Job 1:15

Job Loses His Children and Possessions · Job 1:13–22
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Translations

Modern
…the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Traditional
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.
Literal
…when the Sabeans fell on them and took them, and they struck the servants with the mouth of the sword—and only I have escaped, by myself alone, to declare it to you.”
Latin
…et irruerunt Sabæi, tuleruntque omnia, et pueros percusserunt gladio: et evasi ego solus, ut nuntiarem tibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
…the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

Notes

The Sabeans were tribes who raided from the desert (compare Judges 6:3). By the 700s BC, the southern Sabeans became a powerful nation. They traded in gold, precious stones, sweet smelling liquids, and slaves (see Psalm 72:10; Isaiah 43:3; 45:14; 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20).

  • These attacks took away the blessings listed in 1:2–3. Job was left with four messengers who came to report terrible news and a wife who gave poor advice.

  • The phrase "While he was still speaking" emphasizes the repeated nature of the attacks (see Jeremiah 51:31). The phrase "I alone have escaped to tell you" emphasizes the complete destruction of Job’s resources.

God and Satan agree to test Job, which causes his troubles and confirms his integrity (1:20–21; 2:10). None of the book's characters ever learn of this council in heaven.

Theme notes and profiles

Satan God or Satan?

Events

People

Sheba: Descendants of Cush, known for wealth and trade

Glossary

Book of Job Sabeans Uz (Place)

Topics

Job: A Man Who Lived in Uz: Trial of, by Affliction of Satan Resignation: Exemplified Resignation: Loss of Goods Sabeans: A People Who Invaded the Land of Uz Temptation: A Test