Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Job, Chapter 1איוב 1

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Clausal layout (sentence-flow view): Hebrew · English

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

A folk-tale prologue sets the wager that drives the book: Job, blameless and greatest of the sons of the east, is tested when the satan asks whether anyone fears God 'for nothing.' Four blows strip away possessions and children in one day — and Job, tearing his robe, falls to the earth and worships, blessing the name of YHWH where cursing was predicted.

Translation & textual notes

The MT of Job 1 is prose and textually stable — the Leningrad Codex (here via WLC/OSHB) presents no major cruxes, in sharp contrast to the notoriously difficult poetry that follows. Three small Ketiv-Qere pairs occur: v. 4 'their sisters', v. 10 'you', and v. 21 'I came out' — all routine defective spellings corrected by the Qere and preserved in this layout as separate ketiv/qere word entries. The chapter's most famous scribal feature is the euphemistic use of בֵּרַךְ 'bless' where 'curse' is meant (vv. 5, 11; again 2:5, 9): scribes would not write a verb of cursing with God as its object, so the antonym stands in the text and the reader supplies the intended sense — a reverential substitution most scholars judge to have been made in composition or early transmission (it does not appear in the official tiqqune sopherim lists). Verse 21 then uses בֵּרַךְ in its true positive sense, resolving the wordplay. Note also the anomalous 2fs suffix לָךְ 'to you' in the fourfold messenger refrain (vv. 15-19), best taken as an archaic or dialectal 2ms form rather than a change of addressee. The LXX of Job runs about one-sixth shorter than the MT overall, but ch. 1 corresponds closely; its one notable plus expands Job's confession in v. 21 ('as it seemed good to the Lord, so it came to pass').

1

אִ֛ישׁ הָיָ֥ה בְאֶֽרֶץ ע֖וּץ אִיּ֣וֹב שְׁמ֑וֹ וְהָיָ֣ה הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֗וּא תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר וִירֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; that man was blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

Exposition — scene-settingasyndeton
Opens the book with a folk-tale existential formula (subject fronted before the verb, cf. 2 Sam 12:1), introducing the protagonist, his non-Israelite setting, and — via the narrator's own four-fold verdict — the moral perfection that the rest of the book will put to the test.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject, fronted before the verb (existential clause: 'a man there was')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; indefinite subject fronted before הָיָה — an existential opening formula (cf. 2 Sam 12:1); the inverted word order and the non-Israelite setting (Uz) mark this as a folk-tale-like prologue rather than covenant history.
הָיָ֥הthere wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, existential 'to be' (main clause)→ Perfective: a scene-setting existential statement establishing the narrative's initial stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; existential use, 'there was a man' — a stock formula opening legend-like narrative (cf. 2 Sam 12:1; Est 2:5), distinct from the covenantal history-writing that typically opens with וַיְהִי.
בְאֶֽרֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (setting), construct before עוּץאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth', in construct before the place-name עוּץ; the geographic setting immediately situates the story outside the land of Israel.
ע֖וּץUzproper noun · עוּץ (H5780)Object of preposition, place-name in construct chain with אֶרֶץעוּץ (H5780) 'Uz', a region east/southeast of Canaan associated with Edom (cf. Lam 4:21; Gen 36:28); Job's homeland is deliberately foreign, universalizing the story beyond Israel's covenant history.
אִיּ֣וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subject of the nominal clause שְׁמוֹ ('his name [was] Job')אִיּוֹב (H347) the name 'Job', of disputed etymology (perhaps 'where is my father?' or from a root meaning 'assailed one, enemy'); the name is attested outside Israel too, fitting a non-Israelite sage-hero.
שְׁמ֑וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suff · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate of the nominal clause ('his name was Job')שֵׁם (H8034) 'name', with 3ms suffix, forming a predicate-nominal clause naming the man just introduced by אִישׁ.
וְהָיָ֣הand ... wasconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, continuing description (coordinate with the opening exposition)→ Perfective (simple waw + perfect, not wayyiqtol): descriptive/background characterization rather than sequential narrative action, fitting the expository openingהָיָה (H1961), coordinated here by simple waw + perfect rather than wayyiqtol — a grammatical signal that vv. 1-3 are static description, not yet the story's forward-moving plot.
הָאִ֣ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) with the article, anaphorically resuming the man introduced in the preceding clause.
הַה֗וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms (demonstrative use) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאִישׁ ('that man')הוּא (H1931) with the article functions as a demonstrative adjective 'that' — a standard Hebrew idiom (article + הוּא/הִיא) for a definite demonstrative modifier.
תָּ֧םblamelessadj m sg abs · תָּם (H8535)Predicate adjective, first of a four-fold character descriptionתָּם (H8535) 'complete, blameless, having integrity'; from the root תמם 'to be complete'; denotes wholeness of moral character. The cognate noun תֻּמָּה 'integrity' becomes Job's watchword under trial (2:3, 9; 27:5).
וְיָשָׁ֛רand uprightconj וְ + adj m sg abs · יָשָׁר (H3477)Predicate adjective, second of the four-fold formula, coordinate with תָּםיָשָׁר (H3477) 'straight, upright'; ethical rectitude, conventionally paired with תָּם as a stock idiom for moral integrity (cf. Ps 37:37).
וִירֵ֥אand fearingconj וְ + verbal adj (participial, cstr) · יָרֵא (H3373)Predicate participle, third of the four-fold formula, governing אֱלֹהִים as its object→ Stative/participial: an ongoing dispositional state — habitual, characteristic reverence, not a single actיָרֵא (H3373) 'fearing, reverent'; verbal adjective from ירא 'to fear', functioning participially and construct before אֱלֹהִים ('fearer of God'); reverential awe is the root of practical piety in wisdom literature (cf. Prov 1:7).
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the participle יְרֵא (genitive-like complement in construct)אֱלֹהִים (H430), the generic term for God/deity (not the covenant name יהוה) — fitting for a non-Israelite protagonist; the prose frame favors אֱלֹהִים, while the poetic dialogues prefer אֱלוֹהַּ and שַׁדַּי.
וְסָ֥רand turning awayconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg abs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate participle, fourth of the four-fold formula, coordinate with וִירֵא→ Participial: continuous, characteristic avoidance — a settled moral disposition rather than a one-time actסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; Qal participle 'turning away from', completing the narrator's editorial verdict on Job's character (blameless / upright / God-fearing / evil-avoiding) — echoed verbatim by God himself in v. 8 and 2:3.
מֵרָֽעfrom evilprep מִן + adj m sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Object of preposition, complement of סָר ('turning away from evil')רַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival adjective, object of מִן following סָר; completes the moral polarity (uprightness vs. evil) that frames Job's character before the trial begins.
2

