Job 1 7

Job 1:7 kjv

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 1:7 nkjv

And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

Job 1:7 niv

The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it."

Job 1:7 esv

The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."

Job 1:7 nlt

"Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."

Job 1 verses

Job 1 7 Meaning

Job 1:7 introduces a pivotal dialogue between the sovereign LORD and Satan. The LORD initiates the conversation by asking Satan about his whereabouts, a rhetorical question asserting divine knowledge and control. Satan's response reveals his relentless activity: he has been continuously roaming "to and fro" across the earth, vigilantly observing and seeking opportunities. This exchange sets the immediate context for the testing of Job, establishing Satan's role as an adversary who operates within the boundaries of God's ultimate authority, yet possesses malicious intent towards humanity.

Job 1 7 Context

Job chapter 1 introduces a man of blameless character, Job, who fears God and shuns evil, greatly blessed by the LORD. Verse 7 occurs within a celestial scene following the gathering of "the sons of God" – angelic or divine beings – who present themselves before the LORD. Satan, the "adversary," is also present among them, signifying his access to the divine court and his role, not as an equal cosmic power, but as a subordinate, albeit malicious, agent. This verse marks the beginning of the direct confrontation that will lead to Job's profound testing, setting the cosmic stage where human suffering becomes a battleground for profound spiritual truths about divine sovereignty, evil's limits, and righteous faith.

Job 1 7 Word analysis

• Word by word analysis:

  • And the LORD: "יהוה (Yahweh)," the sacred, covenant name of God. This signifies the supreme, self-existent, and sovereign Creator who initiates the conversation and holds ultimate authority over all, including Satan.
  • said: Implies an authoritative command or initiation of dialogue. It is God who dictates the terms of the interaction.
  • to Satan: "שָׂטָן (Satan)," which literally means "adversary," "accuser," or "one who resists." In Job, it functions more as a title describing his role in the divine court as a prosecuting attorney or challenger, rather than a proper name, though it later becomes one. His presence signifies a divine concession for his function within the heavenly realm.
  • "From where do you come?": This is not a question borne out of ignorance by the omniscient LORD. Instead, it serves as a rhetorical or probing inquiry, designed to compel Satan to reveal his current mission and activity, setting the narrative for what is to follow. It highlights God's initiative in bringing the adversary's actions into public account within the heavenly assembly.
  • So Satan answered: Indicates Satan's accountability and subordination to the LORD's authority. He cannot defy the divine interrogation but must respond.
  • the LORD and said: Reinforces the hierarchical structure; Satan is directly reporting to the sovereign LORD.
  • "From going to and fro": "שׁוּט (shut)," meaning to roam, rove, or range over. It denotes a continuous, purposeful, and active movement, not random wandering. It suggests an exhaustive search or observation.
  • on the earth: הָאָרֶץ (ha'aretz), specifying the realm of Satan's activities. His focus is entirely on the terrestrial sphere, where humanity resides.
  • "and from walking up and down on it": "הִתְהַלֵּךְ (hithallekh)," often used to describe purposeful movement or activity. This phrase serves as a synonymous parallelism with "going to and fro," amplifying the sense of Satan's diligent, constant, and invasive presence throughout the inhabited world, as one who surveys or patrols.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the LORD said to Satan": This phrase immediately establishes God's unchallenged supremacy and initiative. Even the great adversary is subject to the LORD's interrogation, signifying divine control over all spiritual beings and demonstrating that Satan acts only by God's permissive will.
  • "From where do you come?": This divine question acts as a narrative device to expose Satan's sphere of influence and current occupation. It publicly reveals his nature and purpose within the heavenly court, framing the ensuing narrative not as an arbitrary test but a response to an observed activity.
  • "So Satan answered the LORD and said": This exchange reinforces the concept of a hierarchical structure within the divine council. Satan is depicted not as an independent force but as an entity who must report to the Almighty, demonstrating his accountability to the Sovereign God.
  • "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.": This is Satan's self-declaration, revealing his malicious vigilance. It portrays him as a tireless, roaming scout or prosecutor, continuously traversing the earth to identify vulnerabilities among humanity, observe their actions, and find grounds for accusation, much like a predator seeking prey. The repetitive phrasing emphasizes the thoroughness and restlessness of his malevolent survey.

Job 1 7 Bonus section

• The scene in Job 1:6-12 is often understood as a depiction of an "ancient Near Eastern divine council," yet uniquely reframes it through a monotheistic lens, establishing Yahweh as the unchallenged, supreme sovereign over all celestial beings, good and evil.
• The term "Satan" here functions as a title ("the accuser/adversary") rather than an individualized proper name, highlighting his specific role within the heavenly court before becoming recognized universally as the embodiment of evil.
• Satan's declaration of "going to and fro" and "walking up and down" on the earth strikingly echoes descriptions of divine agents or spirits in other parts of the Bible (e.g., Zech 6:7) who patrol the earth on God's behalf. Satan's activity is a distorted reflection or perversion of divine oversight, undertaken for malicious purposes under God's ultimate (though permissive) decree.
• The dramatic tension in the Book of Job stems partly from the fact that Job and his friends remain entirely unaware of this divine-satanic dialogue. Their theological discussions and suffering are played out on a human plane, while the true catalyst lies in a cosmic interaction unknown to them, highlighting the mystery of suffering from a human perspective versus a divine one.

Job 1 7 Commentary

Job 1:7 is a profound gateway into understanding the nature of spiritual conflict and divine sovereignty. It starkly presents God's unassailable authority as He directly engages His adversary. The rhetorical question, "From where do you come?" is not a sign of ignorance from the omniscient God but a purposeful prompt, serving to disclose Satan's current work and motives for the reader. Satan's response – "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it" – unveils his relentless, malevolent surveillance of humanity. He is portrayed not as aimlessly wandering, but as actively seeking, observing, and perhaps, scouting for targets of accusation or temptation. This highlights the ever-present spiritual battle believers face, orchestrated by a real and active adversary. Yet, the entire interaction happens within God's court, under His direct questioning, emphasizing that Satan, despite his malice, is fully under the LORD's sovereign control and cannot act beyond the divine allowance. This sets the stage for Job's suffering, a demonstration that even the adversary's schemes ultimately serve God's greater, often mysterious, purposes.