Job 1:15

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.

And the Sabeans {H7614} fell {H5307} upon them, and took them away {H3947}; yea, they have slain {H5221} the servants {H5288} with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}; and I only am escaped {H4422} alone to tell {H5046} thee.

when a raiding party from Sh'va came and carried them off; they put the servants to the sword too, and I'm the only one who escaped to tell you."

the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!โ€

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Job 1:15

This verse delivers the first of four devastating reports that quickly strip Job of his immense wealth and family, initiating the profound test of his faith. The context for this sudden calamity is established in the preceding verses, where Satan challenges God concerning Job's integrity, asserting that Job's righteousness is merely a product of his prosperity.

Context

Prior to this, Job was described as the wealthiest man in the East, possessing vast herds of oxen and donkeys (mentioned in Job 1:14) and numerous servants. The specific events leading up to this verse include Job's children feasting in their eldest brother's house, as described in Job 1:13. The arrival of the lone messenger, having escaped the attack, signifies the immediate onset of Job's suffering, a direct fulfillment of Satan's allowed action.

Key Themes

  • Sudden Calamity: The verse vividly portrays the abrupt and unexpected nature of disaster. Life can change in an instant, highlighting the fragility of worldly security.
  • Devastating Loss: Job loses a significant portion of his livestock and the lives of many servants in a single, brutal attack. This foreshadows the greater losses to come, including his children.
  • The Instrument of Suffering: The "Sabeans" (likely nomadic raiders from Sheba in Arabia) are the human agents of this destruction. They are depicted as ruthless, slaying the servants "with the edge of the sword," emphasizing the violence and finality of the attack.
  • The Sole Survivor: The phrase "I only am escaped alone to tell thee" becomes a chilling refrain throughout Job 1, as each messenger delivers news of a different catastrophe, emphasizing the completeness of the destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "fell upon them" translates the Hebrew verb ื ึธืคึทืœ (naphal), which means to "fall," but in this context, it implies a sudden, violent attack or ambush. The "edge of the sword" is a common biblical idiom (Hebrew: ืคึผึดื™ ื—ึถืจึถื‘, pi cherev, literally "mouth of the sword") signifying a swift and deadly execution by blade, underscoring the merciless nature of the Sabean raid.

Practical Application

Job 1:15 serves as a stark reminder that life is unpredictable and that even the most righteous individuals can experience inexplicable and sudden suffering. For believers, it sets the stage for examining how faith endures when everything is stripped away. It challenges us to consider our own reactions when unexpected tragedy strikes and to remember that God remains sovereign even when the immediate cause of our distress appears to be human malice or natural disaster. This verse begins the narrative of Job's profound test, inviting us to reflect on the source of our trust and the nature of true devotion when faced with adversity, as Job remarkably demonstrates in his initial response to overwhelming loss.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 10:7

    And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

  • Job 6:19

    The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

  • Job 1:19

    And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

  • 1 Samuel 22:20

    ยถ And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

  • 1 Samuel 22:21

    And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.

  • Psalms 72:10

    The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

  • Genesis 25:3

    And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.