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.

JOB 1:7KJV
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Job 1:7 (KJV)

What does Job 1:7 mean?

Job 1:7 describes a conversation between the LORD and Satan, where the LORD asks Satan where he has come from, and Satan replies that he has been roaming throughout the earth. This exchange sets the stage for the events that follow, showing Satan as an active presence on earth and introducing the challenge to Job’s character.

In this verse, the LORD (the personal name for God, often shown in all caps in English Bibles) directly questions Satan, who appears before Him along with other heavenly beings. Satan’s answer, that he has been “going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it,” suggests a restless searching or investigating. This sets up the tension in the story, as Satan’s activities on earth become the backdrop for the testing of Job’s faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Job 1:7

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal, covenant name of God in Hebrew, emphasizing God’s authority and relationship with His people. Its use here highlights the directness and seriousness of the conversation.
  • Satan (שָּׂטָן, Satan): This word means “adversary” or “accuser.” In Job, Satan acts as a challenger or opponent, not just a generic evil being, but one who questions human motives before God.
  • fro (שׁוּט, shut): This verb means “to roam” or “to go back and forth.” It paints a picture of Satan as actively moving about the earth, not settled or passive, but searching or investigating.
  • down (הָלַךְ, halakh): This verb means “to walk.” Combined with “to and fro,” it emphasizes thorough movement, as if Satan is surveying or scrutinizing the earth closely.

Why Job 1:7 matters

  • Job 1:7 clarifies that Satan is not confined but has access to roam the earth, which sets up his role as an observer and accuser of humanity.
  • The verse highlights the LORD’s authority, as He initiates the conversation and questions Satan directly, showing that nothing happens outside God’s knowledge.
  • This exchange introduces the central theme of the book: the testing of human integrity and faithfulness, not because of random misfortune, but as part of a larger spiritual dialogue.

Where else these words appear

“fro” Hebrew H7751 · used in 13 verses

  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • Job 2:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
  • Ezekiel 27:26 Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

“Whence” Hebrew H370 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 29:4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
  • Judges 17:9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.
  • Job 28:12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

“Satan” Hebrew H7854 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
  • 1 Kings 11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
  • Job 2:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.