---
title: "Job 1 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible"
description: "Read Job 1 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there wer"
image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1"
---

[ Read](/kjv/job/1)[ Commentary](/study/job/1)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/job/1) Audio

 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name *was* Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.***

 4 And his sons went and feasted *in their* houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

 5 And it was so, when the days of *their* feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings *according* to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.*

 6 ¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.**

 7 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.

 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that *there is* none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?*

 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.*

 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.*

 12 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.*

 13 ¶ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters *were* eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

 15 And the Sabeans fell *upon them*, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

 16 While he *was* yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.*

 17 While he *was* yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.*

 18 While he *was* yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters *were* eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.*

 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,*

 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.*
 
[Esther 10](/study/esther/10) [Job 2](/study/job/2)

## Commentary

 To verse 1
 
**There was a man -**This has all the appearance of being a true history. Many have regarded the whole book as a fiction, and have supposed that no such person as Job ever lived. But the book opens with the appearance of reality; and the express declaration that there was such a man, the mention of his name and of the place where he lived, show that the writer meant to affirm that there was in fact such a man. On this question see the Introduction, Section 1. 

**In the land of Uz -**On the question where Job lived, see also the Introduction, Section 2. 

**Whose name was Job -**The name Job (Hebrew איוב *'ı̂yôb*, Gr. Ἰώβ *Iōb* means properly, according to Gesenius, “one persecuted,” from a root (איב *'âyab*) meaning to be an enemy to anyone, to persecute, to hate. The primary idea, according to Gesenius, is to be sought in breathing, blowing, or puffing at, or upon anyone, as expressive of anger or hatred, Germ. “Anschnauben.” Eichhorn (Einleit. section 638. 1,) supposes that the name denotes a man who turns himself penitently to God, from a sense of the verb still found in Arabic “to repent.” On this supposition, the name was given to him, because, at the close of the book, he is represented as exercising repentance for the improper expressions in which he had indulged during his sufferings. The verb occurs only once in the Hebrew Scriptures, [Exodus 23:22](/kjv/exodus/23/22) : But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak, then “I will be an enemy” אויב *'ôyêb* “unto thine enemies” אויב את *'êth* *'ôyêb*. 

The participle איב *'oyēb* is the common word to denote an enemy in the Old Testament, [Exodus 15:6](/kjv/exodus/15/6), [Exodus 15:9](/kjv/exodus/15/9); [Leviticus 26:25](/kjv/leviticus/26/25); [Numbers 35:23](/kjv/numbers/35/23); [Deuteronomy 32:27](/kjv/deuteronomy/32/27), [Deuteronomy 32:42](/kjv/deuteronomy/32/42); [Psalms 7:5](/kjv/psalms/7/5); [Psalms 8:2](/kjv/psalms/8/2); [Psalms 31:8](/kjv/psalms/31/8); [Lamentations 2:4-5](/kjv/lamentations/2/4-5); [Job 13:24](/kjv/job/13/24); [Job 27:7](/kjv/job/27/7); [Job 33:10](/kjv/job/33/10), “*et soepe al*.” If this be the proper meaning of the word “Job,” then the name would seem to have been given him by anticipation, or by common consent, as a much persecuted man. Significant names were very common among the Hebrews - given either by anticipation (see the notes at [Isaiah 8:18](/kjv/isaiah/8/18)), or subsequently, to denote some leading or important event in the life; compare [Genesis 4:1-2](/kjv/genesis/4/1-2), [Genesis 4:25](/kjv/genesis/4/25); [Genesis 5:29](/kjv/genesis/5/29); [1 Samuel 1:20](/kjv/1-samuel/1/20). Such, too, was the case among the Romans, where the “agnomen” thus bestowed became the appellation by which the individual was best known. Cicero thus received his name from a wart which he had on his face, resembling a “vetch,” and which was called by the Latins, “cicer.” Thus also Marcus had the name “Ancus,” from the Greek word ανκὼν *ankōn*, because he had a crooked arm; and thus the names Africanus, Germanicus, etc., were given to generals who had distinguished themselves in particular countries; see Univer. Hist. Anc. Part ix. 619, ed. 8vo, Lond. 1779. In like manner it is possible that the name “Job” was given to the Emir of Uz by common consent, as the man much persecuted or tried, and that this became afterward the appellation by which he was best known. The name occurs once as applied to a son of Issachar, [Genesis 46:13](/kjv/genesis/46/13), and in only two other places in the Bible except in this book; [Ezekiel 14:14](/kjv/ezekiel/14/14); [James 5:11](/kjv/james/5/11). 

