Job 2 2

Job 2:2 kjv

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

Job 2:2 nkjv

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

Job 2:2 niv

And 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 2:2 esv

And 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 2:2 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 2 verses

Job 2 2 Meaning

The LORD, having convened a divine council, initiates conversation with Satan by inquiring about his whereabouts and activities. Satan replies directly, indicating his persistent movement throughout the earth, actively surveying and seeking. This verse re-establishes the dynamic of divine oversight and Satan's continuous, malicious vigilance over humanity.

Job 2 2 Context

Job chapter 2 continues the narrative directly from chapter 1. It describes a second instance of the divine council meeting in heaven, mirroring the first. God again initiates the conversation with Satan, highlighting Job's steadfast integrity despite the previous trials. Satan, undeterred and maintaining his skeptical accusations, proposes an even greater test – afflict Job physically to break his resolve. Verse 2 specifically describes Satan's response to God's inquiry about his movements, directly repeating the dialogue from Job 1:7. This repetition underscores Satan's consistent nature and ceaseless activity as an adversary, as well as God's sustained attention to both His faithful servant and the schemes of the accuser. The scene is set in a heavenly courtroom, a motif common in ancient Near Eastern thought, where Yahweh reigns supreme, allowing yet limiting the powers of darkness.

Job 2 2 Word analysis

• And the LORD said: The phrase highlights the divine initiative and authority. The Hebrew is YHWH (יהוה), God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging, self-existent nature and absolute sovereignty. This is not an ignorant question but a divine declaration, an invitation to speak that maintains God's command.
• to Satan: The Hebrew "śāṭān" (שָׂטָן) means "adversary," "accuser," or "one who opposes." Here, it appears with the definite article ("haśśāṭān"), implying a specific role as "the accuser" or "the adversary" in the heavenly court, rather than a proper name yet. It depicts a designated function within God's sovereign plan.
• From whence comest thou?: The Hebrew "mē'ayin tā-bō'" (מֵאַ֫יִן תָּבֹא) is a direct inquiry about origin. This question demonstrates God's omniscience and control, not a lack of knowledge. It compels Satan to acknowledge God's authority and report his activity. It serves to expose Satan's sphere of influence and current work.
• And Satan answered the LORD: This phrase indicates that Satan is subject to God's interrogation and must respond. It emphasizes God's absolute dominion, even over the realm of evil forces. Satan does not resist but provides a direct, unevasive reply, reinforcing his limited agency.
• From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it: This phrase is a verbatim repetition from Job 1:7.
  • going to and fro (šūṭ - שׁוּט): Literally means to "paddle," "row," or "range about." It suggests a swift, purposeful movement, like patrolling or scouting, not aimless wandering. It conveys an active surveillance.
  • in the earth (hā'āreṣ - הָאָרֶץ): Refers to the physical world where humanity resides, indicating Satan's active domain of operation against humans.
  • walking up and down (hithallēḵ - הִתְהַלֵּךְ): The Hebrew verb is a reflexive form, indicating a leisurely but deliberate stroll, suggesting thoroughness or constant engagement. Combined with "going to and fro," it creates a vivid picture of continuous, active, searching, and pervasive presence.
  • Words-group analysis: "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it": This is a powerful, parallelistic idiom that emphasizes the restless, relentless, and all-encompassing nature of Satan's activity. He is constantly scanning the globe, searching for vulnerabilities, seeking opportunities to tempt, accuse, or instigate mischief. This imagery underscores his role as an ever-watchful adversary.

Job 2 2 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of Job 2:2 from Job 1:7 functions dramatically in the book, immediately signaling to the reader that a new phase of testing, but with familiar adversaries and principles, is about to begin. It underscores the tenacious nature of evil and its constant operation. The scene reveals that God's plan is not haphazard but unfolds in precise stages, with divine permission required for every action of the adversary. The contrast between YHWH, the unmoving, sovereign LORD, and Satan, the restless, roaming spirit, is implicit, highlighting God's steadfastness amidst chaotic spiritual warfare.

Job 2 2 Commentary

Job 2:2 serves as a pivotal bridge in the book's narrative, echoing and deepening the themes introduced in Job 1. God's question to Satan reiterates His supreme sovereignty and active engagement, even initiating dialogue with the accuser. This is not God seeking information out of ignorance, but rather demonstrating His ultimate control and drawing out Satan's own confession of his constant malevolent vigilance over the human realm. Satan's reply, using vivid terms of "going to and fro" and "walking up and down," paints a picture of his relentless, active, and pervasive presence on earth. He is an ever-prowling adversary, searching for individuals to accuse and undermine. The verse highlights that while Satan operates within a degree of freedom, his actions are ultimately circumscribed and permitted by the sovereign will of God. It sets the stage for the escalating trial of Job, emphasizing that even the darkest schemes are part of a divinely orchestrated drama where God's purposes will ultimately prevail.