וַיִּוָּ֥לְדוּ ל֛וֹ שִׁבְעָ֥ה בָנִ֖ים וְשָׁל֥וֹשׁ בָּנֽוֹת

Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

Narrative sequence — first item of the prosperity inventoryוַ
The chapter's first wayyiqtol launches the narrative proper; children are listed before possessions, establishing the sevens-and-threes numerical patterning that runs through vv. 2-3.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּוָּ֥לְדוּand there were bornconj וַ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָלַד (H3205)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — the chapter's first sequential narrative verb, following the expository perfects of v. 1→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, launching the storyline properיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; Niphal passive 'were born'; the children are catalogued by number before anything else, emphasizing the ordered abundance of Job's household.
ל֛וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suff · לְDative of possession ('born to him')לְ marks Job as the one to whom the children were born — a possessive dative construction typical of Hebrew birth notices.
שִׁבְעָ֥הsevencardinal num m sg abs · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Numeral modifying בָנִיםשִׁבְעָה (H7651) 'seven', the number of completeness in Hebrew symbolism; Job's seven sons and three daughters (ten total) open the sevens-and-threes patterning that runs through vv. 2-3.
בָנִ֖יםsonsN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject-complement of the passive verb (those born)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the first item in the inventory of Job's blessings, systematically catalogued in v. 3 and stripped away in vv. 13-19.
וְשָׁל֥וֹשׁand threeconj וְ + cardinal num f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifying בָּנוֹת, coordinate with שִׁבְעָהשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; paired with seven sons to give ten children, the perfect/whole complement symbolizing the totality of Job's God-given prosperity.
בָּנֽוֹתdaughtersN f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Object of the passive verb (those born), second item of the inventoryבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; Job's daughters will reappear by name and prominence at the book's end (42:13-15), forming an inclusio with this opening list.
3

וַיְהִ֣י מִ֠קְנֵהוּ שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת אַלְפֵי צֹ֜אן וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת אַלְפֵ֣י גְמַלִּ֗ים וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ מֵא֤וֹת צֶֽמֶד בָּקָר֙ וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אֲתוֹנ֔וֹת וַעֲבֻדָּ֖ה רַבָּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וַיְהִי֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא גָּד֖וֹל מִכָּל בְּנֵי קֶֽדֶם

His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household of servants; that man was greater than all the sons of the east.

