King James Version

What Does Job 1:19 Mean?

Job 1:19 in the King James Version says “And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the ...” — study this verse from Job chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Job 1:19 · KJV

Context

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

20

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, mantle: or, robe

21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's loss of all his children inform how you would respond to losing a loved one?
  2. What does this verse teach about the limits of Satan's power even when God grants permission to attack?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהִנֵּה֩1 of 20
H2009

lo!

ר֨וּחַ2 of 20

“wind”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

גְּדוֹלָ֜ה3 of 20

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בָּ֣אָה׀4 of 20

“And behold there came”

H935

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

מֵעֵ֣בֶר5 of 20

“from”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר6 of 20

“the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וַיִּגַּע֙7 of 20

“and smote”

H5060

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

בְּאַרְבַּע֙8 of 20

“the four”

H702

four

פִּנּ֣וֹת9 of 20

“corners”

H6438

an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain

הַבַּ֔יִת10 of 20

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַיִּפֹּ֥ל11 of 20

“and it fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל12 of 20
H5921

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

הַנְּעָרִ֖ים13 of 20

“upon the young men”

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

וַיָּמ֑וּתוּ14 of 20

“and they are dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה15 of 20

“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

רַק16 of 20
H7535

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

אֲנִ֛י17 of 20
H589

i

לְבַדִּ֖י18 of 20
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

לְהַגִּ֥יד19 of 20

“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׃20 of 20
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 1:19 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 1:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 28:4Judges 16:301 Kings 20:30Genesis 37:32-33Genesis 42:36Luke 13:1-5

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