Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job's wife suggests an ironic curse: "Bless God and die!" She sees his continued worship in the face of utter ruin and implies he's only earning more suffering by acting like a fool who blesses the hand that destroys him. This highlights a subtle but profound temptation: when God's actions seem to contradict His goodness, it's easier to assume He's not good at all.
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job has just endured the loss of his possessions and children, and now Satan has afflicted him with painful sores all over his body. His wife, witnessing his suffering and seemingly losing hope, urges him to curse God and accept death as the only escape from his misery. This moment highlights how even those closest to Job are struggling to understand or endure his immense suffering.
Ever felt pressure to compromise your faith from someone you care about? You're not alone. Even Job faced this, and it wasn't accidental.
Satan's tactics are ancient and effective. He didn't approach Job directly with doubt; instead, he used Job's own wife. This highlights a critical spiritual strategy: the enemy often works through the people closest to us.
The Family Connection
Job's wife told him to 'Curse God and die.' But what did she really mean, and what's the deeper implication for us?
The phrase 'Curse God' is complex. While it can literally mean to utter blasphemy, many scholars suggest Job's wife spoke with deep irony, a biting sarcasm born of her own despair.
Irony and Despair
Ask a follow-up
Job's wife saw his suffering and concluded his faith was worthless. Does our faith look profitable all the time?
This moment reveals a painful truth: sometimes, from an earthly perspective, faithfulness doesn't look good. It doesn't bring immediate relief or tangible benefits. Job's wife couldn't see the spiritual victory.
The Unseen Battle
Understand the original words
tummah · Hebrew Noun
A state of physical, moral, or spiritual perfection, completeness, or sincerity. It refers to a life characterized by loyalty and uprightness before God, even in the face of suffering.
barak · Hebrew Verb
To speak contemptuously against God. In the context of Job, it represents the ultimate rebellion of rejecting God’s sovereignty and turning away from Him in bitterness.
Job's wife's suggestion to 'curse God and die' mirrors Eve's reasoning when tempted by the serpent: seeing the forbidden fruit was desirable for wisdom and would bring knowledge, she ate and gave it to Adam. Both instances show how perceived desirability or an end to suffering can lead to a rejection of God's command or trust.
1 Samuel 15:24Saul, when confronted by Samuel for disobeying God, confesses, 'I have sinned, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.' This echoes Job's wife's desire to escape suffering and appease the people (implied), urging Job to abandon his integrity out of fear or despair, rather than trust in God.
Matthew 4:3-4During Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, Satan suggests, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' This is similar to Job's wife's implied pressure to use his position or God's power to escape his suffering, rather than endure as God willed.
Ecclesiastes 7:26The Preacher describes finding a woman 'more bitter than death,' implying that some relationships and influences can be a source of profound spiritual danger. Job's wife, driven by her own suffering, becomes such a bitter influence, urging him toward destruction.
bensonJob 2:9: "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die."
Job 2:9 . Then said his wife — Whom Satan had spared, that she might be a troubler and tempter to him. For it is his policy to send his temptations by those that are dear to us. We ought, therefore, carefully to watch, that we be not drawn to any evil by them whom we love and value the most. Dost thou still retain thine integrity? — Art thou so weak as still to persist in the practice of righteou…
clarkeJob 2:9: "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die."
Then said his wife - To this verse the Septuagint adds the following words: "Much time having elapsed, his wife said unto him, How long dost thou stand steadfast, saying, 'Behold, I wait yet a little longer looking for the hope of my Salvation?' Behold thy memorial is already blotted out from the earth, together with thy sons and thy daughters, the fruits of my pains and labors, for whom with anx…
Job's wife suggests an ironic curse: "Bless God and die!" She sees his continued worship in the face of utter ruin and implies he's only earning more suffering by acting like a fool who blesses the hand that destroys him. This highlights a subtle but profound temptation: when God's actions seem to contradict His goodness, it's easier to assume He's not good at all.
Job has just endured the loss of his possessions and children, and now Satan has afflicted him with painful sores all over his body. His wife, witnessing his suffering and seemingly losing hope, urges him to curse God and accept death as the only escape from his misery. This moment highlights how even those closest to Job are struggling to understand or endure his immense suffering.
Job has just endured the loss of his possessions and children, and now Satan has afflicted him with painful sores all over his body. His wife, witnessing his suffering and seemingly losing hope, urges him to curse God and accept death as the only escape from his misery. This moment highlights how even those closest to Job are struggling to understand or endure his immense suffering.
"Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”" — Job's wife suggests an ironic curse: "Bless God and die!" She sees his continued worship in the face of utter ruin and implies he's only earning more suffering by acting like a fool who blesses the h…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026