Narrative sequence — possessions inventory and summary verdictוַ
A carefully arranged wealth catalogue (7,000 / 3,000 / 500 / 500, a great household) mirrors the sevens-and-threes of v. 2; the closing wayyiqtol delivers the narrator's verdict that Job outranks even the proverbially wise and wealthy 'sons of the east.'
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיְהִ֣יand ... wereconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the possessions inventory→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming the storyline after the birth-report of v. 2הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential, 'his possessions came to be [seven thousand sheep...]' — introducing the itemized catalogue of Job's wealth.
מִ֠קְנֵהוּhis possessionsN m sg cstr + 3ms suff · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Subjectמִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, possessions', from קנה 'to acquire'; denotes movable wealth, especially herds — Job's flocks and herds are his 'acquisition'.
שִֽׁבְעַ֨תsevencardinal num m sg cstr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Numeral in construct, modifying אַלְפֵישִׁבְעָה (H7651) 'seven', construct form; opens the enumeration 'seven thousand sheep' — the sevens-and-threes patterning continues from v. 2.
אַלְפֵיthousands ofcardinal num c pl cstr · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral in construct governing צֹאןאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; construct plural, 'thousands of sheep' — combining with שִׁבְעַת to yield seven thousand.
צֹ֜אןsheepN common gender sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Head noun of the enumeration (item counted)צֹאן (H6629) collective 'flock, small livestock' (sheep and goats together); the first and largest item in Job's inventory of wealth.
וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁתand threeconj וְ + cardinal num m sg cstr · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral in construct, coordinate with שִׁבְעַתשְׁלֹשֶׁת, construct of שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; 'three thousand camels' continues the descending numerical list.
אַלְפֵ֣יthousands ofcardinal num c pl cstr · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral in construct governing גְמַלִּיםאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand', repeated to enumerate the camels: three thousand.
גְמַלִּ֗יםcamelsN m pl abs · גָּמָל (H1581)Head noun of the enumerationגָּמָל (H1581) 'camel'; camels signal long-distance caravan wealth, fitting Job's location near the trade routes of the east (cf. בְּנֵי קֶדֶם below).
וַחֲמֵ֨שׁand fiveconj וְ + cardinal num f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral modifying מֵאוֹתחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; introduces 'five hundred yoke of oxen'.
מֵא֤וֹתhundredcardinal num c pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral, object of חֲמֵשׁ ('five hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred', plural form; combined with חֲמֵשׁ to give 'five hundred'.
צֶֽמֶדyoke ofN m sg cstr · צֶמֶד (H6776)Construct noun governing בָּקָר, counting unitצֶמֶד (H6776) 'pair, yoke' (of draft animals); a counting unit for plow-oxen — 'five hundred yoke of oxen' totals a thousand animals.
בָּקָר֙oxenN common gender sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Object of construct צֶמֶדבָּקָר (H1241) collective 'cattle, oxen'; draft animals for plowing, a working-wealth item distinct from the flocks and camels.
וַחֲמֵ֣שׁand fiveconj וְ + cardinal num f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral modifying מֵאוֹתחָמֵשׁ (H2568) repeated: 'five hundred female donkeys', matching the oxen count.
מֵא֣וֹתhundredcardinal num c pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral ('five hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; second occurrence, tallying the donkeys.
אֲתוֹנ֔וֹתfemale donkeysN f pl abs · אָתוֹן (H860)Head noun of the enumerationאָתוֹן (H860) 'she-donkey'; valued pack/riding animals, a further mark of substantial working wealth.
וַעֲבֻדָּ֖הand a household of servantsconj וְ + N f sg abs · עֲבֻדָּה (H5657)Head noun of the enumeration, final and largest-scale itemעֲבֻדָּה (H5657) 'labor-force, household of servants', from עבד 'to serve, work'; the large retinue needed to manage such an estate — wealth measured in personnel as well as livestock.
רַבָּ֣הgreatadj f sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying עֲבֻדָּהרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; feminine agreeing with עֲבֻדָּה, 'a very great household'.
מְאֹ֑דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier modifying רַבָּהמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; caps the inventory — an exceedingly great household of servants.
וַיְהִי֙and ... wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, resuming after the possessions list to state the summary verdict→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the narrator's summary conclusion to the wealth catalogueהָיָה (H1961) wayyiqtol again, shifting from cataloguing possessions to the narrator's editorial verdict on Job's standing among his peers.
הָאִ֣ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) with article, again resuming Job as referent, as in v. 1.
הַה֔וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms (demonstrative use) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאִישׁהוּא (H1931) with article as demonstrative adjective, as in v. 1.
גָּד֖וֹלgreateradj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Predicate adjective ('was greatest')גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; comparative-superlative force reinforced by the following מִכָּל — 'greater than all', i.e. the wealthiest and most eminent of the sons of the east.
מִכָּלthan allprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase governing the construct chain בְּנֵי קֶדֶםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every', with comparative מִן, 'more than all' — opening the construct chain that follows.
בְּנֵיsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun, head of the genitive phrase בְּנֵי קֶדֶםבֵּן (H1121) construct plural 'sons of'; בְּנֵי קֶדֶם 'sons of the East' designates the peoples of the Arabian/Syrian desert fringe, renowned in wisdom tradition for sagacity and wealth (cf. 1 Kgs 5:10).
קֶֽדֶםeastN m sg abs · קֶדֶם (H6924)Object of construct בְּנֵיקֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, ancient time'; here geographic, 'the East' — the region east of Canaan renowned for proverbial wisdom, fitting Job's characterization as the greatest of its sages.
4

