Job 2:5

5 alioquin mitte manum tuam et tange os eius et carnem et tunc videbis quod in facie benedicat tibi

Job 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 2:5

But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh,
&c.] That is, his body, which consisted of flesh and bones; these are the constituent parts of the body, and which distinguish it from spirit, ( 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 F21:

and he will curse thee to thy face;
he will fly in thy face, arraign thy providence, and call in question thy wisdom, justice, truth, and faithfulness: or he will "bless thee" F23, and take his farewell of thee F24, and have nothing more to do with thee or religion; if he does not do this, for something is to be understood, the words being an imprecation, let me be in a worse condition than I am at present; let me not have the liberty of ranging about in the earth, to do the mischief I delight in; let me bound, and cast into the bottomless pit before my time, or be thrown into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, where I know I must be forever.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 So Gussetius and Genevenses, in ib. p. 630.
F23 (Kkrby) "benedicet tibi", Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt.
F24 "Te valere jubebit", Schultens.

Job 2:5 In-Context

3 et dixit Dominus ad Satan numquid considerasti servum meum Iob quod non sit ei similis in terra vir simplex et rectus timens Deum ac recedens a malo et adhuc retinens innocentiam tu autem commovisti me adversus eum ut adfligerem illum frustra
4 cui respondens Satan ait pellem pro pelle et cuncta quae habet homo dabit pro anima sua
5 alioquin mitte manum tuam et tange os eius et carnem et tunc videbis quod in facie benedicat tibi
6 dixit ergo Dominus ad Satan ecce in manu tua est verumtamen animam illius serva
7 egressus igitur Satan a facie Domini percussit Iob ulcere pessimo a planta pedis usque ad verticem eius
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.