Job 1:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
ר֨וּחַ
wind
H7307
ר֨וּחַ
wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
2 of 20
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
גְּדוֹלָ֜ה
a great
H1419
גְּדוֹלָ֜ה
a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
3 of 20
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
בָּ֣אָה׀
And behold there came
H935
בָּ֣אָה׀
And behold there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
from
H5676
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
from
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר
the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר
the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
6 of 20
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַיִּגַּע֙
and smote
H5060
וַיִּגַּע֙
and smote
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
7 of 20
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
פִּנּ֣וֹת
corners
H6438
פִּנּ֣וֹת
corners
Strong's:
H6438
Word #:
9 of 20
an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
H1004
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
and it fell
H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
and it fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
11 of 20
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
upon the young men
H5288
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
upon the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
13 of 20
(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
וַיָּמ֑וּתוּ
and they are dead
H4191
וַיָּמ֑וּתוּ
and they are dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 20
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה
and I only am escaped
H4422
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה
and I only am escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
15 of 20
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 #:
16 of 20
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
לְבַדִּ֖י
H905
לְבַדִּ֖י
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Desert winds in the ancient Near East could reach tremendous velocities, capable of structural destruction. The timing—during the family feast—maximizes the tragedy by killing all the children simultaneously.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's loss of all his children inform how you would respond to losing a loved one?
- What does this verse teach about the limits of Satan's power even when God grants permission to attack?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The wind from the wilderness represents the culminating blow—all ten children perishing together. The Hebrew 'ruach' (wind/spirit) can signify both natural wind and spiritual agency, suggesting Satan's limited power to employ natural forces. Yet even this operates under God's sovereign permission. The death of Job's children tests whether his worship in verse 5 was genuine or merely protective superstition.