וְהָלְכ֤וּ בָנָיו֙ וְעָשׂ֣וּ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בֵּ֖ית אִ֣ישׁ יוֹמ֑וֹ וְשָׁלְח֗וּ וְקָרְאוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אחיתיהם אַחְיֽוֹתֵיהֶ֔ם לֶאֱכֹ֥ל וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹת עִמָּהֶֽם

His sons would go and hold a feast, each in his own house on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Background/habitual description — the family's recurring customוְ
A chain of weqatal verbs (would go... would hold... would send... would invite) shifts from narrative sequence to iterative description of an ongoing custom — the idyllic domestic backdrop against which the coming catastrophe will strike.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָלְכ֤וּand would goconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb, habitual/customary action (iterative weqatal)→ Weqatal: iterative/habitual — a repeated, customary practice rather than a single eventהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; the weqatal (not wayyiqtol) signals habitual action: 'his sons used to go and hold feasts...' describing the family's recurring custom before the story's crisis begins.
בָנָיו֙his sonsN m pl cstr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) plural with 3ms suffix, 'his sons' — resuming the seven sons of v. 2 as subjects of the rotating-feast custom.
וְעָשׂ֣וּand would holdconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, habitual (weqatal), coordinate with וְהָלְכוּ→ Weqatal: iterative/habitual — part of the same customary descriptionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'to hold/make a feast' (עשה מִשְׁתֶּה), an idiom for hosting a banquet.
מִשְׁתֶּ֔הa feastN m sg abs · מִשְׁתֶּה (H4960)Direct object of וְעָשׂוּמִשְׁתֶּה (H4960) 'feast, banquet, drinking-party', from שׁתה 'to drink'; the rotating feasts establish an idyllic domestic harmony that will be shattered in vv. 13-19.
בֵּ֖יתhouse ofN m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct noun, locative, governing אִישׁבַּיִת (H1004) construct 'house of'; 'in the house of each one' — the feast rotated among the siblings' homes.
אִ֣ישׁeachN m sg abs (distributive) · אִישׁ (H376)Object of construct בֵּית, distributive senseאִישׁ (H376) here distributive, 'each one'; בֵּית אִישׁ יוֹמוֹ = 'the house of the one whose day it was' — each sibling hosted in turn.
יוֹמ֑וֹhis dayN m sg cstr + 3ms suff · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement, 'his [appointed] day'יוֹם (H3117) 'day', with 3ms suffix; likely each sibling's birthday or an assigned turn — the phrase implies an ordered, recurring schedule.
וְשָׁלְח֗וּand would sendconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, habitual (weqatal), coordinate→ Weqatal: iterative/habitualשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the siblings would send (invitations) to their three sisters.
וְקָרְאוּ֙and would inviteconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb, habitual (weqatal), coordinate with וְשָׁלְחוּ→ Weqatal: iterative/habitualקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon, invite'; paired with שָׁלַח, 'send and invite' — an idiom for extending an invitation.
לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁתthe threeprep לְ + cardinal num m sg cstr · שְׁלֹשֶׁת (H7969)Prepositional phrase, indirect object of וְקָרְאוּ, construct before the sistersשְׁלֹשֶׁת (H7969) construct 'three of', governing the sisters — completing the ten-child pattern (seven sons feasting, three daughters invited).
אחיתיהם[ketiv, unvocalized]N f pl cstr + 3mp suff (ketiv, defective spelling) · אָחוֹת (H269)Ketiv (written) form; object of the preposition לִשְׁלֹשֶׁתKetiv אחיתיהם, a defective/variant spelling of 'their sisters' (H269); the Masoretes supply the fuller Qere spelling immediately following — one of this chapter's small Ketiv-Qere pairs (cf. v. 10).
אַחְיֽוֹתֵיהֶ֔םtheir sistersN f pl cstr + 3mp suff (qere) · אָחוֹת (H269)Qere (to-be-read) form; object of preposition לִשְׁלֹשֶׁתאָחוֹת (H269) 'sister', plural construct + 3mp suffix, the Qere reading — 'their three sisters', the daughters of v. 2, included in the siblings' feasting circle.
לֶאֱכֹ֥לto eatprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָכַל (H398)Infinitive construct expressing purpose→ Infinitive: purpose/result of the invitation — what the gathering was forאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; infinitive construct with לְ expressing purpose, the first of the paired eating-and-drinking infinitives.
וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹתand to drinkconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁתָה (H8354)Infinitive construct expressing purpose, coordinate with לֶאֱכֹל→ Infinitive: purpose, coordinate with the preceding infinitiveשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; paired with אָכַל, the standard idiom for festive dining.
עִמָּהֶֽםwith themprep עִם + 3mp suff · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase of accompaniment ('eat and drink with them')עִם (H5973) 'with'; the sisters join their brothers at table — an idyllic picture of family unity soon to be destroyed.
5

