Job 1:10
Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Satan's accusation highlights an often-missed aspect of Job's blessings: they were so abundant and protective, creating an almost impenetrable "hedge" of prosperity. This imagery suggests God's favor wasn't just general well-being, but an active, tangible defense that made Job's life incredibly secure and successful. It wasn't just about having blessings, but about how visibly and thoroughly God had covered him.
Satan has just accused Job before God, suggesting that Job's piety is only skin-deep and motivated by the immense blessings he's received. This verse is Satan's argument, laying out exactly why he thinks Job is only faithful because God has surrounded him with protection and prosperity. He points to God's obvious favor—a "hedge" of defense around Job, his family, and all his possessions, leading to incredible success—as the reason for Job's devotion.
Satan describes God's protection around Job as a literal barrier. What does this 'hedge' reveal about God's active care?
Satan, in his accusation, highlights God's profound and active protection over Job. The imagery of a 'hedge' or 'palisade' around Job, his family, and his possessions suggests a powerful, encompassing defense.
Divine Security
This wasn't just a passive absence of trouble, but an active shielding. Commentators suggest it was like an 'invisible fence,' a 'thorny and inaccessible defence,' or even an engineering term for a 'palisado' – a strong, defensive structure. God's providence was actively keeping harm away.
More Than Just Walls
This protection extended to everything Job had: 'his house' (family and servants) and 'all that he had.' It implies a comprehensive security that covered every aspect of Job's life and resources. God's care is not partial; it extends to the whole of our lives when we are His.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Job 1:10 is available in the Sola app.
Job's success wasn't just luck; it was a direct result of God's favor. What does it mean for God to 'bless the work of our hands'?
The second part of Satan's statement focuses on the tangible results of God's favor: 'You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.'
God's Active Blessing
This isn't just a passive acknowledgment of Job's prosperity. The 'blessing' is an active impartation of divine favor that causes things to succeed. Without it, even the strongest hands would not prosper. It's the divine endorsement that makes effort fruitful.
Overflowing Abundance
The increase of Job's 'substance' is described vividly. The word for 'increased' suggests bursting forth, like waters overflowing their banks or a river breaking through barriers. Job's wealth didn't just grow; it expanded dramatically, spreading 'like a flood' across the land. This points to a level of prosperity that is abundant and noticeable, a direct outcome of God's blessing on his endeavors.
Understand the original words
sukah · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical barrier, typically representing God’s sovereign protection, provision, and preservation of His people against spiritual or physical harm.
barak · Hebrew Verb
A manifestation of God's favor and goodness upon a person, often resulting in material or spiritual prosperity, well-being, and the fruitfulness of one's endeavors.
This psalm speaks of God assigning angels to guard His people, mirroring the 'hedge of protection' that Satan acknowledges God has placed around Job.
Proverbs 10:22This verse directly states that 'the blessing of the Lord makes rich,' reinforcing the idea that Job's prosperity and increased possessions were a direct result of God's favor.
1 Samuel 2:7This passage echoes Job's situation by stating God 'makes poor and makes rich' and 'brings low and lifts up,' highlighting God's sovereign power over human circumstances and possessions.
Matthew 6:33Jesus teaches that seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first leads to all these things being added, which is a spiritual parallel to Job's experience of outward blessing following his devotion.
bensonJob 1:10: "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."
Job 1:10 . Hast thou not made a hedge about him? — Protected him with a thorny and inaccessible defence, or secured him, by thy special care and providence, from all harm and inconveniences? which is sufficient to oblige and win persons of the worst tempers; and about his house — His children and se…
clarkeJob 1:10: "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."
Hast not thou made a hedge about him - Thou hast fortified him with spikes and spears. Thou hast defended him as by an unapproachable hedge. He is an object of thy peculiar care; and is not exposed to the common trials of life.
Satan's accusation highlights an often-missed aspect of Job's blessings: they were so abundant and protective, creating an almost impenetrable "hedge" of prosperity. This imagery suggests God's favor wasn't just general well-being, but an active, tangible defense that made Job's life incredibly secure and successful. It wasn't just about having blessings, but about how visibly and thoroughly God had covered him.
Satan has just accused Job before God, suggesting that Job's piety is only skin-deep and motivated by the immense blessings he's received. This verse is Satan's argument, laying out exactly why he thinks Job is only faithful because God has surrounded him with protection and prosperity. He points to God's obvious favor—a "hedge" of defense around Job, his family, and all his possessions, leading to incredible success—as the reason for Job's devotion.
Satan has just accused Job before God, suggesting that Job's piety is only skin-deep and motivated by the immense blessings he's received. This verse is Satan's argument, laying out exactly why he thinks Job is only faithful because God has surrounded him with protection and prosperity. He points to God's obvious favor—a "hedge" of defense around Job, his family, and all his possessions, leading to incredible success—as the reason for Job's devotion.
"Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land." — Satan's accusation highlights an often-missed aspect of Job's blessings: they were so abundant and protective, creating an almost impenetrable "hedge" of prosperity. This imagery suggests God's favor…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
