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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 2:4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/2-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/18_Job_02_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 2:4 - Job Loses His Health" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Skin for skin! Satan replied. 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A man will give up everything he has to save his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has, he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Satan answered the LORD and said, &#8220Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Satan answered Yahweh and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Satan answered the LORD, “Skin for skin! Yes, a man will give all he has for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Skin for skin! ” Satan answered the LORD. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Skin for skin!&#8221 Satan answered the LORD. &#8220A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Satan answered, "There's no pain like your own. People will do anything to stay alive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! Certainly, a man will give everything he has for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Satan replied, "A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! The man will give up everything that he owns in exchange for his health.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Skin for skin!? Satan replied. ?A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! Indeed, a man will give up all that he has to save his life!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, "Skin for skin. Indeed, all that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, even, all that a man hath will he give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Satan answers YHWH and says, “A skin for a skin, and all that a man has he gives for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, 'A skin for a skin, and all that a man hath he doth give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the adversary will answer Jehovah and say, Skin for skin, and all which is to a man he will give for his soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Satan answered, and said: Skin for skin, and all that a man hath he will give for his life: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Answering him, Satan said, “Skin for skin; and everything that a man has, he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Satan answered the LORD, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life, to save it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Satan answered and said to LORD JEHOVAH: “Skin in exchange for skin and everything that a man has he gives in exchange for his life, and he escapes<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the devil answered and said to the Lord, Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give as a ransom for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/2-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=268" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/2.htm">Job Loses His Health</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5785.htm" title="5785: ‘ō·wr (N-ms) -- A skin. From uwr; skin; by implication, hide, leather.">“Skin</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: bə·‘aḏ- (Prep) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5785.htm" title="5785: ‘ō·wr (N-ms) -- A skin. From uwr; skin; by implication, hide, leather.">skin!”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7854.htm" title="7854: haś·śā·ṭān (Art:: N-ms) -- From satan; an opponent; especially Satan, the arch-enemy of good.">Satan</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lā·’îš (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">“A man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">will give up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵōl (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">he owns</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: bə·‘aḏ (Prep) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.">in exchange for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">his life.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-8.htm">Matthew 4:8-10</a></span><br />Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. / “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” / “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-5.htm">Luke 4:5-8</a></span><br />Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. / “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. / So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9-10</a></span><br />And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. / And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Revelation 20:2-3</a></span><br />He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. / And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-5</a></span><br />Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/3-1.htm">Zechariah 3:1-2</a></span><br />Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/21-1.htm">1 Chronicles 21:1</a></span><br />Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a></span><br />You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-14.htm">2 Corinthians 11:14</a></span><br />And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11-12</a></span><br />Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8</a></span><br />The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">Matthew 16:23</a></span><br />But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-33.htm">Mark 8:33</a></span><br />But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">2 Corinthians 2:11</a></span><br />in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.</p><p class="hdg">all that.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/7-3.htm">Esther 7:3,4</a></b></br> Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/2-20.htm">Isaiah 2:20,21</a></b></br> In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made <i>each one</i> for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/41-8.htm">Jeremiah 41:8</a></b></br> But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/2-2.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/esther/7-7.htm">Life</a> <a href="/job/2-3.htm">Satan</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-34.htm">Skin</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/2-6.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/job/2-6.htm">Life</a> <a href="/job/2-6.htm">Satan</a> <a href="/job/7-5.htm">Skin</a><div class="vheading2">Job 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/2-1.htm">Satan, appearing again before God, obtains further leave to tempt Job.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/2-7.htm">He afflicts him with sore boils.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/2-9.htm">Job reproves his wife, who moved him to curse God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/2-11.htm">His three friends console with him in silence.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Skin for skin!</b><br>This phrase is a proverbial expression used by Satan, suggesting a barter or exchange. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such expressions were common to convey the idea of equivalent exchange. The phrase implies that a person will sacrifice anything superficial to save their own life. It reflects the belief that physical well-being is of utmost importance to humans, a theme that resonates throughout the Book of Job as Job's physical suffering is central to the narrative.<p><b>Satan replied.</b><br>Satan, in the context of the Book of Job, acts as the accuser or adversary. His role here is to challenge the integrity of Job's faith. This interaction between God and Satan is unique to the prologue of Job and sets the stage for the testing of Job's righteousness. The presence of Satan in the heavenly court reflects the ancient belief in a divine council where spiritual beings have roles and responsibilities.<p><b>A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.</b><br>This statement underscores the value placed on life over material possessions. It suggests that when faced with life-threatening situations, individuals prioritize survival over wealth. This idea is echoed in other biblical passages, such as <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a>, where Jesus questions the profit of gaining the world but losing one's soul. The statement also foreshadows the trials Job will face, as he is stripped of his possessions and health, yet his faith remains steadfast. This theme of testing and faithfulness is central to the narrative and serves as a type of Christ, who, though tested, remained faithful unto death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and steadfast faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/satan.htm">Satan</a></b><br>The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job's faithfulness is due to his prosperity and health. In this verse, Satan argues that Job will forsake his faith if his own life is threatened.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who allows Satan to test Job's faith, demonstrating His ultimate authority and the depth of Job's righteousness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/heavenly_court.htm">Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The setting where God and Satan converse, highlighting the spiritual realm's influence on earthly events.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_suffering.htm">Job's Suffering</a></b><br>The event of Job's trials, which include loss of wealth, family, and health, serving as a test of his faith and integrity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_faith.htm">The Nature of True Faith</a></b><br>True faith is not dependent on material blessings or physical well-being. Job's account challenges believers to examine the foundation of their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Satan's role as the accuser reminds us of the ongoing spiritual battle. Believers must remain vigilant and grounded in their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_permission.htm">God's Sovereignty and Permission</a></b><br>God allows trials for His purposes, which may be beyond our understanding. Trust in His sovereignty is crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life_and_integrity.htm">The Value of Life and Integrity</a></b><br>Satan's assertion that a man will give up everything for his life challenges us to consider what we truly value and how we prioritize our integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/endurance_through_trials.htm">Endurance Through Trials</a></b><br>Job's endurance serves as an example for believers to remain faithful amidst suffering, trusting in God's ultimate plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_christianity's_apostolic_age.htm">What role does Satan play in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_should_wives_treat_husbands_biblically.htm">What is Satan's role according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_constitutes_a_spiritual_attack.htm">What constitutes a spiritual attack?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_let_satan_test_job.htm">Job 1:12 - How can a benevolent God allow Satan to inflict suffering on a blameless man as part of a wager?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Skin for skin.</span>--This is a more extreme form of the insinuation of <a href="/job/1-9.htm" title="Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?">Job 1:9</a>. He means Job takes care to have his <span class= "ital">quid pro quo; </span>and if the worst come to the worst, a man will give up everything to save his life. If, therefore, Job can save his life at the price of subservience to God, he will willingly pay that price rather than die; but his service is worth no more than that selfish object implies.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin</span>. No doubt a proverbial expression, resembling "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth; Tit for tat," and the like; but not expressive of retaliation. Satan means that, to keep his own "skin" intact, a man will sacrifice another's "skin;" even that of his nearest and dearest. Job, he insinuates, submitted to the loss of his children without a murmur, because he feared that otherwise God would stretch forth his hand against his person, and smite it or destroy it. He cannot imagine any motive for submission and apparent resignation but a selfish one (comp. <a href="/job/1-9.htm">Job 1:9</a><span class="cmt_word">). Yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "a man will submit to the loss, not only of all his possessions, but even of those whom he loves best, to save his own life - he will do anything for that." So the "false accuser." All the numerous acts of self-sacrifice which human history presents, and has presented from the first, are ignored. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Skin</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5785.htm">Strong's 5785: </a> </span><span class="str2">Skin, hide, leather</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעַד־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1157.htm">Strong's 1157: </a> </span><span class="str2">In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">skin!”</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֗וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5785.htm">Strong's 5785: </a> </span><span class="str2">Skin, hide, leather</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Satan</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׂטָ֛ן</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śā·ṭān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7854.htm">Strong's 7854: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opponent -- Satan, the arch-enemy of good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֧עַן</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“A man</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will give up</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתֵּ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכֹל֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he owns</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in exchange for</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעַ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1157.htm">Strong's 1157: </a> </span><span class="str2">In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his life.</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/2-4.htm">OT Poetry: Job 2:4 Satan answered Yahweh and said Skin (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 2:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>