Job 1:19

Authorized King James Version

And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִנֵּה֩
lo!
#2
ר֨וּחַ
wind
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#3
גְּדוֹלָ֜ה
a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#4
בָּ֣אָה׀
And behold there came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
from
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#6
הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר
the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#7
וַיִּגַּע֙
and smote
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
#8
בְּאַרְבַּע֙
the four
four
#9
פִּנּ֣וֹת
corners
an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
#10
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
and it fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
upon the young men
(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
#14
וַיָּמ֑וּתוּ
and they are dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#15
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
#16
רַק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#17
אֲנִ֛י
i
#18
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
#19
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
#20
לָֽךְ׃
H0

Analysis

Within the broader context of Job, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Job's theological argument.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection