Iyov 1:17

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Kasdim (Chaldeans) formed shloshah rashim, and fell upon the gemalim and have carried them away, yea and slain the na’arim with the edge of the cherev; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Iyov 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.

Iyov 1:17 In-Context

15 And the Sabeans attacked, and took them away; yea, they have slain the na’arim with the edge of the cherev; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The eish Elohim is fallen from Shomayim, and hath burned up the tzon, and the na’arim, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Kasdim (Chaldeans) formed shloshah rashim, and fell upon the gemalim and have carried them away, yea and slain the na’arim with the edge of the cherev; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy banim and thy banot were eating and drinking yayin in the bais achihem habechor;
19 And, hinei, there came a ruach gedolah from the midbar, and struck the arbah pinot (four corners) of the bais, and it fell upon the na’arim, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.