Job 1:7
New International Version
The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

New Living Translation
“Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

English Standard Version
The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

New American Standard Bible
The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”

NASB 1995
The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”

NASB 1977
And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”

Amplified Bible
The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.”

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD asked Satan, “Where have you come from? ” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.”

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Contemporary English Version
the LORD asked, "Satan, where have you been?" Satan replied, "I have been going all over the earth."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From wandering all over the earth."

Good News Translation
The LORD asked him, "What have you been doing?" Satan answered, "I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth."

International Standard Version
The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?" In response, Satan answered the LORD, "From wandering all over the earth and walking back and forth throughout it."

Majority Standard Bible
“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”

NET Bible
The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" And Satan answered the LORD, "From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it."

New Heart English Bible
The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, "From going back and forth on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it.

World English Bible
Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to Satan, “Where do you come from?” And Satan answers YHWH and says, “From going to and fro in the land, and from walking up and down on it.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Whence comest thou?' And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, 'From going to and fro in the land, and from walking up and down on it.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to the adversary, From whence wilt thou come? And the adversary will answer Jehovah, and say, From running to and fro in the earth, and from walking about in it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to him: Whence comest thou ? And he answered and said: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord said to him, “Where do you come from?” Answering, he said, “I have circled the land, and walked around in it.”

New American Bible
The LORD said to the satan, “Where have you been?” Then the satan answered the LORD and said, “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.”

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to Satan, Whence have you come? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking on it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Satan: “From where have you come?” Satan answered and said to LORD JEHOVAH: “I have been going around the earth and I have been walking in it.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said to the devil, Whence art thou come? And the devil answered the Lord, and said, I am come from compassing the earth, and walking up and down in the world.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Satan's First Attack
6One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” 8Then 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.”…

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.

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?”

Revelation 12:9-10
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.

Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.

2 Corinthians 2:11
in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

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.

John 8:44
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.

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ...

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.

2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Revelation 20:2
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Matthew 13:19
When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

Mark 4:15
Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Whence.

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.

2 Kings 5:25
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

From going.

Zechariah 1:10,11
And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth…

Zechariah 6:7
And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

Matthew 12:43
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

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Adversary Earth Forth Fro Roaming Satan Walking Wandering Whence
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.














Where have you come from?
This question posed by the LORD is not due to a lack of knowledge, as God is omniscient. Instead, it serves to initiate a dialogue with Satan, highlighting the divine authority and the accountability that even spiritual beings have before God. The Hebrew root for "come" (בּוֹא, bo) implies entering or arriving, suggesting a transition from one state or place to another. This question sets the stage for the unfolding drama of Job's testing, emphasizing God's sovereign oversight over all creation.

said the LORD
The use of "LORD" here, translated from the Hebrew יהוה (YHWH), signifies the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. This name is often associated with God's faithfulness and His relationship with His people. The dialogue between the LORD and Satan underscores the divine authority and the ultimate control God has over the events that transpire, including the trials of Job.

to Satan
"Satan" in Hebrew (שָׂטָן, satan) means "adversary" or "accuser." In the context of Job, Satan functions as the accuser of humanity, challenging the integrity of Job's faith. This role is consistent with other scriptural references where Satan seeks to undermine the relationship between God and His people. The presence of Satan in the heavenly court illustrates the spiritual warfare and the testing of faith that believers may encounter.

From roaming through the earth
The phrase "roaming through the earth" suggests a restless and aimless wandering. The Hebrew verb שׁוּט (shut) conveys the idea of moving to and fro, often with a sense of searching or investigating. This imagery reflects Satan's role as a prowler, seeking opportunities to challenge and accuse God's people. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual vigilance required of believers, as echoed in 1 Peter 5:8, where Satan is described as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

he replied
Satan's response is direct and unapologetic, indicating his boldness and audacity in the presence of God. The Hebrew verb עָנָה (anah) for "replied" can also mean to answer or respond, often in a confrontational or challenging manner. This interaction highlights the tension between the forces of good and evil, setting the stage for the testing of Job's righteousness.

and walking back and forth in it
The phrase "walking back and forth" further emphasizes the idea of persistent and deliberate movement. The Hebrew verb הָלַךְ (halak) means to walk or go, suggesting a purposeful exploration. This activity of Satan underscores his intent to scrutinize and challenge the faithfulness of God's people. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual reality that believers face, where their faith is continually tested and refined through trials and adversities.

(7) From going to and fro . . .--Compare our Lord's words in Matthew 13:25 : "and went his way." St. Peter evidently had this passage in mind (1Peter 5:8, "walketh about").

Verse 7. - And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? God condescends to address the evil spirit, and asks him questions - not that anything could be added to his own knowledge, but that the angels, who were present (ver. 6), might hear and have their attention called to the doings of Satan, which would need to be watched by them, and sometimes to be restrained or (it may be) prevented (comp. 1 Kings 22:20, where again the colloquy is opened by God asking a question). Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Satan, therefore, is not himself, like the bulk of his evil angels, "reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the last day" (Jude 1:6). He searches the whole earth continually, never passing, never resting, but "going about," as St. Peter says (1 Peter 5:8), "like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," waiting till the coming of the "thousand years," when an angel will "bind him with a great chain, and cast him into the bottom-less pit" (Revelation 20:1, 2). It will be a happy day for the earth when that time comes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Where
מֵאַ֣יִן (mê·’a·yin)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 370: Whence?

have you come from?”
תָּבֹ֑א (tā·ḇō)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

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

the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

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

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

“From roaming
מִשּׁ֣וּט (miš·šūṭ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7751: To push forth, to lash, to row, to travel

through the earth,”
בָּאָ֔רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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

replied,
וַיַּ֨עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“and from walking back and forth
וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ (ū·mê·hiṯ·hal·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in it.”
בָּֽהּ׃ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Job 1:7 Yahweh said to Satan Where have you (Jb)
Job 1:6
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