וַיְהִ֡י כִּ֣י הִקִּיפֽוּ֩ יְמֵ֨י הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֜ה וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח אִיּ֣וֹב וַֽיְקַדְּשֵׁ֗ם וְהִשְׁכִּ֣ים בַּבֹּקֶר֮ וְהֶעֱלָ֣ה עֹלוֹת֮ מִסְפַּ֣ר כֻּלָּם֒ כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר אִיּ֔וֹב אוּלַי֙ חָטְא֣וּ בָנַ֔י וּבֵרֲכ֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בִּלְבָבָ֑ם כָּ֛כָה יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אִיּ֖וֹב כָּל הַיָּמִֽים

And when the days of feasting had run their course, Job would send and sanctify them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job thought, 'Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.' Thus Job would do continually.

Narrative sequence resuming into habitual description — Job's preemptive pietyוַ
The temporal כִּי-clause resumes sequential narration after v. 4's background, then itself shifts into a chain of habitual verbs (would sanctify, would rise early, would offer) characterizing Job's constant practice. This verse also introduces the chapter's first euphemistic use of בֵּרַךְ ('bless') for 'curse' — a reverential scribal substitution that recurs in v. 11 and again in ch. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וַיְהִ֡יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing a temporal clause→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming the storyline after the habitual description of v. 4הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; wayyiqtol + כִּי temporal clause is a common narrative formula, 'and it happened that...', resuming sequential action.
כִּ֣יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing a temporal clauseכִּי (H3588) here temporal 'when', introducing the completion of the feast cycle.
הִקִּיפֽוּ֩had run their courseHiphil perf 3cp · נָקַף (H5362)Predicate verb of the temporal כִּי-clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed action prior to the main clause — the feast-days had 'gone around' fullyנָקַף (H5362) Hiphil 'to make a circuit, complete a round'; the days of feasting had cycled fully through all the siblings' houses.
יְמֵ֨יthe days ofN m pl cstr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of הִקִּיפוּ, construct before הַמִּשְׁתֶּהיוֹם (H3117) plural construct 'days of'; יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה, 'the days of feasting' — the full cycle of rotating banquets.
הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֜הthe feastart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁתֶּה (H4960)Object of construct יְמֵימִשְׁתֶּה (H4960) with article, resuming the feast custom of v. 4.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֧חand sentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, main clause verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Job's proactive ritual responseשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Job sends for/summons his children, initiating the purification rite.
אִיּ֣וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subjectאִיּוֹב (H347), the protagonist, acting here in his priestly role as paterfamilias.
וַֽיְקַדְּשֵׁ֗םand sanctified themconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suff · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with וַיִּשְׁלַח→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a ritual act of consecrationקָדַשׁ (H6942) Piel 'to sanctify, consecrate'; Job ritually purifies his children in anticipation of sacrificing on their behalf — a priestly function performed by the family head in the patriarchal era.
וְהִשְׁכִּ֣יםand rose earlyconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms · שָׁכַם (H7925)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence of ritual actions→ Weqatal: sequential/habitual ritual action — 'and he would rise early'שָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'to rise early, do something early'; conveys Job's diligence and urgency in his devotional practice.
בַּבֹּקֶר֮in the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; time marker emphasizing Job's habitual early devotion.
וְהֶעֱלָ֣הand offered upconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: sequential/habitual ritual actionעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to cause to go up, offer up'; the technical verb for offering a burnt offering (cognate noun עֹלָה), sending smoke heavenward.
עֹלוֹת֮burnt offeringsN f pl abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Direct object of וְהֶעֱלָהעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering', from עלה 'to go up' — a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, the most comprehensive offering, fitting for the possibility of unknown or inadvertent sin.
מִסְפַּ֣רthe number ofN m sg cstr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Construct noun, distributive apposition to עֹלוֹת ('offerings equal to the number of all of them')מִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; Job offers one burnt offering per child — meticulous, individualized atonement.
כֻּלָּם֒all of themN m sg cstr + 3mp suff · כֹּל (H3605)Object of construct מִסְפַּרכֹּל (H3605) with 3mp suffix, 'all of them' — referring to all ten children collectively.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing Job's rationaleכִּי (H3588) here causal 'for, because', introducing the reported reasoning behind Job's sacrifices.
אָמַ֣רthoughtQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing Job's reported inner reasoning→ Perfective: a settled, recurring thought behind the habitual sacrifices — 'for Job used to say/think'אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here introduces Job's inward reasoning rather than spoken dialogue — his habitual private concern.
אִיּ֔וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subject of אָמַראִיּוֹב (H347), named again for clarity after the string of unmarked pronominal subjects.
אוּלַי֙perhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Adverb of doubt/possibility, introducing Job's tentative fearאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps, maybe'; signals Job's anxious uncertainty — meticulous piety shadowed by worry, a trait that resurfaces in his own suffering (cf. 3:25).
חָטְא֣וּhave sinnedQal perf 3cp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb of the feared/hypothetical clause→ Perfective: a completed (feared) act — 'perhaps my children have sinned'חָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; the same verb reappears in the chapter's closing verdict (v. 22), forming a deliberate inclusio between Job's fear for his children and the narrator's verdict on Job himself.
בָנַ֔יmy childrenN m pl cstr + 1cs suff · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of חָטְאוּבֵּן (H1121) with 1cs suffix, 'my sons'; used broadly here for 'my children' (sons and daughters together, in the context of the shared feast).
וּבֵרֲכ֥וּand cursed [written 'blessed']conj וְ + Piel perf 3cp · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb, coordinate with חָטְאוּ, completing Job's feared scenario→ Perfective: a completed (feared) act, coordinate with חָטְאוּבֵּרַךְ (H1288) Piel, literally 'blessed'; here — as again in v. 11 and 2:5, 9 — the Masoretic tradition uses בֵּרַךְ as a reverential euphemism for the unspeakable קִלֵּל 'cursed.' Scribes avoided writing 'curse God' even in a hypothetical clause, substituting its polar opposite; the reader supplies the intended sense, 'perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.'
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of וּבֵרֲכוּאֱלֹהִים (H430), object of the euphemistically 'blessed' (= cursed) verb — the gravest conceivable sin, softened here by scribal euphemism even within Job's own hypothetical fear.
בִּלְבָבָ֑םin their heartprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + 3mp suff · לֵבָב (H3824)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וּבֵרֲכוּלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the feared sin is interior — even an unspoken, private cursing troubles Job, revealing the depth of his scrupulous piety.
כָּ֛כָהthusadverb · כָּכָה (H3602)Adverb of manner, resumptive, summarizing Job's practiceכָּכָה (H3602) 'thus, so'; summarizes the preceding rite: 'thus Job would do continually.'
יַעֲשֶׂ֥הwould doQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, habitual/customary (yiqtol used iteratively)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/habitual — an ongoing, repeated practice, 'thus Job would do continually'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the yiqtol expresses habitual repeated action (not future), summarizing Job's constant practice of preemptive intercession.
אִיּ֖וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subjectאִיּוֹב (H347), subject of the summarizing yiqtol clause.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun in temporal expression, governing הַיָּמִיםכֹּל (H3605) construct 'all of'; כָּל הַיָּמִים 'all the days' = continually, always.
הַיָּמִֽיםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of construct כָּל, adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) plural with article; 'all the days' = continually — Job's preemptive piety was an ongoing lifelong practice, underscoring his exceptional scrupulousness before the trial even begins.
6

וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב עַל יְהוָ֑ה וַיָּב֥וֹא גַֽם הַשָּׂטָ֖ן בְּתוֹכָֽם

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before YHWH, and the satan also came among them.

Scene transition — heaven (first council scene)וַ
The formula 'now there was a day' pivots the narrative from Job's household to the heavenly court — the first of the book's alternating earth/heaven scenes. The satan's arrival 'among them,' introduced with the definite article (a title, not yet a proper name), sets up the wager that drives the plot.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol, formulaic scene-transition ('now there was a day')→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, marking a decisive scene shift from earth to heavenהָיָה (H1961); the formula וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם 'and it happened, the day' launches a new scene — here the pivotal shift from Job's household to the heavenly council (the identical formula recurs at v. 13, introducing the day of catastrophe).
הַיּ֔וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal subject-complement of וַיְהִי ('there was a [certain] day')יוֹם (H3117) with article, idiomatic 'a certain day, one day' rather than 'today' — an indefinite marker opening a new narrative unit, identical in form to the formula that later introduces the day of Job's calamity (v. 13).
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙and cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, main verb of the heavenly-council scene→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the scene shifts to heavenבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the sons of God convene, presenting themselves in the heavenly court.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject, construct before הָאֱלֹהִיםבֵּן (H1121) construct plural; בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים 'sons of God' designates members of the divine heavenly court/council (cf. Gen 6:2; Ps 29:1; 89:7) — celestial beings subordinate to God, not human beings.
הָאֱלֹהִ֔יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of construct בְּנֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) with article denotes God specifically; בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים pictures a heavenly royal court modeled on an earthly king's assembly of courtiers.
לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖בto present themselvesprep לְ + Hitpael inf constr · יָצַב (H3320)Infinitive construct expressing purpose ('came to present themselves')→ Infinitive: purpose — the reason for the heavenly beings' assemblyיָצַב (H3320) Hitpael 'to station/present oneself'; technical court language for appearing before a sovereign to report and receive orders — the scene models an ancient Near Eastern royal audience.
עַלbeforeprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing יְהוָה, complement of לְהִתְיַצֵּבעַל (H5921) 'upon, before'; with הִתְיַצֵּב, idiomatic for standing in attendance before a superior.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition עַליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God. Notably, the narrator — unlike the characters within the story, who use אֱלֹהִים/שַׁדַּי — freely uses the divine name in the frame narrative: the reader knows, from outside the story, who is truly being addressed and tested.
וַיָּב֥וֹאand cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with וַיָּבֹאוּ, singling out one arrival→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pivotal appearance of the antagonistבּוֹא (H935) repeated, now singular, marking the satan's arrival as a distinct, noteworthy event within the general assembly.
גַֽםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus adverb modifying הַשָּׂטָן ('the satan also came')גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; the satan is present among the sons of God yet marked as somewhat distinct — 'also' suggests both inclusion and a note of intrusion.
הַשָּׂטָ֖ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Subjectשָׂטָן (H7854) 'adversary, accuser', from שׂטן 'to accuse, oppose'. With the article (הַשָּׂטָן) this is a TITLE/OFFICE — 'the Accuser' — not yet the proper name 'Satan' of later tradition. In Job he functions as a member of the divine council with a prosecutorial role, testing loyalty, not as an independent cosmic evil power.
בְּתוֹכָֽםamong themprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + 3mp suff · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase modifying וַיָּבוֹאתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; 'in their midst/among them' — the satan takes his place within, not outside, the assembly of the sons of God.
7

