Job 1:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ע֣וֹד׀
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#2
זֶ֣ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#3
מְדַבֵּ֗ר
While he was yet speaking
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#4
וְזֶה֮
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#5
בָּ֣א
there came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
וַיֹּאמַר֒
also another and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים
The Chaldeans
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
#8
שָׂ֣מוּ׀
made out
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#9
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#10
רָאשִׁ֗ים
bands
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#11
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ
and fell
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הַגְּמַלִּים֙
upon the camels
a camel
#14
וַיִּקָּח֔וּם
and have carried them away
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#15
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
the servants
(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
#17
הִכּ֣וּ
yea and slain
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#18
לְפִי
with the edge
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#19
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#20
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה
and I only am escaped
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
#21
רַק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#22
אֲנִ֛י
i
#23
לְבַדִּ֖י
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#24
לְהַגִּ֥יד
alone to tell
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#25
לָֽךְ׃
H0

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection