Translations
Modern
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Traditional
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Literal
Still this one was speaking, when this one came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and it consumed them—and only I have escaped, by myself alone, to declare it to you.”
Latin
Cumque adhuc ille loqueretur, venit alter, et dixit: Ignis Dei cecidit e cælo, et tactas oves puerosque consumpsit: et effugi ego solus, ut nuntiarem tibi.
Original
Hebrew
English
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Notes
The fire of God … from heaven: This might have been lightning, fire in the desert, or the activity of a volcano (20:26; Leviticus 10:2; 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10–14; Numbers 11:1–3; Genesis 19:24).
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.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
Glossary
Topics
Job: A Man Who Lived in Uz: Trial of, by Affliction of Satan Resignation: Exemplified Resignation: Loss of Goods Temptation: A Test