Job 1:17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

◄ Job 1:17 ►

New International Version
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

New Living Translation
While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

English Standard Version
While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Berean Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

King James Bible
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

New King James Version
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

New American Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three units and made a raid on the camels and took them, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

NASB 1995
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

NASB 1977
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans set up three companies and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the young men with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Amplified Bible
While he was still speaking, another [messenger] also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and have taken them away and have killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Christian Standard Bible
That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

American Standard Version
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Contemporary English Version
Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

English Revised Version
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While he was still speaking, another [messenger] came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three companies and made a raid on the camels. They took the camels and massacred the servants. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you."

Good News Translation
Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

International Standard Version
While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "The Chaldeans formed three companies, raided the camels, captured the servants, and killed them with swords. Only I alone escaped to tell you."

Majority Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: ?The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!?

NET Bible
While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I--only I alone--escaped to tell you!"

New Heart English Bible
While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "The Kasdim made three bands, and swept down on the camels, and have taken them away, and killed the young men with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

Webster's Bible Translation
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped alone to tell thee.

World English Bible
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans made three bands, and swept down on the camels, and have taken them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
While this [one] is speaking another also has come and says, “Chaldeans made three heads, and rush on the camels, and take them, and they have struck the young men by the mouth of the sword, and I have escaped—only I alone—to declare [it] to you.”

Young's Literal Translation
While this one is speaking another also hath come and saith, 'Chaldeans made three heads, and rush on the camels, and take them, and the young men they have smitten by the mouth of the sword, and I am escaped -- only I alone -- to declare it to thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
This one yet speaking, and this came, and he will say, The Chaldeans set three heads, and they invaded upon the camels, and they will take them, and they struck the young men with the mouth of the sword; and I shall escape, only I alone, to announce to thee.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And while he also was yet speaking, there came another, and said: The Chaldeans made three troops, and have fallen upon the camels, and taken them, moreover they have slain the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And while he also was still speaking, another arrived, and he said, “The Chaldeans organized three attacks, and advanced on the camels and took them; and not only that, but they have struck the servants with the sword; and I alone fled to tell you.”

New American Bible
He was still speaking when another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put the servants to the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

New Revised Standard Version
While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, made a raid on the camels and carried them off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said to him, The Chaldeans divided themselves into three bands, and raided the camels, and carried them away, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped to inform you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And while he was speaking, another came and said to him: “Chaldeans were divided up to three parts and they fell on the camels and they drove them and the young men they murdered by the sword, and I escaped alone that I may tell you!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said: 'The Chaldeans set themselves in three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
While he was yet speaking, there came another messenger, and said to Job, The horsemen formed three companies against us, and surrounded the camels, and took them for a prey, and slew the servants with the sword; and I only escaped, and am come to tell thee.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Job Loses His Children and Possessions
…16While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 11:14-25
Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. / Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom. ...

2 Kings 24:2
And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 35:11
So when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched into the land, we said: ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem to escape the armies of the Chaldeans and the Arameans.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”

1 Samuel 13:17-18
And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual, / another toward Beth-horon, and the third down the border road overlooking the Valley of Zeboim facing the wilderness.

Isaiah 13:5
They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country.

Ezekiel 23:23
the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them—all desirable young men, governors and commanders, officers and men of renown, mounted on horses.

Genesis 10:7
The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

Genesis 25:13
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

Judges 6:3
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,

2 Chronicles 21:16-17
Then the LORD stirred against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and Arabs who lived near the Cushites. / So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.

Jeremiah 49:28-29
Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’

Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Acts 8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 26:10-11
And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

2 Corinthians 11:24-25
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

Treasury of Scripture

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell on the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.

The Chaldeans.

Genesis 11:28
And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.

Isaiah 23:13
Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.

Habakkuk 1:6
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

fell.

Job 1:15
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

2 Samuel 1:3
And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

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Alone Bands Camels Carried Chaldeans Edge Escaped Fell Killed Servants Slain Speaking Swept Sword Themselves Three

Job 1

1. The holiness, riches, and reverent care of Job for his children.
6. Satan, appearing before God, obtains leave to afflict Job.
13. Understanding of the loss of his children and goods, in his mourning Job blesses God.

Berean Study Bible

While he was still speaking
This phrase indicates the rapid succession of calamities that befell Job. The Hebrew word for "still" (עוֹד, 'od) emphasizes the immediacy and relentless nature of Job's trials. It suggests a sense of overwhelming disaster, where one piece of bad news follows another without pause, testing Job's faith and endurance.

another messenger came and reported
The arrival of "another messenger" signifies the continuation of Job's trials. The Hebrew word for "messenger" (מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh) can also mean "angel," but here it refers to a human bearer of news. This highlights the role of messengers in ancient times as vital conveyors of information, often bringing news of significant events or changes.

