Job 1:17

17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger came. He said, "The Chaldeans separated themselves into three groups. They attacked your camels and carried them off. They killed the rest of the servants with their swords. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Job 1:17

While he was yet speaking, there came also another
Another messenger from another part of Job's possessions, where his camels were, and this before the last messenger had told his story out:

and said, the Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels,
and have carried them away;
these were the 3000 camels, as in ( Job 1:3 ) and perhaps they were in three separate companies and places, 1000 in each, and therefore the Chaldeans divided themselves into three bands; or "appointed three heads" ^F6, as it may be rendered; there were three bodies of them under so many leaders and commanders, and this was done, that they might the more easily take them; and they "diffused or spread themselves" ^F7, as the word signifies, upon or about the camels; they surrounded them on all sides, or otherwise, these being swift creatures, would have run away from them: these Chaldeans or Chasdim were the descendants of Chesed, a son of Nahor, who was brother to Abraham, ( Genesis 22:20 Genesis 22:22 ) , who settled in the east country, not far from Job: and this agrees with the character that Xenophon ^F8 gives of the Chaldeans, at least some of them, in later times; that they lived upon robbing and plundering others, having no knowledge of agriculture, but got their bread by force of arms; and such as these Satan could easily instigate to come and carry off Job's camels:

yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only am
escaped alone to tell thee; (See Gill on Job 1:15).

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (Myvar hvlv wmv) "posuerunt tria capita", Montanus, Bolducius, Schmidt; "duces", Pagninus, Vatablus.
F7 (wjvpyw) "et diffuderunt se", Mercerus, Schmidt "effuderunt se", Cocceius.
F8 Cyropaedia, l. 3. c. 11.

Job 1:17 In-Context

15 Then the Sabeans attacked us and carried the animals off. They killed some of the servants with their swords. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

16 While he was still speaking, a second messenger came. He said, "God sent lightning from the sky. It struck the sheep and killed them. It burned up some of the servants. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger came. He said, "The Chaldeans separated themselves into three groups. They attacked your camels and carried them off. They killed the rest of the servants with their swords. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

18 While he was still speaking, a fourth messenger came. He said, "Your sons and daughters were at their oldest brother's house. They were enjoying good food and drinking wine.

19 Suddenly a strong wind blew in from the desert. It struck the four corners of the house. The house fell down on your children. Now all of them are dead. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you!"