Job 2:7 Meaning Explained

Job 2:7

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.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The ancient Hebrew actually describes not just "boils," but a single, pervasive, malignant "burning sore" that covered Job's entire body. This wasn't just a collection of afflictions, but an all-consuming inflammation, making him a living testament to suffering.

What Job 2:7 means

Having been granted permission to afflict Job further, Satan leaves the Lord's presence and immediately strikes him with intensely painful, widespread sores. This severe physical agony covers Job from head to toe, rendering him a loathsome spectacle and filling him with torment.

Satan's Limited Authority

Did Satan have free rein to destroy Job? Or was there a higher authority at play?

This verse shows us a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare: Satan operates only within boundaries set by God.

A Conditional Commission

Satan doesn't act independently. He 'went out from the presence of the LORD.' This phrase, echoed from Job 1:12, emphasizes that his actions are permitted, not unrestricted.
Even in the depths of Job's suffering, God remains sovereign. Satan had to receive 'leave and license' from God to inflict this pain.

Divine Permission, Not Divine Cause

While Satan is the direct agent of Job's affliction, God ultimately permits it. This isn't to say God causes evil, but that He allows it to unfold for reasons often beyond our immediate understanding.
This perspective is vital: it prevents us from seeing suffering as random or uncontrolled. There is a divine order, even when darkness seems to prevail.

The Full Extent of Affliction

Imagine being covered head to toe in agonizing sores. What does this extreme physical torment reveal?

The description of Job's suffering is graphic and absolute, highlighting the devastating nature of the assault.

Total Bodily Devastation

The phrase 'from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head' signifies complete physical ruin. No part of Job's body was spared.
Commentators suggest this could have been a severe form of leprosy or a similar disease causing extreme pain, itching, and loathsomeness, making him an outcast even to himself and his loved ones.

Satan's Goal: Breaking the Spirit

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the patriarchal period, possibly around 2000-1500 BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Job himself, though some scholars suggest Moses or Solomon, with no definitive consensus.
Location: The land of Uz, likely in the region of Edom in ancient Mesopotamia.
Genre: Wisdom literature, characterized by its poetic dialogues and philosophical exploration of suffering.

Key themes

01Divine permission for suffering
02Satan's destructive agency
03Total physical affliction

Cross-references

Exodus 9:9

This passage describes the plague of boils and blains that afflicted the Egyptians, a similar affliction to what Job endured and likely of the same nature.

Deuteronomy 28:27

Here, Moses warns Israel of the severe skin diseases and boils that would come upon them if they disobeyed God, paralleling Job's physical suffering as a potential consequence of sin or divine discipline.

Luke 13:11

This passage mentions a woman 'who for eighteen years had had a spirit that afflicted her with disability,' showing that demonic forces can indeed cause physical afflictions and prolonged suffering.

Acts 5:16

This verse describes people being healed of various ailments and unclean spirits, indicating that spiritual forces were understood to be behind certain physical sicknesses even in the New Testament era.

Scholarly commentary

Job 2:7: "So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."

Job 2:7 . Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord — Or, from the Lord, απο του Κυριου , as the LXX. render it. Compare Acts 5:41 , They departed, απο προσωπου του συνεδριου , from the presence of the council that is, from the council. And smote Job with sore biles — Ελκει πονηρω , with a foul ulcer, or evil inflammation, say the Seventy; breaking out and s…
benson

Job 2:7: "So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."

Verse 7.- So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord (comp. Job 1:12, ad fin.). Satan, we may be sure, is always anxious to quit the immediate presence o
pulpit

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