Job 1:19-21

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 1:19

And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness ; rather, from across the wilderness —a wind which began in the region lying on the other side of the wilderness, and sweeping across it, came with full force upon the inhabited tract where Job and his sons were dwelling. The desert winds are often very violent. Generally they are Laden with heavy clouds of fine sand, which cause intolerable discomfort and thirst; but when they sweep over a rocky and gravelly region, they are simply... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:20

Then Job arose . Not till the last calamity was announced did Job stir. The loss of his wealth little moved him. But when he heard that his children were destroyed, all of them "at one fell swoop," then he could endure no longer, but rose from the seat on which he was sitting, and showed forth his grief. First he rent his mantle , "the outer robe worn by men of rank" (Cook)—a customary sign of grief in the ancient world ( Genesis 37:29 , Genesis 37:34 ; Genesis 44:13 ; 1 Kings 21:27... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:20-22

The triumph of faith. The trial in its great severity has fallen upon Job. His oxen and asses have been rapaciously torn away from him by the Sabeans; many of his servants have been slain with the edge of the sword; the fire of God has consumed the sheep and the shepherds who took charge of them; the camels the Chaldeans have stolen, and slain the camel-keepers; the house of the eldest son, in which Job's sons and daughters were feasting, has been smitten by a great wind, and it has fallen,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither . There is some difficulty in the word "thither," since no man returns to his mother's womb ( John 3:4 ), at death or otherwise. The expression must not be pressed. It arises out of the analogy, constantly felt and acknowledged, between "mother" earth and a man's actual mother (setup. Psalms 129:1-8 :15). The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away . Job is here represented as knowing God by his name... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:21-22

Job's resignation. We cannot but be struck with the magnificent calmness of Job after receiving the successive blows of unprecedented calamities. He is not stunned; he is not distracted. He possesses his soul in patience. With a singular dignity of bearing he is seen to be greater now in his calamity than ever he appeared when at the height of success. I. HOW JOB BEHAVED . 1 . He mourned . This was natural, reasonable, and right. He would have been less than mall if he had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 1:19

There came a great wind - Such tornadoes are not less common in Oriental countries than in the United States. Indeed they abound more in regions near the equator than they do in those which are more remote; in hot countries than in those of higher latitude.From the wilderness - Margin, “From aside.” That is, from aside the wilderness. The word here rendered “from aside” in the margin (מדבר mı̂dbâr ) means properly “from across,” and is so rendered by Dr. Good. The word עבר ‛âbar means... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 1:20

Then Job arose - The phrase to arise, in the Scriptures is often used in the sense of beginning to do anything. It does not necessarily imply that the person had been previously sitting; see 2 Samuel 13:13.And rent his mantle - The word here rendered “mantle” מעיל me‛ı̂yl means an upper or outer garment. The dress of Orientals consists principally of an under garment or tunic - not materially differing from the “shirt” with us - except that the sleeves are wider, and under this large and loose... read more

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