But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

JOB 2:5KJV
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Job 2:5 (KJV)

What does Job 2:5 mean?

Job 2:5 records Satan challenging God by saying that if Job’s own body is harmed—if God “touches his bone and his flesh”—then Job will curse God openly. The verse suggests that physical suffering is a deeper test of faith than loss of possessions or family.

In this scene, Satan is speaking to God in the heavenly court, arguing that Job’s faithfulness is only skin-deep. Satan claims that if Job himself experiences pain, rather than just losing things around him, he will turn against God. This sets up the next stage of Job’s trials, moving from external losses to personal suffering.

The Hebrew behind Job 2:5

  • “Bone” (עֶצֶם, etsem) and “flesh” (בָּשָׂר, basar) together emphasize Job’s physical body, not just his outward life or circumstances. The phrase underlines that the test is now aimed at Job’s own health.
  • “Curse” (בָּרַךְ, barakh) is often translated as “bless,” but in Job, it is used ironically to mean “curse.” This is a subtle use of language, showing how strong the accusation is—Satan claims Job will openly renounce God.

Why Job 2:5 matters

  • Job 2:5 clarifies that the test of faith is moving from external losses to personal, bodily suffering, raising the stakes of Job’s ordeal.
  • The verse highlights the idea that faith can be challenged most severely when someone’s own health or life is threatened, not just their possessions.
  • This exchange sets up the central question of the book: is faith in God dependent on blessings, or can it endure even in deep personal pain?

Where else these words appear

“But” Hebrew H199 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
  • 1 Samuel 25:34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
  • Job 13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

“bone” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 1 Kings 13:31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
  • Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

“touch” Hebrew H5060 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Numbers 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
  • Psalms 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.