Job 1:15
New International Version
and the Sabeans attacked 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
when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

English Standard Version
and the Sabeans fell upon them 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
the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

New American Standard Bible
and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

NASB 1995
and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

NASB 1977
and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them. They also struck down the young men with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Amplified Bible
and the Sabeans attacked and swooped down on them and took away the animals. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Christian Standard Bible
the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
men from Sheba attacked. They took the livestock and massacred the servants. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you."

Good News Translation
Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

International Standard Version
when the Sabeans attacked, captured the servants, and killed them with swords. I alone escaped to tell you!"

Majority Standard Bible
the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!?

NET Bible
and the Sabeans swooped down 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
and Sheba attacked, and took them away. Yes, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped alone to tell thee.

World English Bible
and the Sabeans attacked, and took them away. Yes, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Sheba falls, and takes 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
and Sheba doth fall, 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
And Sheba will fall and take them; they struck the young men by the month of the sword; and only shall escape, I alone, to announce to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Sabeans rushed in, and took all away, and slew the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and the Sabeans rushed in and carried away everything, and they struck the servants with the sword; and I alone evaded them to tell you.”

New American Bible
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

New Revised Standard Version
and the Sabeans fell on them 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
And robbers raided them, and carried them away, and they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only have escaped to inform you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a band of robbers fell and took them, and the young men were killed by the sword, and I escaped, I alone, that I would tell you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the Sabeans made a raid, 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the spoilers came and took them for a prey, and slew the servants with the sword; and I having escaped alone am come to tell thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Loses His Children and Possessions
14a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 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!”…

Cross References
Genesis 34:25-29
Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male. / They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away. / Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled. ...

Judges 6:3-5
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, / encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. / For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it.

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.

1 Samuel 30:1-2
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

2 Kings 13:20-21
And Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring. / Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.

Isaiah 13:16
Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.

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!’

Ezekiel 38:11-12
You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a quiet people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— / in order to seize the spoil and carry off the plunder, to turn a hand against the desolate places now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and possessions and who live at the center of the land.’

Hosea 7:1
When I heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim will be exposed, as well as the crimes of Samaria. For they practice deceit and thieves break in; bandits raid in the streets.

Joel 3:6
You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland.

Matthew 24:43
But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Luke 10:30
Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

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 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.


Treasury of Scripture

And the Sabeans fell on them, and took them away; yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.

Sabeans.

Genesis 10:7,28
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan…

Genesis 25:3
And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

Psalm 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

and I only.

Job 1:16,17,19
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee…

1 Samuel 22:20,21
And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David…

Jump to Previous
Alone Attacked Carried Edge Escaped Fall Fell Killed Mouth News Putting Raid Sabeans Sabe'ans Safe Servants Sheba Slain Slew Smitten Sword Young
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Alone Attacked Carried Edge Escaped Fall Fell Killed Mouth News Putting Raid Sabeans Sabe'ans Safe Servants Sheba Slain Slew Smitten Sword Young
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.














and the Sabeans
The Sabeans were a people likely originating from the region of Sheba, which is often associated with the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, modern-day Yemen. Historically, the Sabeans were known for their wealth and trade, particularly in spices and incense. In the context of Job, they are depicted as marauders, highlighting the unpredictability and suddenness of calamity. This serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly possessions and the ever-present reality of evil in the world.

swooped down
The phrase "swooped down" conveys a sense of suddenness and aggression, akin to a bird of prey attacking its target. This imagery emphasizes the unexpected and violent nature of the attack. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here suggests a rapid and forceful action, underscoring the vulnerability of Job's possessions and the fragility of human security. It serves as a metaphor for how quickly life can change, urging believers to place their trust in God rather than in material wealth.

and took them away
This phrase indicates the complete loss of Job's livestock, which were a significant part of his wealth and livelihood. The Hebrew root for "took" implies a forceful seizure, reflecting the harsh reality of theft and loss. In the broader biblical narrative, such events are often seen as tests of faith, challenging believers to maintain their trust in God despite material losses. It is a call to recognize that true security and provision come from God alone.

They put the servants to the sword
The phrase "put the servants to the sword" is a vivid depiction of violence and death. The Hebrew word for "sword" often symbolizes judgment and destruction. This act of brutality not only represents a personal loss for Job but also a moral and ethical crisis, as innocent lives are taken. It highlights the presence of evil in the world and the suffering of the righteous, themes central to the Book of Job. Believers are reminded of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for divine justice.

and I alone have escaped to tell you
This phrase introduces the lone survivor, a motif repeated throughout the calamities that befall Job. The Hebrew word for "escaped" suggests a narrow deliverance, emphasizing the precariousness of life. The survivor's role is to bear witness to the tragedy, serving as a messenger of bad news. This underscores the theme of isolation in suffering, as Job receives report after report of his losses. It also points to the importance of testimony, even in dire circumstances, as a means of processing grief and seeking understanding.

(15) The Sabeans.--Literally, Sheba. Three persons named Sheba are found in Genesis: (1) The son of Raamah and grandson of Cush (Genesis 10:7); (2) the son of Jokshan and grandson of Abraham (Genesis 25:3); (3) The son of Joktanand grandson of Eber (Genesis 10:28). It is probably the second who is referred to here, whose descendants led a predatory and marauding kind of life in the country bordering on that of Job. (Comp. Ezekiel 38:13.)

Verse 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 Psalm 72:10, 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 of the Upper Persian Gulf as well as in the neighbourhood of the Indian Ocean. The plundering habits of all the Arab tribes are well known. Strabo says that the Sabeans, even at the height of their prosperity, made excursions for the sake of plunder into Arabia Petraea and even Syria (Strab., 16:4) Yea, they have slain; rather, they slew, or they smote. The servants; literally, the young men; i.e. the labourers who were engaged in ploughing, and would be in duty bound to resist the carrying off of the cattle. With the edge of the sword. The lance is the chief weapon of the modern Bedouin, but it may have been different anciently. Or the expression used may merely mean "with weapons of war." And I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Professor Lee translates, "And I have hardly escaped alone to tell thee."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the Sabeans
שְׁבָא֙ (šə·ḇā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7614: Sheba -- a territory in soutwest Arabia, also the name of one or more descendant of Noah

swooped down
וַתִּפֹּ֤ל (wat·tip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

and took them away.
וַתִּקָּחֵ֔ם (wat·tiq·qā·ḥêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | 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
וָֽאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה (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 Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Job 1:15 And the Sabeans attacked and took them (Jb)
Job 1:14
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