New International Version
Job 1:7
7The 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 1:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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."
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
- New Living Translation (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.”
Context of Job 1:7
5When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom. 6One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 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.” 8Then 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.” 9“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.
Read all of Job 1Job 1:7 word by word
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוָ֛ה אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֖ן מֵאַ֣יִן תָּבֹ֑א וַיַּ֨עַן הַשָּׂטָ֤ן אֶת־יְהוָה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מִשּׁ֣וּט בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ בָּֽהּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto Satanשָׂטָןώâţân · SatanH7854
- Whenceאַ֫יִן'ayin · where?H370
- comestבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- answeredעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030
- From going to and froשׁוּטshûţ · to roveH7751
- in the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- and from walking up and downהָלַךְhâlak · to go: walkH1980
Cross-references for Job 1:7
- Job 2:2And 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.”
- 2 Kings 5:25When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.
- Zechariah 1:10Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth.”
- Zechariah 6:7When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth.
- Matthew 12:43“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
- 1 Peter 5:8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
- Revelation 12:9The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
- Revelation 20:8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.
Commentaries on Job 1:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7From going to and fro in the earth - The translation of the Septuagint is curious: ̔ ', ; "Having gone round the earth, and walked over all that is under heaven, I am come hither." The Chaldee says, "I am come from going round the earth to examine the works of the children of men; and from walking through it." Coverdale, who generally hits the sense, translates thus: I have gone aboute the londe ond walked thorow it. Mr. Good has it, from roaming round…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? - This inquiry does not appear to have been made as if it was improper that Satan should have appeared there, for no blame seems to have been attached to him for this. He came as a spirit that was subject to the control of yahweh; he came with others, not to mingle in their society, and partake of their happiness, but to give an account of what he had done, and of what he had observed. The poetic idea is…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-12Verses 6-12 Job's afflictions began from the malice of Satan, by the Lord's permission, for wise and holy purposes. There is an evil spirit, the enemy of God, and of all righteousness, who is continually seeking to distress, to lead astray, and, if possible, to destroy those who love God. How far his influence may extend, we cannot say; but probably much unsteadiness and unhappiness in Christians may be ascribed to him. While we are on this earth we are…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-7These sons of God are spiritual beings and members of the court of heaven. They are probably either holy angels or demons (Genesis 6:2, 4). They join God in his discussions, including during creation and in his rule over creation (Genesis 1:26; Job 1:6; Genesis 3:22; 2:1; 1 Kings 22:19–22; Psalms 82:1; 89:5, 7–8; Daniel 3:13, 17, 23, 25; 7:9–14). It is uncertain in the account if Satan usually came with other court members of heaven to report or if he…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. going to and fro--rather, "hurrying rapidly to and fro." The original idea in Arabic is the heat of haste (Mt 12:43; 1Pe 5:8). Satan seems to have had some peculiar connection with this earth. Perhaps he was formerly its ruler under God. Man succeeded to the vice royalty (Ge 1:26; Psa 8:6). Man then lost it and Satan became prince of this world. The Son of man (Psa 8:4)--the representative man, regains the forfeited inheritance (Re 11:15). Satan's…Read the comment
Topics related to Job 1:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries