Job 1:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֡י
H1961
וַיְהִ֡י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִקִּיפוּ֩
were gone about
H5362
הִקִּיפוּ֩
were gone about
Strong's:
H5362
Word #:
3 of 28
to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to knock together, i.e., surround or circulate
הַיָּמִֽים׃
And it was so when the days
H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃
And it was so when the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 28
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
of their feasting
H4960
הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֜ה
of their feasting
Strong's:
H4960
Word #:
5 of 28
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 28
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַֽיְקַדְּשֵׁ֗ם
and sanctified
H6942
וַֽיְקַדְּשֵׁ֗ם
and sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
8 of 28
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
וְהִשְׁכִּ֣ים
them and rose up early
H7925
וְהִשְׁכִּ֣ים
them and rose up early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
9 of 28
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
בַּבֹּקֶר֮
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּקֶר֮
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
10 of 28
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְהֶֽעֱלָ֣ה
and offered
H5927
וְהֶֽעֱלָ֣ה
and offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
11 of 28
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹלוֹת֮
burnt offerings
H5930
עֹלוֹת֮
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
12 of 28
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
מִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
H4557
מִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
13 of 28
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
כֻּלָּם֒
H3605
כֻּלָּם֒
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חָֽטְא֣וּ
have sinned
H2398
חָֽטְא֣וּ
have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
19 of 28
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
בָנַ֔י
that my sons
H1121
בָנַ֔י
that my sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
20 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבֵרֲכ֥וּ
and cursed
H1288
וּבֵרֲכ֥וּ
and cursed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
21 of 28
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
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
22 of 28
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
כָּ֛כָה
H3602
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
Thus did
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
Thus did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
25 of 28
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Job 42:8Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.Genesis 8:20And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.Job 8:4If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;1 Samuel 16:5And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;Genesis 22:3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.Acts 8:22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.1 Kings 21:10And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.1 Kings 21:13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
Historical Context
During the patriarchal period, the family patriarch functioned as priest, offering burnt offerings for purification. This practice predates the Levitical priesthood by centuries, showing the universal need for atonement.
Questions for Reflection
- How consistently do you intercede for your family's spiritual welfare?
- What does Job's concern about secret sin teach us about God's knowledge of our hearts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Job's intercessory role prefigures Christ's priestly work. The Hebrew 'qadash' (sanctified) indicates covenant purification through sacrifice. Job's concern that his children might have 'cursed God in their hearts' reveals profound spiritual insight—sin begins in the heart (Matthew 15:19), and only substitutionary atonement can cleanse it. This foreshadows the perfect High Priest who continually intercedes for His people (Hebrews 7:25).