Satan's proverb. I. THE IMPORT OF IT . That a man will part with everything about him to save his life. II. THE FALSEHOOD OF IT . 1 . Men will part with all outward things to save life. 2 . Some men will even part with a good conscience to save life. 3 . But there are those who would rather die than renounce their integrity. read more
Satan's old saw (Browning). Satan was defeated in the first trial, but not convinced. With persistent malignity he proceeded to suggest a more severe test. It was no fault of his that the first test, hard as it was, had not gone to the utmost extremity; for he had been expressly limited by the words, "Only upon himself put not forth thine hand" ( Job 2:12 ). He had gone to the full length of his tether, but that had not satisfied him; so he must apply for a larger privilege of... read more
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh ; i.e. "his person"—any part of his body . And he will curse thee to thy face (see the comment on Job 11:11 ). read more
Skin for skin - This is a proverbial expression, whose origin is unknown, nor is its meaning as “a proverb” entirely clear. The general sense of the passage here is plain, for it is immediately explained that a man would give everything which he had to save his life; and the idea here is, that if Job was so afflicted in his body that he was likely to die, he would give up all his religion in order to purchase life. His religion, which had berne the comparatively trifling test before applied to... read more
But put forth thine hand now - Satan felt that he had no power to afflict Job without permission. Malignant as he was, he knew that God only could subject the holy man to this trial - another proof that Satan is under the control of the Almighty, and acts only as he is “permitted” to act in tempting and trying the good.And touch his bone - See the note at Job 1:11. Afflict his body so as to endanger his life. The words “bone” and “flesh” denote the whole body. The idea was, that the whole body... read more
Job 2:4. Skin for skin, &c. The design of these words is plain, which was to detract from Job, and to diminish that honour and praise which God gave him, by pretending that he had done no more than the meanest men commonly do by the law of self-preservation. And it is equally clear that this was a proverbial speech then in use, to denote the great value in which life is held, insomuch that, to preserve it, a man would suffer even his skin to be torn off. It may signify also that a man,... read more
Job 2:5. But touch his bone and his flesh That is, smite him, not slightly, but to the quick, to the bones and marrow, so that he may feel pain and anguish indeed: and he will curse thee to thy face Will openly and daringly blaspheme thy perfections, and reproach the dispensations of thy providence, and so will let go his integrity. Satan knew, and we find by experience, that nothing has a greater tendency to ruffle the mind, and put its passions into disorder, than acute pain and... read more
Job’s loathsome disease (2:1-13)Not accepting defeat, Satan still claimed that Job was concerned only for himself. He would sacrifice his possessions, and even his family, provided he himself avoided suffering. He would sacrifice their skin to save his own (2:1-5). God again accepted Satan’s challenge, this time allowing him to attack Job’s body (6). Satan therefore afflicted Job with the most painful and loathsome disease. The faith of Job’s wife failed, but Job’s faith did not, even though he... read more
Skin. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , one part of the body put for the whole. life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:4
The value of life. I. MORE VALUABLE THAN MATERIAL POSSESSIONS . 1 . In origin ; being the breath of God's Spirit, while they are only the work of God's hand. 2 . In nature ; being conscious of its own existence, while they are only dead, insensate things. 3 . In capacities ; being possessed of intellect, reason, conscience, will, while they have only properties and qualities peculiar to matter. 4 . In design ; being intended for the conscious enjoyment... read more