King James Version

What Does Job 2:3 Mean?

Job 2:3 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect a... — study this verse from Job chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. to destroy: Heb. to swallow him up

Job 2:3 · KJV


Context

1

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

2

And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

3

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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. to destroy: Heb. to swallow him up

4

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5

But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's second testimony adds 'he holdeth fast his integrity' (machaziq be-tummato, מַחֲזִיק בְּתֻמָּתוֹ). The verb chazaq means to be strong, to hold firmly—Job clings to integrity despite loss. God then accuses Satan: 'although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause' (chinnam, חִנָּם). This divine statement is crucial: God acknowledges Job's suffering has no basis in personal sin. The phrase vindicates Job's protests and refutes his friends' theology that all suffering results from sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This second heavenly council scene intensifies the test after Job passed the first trial. Satan's challenge escalates—people will endure loss of property but not personal pain. God's acknowledgment that He was 'moved' against Job 'without cause' demonstrates divine honesty about mystery—some suffering serves purposes beyond the sufferer's understanding, requiring trust in God's character.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's acknowledgment that Job suffered 'without cause' validate our struggles to understand suffering?
  2. What does Job 'holding fast his integrity' teach about persevering when God's purposes aren't clear?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 27

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַשָּׂטָ֗ן4 of 27

unto Satan

H7854

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

הֲשַׂ֣מְתָּ5 of 27

Hast thou

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לִבְּךָ֮6 of 27

considered

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֶל7 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַבְדִּ֣י8 of 27

my servant

H5650

a servant

אִיּוֹב֒9 of 27

Job

H347

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

כִּי֩10 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֨ין11 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כָּמֹ֜הוּ12 of 27
H3644

as, thus, so

בָּאָ֗רֶץ13 of 27

that there is none like him in the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אִ֣ישׁ14 of 27

man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

תָּ֧ם15 of 27

a perfect

H8535

complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear

וְיָשָׁ֛ר16 of 27

and an upright

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

יְרֵ֥א17 of 27

one that feareth

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

אֱלֹהִ֖ים18 of 27

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

וְסָ֣ר19 of 27

and escheweth

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵרָ֑ע20 of 27

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְעֹדֶ֙נּוּ֙21 of 27
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מַֽחֲזִ֣יק22 of 27

and still he holdeth fast

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

בְּתֻמָּת֔וֹ23 of 27

his integrity

H8538

innocence

וַתְּסִיתֵ֥נִי24 of 27

although thou movedst

H5496

properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce

ב֖וֹ25 of 27
H0
לְבַלְּע֥וֹ26 of 27

me against him to destroy

H1104

to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy

חִנָּֽם׃27 of 27

him without cause

H2600

gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage


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 2:3 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 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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