Job 1:19

From the wilderness. Literally, “from beyond the wilderness.” The expression seems to describe a wind sweeping across the desert and coming with full force upon the inhabited area. The first and third tragedies were perpetrated by rapacious men — the Sabeans and the Chaldeans. The second and fourth tragedies resulted from fire and wind — agencies beyond human control.

Young men. Heb. ne‘arim, literally, “boys,” “youth.” Ages from infancy (Ex. 2:6) to young manhood may be comprehended. Ne‘arim is translated “servants” In Job 1:15, 16, 17. In v. 19 it includes the sons and daughters (v. 18) and the servants who attended them.

Job was given no opportunity to recover his equilibrium between blows. The poignancy of the tragedies were accentuated by the ruthless timing of the events. In a few short minutes his world collapsed.

From the wilderness. Literally, “from beyond the wilderness.” The expression seems to describe a wind sweeping across the desert and coming with hill force upon the inhabited area. The first and third tragedies were perpetrated by rapacious men — the Sabeans and the Chaldeans. The second and fourth tragedies resulted from fire and wind — agencies beyond human control.

Young men. Hebrew ne‘arim, literally, “boys,” “youth.” Ages from infancy (Exodus 2:6) to young manhood may be comprehended. Ne‘arim is translated “servants” in Job 1:15, 16, 17. In v. 19 it includes the sons and daughters (v. 18) and the servants who attended them.

Job was given no opportunity to recover his equilibrium between blows. The poignancy of the tragedies were accentuated by the ruthless timing of the events. In a few short minutes his world collapsed.