Job 1:12 "Very well," said the LORD to Satan. "Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

◄ Job 1:12 ►

New International Version
The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

New Living Translation
“All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.

English Standard Version
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

King James Bible
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

New King James Version
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

NASB 1995
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

NASB 1977
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand, only do not send forth your hand toward him.” So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
“Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD replied, "All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job." Then Satan left.

English Revised Version
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD told Satan, "Everything he has is in your power, but you must not lay a hand on him!" Then Satan left the LORD's presence.

Good News Translation
"All right," the LORD said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left.

International Standard Version
Then the LORD told Satan, "Very well then, everything he owns is under your control, only you may not extend your hand against him." So Satan left the LORD's presence.

Majority Standard Bible
“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

NET Bible
So the LORD said to Satan, "All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!" So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD said to Satan, "Look, all that he has is in your power. Only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

World English Bible
Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don’t stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to Satan, “Behold, all that he has [is] in your hand, only do not put forth your hand to him.” And Satan goes out from the presence of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Lo, all that he hath is in thy hand, only unto him put not forth thy hand.' And the Adversary goeth out from the presence of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to the adversary, Behold, all that is to him in thy hand: only upon him thou shalt not send forth thy hand. And the adversary will go forth from the face of Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the Lord said to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand: only put not forth thy hand upon his person. And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, everything that he has is in your hand, only do not extend your hand against him.” And Satan departed from the face of the Lord.

New American Bible
The LORD said to the satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” So the satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself you shall not put forth your hand. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Satan: “Behold, everything that he has is handed over into your hands, only do not stretch your hand upon him.” And Satan went out from before the face of LORD JEHOVAH

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand.' So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then the Lord said to the devil, Behold, I give into thine hand all that he has, but touch not himself. So the devil went out from the presence of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Satan's First Attack
…11But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Luke 22:31-32
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. / But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Revelation 12:10
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.

2 Corinthians 12:7
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

James 1:12-14
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. / When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. / But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

Ephesians 6:11-12
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.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

1 John 5:18
We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.

Zechariah 3:1-2
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?”

Genesis 3:1-5
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.’” ...

1 Chronicles 21:1
Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...

Daniel 10:13
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

Behold.

1 Kings 22:23
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Luke 8:32
And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

Luke 22:31,32
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: …

power.

Genesis 16:6
But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

Jeremiah 38:5
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

John 3:35,36
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand…

only.

Job 2:4-6
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life…

Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Isaiah 27:8
In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.

So Satan.

Job 2:7
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Luke 8:33
Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

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Adversary Departed Finger Forth Hand Hands Lay Power Presence Satan

Job 1

1. The holiness, riches, and reverent care of Job for his children.
6. Satan, appearing before God, obtains leave to afflict Job.
13. Understanding of the loss of his children and goods, in his mourning Job blesses God.

Berean Study Bible

Very well, said the LORD to Satan
The phrase "Very well" indicates divine permission and sovereignty. In Hebrew, the word used here is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), often translated as "behold" or "see." It signifies God's authoritative acknowledgment of the situation. The LORD's response to Satan is not one of resignation but of controlled allowance, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all creation, including Satan. This highlights the theme of God's sovereignty throughout the Book of Job, where even the adversary operates under divine permission.

Everything he has is in your hands
The phrase "in your hands" is significant in understanding the limits of Satan's power. The Hebrew word for "hands" is "יָד" (yad), symbolizing power and control. By placing Job's possessions in Satan's hands, God allows a test of Job's faithfulness, yet it is crucial to note that this is under God's strict boundaries. This reflects the biblical theme that while evil exists, it is never outside the control of God, who uses even trials for His purposes and the ultimate good of His people.

but you must not lay a hand on the man himself
Here, the phrase "lay a hand" is a prohibition, setting a boundary that Satan cannot cross. The Hebrew verb "שָׁלַח" (shalach) means "to send" or "to stretch out," indicating an action that is forbidden. This restriction underscores the protection God provides to His faithful servant, Job. It serves as a reminder of God's protective nature and His intimate involvement in the lives of His followers, ensuring that trials are never more than they can bear, as echoed in 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD
The phrase "went out from the presence of the LORD" marks the beginning of Satan's actions against Job. The Hebrew word "יָצָא" (yatsa) means "to go out" or "to depart," indicating a transition from the divine council to the earthly realm. This movement signifies the commencement of the testing period. Theologically, it illustrates the concept of spiritual warfare, where the adversary operates within the confines of God's sovereign will. It also serves as a narrative device to transition from the heavenly dialogue to the earthly trials that Job will face, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of faith and endurance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) All that he hath is in thy power . . .--Mighty as the principle of evil is in the world, it is nevertheless held in check by One who directs it to His own ends. Such is the uniform teaching of Scripture. We are not under the uncontrolled dominion of evil, strong as the temptation may be at times to think so. (See 2Corinthians 12:7; 2Corinthians 12:9; 1Thessalonians 2:18, &c.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; literally, in thy hand, as in the margin. God withdraws his protection from Job's possessions; he does not himself take them away, as Satan had suggested (ver. 11); but he allows Satan, who can do nothing without his allowance, to deal with them as he pleases. As God dispenses blessings through the angelic host (Psalm 91:11, 12; Hebrews 1:14), so he, sometimes at any rate, allows spirits of evil to be the ministers of his chastisements. Only upon himself put not forth thine hand. The person of Job was not to be touched as yet. He was to be injured only in his belongings. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Having obtained a permission which he thought would serve his purpose, Satan did not delay, but promptly departed, to take advantage of the permission given him. To be in the presence of God must be an intense pain to the evil one.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Very well,”
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Satan.
הַשָּׂטָ֗ן (haś·śā·ṭān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7854: An opponent -- Satan, the arch-enemy of good

“Everything
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

he has [is]
לוֹ֙ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

in your hands,
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ (bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

but
רַ֣ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

you must not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

lay
תִּשְׁלַ֖ח (tiš·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

a hand
יָדֶ֑ךָ (yā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

on the man himself.”
אֵלָ֔יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Then Satan
הַשָּׂטָ֔ן (haś·śā·ṭān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7854: An opponent -- Satan, the arch-enemy of good

went out
וַיֵּצֵא֙ (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from the presence
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Poetry: Job 1:12 Yahweh said to Satan Behold all that (Jb)