Footnote

b The Jewish Encyclopedia claims that Satan in this account “can not be regarded . . . as an opponent of the Deity,” even going so far as to call him a “member of the divine council who watches over human activity.” The New Catholic Encyclopedia similarly says that Satan performed his accusatory role “as a function on behalf of God”! But if Satan was really on a mission from God, why would God ask, “Where do you come from?”​—Job 1:7.