**And that man was perfect -**(תמם *tâmam*). The Septuagint have greatly expanded this statement, by giving a paraphrase instead of a translation. “He was a man who was true (ἀληθινός *alēthinos*), blameless (ἄμεμπτος *amemptos*), just (δίκαιος *dikaios*), pious (θεοσεβής *theosebēs*), abstaining from every evil deed.” Jerome renders it, “simplex - simple,” or “sincere.” The Chaldee, שׁלם *shālam*, “complete, finished, perfect.” The idea seems to be that his piety, or moral character, was “proportionate” and was “complete in all its parts.” He was a man of integrity in all the relations of life - as an Emir, a father, a husband, a worshipper of God. Such is properly the meaning of the word תם *tâm* as derived from תמם *tâmam*, “to complete, to make full, perfect” or “entire,” or “to finish.” It denotes that in which there is no part lacking to complete the whole - as in a watch in which no wheel is missing. Thus, he was not merely upright as an Emir, but he was pious toward God; he was not merely kind to his family, but he was just to his neighbors and benevolent to the poor. The word is used to denote integrity as applied to the heart, [Genesis 20:5](/kjv/genesis/20/5) : לבבי בתם *b**e**tām* *l**e**bābı̂y*, “In the honesty, simplicity, or sincerity of my heart (see the margin) have I done this.” So [1 Kings 22:34](/kjv/1-kings/22/34), “One drew a bow לתמוּ *l**e**tumô* in the simplicity (or perfection) of his heart;” that is, without any evil intention; compare [2 Samuel 15:11](/kjv/2-samuel/15/11); [Proverbs 10:9](/kjv/proverbs/10/9). The proper notion, therefore, is that of simplicity. sincerity, absence from guile or evil intention, and completeness of parts in his religion. That he was a man absolutely sinless, or without any propensity to evil, is disproved alike by the spirit of complaining which he often evinces, and by his own confession, [Job 9:20](/kjv/job/9/20) : 

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me; 

If I say I am perfect, it shall prove me perverse. 

So also [Job 42:5-6](/kjv/job/42/5-6) : 

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, 

But now mine eye seeth thee; 

Wherefore I abhor myself, 

And repent in dust and ashes. 

Compare [Ecclesiastes 7:20](/kjv/ecclesiastes/7/20). 

**And upright -**The word ישׁר *yâshâr*, from ישׁר *yâshar*, to be straight, is applied often to a road which is straight, or to a path which is level or even. As used here it means upright or righteous; compare [Psalms 11:7](/kjv/psalms/11/7); [Psalms 37:14](/kjv/psalms/37/14),; [Deuteronomy 32:4](/kjv/deuteronomy/32/4); [Psalms 33:4](/kjv/psalms/33/4). 

**And one that feared God -**Religion in the Scriptures is often represented as the fear of God; [Proverbs 1:7](/kjv/proverbs/1/7), [Proverbs 1:29](/kjv/proverbs/1/29); [Proverbs 2:5](/kjv/proverbs/2/5); [Proverbs 8:13](/kjv/proverbs/8/13); [Proverbs 14:26-27](/kjv/proverbs/14/26-27); [Isaiah 11:2](/kjv/isaiah/11/2); [Acts 9:31](/kjv/acts/9/31), “*et soepe al*.” 

**And eschewed evil - “**And departed from (סוּר *sûr*) evil.” Septuagint, “Abstaining from every evil thing.” These then are the four characteristics of Job’s piety - he was sincere; upright; a worshipper of God; and one who abstained from all wrong. These are the essential elements of true religion everywhere; and the whole statement in the book of Job shows Job was, though not absolutely free from the sins which cleave to our nature, eminent in each of these things.

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg","width":672,"height":448,"caption":"Real Bible Believers"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1","name":"Job 1 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1#primaryimage"},"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"Read Job 1 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there wer","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study","name":"Study Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible","name":"barnes notes on the whole bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job","name":"Job"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/job/1","name":"1"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```