Albert Barnes Commentary Job 1:11

"But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face." — Job 1:11 (ASV)

But put forth thine hand now - That is, for the purpose of injuring him and taking away his property.

And touch all that he hath - Dr. Good renders this, “and smite.” The Vulgate and the Septuagint, “touch.” The Hebrew word used here, נגע nâga‛, properly means “to touch.” It can then mean to touch anyone with violence (Genesis 26:11; Joshua 9:19), and then to smite, to injure, or to strike (see Genesis 32:26, 32:32; 1 Samuel 6:9; Job 19:21; compare the notes at Isaiah 53:4).

In this context, it evidently means to smite or strike. The idea is that if God were to take away Job’s property, Job’s religion would depart with it. The trial was to see whether this effect would follow.

And he will curse thee to thy face - This means he will do it openly and publicly. The word rendered “curse” here, ברך bārak, is the same word used in Job 1:5, where it is usually rendered “bless” (see the notes at Job 1:5).

Dr. Good contends that it should be rendered “bless” here and translates it as a question: “Will he then, indeed, bless thee to thy face?” But in this interpretation, he probably stands alone.

The evident sense is that Job would openly renounce God and curse him on his throne; that all his religion was caused merely by his abundant prosperity and was mere gratitude and selfishness; and that if his property were taken away, he would become the open and avowed enemy of him who was now his benefactor.