Job 1:13-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:6-19

The trial of the righteous man. The central subject of this book is the trial of the righteous man. Job is acknowledged of God to be "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil." Yet he is tried, and tried sorely, and by permission of God. The difficulty to be solved by the history of Job is—How can it come to pass that the righteous suffer? To what end is this permitted? The trial of Job is divided into two parts—the first is briefly recounted, it contains the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house . One of the birthdays, the eldest brother's probably, had come round, and the ordinary gathering (see Job 1:4 ) had taken place—the feasting and drinking had begun, while the father, remaining in his own house, was perhaps interceding with God for his children, or anxiously considering the possibility that, in their light-hearted merriment, they might have put God away... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13-19

Job's unparalleled calamities. Everything is done to heighten and intensify the impression of Job's calamities. Let us note their salient features. I. THEY OCCUR AT A SEASON OF FESTIVITY . It was a feast-day, and Job's whole family was gathered together in his eldest son's house. Then of all times the affectionate father would be least prepared for ominous rumours of calamity. The thunderbolt fell from the cloudless blue sky. Without a note of warning, the fearful storm burnt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13-22

The first trial of the patriarch. I. THE PREPARATION FOR THE TRIAL . The patriarch at the height of his prosperity. The season pitched upon for making an assault upon the patriarch was a day of: 1 . Festive rejoicing ; when the patriarch's family were convened at a banquet of unusual magnificence, "eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;" such a sumptuous entertainment doubtless as became the firstborn to provide. 2 . Busy industry ; when the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13-22

The invasion of trouble, and its first effect on Job. The lessons on which we have been dwelling, and on which Job had doubtless deeply meditated in the leisure of his prosperous days, were now to receive the illustration of actual experience. A series of waves breaks in upon his peaceful home and heart, and, in the space of a few short hours, turns the smiling scene into utter desolation. We may notice in the story the following points: the calamities of Job, and their first effect upon his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:14

And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were ploughing, and the asses (literally, the she-asses ) feeding beside them (literally, at their hand ) . Note that, notwithstanding the festival, labour was still going on; there was no general holiday; the oxen were at work in the field, not perhaps all of them, but the greater number, for the ploughing-time is short in the Oriental countries, and the "earing" is all done at the same time. The bulk of Job's labourers were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:15

And the Sabeans (literally, Sheba) fell upon them, and took them away . The Sabeans were the principal people of Arabia in ancient times, and the name seems to be used sometimes in the general sense of "Arabs" (see Psalms 72:10 , Psalms 72:15 ; Jeremiah 6:20 ). We may suppose that hem, either the general sense is intended, or, if the specific one, then that, at the date whereto the story of Job belongs, there were Sabeans in Eastern as well as in Southern Arabia, in the neighbourhood... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:16

While he was yet speaking ; literally, he yet speaking ; ἔτι τούτον λαλοῦντος , LXX . The writer hurries his words to express the rapidity with which one announcement followed another (see Job 1:17 , Job 1:18 ). There came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven. "The fire of God" is undoubtedly lightning (comp. Numbers 11:1-3 ; 2 Kings 1:10 , 2 Kings 1:14 ; Psalms 78:21 ). This Satan, under permission, might wield, as being "the prince of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 1:13

And there was a day - That is, on the day on which the regular turn came for the banquet to be held in the house of the older brother; compare the notes at Job 1:4.And drinking wine - This circumstance is omitted in Job 1:4. It shows that wine was regarded as an essential part of the banquet, and it was from its use that Job apprehended the unhappy results referred to in Job 1:5. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 1:14

And there came a messenger unto Job - Hebrew מלאך mal'âk; the word usually rendered “angel,” appropriately rendered “messenger” here. The word properly means “one who is sent.”The oxen were plowing - Hebrew “the cattle” (בקר bâqâr) including not merely “oxen,” but probably also “cows;” see the notes at Job 1:3.And the asses - Hebrew אתון 'âthôn “she-asses.” The “sex” is here expressly mentioned and Dr. Good maintains that it should be in the translation. So it is in the Septuagint αἱ... read more

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