Job 1:17

17 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."

Job 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Job 1:17

While he was yet speaking, there came also another
Another messenger from another part of Job's possessions, where his camels were, and this before the last messenger had told his story out:

and said, the Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels,
and have carried them away;
these were the 3000 camels, as in ( Job 1:3 ) and perhaps they were in three separate companies and places, 1000 in each, and therefore the Chaldeans divided themselves into three bands; or "appointed three heads" F6, as it may be rendered; there were three bodies of them under so many leaders and commanders, and this was done, that they might the more easily take them; and they "diffused or spread themselves" F7, as the word signifies, upon or about the camels; they surrounded them on all sides, or otherwise, these being swift creatures, would have run away from them: these Chaldeans or Chasdim were the descendants of Chesed, a son of Nahor, who was brother to Abraham, ( Genesis 22:20 Genesis 22:22 ) , who settled in the east country, not far from Job: and this agrees with the character that Xenophon F8 gives of the Chaldeans, at least some of them, in later times; that they lived upon robbing and plundering others, having no knowledge of agriculture, but got their bread by force of arms; and such as these Satan could easily instigate to come and carry off Job's camels:

yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only am
escaped alone to tell thee; (See Gill on Job 1:15).


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (Myvar hvlv wmv) "posuerunt tria capita", Montanus, Bolducius, Schmidt; "duces", Pagninus, Vatablus.
F7 (wjvpyw) "et diffuderunt se", Mercerus, Schmidt "effuderunt se", Cocceius.
F8 Cyropaedia, l. 3. c. 11.

Job 1:17 In-Context

15 when Sabeans attacked. They stole the animals and killed the field hands. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."
16 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and fried them - burned them to a crisp. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."
17 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."
18 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother
19 when a tornado swept in off the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they died. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.