Job 1:4

4 His sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking.

Job 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

Job 1:4

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, everyone his
day
It appears by this that Job's sons were grown up to men's estate, that they were from him, and were for themselves, and carried on a separate business on their own accounts, and had houses of their own, and, perhaps, were married; and being at some distance from each other, they met by appointment at certain times in their own houses, and had friendly and family entertainments in turn; for such were their feasts, not designed for intemperance, luxury, and wantonness, for then they would not have been encouraged, nor even connived at, by Job; but to cherish love and affection, and maintain harmony and unity among themselves, which must be very pleasing to their parent; for a pleasant thing it is for any, and especially for parents, to behold brethren dwelling together in unity, ( Psalms 133:1 ) , besides, these feasts were kept, not in public houses, much less in houses of ill fame, but in their own houses, among themselves, at certain seasons, which they took in turn; and these were either at their time of sheep shearing, which was a time of feasting, ( 1 Samuel 25:2 1 Samuel 25:36 ) , or at the weaning of a child, ( Genesis 21:8 ) , or rather on each of their birthdays, which in those early times were observed, especially those of persons of figure, ( Genesis 40:20 ) , and the rather, as Job's birthday is called his day, as here, ( Job 3:1 ) ,

and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with
them;
not to make a feast in their turn, but to partake of their entertainment; which, as is commonly observed, showed humanity, kindness, tenderness, and affection in them to their sisters, to invite them to take part with them in their innocent and social recreations, and modesty in their sisters not to thrust themselves into their company, or go without an invitation; these very probably were with Job, and went to the feasts with his leave, being very likely unmarried, or otherwise their husbands would have been invited also.

Job 1:4 In-Context

2 He had seven sons and three daughters.
3 He was also very wealthy - seven thousand head of sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a huge staff of servants - the most influential man in all the East!
4 His sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking.
5 When the parties were over, Job would get up early in the morning and sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, thinking, "Maybe one of them sinned by defying God inwardly." Job made a habit of this sacrificial atonement, just in case they'd sinned. The First Test: Family and Fortune
6 One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them.
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.