Job 1:17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Original Language Analysis
ע֣וֹד׀
H5750
ע֣וֹד׀
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מְדַבֵּ֗ר
While he was yet speaking
H1696
מְדַבֵּ֗ר
While he was yet speaking
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 25
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְזֶה֮
H2088
כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים
The Chaldeans
H3778
כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים
The Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
7 of 25
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
שָׂ֣מוּ׀
made out
H7760
שָׂ֣מוּ׀
made out
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
8 of 25
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
9 of 25
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
רָאשִׁ֗ים
bands
H7218
רָאשִׁ֗ים
bands
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
10 of 25
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ
and fell
H6584
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ
and fell
Strong's:
H6584
Word #:
11 of 25
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיִּקָּח֔וּם
and have carried them away
H3947
וַיִּקָּח֔וּם
and have carried them away
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
14 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
the servants
H5288
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
the servants
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
16 of 25
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
הִכּ֣וּ
yea and slain
H5221
הִכּ֣וּ
yea and slain
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
17 of 25
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
לְפִי
with the edge
H6310
לְפִי
with the edge
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
18 of 25
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
19 of 25
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה
and I only am escaped
H4422
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה
and I only am escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
רַק
H7535
רַק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
לְבַדִּ֖י
H905
לְבַדִּ֖י
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
Historical Context
Houses in the ancient Near East, particularly those hosting feasts, were substantial structures. A wind strong enough to collapse such a building would be recognized as an extraordinary event, contributing to the perception of divine causation.
Questions for Reflection
- What would it cost you to say with Job, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away'?
- How do you guard against idolizing family above God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The final material loss—his children—represents the crescendo of Job's trial. The house collapse during a windstorm from the wilderness demonstrates that even the venue of family fellowship becomes an instrument of loss. The death of all ten children at once surpasses the material losses, testing whether Job's worship depends on God's gifts or God Himself. This anticipates Christ's teaching that we must love God more than even our closest family (Matthew 10:37).