What Does Job 2:9 Mean in the King James?
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The command to “curse” uses the Hebrew verb for “bless,” placing blessing-language beside a wish for death.
THE MEANING
You are met by a voice that questions whether wholeness can still be held when pain has stripped life down to its limit. The verse leaves the pressure stark: integrity and death stand side by side as opposing answers.
THE ROOT
בְּתֻמָּתֶךָ
betummatekha
GROWS FROM
תמם
tamam
to be complete or whole
The word translated “integrity” comes from the root of being complete or whole. The question reaches beyond reputation: it asks whether Job can still hold together under pain.
ALSO GROWS
tom: completeness; integrity
תֹּם
This related form shows that integrity carries the sense of wholeness beneath the English word.
tamim: whole; sound; blameless
תָּמִים
Its sense of being whole clarifies what Job is being asked whether he still holds.
בָּרֵךְ
barekh
GROWS FROM
ברך
barakh
to bless; associated with kneeling
The Hebrew uses barakh, the verb “bless,” in the conventional curse formula. Its blessing-language remains audible beneath the command, holding a word of blessing beside the wish for death.
ALSO GROWS
barakh: to bless
בָּרַךְ
This is the same verb used in the command translated “curse,” creating the verse’s sharp collision.
berakhah: blessing
בְּרָכָה
This noun from the same root keeps the language of blessing present beneath the death wish.
THE PATTERN
Integrity is tested when suffering or accusation makes it costly to hold one’s ground.
A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.THE THREAD
God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.Job 27:5 repeats the same word for “integrity,” from the root תמם (tamam), “to be complete or whole.” The question in Job 2:9 becomes an answer: Job says he will not let go of that wholeness, even as he faces death.
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