases, and his bones with rottenness; or break them, and touch him to the quick, to the marrow, which gives exquisite pain; or by his bone may be meant him himself (u): and he will curse thee to thy face; he will fly in thy face, arraign thy providence, and call in question thy wisdom, justice, truth, and faithfulness: or he will "bless thee" (w), and take his farewell of thee (x), and have nothing more to do with thee or religion; if he does not do this, for something is to be understood, the words being an imprecation, let me be in a worse condition than I am at present; let me not have the liberty of ranging about in the earth, to do the mischief I delight in; let me bound, and cast into the bottomless pit before my time, or be thrown into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, where I know I must be forever. (u) So Gussetius and Genevenses, in ib. p. 630. (w) "benedicet tibi", Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt. (x) "Te valere jubebit", Schultens.
Job 2:4
Job Loses His Health
3Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”4“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.5But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
1 Peter 3:10
By John Gill0Righteous LivingThe Power of WordsJOB 2:4PSA 34:12ECC 12:1JAS 1:261PE 3:10John Gill emphasizes the importance of loving life through righteous living as outlined in 1 Peter 3:10. He explains that true love for life involves avoiding evil, doing good, and seeking peace, trusting in God for vindication. Gill highlights that this love is not merely for physical existence but encompasses a spiritual and eternal life filled with holiness and communion with God. He warns against the dangers of an unbridled tongue, urging believers to refrain from speaking evil and to embody sincerity in their words and actions. Ultimately, those who live righteously will inherit blessings both in this life and the next.
Questions/answers on the Interpretation of Old Testament Scriptures
By James Blaine Chapman0GEN 6:4GEN 9:20EXO 7:3EXO 9:6EXO 20:5JDG 14:41SA 31:42SA 1:101KI 22:20JOB 2:4PSA 9:16EZK 18:20James Blaine Chapman addresses various questions from the Bible, shedding light on misunderstood passages and providing insightful explanations. From Noah's unintentional vice to the consequences of a father's iniquity on his child, Chapman emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and deeper meanings behind biblical events. He clarifies the significance of God's actions, such as hardening Pharaoh's heart, and highlights the mercy and justice of God in response to human actions. Chapman also delves into the symbolism and historical context of certain terms and practices mentioned in the Bible, encouraging a deeper understanding of God's word.
The Pathway of the Cross
By Jessie Penn-Lewis0Spiritual FruitfulnessFellowship with ChristJOB 2:4MAT 16:25JHN 12:24JHN 15:16ROM 6:5ROM 6:171CO 12:62CO 4:7PHP 2:17COL 3:3Jessie Penn-Lewis emphasizes the necessity of experiencing the Cross subjectively to bear fruit in the Christian life, illustrating that true fellowship with Christ involves dying to our natural life to allow the life of God to manifest through us. She explains that while many believers focus on victory over sin, they often overlook the deeper call to lay down their natural life for the sake of spiritual fruitfulness. The process of dying to self is likened to a grain of wheat that must fall to the ground to produce much fruit, highlighting the importance of surrendering our desires and relying on the Holy Spirit for true spiritual power. Penn-Lewis encourages believers to embrace this path of death, trusting that it leads to a more profound union with God and a life that bears eternal fruit. Ultimately, she calls for a commitment to follow Christ in this sacrificial journey, assuring that such a life will be marked by divine fruitfulness and impact.
Letters to Olympias - Part 1
By St. John Chrysostom0JOB 2:41CO 5:51CO 11:302CO 12:9PHP 1:231TI 5:23John Chrysostom addresses the deaconess Olympias, encouraging her to endure suffering with patience and faith. He reminds her of the trials faced by Job and Lazarus, emphasizing that bodily infirmity can be a means of purification and a source of great reward. Chrysostom highlights the importance of enduring physical afflictions, even when desiring death, as a way to strengthen faith and trust in God's providence. He draws parallels to the sufferings of Paul and Timothy, showing how enduring trials can lead to spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God's grace.
Prevailing Pleas, or the Hope and Savior of Israel
By J.C. Philpot0JOB 2:4PSA 50:15ISA 64:6JER 14:8HEB 13:51JN 4:19REV 3:20J.C. Philpot preaches about the prophet Jeremiah's heartfelt plea to God, questioning why He seems distant and unable to save, amidst the deep sin and idolatry of Judah and Jerusalem. The prophet expresses a mix of astonishment, desperation, and faith, acknowledging God's presence and their identity as His people. Philpot emphasizes the need for believers to cling to God despite feeling unworthy, to plead for His continuous presence and salvation, and to recognize the depth of their sin while holding onto hope in God's mercy and love.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Skin for skin - That is, A man will part with all he has in the world to save his life; and he will part with all by piecemeal, till he has nothing left on earth, and even be thankful, provided his life be spared. Thou hast only destroyed his property; thou hast left him his life and his health. Thou hast not touched his flesh nor his bone; therefore he is patient and resigned. Man, through the love of life, will go much farther: he will give up one member to save the rest; yea, limb after limb as long as there is hope that, by such sacrifices, life may be spared or prolonged. This is the meaning given to the passage by the Targum; and, I believe, the true one; hence, Job 2:6, the Lord says, Save his life.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
4, 5 And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, and all that man hath will he give for his life: stretch forth yet once Thy hand, and touch his bone, and his flesh, truly he will renounce Thee to Thy face. Olshausen refers עזר בּעד עזר to Job in relation to Jehovah: So long as Thou leavest his skin untouched, he will also leave Thee untouched; which, though it is the devil who speaks, were nevertheless too unbecomingly expressed. Hupfeld understands by the skin, that skin which is here given for the other, - the skin of his cattle, of his servants and children, which Job had gladly given up, that for such a price he might get off with his own skin sound; but בּעד cannot be used as Beth pretii: even in Pro 6:26 this is not the case. For the same reason, we must not, with Hirz., Ew., and most, translate, Skin for skin = like for like, which Ewald bases on the strange assertion, that one skin is like another, as one dead piece is like another. The meaning of the words of Satan (rightly understood by Schlottm. and the Jewish expositors) is this: One gives up one's skin to preserve one's skin; one endures pain on a sickly part of the skin, for the sake of saving the whole skin; one holds up the arm, as Raschi suggests, to avert the fatal blow from the head. The second clause is climacteric: a man gives skin for skin; but for his life, his highest good, he willingly gives up everything, without exception, that can be given up, and life itself still retained. This principle derived from experience, applied to Job, may be expressed thus: Just so, Job has gladly given up everything, and is content to have escaped with his life. ואולם, verum enim vero, is connected with this suppressed because self-evident application. The verb ננע, above, Job 1:11, with בּ, is construed here with אל, and expresses increased malignity: Stretch forth Thy hand but once to his very bones, etc. Instead of על־פּניך, Job 1:11, על־פּ is used here with the same force: forthwith, fearlessly and regardlessly (comp. Job 13:15; Deu 7:10), he will bid Thee farewell.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Skin for skin--a proverb. Supply, "He will give." The "skin" is figurative for any outward good. Nothing outward is so dear that a man will not exchange it for some other outward good; "but" (not "yea") "life," the inward good, cannot be replaced; a man will sacrifice everything else for its sake. Satan sneers bitterly at man's egotism and says that Job bears the loss of property and children because these are mere outward and exchangeable goods, but he will give up all things, even his religion, in order to save his life, if you touch his bones and flesh. "Skin" and "life" are in antithesis [UMBREIT]. The martyrs prove Satan's sneer false. ROSENMULLER explains it not so well. A man willingly gives up another's skin (life) for his own skin (life). So Job might bear the loss of his children, &c., with equanimity, so long as he remained unhurt himself; but when touched in his own person, he would renounce God. Thus the first "skin" means the other's skin, that is, body; the second "skin," one's own, as in Exo 21:28.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh,.... That is, his body, which consisted of flesh and bones; these are the constituent parts of the body, and which distinguish it from spirit, Luk 24:39; this is the motion made by Satan for a second trial of Job's integrity; he moves that God would take off his hand of providence over him, which secured his health unto him, and stretch his hand of power upon him, and fill his flesh with diseases, and his bones with rottenness; or break them, and touch him to the quick, to the marrow, which gives exquisite pain; or by his bone may be meant him himself (u): and he will curse thee to thy face; he will fly in thy face, arraign thy providence, and call in question thy wisdom, justice, truth, and faithfulness: or he will "bless thee" (w), and take his farewell of thee (x), and have nothing more to do with thee or religion; if he does not do this, for something is to be understood, the words being an imprecation, let me be in a worse condition than I am at present; let me not have the liberty of ranging about in the earth, to do the mischief I delight in; let me bound, and cast into the bottomless pit before my time, or be thrown into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, where I know I must be forever. (u) So Gussetius and Genevenses, in ib. p. 630. (w) "benedicet tibi", Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt. (x) "Te valere jubebit", Schultens.