King James Version

What Does Job 1:17 Mean?

Job 1:17 in the King James Version says “While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the came... — study this verse from Job chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. fell: Heb. rushed

Job 1:17 · KJV


Context

15

And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. The fire: or, A great fire

17

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. fell: Heb. rushed

18

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

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. from: Heb. from aside, etc


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The final material loss—his children—represents the crescendo of Job's trial. The house collapse during a windstorm from the wilderness demonstrates that even the venue of family fellowship becomes an instrument of loss. The death of all ten children at once surpasses the material losses, testing whether Job's worship depends on God's gifts or God Himself. This anticipates Christ's teaching that we must love God more than even our closest family (Matthew 10:37).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Houses in the ancient Near East, particularly those hosting feasts, were substantial structures. A wind strong enough to collapse such a building would be recognized as an extraordinary event, contributing to the perception of divine causation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What would it cost you to say with Job, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away'?
  2. How do you guard against idolizing family above God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
ע֣וֹד׀1 of 25
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

זֶ֣ה2 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מְדַבֵּ֗ר3 of 25

While he was yet speaking

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וְזֶה֮4 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בָּ֣א5 of 25

there came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיֹּאמַר֒6 of 25

also another and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים7 of 25

The Chaldeans

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

שָׂ֣מוּ׀8 of 25

made out

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה9 of 25

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

רָאשִׁ֗ים10 of 25

bands

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ11 of 25

and fell

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

עַל12 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַגְּמַלִּים֙13 of 25

upon the camels

H1581

a camel

וַיִּקָּח֔וּם14 of 25

and have carried them away

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְאֶת15 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַנְּעָרִ֖ים16 of 25

the servants

H5288

(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

הִכּ֣וּ17 of 25

yea and slain

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

לְפִי18 of 25

with the edge

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

חָ֑רֶב19 of 25

of the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה20 of 25

and I only am escaped

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

רַק21 of 25
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אֲנִ֛י22 of 25
H589

i

לְבַדִּ֖י23 of 25
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

לְהַגִּ֥יד24 of 25

alone to tell

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לָֽךְ׃25 of 25
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 1:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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