Job 1:5

Authorized King James Version

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְהִ֡י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִקִּיפוּ֩

H5362

were gone about

to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to knock together, i.e., surround or circulate

הַיָּמִֽים׃

H3117

And it was so when the days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֜ה

H4960

of their feasting

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אִיּ֖וֹב

H347

Job

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

וַֽיְקַדְּשֵׁ֗ם

H6942

and sanctified

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וְהִשְׁכִּ֣ים

H7925

them and rose up early

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

#10

בַּבֹּקֶר֮

H1242

in the morning

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

#11

וְהֶֽעֱלָ֣ה

H5927

and offered

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#12

עֹלוֹת֮

H5930

burnt offerings

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#13

מִסְפַּ֣ר

H4557

according to the number

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

#14

כֻּלָּם֒

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

כִּ֚י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#16

אָמַ֣ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#17

אִיּ֖וֹב

H347

Job

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

#18

אוּלַי֙

H194

It may be

if not; hence perhaps

#19

חָֽטְא֣וּ

H2398

have sinned

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

#20

בָנַ֔י

H1121

that my sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#21

וּבֵרֲכ֥וּ

H1288

and cursed

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

#22

אֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#23

בִּלְבָבָ֑ם

H3824

in their hearts

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#24

כָּ֛כָה

H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

#25

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה

H6213

Thus did

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#26

אִיּ֖וֹב

H347

Job

ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience

#27

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#28

הַיָּמִֽים׃

H3117

And it was so when the days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Job. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

How does this verse's literary context within Job chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?