Job 1:16

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.

While he was yet speaking {H1696}, there came {H935} also another, and said {H559}, The fire {H784} of God {H430} is fallen {H5307} from heaven {H8064}, and hath burned up {H1197} the sheep {H6629}, and the servants {H5288}, and consumed {H398} them; and I only am escaped {H4422} alone to tell {H5046} thee.

While he was still speaking, another one came and said, "Fire from God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants; it completely destroyed them, and I'm the only one who escaped to tell you."

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: โ€œThe fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!โ€

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.

Commentary

Job 1:16 KJV describes the second devastating blow to Job, following immediately on the heels of the first. This verse intensifies the narrative of Job's sudden and immense suffering, showcasing the relentless nature of the calamities unleashed upon him.

Context

This verse is part of a rapid succession of tragic news delivered to Job. Just as the first messenger finished reporting the loss of oxen, donkeys, and servants to the Sabeans (Job 1:15), a second messenger arrives with even more shocking news. This immediate sequence of disasters is designed to maximize Job's emotional and spiritual distress, leaving him no time to process one loss before facing another. The preceding verses in Job 1 establish Job as a righteous and blameless man (Job 1:1) and reveal that these trials are occurring with God's permission as part of a cosmic test initiated by Satan (Job 1:12).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Attribution of Calamity: The messenger attributes the destruction to "the fire of God." This phrase, 'esh 'Elohim (ืึตืฉื ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื) in Hebrew, literally means "fire of God" and often refers to lightning or fire from heaven. In the ancient Near East, such phenomena were frequently seen as direct manifestations of divine action or judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24. While the reader knows Satan is the immediate orchestrator, the common understanding of the time would attribute such a powerful natural disaster to God.
  • Sudden and Total Loss: The fire consumed "the sheep, and the servants." This represents a significant loss of Job's wealth (sheep were a major asset) and human life, adding to the previous losses. The phrase "I only am escaped alone to tell thee" underscores the complete devastation, leaving no other survivors to corroborate the story or share the grief.
  • Relentless Nature of Trials: The rapid succession of messengers and disasters highlights the intensity and overwhelming nature of Job's trials. This immediate, back-to-back suffering is a crucial element in the test of his faith.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "fire of God" is 'esh 'Elohim (ืึตืฉื ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื). While it can literally mean lightning or a powerful natural fire, its use here carries theological weight, implying a divine origin or agency behind the destructive event. This is distinct from human-caused destruction, emphasizing the seemingly supernatural force at play.

Practical Application

Job's experience in this verse reminds us that:

  • Calamities Can Strike Unexpectedly: Life's greatest challenges often come without warning and can be overwhelming in their speed and severity.
  • Our Interpretation of Suffering Matters: Like the messenger, we may attribute suffering directly to God's hand. The book of Job challenges us to look beyond immediate appearances and consider the deeper spiritual realities, even when we don't fully understand them.
  • Resilience in Adversity: Job's story, beginning with these severe losses, is a profound study in how a righteous person responds when everything is stripped away. It encourages us to maintain faith and integrity even amidst extreme adversity, trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty and goodness, even when His ways are mysterious (Job 13:15).

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 19:24

    ยถ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

  • 2 Kings 1:12

    And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I [be] a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

  • Revelation 13:13

    And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

  • 1 Kings 18:38

    Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that [was] in the trench.

  • Leviticus 10:2

    And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

  • Numbers 11:1

    ยถ And [when] the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard [it]; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed [them that were] in the uttermost parts of the camp.

  • Numbers 11:3

    And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.