Job 1:6

Now there was a day] better, 'Now it was the day,' as if at a special season. The sons of God] i.e. the angels: cp. Job 38:7. They come before God to give account of their ministry: cp. 1 Kings 22:19.

Satan] rather, 'the Satan,' lit. 'the adversary.' The word is in common use today among Orientals. The presence of the definite article shows that it is not used in this book as a proper name. The Satan is again spoken of in 1 Chronicles 21:1 and in Zechariah 3:1 (see note). In the Adversary we have presented to us a spirit whose mission it is to try and test the lives of men and the motives of their acts: cp. Zechariah 2:3. He sees the bad side of life and therefore opposes man's standing with God. Naturally the constant discovery of evil motives underlying good actions has destroyed his faith in human nature. He is not represented as opposed to God, he is rather His loyal servant, who will not see His kindness abused, and zealously fulfils his duties by leaving no part of the earth unvisited. Malignant motives are, however, already attributed to him; he seems to delight in opposing men, and tortures Job without compunction to justify his own cynicism. But he is not yet regarded as a fallen and evil being, opposed to God. The personality and character of the Devil had not yet been fully revealed.

9-12. In answer to God's challenge the Satan makes the slanderous suggestion that Job's religion is based on selfishness. He serves God for reward. The Satan obtains leave to put Job to the test.