The Chaldeans
The Chaldeans were a Semitic people known for their military prowess and later became synonymous with the Babylonians. Historically, they were known for their raids and conquests. In the context of Job, they represent external threats and the unpredictability of life, serving as instruments in the testing of Job's faith.

formed three bands
The strategic formation of "three bands" indicates a well-planned and coordinated attack. The number three often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting the thoroughness of the Chaldeans' raid. This detail underscores the severity of the loss Job experienced, as it was not a random act but a calculated assault.

raided the camels
Camels were valuable assets in the ancient Near East, used for transportation and trade. The loss of camels would have been a significant economic blow to Job, affecting his wealth and status. This phrase highlights the material aspect of Job's suffering, as he loses not only his possessions but also his means of livelihood.

and took them away
The phrase "took them away" emphasizes the totality of the loss. The Hebrew verb (לָקַח, laqach) implies a forceful taking, leaving Job with nothing. This act of taking away reflects the theme of loss and the transient nature of earthly possessions, reminding believers of the importance of spiritual wealth over material wealth.

They put the servants to the sword
This phrase describes the brutal killing of Job's servants, adding a personal and human dimension to his suffering. The use of the sword (חֶרֶב, cherev) symbolizes violence and death. The loss of his servants not only compounds Job's grief but also isolates him, as he loses those who served and supported him.

and I alone have escaped to tell you
The survival of a single messenger serves as a narrative device to ensure Job receives the news. The phrase "I alone" (אֲנִי לְבַדִּי, ani levaddi) underscores the isolation and desolation Job faces. It also highlights the role of witnesses in conveying truth, as this lone survivor becomes the bearer of grim reality, emphasizing the theme of endurance and the human capacity to bear witness to suffering.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) The Chaldeans.--Literally, Chasdim, or descendants of Chesed (Genesis 22:22; see Note on Job 1:1). This name reappears in the classic Carduchia and in the modern Kurdistan, as well as in the more familiar Chaldaea; it being a well-known philological law that r and l and r and s are interchangeable. It is to be noted that this calamity arose from the opposite quarter to the last, illustrating the well-known fact that troubles never come alone, and that causes of a widely different nature seem to combine to overthrow the falling man.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - While he was yet speaking, there came also another (see the comment on ver. 16). The exact repetition of a clause, without the alteration of a word or a letter, is very archaic (comp. Genesis 1:4, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31; and for another repetition, Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25). And said, The Chaldeans; literally, the Casdim (כַשְׂדִים), which is the word uniformly used in the Hebrew where the Authorized Version has "Chaldeans" or "Chaldees." The native name seems to have been Kaldi or Kaldai, whence the Greek Ξαλδαῖοι, and the Latin Chaldaei. It is very difficult to account for the Hebrews having substituted a sibilant for the liquid; but it was certainly done from the earliest period of their literature (Genesis 11:31) to the latest (see Targums, passim). Some derive the Hebrew Casdim from "Chesed," one of the sons of Nahor (Genesis 22:22); but Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees before Chesed was born (Genesis 22:20). And there is no evidence of any connection between Chesed, who was born at Haran, and the Babylonian Chaldeans. The Chaldeans were probably early settlers in Babylonia; by degrees they were pressed to the south, and gave the name of Chaldea to Lower Babylonia, or the tract nearest to the Persian Gulf (Strab., 16:1, § 66; Ptolemy, 'Geographia,' 5:20). From a remote date they were a settled and civilized people; but no doubt originally they had the same predatory instincts as their neighbours. Made out three bands. Professor Lee translates, "appointed three captains," which is a possible meaning of the words; but the weight of authority supports the rendering of the Authorized Version. And fell upon the camels. Perhaps the most valuable part of Job's possessions. Three thousand camels would be regarded as a splendid capture by any body of Oriental marauders. And have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants (literally, the young men, as in ver. 16) with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee (compare the comment on ver. 15).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

While he
ע֣וֹד ׀ (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

was still
זֶ֣ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

speaking,
מְדַבֵּ֗ר (mə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

another [messenger]
וְזֶה֮ (wə·zeh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

came
בָּ֣א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and reported:
וַיֹּאמַר֒ (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The Chaldeans
כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים (kaś·dîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab

formed
שָׂ֣מוּ ׀ (śā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

bands,
רָאשִׁ֗ים (rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7218: The head

raided
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ (way·yip̄·šə·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

the camels,
הַגְּמַלִּים֙ (hag·gə·mal·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1581: A camel

and took them away.
וַיִּקָּח֔וּם (way·yiq·qā·ḥūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

They struck down
הִכּ֣וּ (hik·kū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

the servants
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

with the sword,
חָ֑רֶב (ḥā·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and I
אֲנִ֛י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

alone
לְבַדִּ֖י (lə·ḇad·dî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

have escaped
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה (wā·’im·mā·lə·ṭāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

to tell
לְהַגִּ֥יד (lə·hag·gîḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

you!?
לָֽךְ׃ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 0: 0

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OT Poetry: Job 1:17 While he was still speaking there came (Jb)