Job 1:14
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
Original Language Analysis
וּמַלְאָ֛ךְ
a messenger
H4397
וּמַלְאָ֛ךְ
a messenger
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
1 of 12
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
בָּ֥א
And there came
H935
בָּ֥א
And there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַבָּקָר֙
The oxen
H1241
הַבָּקָר֙
The oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
6 of 12
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
חֹֽרְשׁ֔וֹת
were plowing
H2790
חֹֽרְשׁ֔וֹת
were plowing
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
8 of 12
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
רֹע֥וֹת
feeding
H7462
רֹע֥וֹת
feeding
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
10 of 12
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
Historical Context
The Sabeans (from Sheba in Arabia) were known traders who occasionally conducted raids. Their attack on Job's agricultural wealth was both strategic and devastating, targeting oxen and donkeys essential for farming.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when human evil brings suffering into your life?
- What purpose might God have in ensuring we fully understand our losses?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Sabeans' raid demonstrates that human wickedness serves as the immediate cause while God remains the ultimate sovereign. The messenger's survival to report the news follows the pattern throughout this chapter—one witness remains to multiply Job's grief. This reveals how God ordains even the manner in which trials come, ensuring Job receives full knowledge of his losses while preventing any immediate verification or false hope.