Job 1 8

Job 1:8 kjv

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job 1:8 nkjv

Then 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, one who fears God and shuns evil?"

Job 1:8 niv

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

Job 1:8 esv

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?"

Job 1:8 nlt

Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless ? a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil."

Job 1 verses

Job 1 8 Meaning

Job 1:8 records God's unsolicited commendation of His servant Job to Satan. It reveals God's perfect knowledge of Job's exceptional character, declaring him uniquely blameless, upright, God-fearing, and one who actively avoids evil on the earth. This divine testimony serves as a foundational statement, setting the stage for the narrative's exploration of suffering righteousness and challenging simplistic views of divine justice.

Job 1 8 Context

Job chapter 1 opens by introducing Job as an extraordinarily righteous and prosperous man in the land of Uz. He demonstrates meticulous care for his family's spiritual purity, regularly offering sacrifices. This verse immediately shifts the scene to the heavenly court, where "the sons of God" (likely angelic beings) present themselves before the LORD. Among them is Satan, who has been "walking to and fro on the earth." This heavenly dialogue provides the theological framework for the human suffering that follows. God's affirmation of Job's character is a direct challenge to the common ancient Near Eastern (and even Israelite) belief that prosperity was always a sign of divine favor and suffering always a result of sin. The book of Job specifically confronts this "retribution theology" by presenting a man of unimpeachable righteousness who suffers greatly, thus necessitating a deeper understanding of God's ways beyond human comprehension.

Job 1 8 Word analysis

• And the LORD said to Satan,
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH/Yahweh): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed character and faithfulness. This signifies the sovereign authority of God speaking to an angel/heavenly being, not an equal.
  • Satan (הַשָּׂטָן, ha-Satan): "The accuser," "the adversary." In this context, ha-Satan is not a personal name but a title, indicating a specific role as prosecutor in the divine court. He functions under God's ultimate authority, challenging humanity's integrity.
  • Said: Direct communication from the sovereign God, highlighting the purposeful nature of this interaction.
• “Have you considered my servant Job,
  • Considered (שַׂמְתָּ לִבְּךָ, samta libbekha): Literally "set your heart upon." This implies a careful, purposeful observation, inviting Satan to scrutinize Job. It suggests God knows His own people well and invites scrutiny from the adversary.
  • My servant (עַבְדִּי, avdi): A term of intimacy and trust, signifying divine favor and Job's loyal devotion. This is a high honor, frequently given to figures like Abraham, Moses, David, and later, the Messiah (Isaiah 42:1). It highlights Job's special standing with God.
  • Job (אִיּוֹב, Iyyov): His name perhaps related to "persecuted" or "object of hostility," ironically foreshadowing his experience.
• that there is none like him on the earth,
  • None like him (אֵין כָּמֹהוּ, en kamohu): This hyperbolic statement emphasizes Job's extraordinary, unparalleled piety among humanity on earth at that time. It underscores the exceptional nature of his righteousness in God's eyes.
  • On the earth: Specifies the sphere of Job's unique distinction—among humans, in the world.
• a blameless and upright man,
  • Blameless (תָּם, tam): Whole, complete, perfect in integrity. It means he lacked defect, implying a consistent moral and spiritual soundness, not sinless perfection. It speaks to his inner character and his sincere devotion to God (compare Gen 6:9 for Noah).
  • Upright (יָשָׁר, yashar): Straight, right, just. This describes his outward conduct and actions, indicating that his life aligned with God's moral standards.
• one who fears God and shuns evil?”
  • Fears God (יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים, yere Elohim): Possesses a profound reverence, awe, and submission toward God, forming the basis of true wisdom and devotion (Prov 1:7, Psa 111:10). This is not terror, but profound respect that shapes one's entire life.
  • Shuns evil (סָר מֵרָע, sar me-ra): Actively turns away from, departs from, or avoids evil. This shows that his reverence for God was not just internal feeling but manifested in practical, ethical living. It's the practical outflow of "fearing God" (Prov 3:7).

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job?'" This phrase immediately establishes the cosmic scope of the book. It's not a private human struggle, but a matter of divine scrutiny and a direct challenge to the adversary regarding one of God's faithful. God Himself initiates the conversation about Job, revealing His sovereignty and intentionality.
• "that there is none like him on the earth," This bold divine declaration sets Job apart. It underscores his exceptional moral and spiritual stature, emphasizing that his integrity is not commonplace. This heightens the theological tension when such a person experiences immense suffering.
• "a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" These four descriptors provide a comprehensive picture of Job's holistic righteousness. "Blameless" (inner integrity) and "upright" (outward conduct) describe his moral perfection. "Fears God" (devotion and reverence) describes his spiritual foundation. "Shuns evil" (practical application of his reverence) describes the ethical outcome. Together, they demonstrate that Job's righteousness was not superficial but deeply ingrained and consistently lived out in every aspect of his being and actions.

Job 1 8 Bonus section

This verse is unique because it's not a human opinion or self-assessment of Job, but God's own unsolicited and perfect judgment of His servant's character. It implies that God was aware of Satan's wanderings "to and fro on the earth" (Job 1:7) and chose to put Job's name forward, thereby setting the stage for the testing of a genuine faith that serves God not for material blessings, but out of pure devotion. This initial divine testimony also elevates the narrative from a mere human tragedy to a profound exploration of divine justice, sovereignty, and the nature of true worship. It subtly prepares the reader to question conventional wisdom regarding the correlation between suffering and sin.

Job 1 8 Commentary

Job 1:8 presents a profound theological statement by God Himself, highlighting Job's exceptional righteousness. This verse is crucial as it establishes Job's pre-suffering integrity from the highest authority. It counters any simplistic idea that Job's later suffering was a direct result of hidden sin. God’s praise for Job’s "blamelessness, uprightness, fear of God, and shunning of evil" is comprehensive, portraying a man of complete moral and spiritual integrity, uncompromised in both inner disposition and outward conduct. The direct address to Satan also serves to frame the impending trials as a spiritual test with cosmic implications, rather than mere misfortune. It invites the adversary to examine what God already knows, showcasing God’s confidence in His servant's genuine faith.