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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Job 1:7 - 1:7
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7 Then Jehovah said to Satan, Whence comest thou? Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
The fut. follows מֵאַיִן in the signification of the praes., Whence comest thou? the perf. would signify, Whence hast thou come? (Ges. §127, 2). Cocceius subtly observes: Notatur Satanas velut Deo nescio h.e. non adprobante res suas agere. It is implied in the question that his business is selfish, arbitrary, and has no connection with God. In his answer, בְּ שׁוּט, as 2Sa 24:2, signifies rapid passing from one end to the other; הִתְלֵּךְ, an observant roaming forth. Peter also says of Satan, περιπατεῖ (1Pe 5:8.).
(Note: Among the Arabs the devil is called 'l-ḥârt, el-hharith - the active, busy, industrious one.)
He answers at first generally, as expecting a more particular question, which Jehovah now puts to him.