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוָ֛ה אֶל הַשָּׂטָ֖ן מֵאַ֣יִן תָּבֹ֑א וַיַּ֨עַן הַשָּׂטָ֤ן אֶת יְהוָה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מִשּׁ֣וּט בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ בָּֽהּ

And YHWH said to the satan, 'From where do you come?' And the satan answered YHWH and said, 'From roaming about the earth, and from walking around on it.'

Dialogue — YHWH's interrogation of the satanוַ
YHWH's opening question ('from where do you come?') is likely rhetorical, inviting report rather than seeking information; the satan's terse, verbless answer (two parallel infinitives, no finite verb) characterizes him as a roving surveiller of the earth — the office of 'accuser' functioning as a kind of heavenly intelligence-gatherer.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's opening question to the satan, launching the interrogation/dialogue structure characteristic of the whole book.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), used in the frame narrative's dialogue between YHWH and the satan.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing הַשָּׂטָן, indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressee of the speech.
הַשָּׂטָ֖ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Object of preposition אֶלשָׂטָן (H7854) with article, 'the Accuser', addressed directly by YHWH — establishing that the satan operates within, and is answerable to, the divine court.
מֵאַ֣יִןfrom whereprep מִן + interrogative adverb · אַיִן (H370)Interrogative adverbial phrase, fronted, complement of תָּבֹאאַיִן (H370) interrogative 'where', with מִן 'from' — YHWH's opening question is likely rhetorical (God surely knows) and functions to invite the satan's report.
תָּבֹ֑אdo you comeQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the interrogative clause→ Yiqtol: present-tense question — 'where do you come from?'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; yiqtol in a present-tense interrogative.
וַיַּ֨עַןand answeredconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָנָה (H6030)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the satan's reply→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; introduces the satan's first speech in the book.
הַשָּׂטָ֤ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Subjectשָׂטָן (H7854) with article, repeated as subject of the reply.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, marking יְהוָה as the one answeredאֵת/אֶת (H853), nota accusativi, marking YHWH as direct object of עָנָה ('answered YHWH'); untranslated in English.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיַּעַןיְהוָה (H3068), addressed directly by the satan in reply.
וַיֹּאמַ֔רand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol, resumptive, introducing the content of the satan's answer→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559), paired with עָנָה ('answered ... and said') — a common double formula introducing reported speech.
מִשּׁ֣וּטfrom roamingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · שׁוּט (H7751)Infinitive construct (with מִן) as predicate of the satan's answer→ Infinitive: source/origin — describing the activity the satan comes from, with no finite main verb (a terse, evasive answer)שׁוּט (H7751) Qal 'to rove, roam about'; the satan characterizes his activity as restless patrolling/surveillance of the earth — the verb underlies the later tradition of Satan 'going to and fro' (cf. 1 Pet 5:8), though here it is simply his function as the divine court's roving observer/prosecutor.
בָּאָ֔רֶץin the earthprep בְּ + art + N common gender sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative complement of מִשּׁוּטאֶרֶץ (H776) with article, 'the earth' — the sphere of the satan's roving, in contrast to the heavenly court he has just entered.
וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְand from walking aboutconj וְ + prep מִן + Hitpael inf constr · הָלַךְ (H1980)Infinitive construct (with מִן), coordinate with מִשּׁוּט→ Infinitive: source/origin, coordinate with the preceding infinitive — synonymous parallel reinforcing the roaming descriptionהָלַךְ (H1980) Hitpael 'to walk about, go back and forth'; paired with שׁוּט in synonymous parallelism, intensifying the picture of restless, comprehensive surveillance.
בָּֽהּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suff · בְּPrepositional phrase, resumptive, complement of וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּךְ (referring back to הָאָרֶץ)בְּ with 3fs suffix referring back to הָאָרֶץ ('the earth', grammatically feminine); a resumptive pronoun completing the parallel phrase.
8

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל הַשָּׂטָ֔ן הֲשַׂ֥מְתָּ לִבְּךָ֖ עַל עַבְדִּ֣י אִיּ֑וֹב כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין כָּמֹ֨הוּ֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע

And YHWH said to the satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.'

