Texts in Conversation

The Testament of Job and 2 Corinthians both describe Satan disguising himself to deceive others. In the Testament of Job, he appears as a bread seller to exploit Job’s suffering, while in 2 Corinthians he is described disguising himself as an angel of light.
Share:

Testament of Job 5:16

Pseudepigrapha
15 But she took it and divided it between herself and me, saying woefully: “Woe to me! Soon he may no longer feed on bread, and he cannot go to the market to ask bread of the bread-sellers in order to bring it to me that he may eat” 16 And when Satan learned this, he took the guise of a bread-seller, and it was as if by chance that my wife met him and asked him for bread thinking that it was that sort of man. 17 But Satan said to her: “Give me the value, and then take what you wish.” 18 Whereupon she answered saying: Where shall I get money Do you not know what misfortune happened to me. If you have pity, show it to me; if not, you shall see.” 19 And he replied saying: “If you did not deserve this misfortune, you would not have suffered all this. 20 Now, if there is no silver piece in your hand, give me the hair of your head and take three loaves of bread for it, so that you may live on these for three days.
Date: 75-50 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates) Source

2 Corinthians 11:14

New Testament
9 When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.
Date: 55-57 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates) Source
Search:

Notes and References

#488
"... The notion that Satan can transform his outer form at will is familiar in Jewish literature. For instance, in the Testament of Job he is said to have disguised himself as a beggar (2 Corinthians 6:4) and then as a bread seller (Job 23:1) ..."
Belleville, Linda L. 2 Corinthians (p. 194) IVP Academic, 2011

* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.

Your Feedback:

Leave a Comment

Do you have questions or comments about these texts? Please submit them here.

Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.

Find Similar Texts

Search by the same Books

Compare the same Text Groups

Go to Intertext