American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Job 1
1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Reference
📍 Uz
People
Evil
Job 28:28
Job 2:3
Job 1:8
Proverbs 8:13
Parallel theme
James 5:11
References God
Ezekiel 14:14
Ezekiel 14:20
Genesis 6:9
Genesis 17:1
Genesis 22:12
3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
Reference
4
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 13:1
5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Reference
Holy
1 Samuel 16:5
Ephesians 6:18
References God
Acts 8:22
1 Corinthians 4:5
1 Kings 21:10
1 Kings 21:13
Sacrifice
Job 42:8
Genesis 8:20
Genesis 22:3
Sin
Job 8:4
6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 21:1
Matthew 18:10
John 6:70
References God
Job 2:1
Job 38:7
Genesis 6:4
Luke 3:38
References Lord
Zechariah 3:1
1 Kings 22:19
Psalm 103:20
7
And the LORD said to Satan, From where come you? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Reference
8
And the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil?
Reference
Evil
Job 2:3
Job 1:1
Isaiah 1:16
Proverbs 8:13
Job 8:20
Psalm 37:27
Parallel theme
Numbers 12:3
Isaiah 42:1
References God
Psalm 84:11
References Lord
2 Kings 23:25
9
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 16:26
References God
Job 2:10
1 Timothy 6:6
1 Timothy 4:8
References Lord
Job 1:21
10
Have not you made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? you have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Reference
Blessing
Proverbs 10:22
Psalm 107:38
Genesis 26:12
Creation
Isaiah 5:2
Parallel theme
Psalm 34:7
Zechariah 2:5
1 Peter 1:5
Zechariah 2:8
Genesis 15:1
Job 31:25
11
But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.
Reference
12
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only on himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Reference
13
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house:
Reference
14
And there came a messenger to Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15
And the Sabeans fell on them, and took them away; yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.
Reference
16
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and has burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 19:24
Revelation 13:13
1 Kings 18:38
Leviticus 10:2
References God
2 Kings 1:12
Amos 7:4
2 Kings 1:10
17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell on the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.
Reference
18
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house:
Reference
19
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.
20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshipped,
Reference
21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 5:15
1 Timothy 6:7
1 Thessalonians 5:18
James 1:17
Job 2:10
Psalm 49:17
Ecclesiastes 12:7
References Lord
Ephesians 5:20
Isaiah 45:7
1 Samuel 2:7
Summary of Job 1
Job Chapter 1 introduces Job as a man who appears to have everything that ancient society would consider a blessed and successful life. He lives in the land of Uz and is described as blameless, upright, respectful toward God, and committed to avoiding evil. He has a large family consisting of seven sons and three daughters, enormous herds of livestock, many servants, and great wealth. The chapter specifically describes him as the greatest man among the people of the East.
Job's children regularly gather together for family feasts. Job is deeply concerned about their spiritual lives and regularly offers sacrifices on their behalf, fearing that they may have sinned in their hearts. This establishes Job not only as wealthy but also as a man who takes his relationship with God seriously.
The story then shifts dramatically from earth to a heavenly scene. The sons of God appear before the LORD, and Satan is also present. God points Satan toward Job and describes him as an exceptionally faithful man. Satan responds with a challenge: perhaps Job only serves God because God has blessed and protected him. According to Satan's accusation, Job's devotion is not genuine but is based on the benefits he receives.
Satan argues that if Job loses his possessions, he will turn against God. God permits Satan to test Job's possessions but places a clear limit on what he may do. Satan cannot touch Job himself.
What follows is one of the most devastating sequences in the Bible. Job is suddenly struck by a series of disasters. First, the Sabeans attack and take his oxen and donkeys while killing his servants. Then another messenger reports that fire has destroyed his sheep and servants. A third messenger announces that the Chaldeans have taken Job's camels and killed more servants.
Before Job can even process these three disasters, a fourth messenger arrives with the worst news of all. Job's sons and daughters have been gathered together at their oldest brother's house when a powerful wind strikes the building. The house collapses, killing all ten of Job's children.
In a very short period, Job loses nearly everything that defined his earthly security: his wealth, his livestock, his servants, and finally his children.
Job's reaction is extremely important. He does not pretend that the losses do not hurt. He tears his robe and shaves his head, showing profound grief. He mourns honestly. Yet after expressing his grief, he falls to the ground and worships.
His statement that he came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing expresses his recognition that his possessions were never permanently his. He acknowledges that God gives and takes away, but he still chooses to honor God.
The final verse makes the central point of the chapter: Job does not accuse God of wrongdoing.
