Job 2:4
New International Version
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life.

New Living Translation
Satan replied to the LORD, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life.

English Standard Version
Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.

Berean Standard Bible
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.

King James Bible
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

New King James Version
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

New American Standard Bible
Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has, he will give for his life.

NASB 1995
Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

NASB 1977
And Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

Legacy Standard Bible
Satan answered Yahweh and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

Amplified Bible
Satan answered the LORD, “Skin for skin! Yes, a man will give all he has for his life.

Christian Standard Bible
“Skin for skin! ” Satan answered the LORD. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Skin for skin!” Satan answered the LORD. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life.

American Standard Version
And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Contemporary English Version
Satan answered, "There's no pain like your own. People will do anything to stay alive.

English Revised Version
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! Certainly, a man will give everything he has for his life.

Good News Translation
Satan replied, "A person will give up everything in order to stay alive.

International Standard Version
Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! The man will give up everything that he owns in exchange for his health.

Majority Standard Bible
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.

NET Bible
But Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! Indeed, a man will give up all that he has to save his life!

New Heart English Bible
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, "Skin for skin. Indeed, all that a man has he will give for his life.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, even, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

World English Bible
Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Satan answers YHWH and says, “A skin for a skin, and all that a man has he gives for his life.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, 'A skin for a skin, and all that a man hath he doth give for his life.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the adversary will answer Jehovah and say, Skin for skin, and all which is to a man he will give for his soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Satan answered, and said: Skin for skin, and all that a man hath he will give for his life:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Answering him, Satan said, “Skin for skin; and everything that a man has, he will give for his life.

New American Bible
The satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Satan answered the LORD, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life, to save it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Satan answered and said to LORD JEHOVAH: “Skin in exchange for skin and everything that a man has he gives in exchange for his life, and he escapes
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the devil answered and said to the Lord, Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give as a ransom for his life.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Loses His Health
3Then 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. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” 4“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life. 5But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”…

Cross References
Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. / “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” / “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

Luke 4:5-8
Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. / “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. / So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.” ...

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

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.

Revelation 20:2-3
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. / And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

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.’” ...

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?”

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

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.

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

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.

1 John 3:8
The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

Matthew 16:23
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Mark 8:33
But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

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


Treasury of Scripture

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.

all that.

Esther 7:3,4
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: …

Isaiah 2:20,21
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; …

Jeremiah 41:8
But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

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Adversary Life Satan Skin
Job 2
1. Satan, appearing again before God, obtains further leave to tempt Job.
7. He afflicts him with sore boils.
9. Job reproves his wife, who moved him to curse God.
11. His three friends console with him in silence.














Skin for skin
This phrase is a proverbial expression that has sparked much debate among scholars. In the Hebrew text, the word "skin" is "עוֹר" (or), which literally means the outer covering of the body. The expression "skin for skin" suggests a barter or exchange, implying that a person will give up everything, even their own skin, to save their life. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of the value of life and the lengths to which one would go to preserve it. The phrase underscores the depth of Satan's challenge, suggesting that Job's previous losses were external and that a true test would involve his own physical suffering.

Satan replied
The Hebrew name "שָׂטָן" (Satan) means "adversary" or "accuser." In the context of the Book of Job, Satan functions as the accuser in the heavenly court, challenging Job's integrity. This role is consistent with other scriptural references where Satan is depicted as the one who opposes and accuses God's people (e.g., Zechariah 3:1, Revelation 12:10). The dialogue between God and Satan in Job is unique in its portrayal of Satan's access to the divine council, highlighting the cosmic dimensions of the struggle between good and evil.

A man will give up all he owns
This phrase speaks to the human instinct for self-preservation. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan), translated as "give up," conveys the idea of surrendering or sacrificing something of value. The statement reflects a cynical view of human nature, suggesting that material possessions and even relationships are secondary to one's own survival. This challenges the reader to consider the true nature of faith and integrity, especially when faced with personal loss and suffering.

in exchange for his life
The Hebrew word for "life" is "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), which can also mean "soul" or "self." It encompasses the entirety of a person's being, not just physical existence. The phrase implies that life itself is the most precious possession, worth more than any material wealth. In the context of Job's trials, this statement sets the stage for the ultimate test of Job's faith, as Satan suggests that Job's piety is contingent upon his physical well-being. This challenges the reader to reflect on the nature of true devotion to God, which transcends physical and material circumstances.

(4) Skin for skin.--This is a more extreme form of the insinuation of Job 1:9. He means Job takes care to have his quid pro quo; and if the worst come to the worst, a man will give up everything to save his life. If, therefore, Job can save his life at the price of subservience to God, he will willingly pay that price rather than die; but his service is worth no more than that selfish object implies.

Verse 4. - And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin. No doubt a proverbial expression, resembling "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth; Tit for tat," and the like; but not expressive of retaliation. Satan means that, to keep his own "skin" intact, a man will sacrifice another's "skin;" even that of his nearest and dearest. Job, he insinuates, submitted to the loss of his children without a murmur, because he feared that otherwise God would stretch forth his hand against his person, and smite it or destroy it. He cannot imagine any motive for submission and apparent resignation but a selfish one (comp. Job 1:9). Yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life; i.e. "a man will submit to the loss, not only of all his possessions, but even of those whom he loves best, to save his own life - he will do anything for that." So the "false accuser." All the numerous acts of self-sacrifice which human history presents, and has presented from the first, are ignored.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Skin
ע֣וֹר (‘ō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5785: Skin, hide, leather

for
בְּעַד־ (bə·‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

skin!”
ע֗וֹר (‘ō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5785: Skin, hide, leather

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

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

“A man
לָאִ֔ישׁ (lā·’îš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

will give up
יִתֵּ֖ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

all
וְכֹל֙ (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

he owns
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

in exchange for
בְּעַ֥ד (bə·‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

his life.
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT Poetry: Job 2:4 Satan answered Yahweh and said Skin (Jb)
Job 2:3
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