KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The LORD said to Satan, 'Where have you come from?' Satan answered the LORD, 'I've been roaming back and forth across the earth, walking all around it.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is asking Satan where he's been, and Satan responds that he's been wandering throughout the earth, observing what's happening.
📚 Historical Context
This conversation takes place in the heavenly court where spiritual beings, including Satan, appear before God to give account of their activities. In ancient Hebrew understanding, Satan functioned as an accuser or prosecutor who tested human faithfulness to God. This scene sets up the dramatic testing of Job's faith that follows.
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