“The sons of God then came to present themselves before the Lord, and the adversary came also among them and in their number” (Job 1:6, 2:1). It is not said: “And the sons of God and the adversary came to present themselves before the Lord”: this sentence would have implied that the existence of all that came was of the same kind and rank. The words used are these: “And the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the adversary came also among them.”
Such a phrase is only used in reference to one that comes without being expected or invited; he only comes among others whose coming has been sought. The adversary is then described as going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down thereon. He is in no relation to the beings above, and has no place among them. For this reason it is said, “from going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down on it,” for his “going” and “walking” can only take place on the earth. [Job], the simple and righteous man, is given and handed over to the adversary; whatever evils and misfortunes befell Job as regards his property, children, and health, were all caused by this adversary.
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Author: Moses Maimonides
Keywords: The sons of God, Satan, Good angel, Evil angel, Two angels, The Adversary, Evil inclination, Angel of death, Maimonides
Bible reference(s): Job 1:6, Job 2:1
Source: The Guide of the Perplexed of Maimonides, Volume 3, transl. M. Friedlander (London: Trubner & Co., 1885), pp. 95-100.
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