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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:1-13

This chapter concludes the "Introductory section." It consists of three parts. Job 2:1-6 contain an account of Satan's second appearance in the courts of heaven, and of a second colloquy between him and the Almighty. Job 2:7-10 contain the sequel to this colloquy, viz. Satan's further affliction of Job, and his conduct under it. Verses 11-13 contain an account of the arrival of Job's three special friends to mourn with him and to comfort him; and of their behavior during the first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:6

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold he is in thine hand ; i.e. "he is in thy power, to do with him as thou pleasest"—except in one respect. Again it is strongly marked that Satan's power is under God's control, and extends only so far as God shows. But save his life ; rather, only spare his life (Revised Version). The didactic purposes for which God was allowing his faithful servant to be tried in the furnace of affliction would have been frustrated by Job's removal from the earth.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:7

So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord (comp. Job 1:12 , ad fin. ) . Satan, we may be sure, is always anxious to quit the immediate presence of God; for "what communion hath light with darkness?" ( 2 Corinthians 6:14 ). But now he had a special motive for haste in his anxiety to put Job to the test. Doubtless he was confident that he would triumph. And smote Job with sore boils . "With a malignant inflammation" (Lee). It has been generally concluded, from the scattered... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:7-8

Job's leprosy. Satan has now obtained permission to go a step further, and lay his hand on the person of God's servant. He uses the new privilege with skilful ingenuity, selecting the most horrible and loathsome disease, and smiting Job with the worst form of leprosy—elephantiasis. I. THE MISERY OF THE INFLICTION . 1 . It touches the man himself. Hitherto the blows have fallen on his outer world, though, indeed, they have come very near to him in striking his children.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:7-10

The patriarch's second trial. I. THE TWOFOLD ASSAULT UPON THE PATRIARCH . 1 . The infliction of a loathsome disease. (a) by wearing out his strength, and so rendering him more accessible to the entrance of diabolic temptations; (b) by making him an object of abhorrence to mankind, and so in a manner cutting him off from human sympathy; and (c) by leading him to regard his malady as a special visitation from Heaven, and so tempting him to entertain harsh thoughts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:8

And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal . "The surface of the integuments," says Dr. Quain, "is often much inflamed, and sometimes discharges a serous ichor, or chyle-like fluid, according to the extent to which the lymphatics are engaged in the particular ease". This "serous or lymph-like fluid" is occasionally "acrid and offensive." Job seems to have used his potsherd to scrape it away . And he sat down among the ashes. Not as a curative process, or even as an alleviation... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 2:6

Behold, he is in thine hand - He is at thy disposal; see Job 1:12, Margin.But save his life - Margin, “only.” This was to be the only limitation. It would seem that he had the power to make any selection of disease, and to afflict him in any manner, provided it did not terminate fatally. The keen sorrows which Job afterward endured showed the malignancy of the tempter; evinced his ingenuity in inflicting pain, and his knowledge of what thc human frame could be made to bear. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 2:7

So went Satan forth - Job 1:12.And smote Job with sore boils - The English word boil denotes the well-known turnout upon the flesh, accompanied with severe inflammation; a sore angry swelling. “Webster.” The Hebrew word, however, is in the singular number שׁחין shechı̂yn, and should have been so rendered in our translation. Dr. Good renders it “a burning ulceration.” The Vulgate translates it, “ulcere pessimo.” The Septuagint, ἕλκει πονηρῶ helkei ponērō - “with a foul ulcer.” The Hebrew... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 2:8

And he took him a potsherd - The word used here חרשׁ chârâsh means a fragment of a broken vessel; see the notes at Isaiah 45:9. The Septuagint renders it ὄστρακον ostrakon - “a shell.” One object of taking this was to remove from his body the filth accumulated by the universal ulcer, compare Job 7:4-5; and another design probably was, to “indicate” the greatness of his calamity and sorrow. The ancients were accustomed to show their grief by significant external actions (compare the notes at... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 2:6

Job 2:6. The Lord said, Behold, he is in thy hand I give thee permission to try him even in this way: do thy worst at him; afflict him to the uttermost of thy power. But save his life Do not attempt to take that away which I will not suffer thee to do. God had mercy in store for Job, after this trial, and therefore he must survive it; and how much soever he may be afflicted, his life must be given him for a prey. If God did not chain up the roaring lion, how soon would he devour us! As... read more

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