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Job 2:5

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 2:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
Job 2:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
6And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.
7So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes.
← Job 2:4Job 2:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, etc.] That is, his body, which consisted of flesh and bones; these are the constituent parts of the body, and which distinguish it from spirit, (<422439>Luke 24:39); this is the motion made by Satan for a second trial of Job’s integrity; he moves that God would take off his hand of providence over him, which secured his health unto him, and stretch his hand of power upon him, and fill his flesh with diseases, and his bones with rottenness; or break them, and touch him to the quick, to the marrow, which gives exquisite pain; or by his bone may be meant him himself f71: and he will curse thee to thy face; he will fly in thy face,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 should be subjected to severe pain. And he will curse thee to thy face - Notes at Job 1:11. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:5 take away his health (literally strike his flesh and bones): Bones were thought to be the seat of health.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“put forth: Job 1:11, Job 19:20, Job 19:21; Ch1 21:17; Psa 32:3, Psa 32:4, Psa 38:2-7, Psa 39:10 He will curse: Job 2:9, Job 1:5, Job 1:11; Lev 24:15; Isa 8:21 Job 2:6”
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Related study paths

Read Job 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification