Job 2:4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 2:4

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 2:4

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 2:4

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 2:1-13

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 2:4

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 2:4

Job 2:4. Skin for skin— A proverbial expression, to denote the great value in which life is held; insomuch that a man, to preserve it, would suffer even his skin to be torn off. It may signify also, that a man, in order to save his life, would willingly suffer himself to be stripped of all his fortunes. The words נפשׁו בעד bead napsho, rendered for his life, might be more properly rendered, for his person. The question here was not about his life; Satan had not the impudence to desire his life;... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 2:4

4. 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... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 2:1-10

2. The second test 2:1-10Satan again claimed that Job served God only because God had made it advantageous for Job to do so. Job still had his own life. Satan insinuated that Job had been willing to part with his own children and his animals (wealth) since he still had his own life (skin, Job 2:4)."Satan implies that Job, by his doxology had only feigned love for God as the exorbitant but necessary fee for health insurance." [Note: Kline, p. 463.] Satan could do nothing to Job without God’s... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 2:1-13

The Prologue (continued)Job’s second trial. He refuses to renounce God when afflicted with an excruciating disease. Three friends come to comfort him.3. Although thou movedst, etc.] or, ’so that it was in vain thou movedst me against him to destroy him.’4, 5. Skin for skin, etc.] The precise meaning of the proverb is uncertain, but the general meaning seems to be that as long as a man does not suffer in his own person he will gladly bear the sacrifice of everything else (’skin for skin’). But... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Job 2:4

(4) Skin for skin.—This is a more extreme form of the insinuation of Job 1:9. He means Job takes care to have his quid pro quo; and if the worst come to the worst, a man will give up everything to save his life. If, therefore, Job can save his life at the price of subservience to God, he will willingly pay that price rather than die; but his service is worth no more than that selfish object implies. read more