Job 2 Study Notes

2:1-2 See notes on 1:6 and 1:7-8.

2:3 God denounced Satan’s motives as pure hostility, first against God and then Job. Although Satan incited God to afflict Job, this does not mean that God can be manipulated against his will. Job was not a mere pawn in a superhuman struggle.

2:4-5 Satan’s second test suggested that Job was callous and concerned only for himself. The proverbial saying skin for skin could indicate Job’s willingness to give up all he had, including his family, in order to save his own life; or that if the Lord allowed Satan to afflict him bodily, Job would in turn deny the Lord.

2:6-7 Again (see note at 1:12) Satan’s power to afflict Job was limited by the Lord. The severity of Job’s condition would convince his friends that Job was being punished for sinning (Dt 28:35).

2:8 In scraping himself with broken pottery, Job may have been trying to get rid of the matter that oozed from his sores (see LXX) and thus alleviate the itching. Job’s sitting among the ashes symbolized his grief and despondency (2Sm 13:19; Est 4:3). Ash heaps were traditionally located at town dumps.

2:9 Job’s wife avoided blasphemy by using a Hebrew euphemism, “bless,” for her real intent: curse.

2:10 Job recognized that ultimately God is in control of every life, whether for good or times of adversity.

2:11 Eliphaz came from Teman, a principal city in Edom (Ezk 25:13; Am 1:12-13). Bildad (“Son of Hadad” the storm god) probably came from the tribe of Shuah, descended from Abraham through his second wife Keturah (Gn 25:1-2; 1Ch 1:32). Zophar may have been from northern Arabia.

2:12-13 Job’s three friends responded to his gruesome appearance with actions symbolic of deep mourning: weeping (2Sm 18:33), tearing their robes (Jb 1:20), sitting on the ground (Lm 2:10; Nah 1:4), and throwing dust on their heads (Jos 7:6; 2Sm 13:19). A seven-day period was observed in times of mourning for the dead (Gn 50:10; 1Sm 31:13). With due propriety Job’s friends remained silent, waiting for Job to speak first. It is often best in sympathizing with those who are hurting by being present and ready to listen.