Job 2:5

5 But 1stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will 2curse you to your face."

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 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason."
4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.
5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."
6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life."
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

Cross References 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.