King James Version

What Does Job 1:6 Mean?

Job 1:6 in the King James Version says “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Sat...” — study this verse from Job chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Satan: Heb. the adversary among: Heb. in the midst of”

Job 1:6 · KJV

Context

4

And 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.

5

And 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. continually: Heb. all the days

6

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Satan: Heb. the adversary among: Heb. in the midst of

7

And 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.

8

And 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? considered: Heb. set thy heart on

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Hebrew phrase 'sons of God' (bene elohim) refers to angelic beings presenting themselves before God's throne, establishing the cosmic courtroom scene. Satan ('the adversary' in Hebrew) appears among them not as an equal but as one subject to God's sovereign authority. This scene reveals that earthly suffering has heavenly dimensions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The divine council motif appears throughout ancient Near Eastern literature, but only in Scripture is God depicted as absolutely sovereign over all spiritual beings. This prefigures Christ's authority over all powers and principalities (Colossians 2:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. What comfort can you find in knowing that Satan must ask God's permission to test believers?
  2. How does the heavenly courtroom scene change your perspective on earthly trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַיּ֔וֹם2 of 12

“Now there was a day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וַיָּב֥וֹא3 of 12

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְּנֵ֣י4 of 12

“when the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים5 of 12

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב6 of 12

“to present”

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

עַל7 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 12

“themselves before the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיָּב֥וֹא9 of 12

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

גַֽם10 of 12
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הַשָּׂטָ֖ן11 of 12

“and Satan”

H7854

an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good

בְּתוֹכָֽם׃12 of 12

“also among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 1:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 2:1Job 38:7Zechariah 3:1Revelation 12:9-101 Kings 22:19Genesis 6:4

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