This does not mean that Job understands what has happened. The reader knows about the heavenly conversation, but Job does not. He has no knowledge of Satan's accusation or the reason behind his suffering. From Job's perspective, his world has collapsed without explanation.
This creates the central question of the book: Can a person remain faithful to God when there is no obvious reward for doing so and when suffering appears completely undeserved?
The chapter also establishes an important distinction between prosperity and genuine faith. Satan believes Job serves God because God has given him wealth, family, security, and protection. By removing those things, Satan expects Job's faith to disappear. Instead, Job's response demonstrates that his relationship with God is deeper than his circumstances.
Historically, the exact date of Job is uncertain. The story has features that resemble the patriarchal period, possibly the second millennium BC, although scholars debate the date of the book's composition. The setting outside Israel and the absence of references to Israel's later religious institutions give the story an ancient, patriarchal atmosphere.
The chapter's final message is powerful: faith is tested most severely when circumstances provide no easy explanation. Job has done nothing in the story to deserve the disasters that have happened to him. Yet he continues to worship God.
The chapter ends with Job still faithful, but the story is far from over. Satan's first challenge has failed. However, the next chapter will reveal that Satan believes Job's faith will collapse if the suffering reaches his own body.
Job Chapter 1 therefore establishes the central conflict of the entire book: Is faith in God genuine only when life is good, or can a person continue to trust God even when everything has been taken away?
Job's children regularly gather together for family feasts. Job is deeply concerned about their spiritual lives and regularly offers sacrifices on their behalf, fearing that they may have sinned in their hearts. This establishes Job not only as wealthy but also as a man who takes his relationship with God seriously.
The story then shifts dramatically from earth to a heavenly scene. The sons of God appear before the LORD, and Satan is also present. God points Satan toward Job and describes him as an exceptionally faithful man. Satan responds with a challenge: perhaps Job only serves God because God has blessed and protected him. According to Satan's accusation, Job's devotion is not genuine but is based on the benefits he receives.
Satan argues that if Job loses his possessions, he will turn against God. God permits Satan to test Job's possessions but places a clear limit on what he may do. Satan cannot touch Job himself.
What follows is one of the most devastating sequences in the Bible. Job is suddenly struck by a series of disasters. First, the Sabeans attack and take his oxen and donkeys while killing his servants. Then another messenger reports that fire has destroyed his sheep and servants. A third messenger announces that the Chaldeans have taken Job's camels and killed more servants.
Before Job can even process these three disasters, a fourth messenger arrives with the worst news of all. Job's sons and daughters have been gathered together at their oldest brother's house when a powerful wind strikes the building. The house collapses, killing all ten of Job's children.
In a very short period, Job loses nearly everything that defined his earthly security: his wealth, his livestock, his servants, and finally his children.
Job's reaction is extremely important. He does not pretend that the losses do not hurt. He tears his robe and shaves his head, showing profound grief. He mourns honestly. Yet after expressing his grief, he falls to the ground and worships.
His statement that he came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing expresses his recognition that his possessions were never permanently his. He acknowledges that God gives and takes away, but he still chooses to honor God.
The final verse makes the central point of the chapter: Job does not accuse God of wrongdoing.
This does not mean that Job understands what has happened. The reader knows about the heavenly conversation, but Job does not. He has no knowledge of Satan's accusation or the reason behind his suffering. From Job's perspective, his world has collapsed without explanation.
This creates the central question of the book: Can a person remain faithful to God when there is no obvious reward for doing so and when suffering appears completely undeserved?
The chapter also establishes an important distinction between prosperity and genuine faith. Satan believes Job serves God because God has given him wealth, family, security, and protection. By removing those things, Satan expects Job's faith to disappear. Instead, Job's response demonstrates that his relationship with God is deeper than his circumstances.
Historically, the exact date of Job is uncertain. The story has features that resemble the patriarchal period, possibly the second millennium BC, although scholars debate the date of the book's composition. The setting outside Israel and the absence of references to Israel's later religious institutions give the story an ancient, patriarchal atmosphere.
The chapter's final message is powerful: faith is tested most severely when circumstances provide no easy explanation. Job has done nothing in the story to deserve the disasters that have happened to him. Yet he continues to worship God.
The chapter ends with Job still faithful, but the story is far from over. Satan's first challenge has failed. However, the next chapter will reveal that Satan believes Job's faith will collapse if the suffering reaches his own body.
Job Chapter 1 therefore establishes the central conflict of the entire book: Is faith in God genuine only when life is good, or can a person continue to trust God even when everything has been taken away?