Dialogue — YHWH's boast, initiating the wagerוַ
YHWH takes the initiative, naming Job and repeating the narrator's own four-fold description verbatim from v. 1 — a striking device in which God's assessment matches the narrator's exactly, assuring the reader that Job's piety is not mere appearance. This boast provokes the satan's challenge in v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing YHWH's speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); YHWH takes the initiative, redirecting the conversation toward Job — the pivot that turns the scene from routine report to the fateful wager.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing הַשָּׂטָןאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
הַשָּׂטָ֔ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Object of prepositionשָׂטָן (H7854) with article.
הֲשַׂ֥מְתָּhave you consideredinterrog הֲ + Qal perf 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb of the interrogative clause→ Perfective (interrogative): 'have you set/considered' — YHWH proudly draws the satan's attention to Jobשִׂים (H7760) Qal 'to put, set, place'; idiom שׂים לֵב 'to set the heart/mind [on]' = 'to consider, take note of' — YHWH's rhetorical question all but boasts of Job: 'have you noticed my servant Job?'
לִבְּךָ֖your heartN m sg cstr + 2ms suff · לֵב (H3820)Direct object of הֲשַׂמְתָּלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind', with 2ms suffix; object of the idiom שׂים לֵב 'set the mind [on]'.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase completing the idiom שׂים לֵב עַלעַל (H5921), completing the idiom 'set the heart upon' = pay attention to.
עַבְדִּ֣יmy servantN m sg cstr + 1cs suff · עֶבֶד (H5650)Object of preposition עַל, in apposition to אִיּוֹבעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave', with 1cs suffix — YHWH's own honorific title for Job, elsewhere reserved for Israel's greatest figures (Moses, Abraham, David); its repetition here and at 2:3 frames Job as a paradigm of faithful service.
אִיּ֑וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Apposition to עַבְדִּיאִיּוֹב (H347), named directly by God — the first, decisive commendation that drives the plot.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the content of God's boast (object clause)כִּי (H3588) here introducing an object/causal clause, 'that/for there is none like him...'.
אֵ֤יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential particle, predicate of the clauseאַיִן (H369), negative existential 'there is not'; אֵין כָּמֹהוּ 'there is none like him' — the strongest possible commendation.
כָּמֹ֨הוּ֙like himprep כְּמוֹ + 3ms suff · כְּמוֹ (H3644)Prepositional phrase, complement of אֵיןכְּמוֹ (H3644) comparative preposition + 3ms suffix, 'like him'; completes YHWH's superlative claim.
בָּאָ֔רֶץin the earthprep בְּ + art + N common gender sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) with article; the scope of the comparison — 'none like him on the earth' — echoes and answers the satan's own claim of roaming 'the earth' (v. 7).
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate noun in apposition, resuming the descriptionאִישׁ (H376), echoing v. 1's opening description verbatim — God quotes the narrator's own verdict on Job back to the satan.
תָּ֧םblamelessadj m sg abs · תָּם (H8535)Predicate adjective, first of the repeated four-fold formulaתָּם (H8535), repeated from v. 1 — YHWH's endorsement is not new information but a divine ratification of the narrator's initial description.
וְיָשָׁ֛רand uprightconj וְ + adj m sg abs · יָשָׁר (H3477)Predicate adjective, second of the formulaיָשָׁר (H3477), repeated from v. 1.
יְרֵ֥אfearingverbal adj (participial, cstr) · יָרֵא (H3373)Predicate participle, third of the formula, governing אֱלֹהִים→ Stative/participial: an ongoing dispositional state — habitual, characteristic reverenceיָרֵא (H3373), repeated from v. 1 (here without the conjunction, since God's list groups the middle terms slightly differently); construct before אֱלֹהִים, 'fearer of God.'
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the participle יְרֵאאֱלֹהִים (H430).
וְסָ֥רand turning awayconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg abs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate participle, fourth of the formula→ Participial: continuous, characteristic avoidance — a settled moral dispositionסוּר (H5493), repeated from v. 1 — God's own verdict now exactly matches the narrator's, confirming that the narrator's viewpoint IS God's viewpoint.
מֵרָֽעfrom evilprep מִן + adj m sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Object of preposition, complement of סָררַע (H7451), repeated from v. 1, completing YHWH's verbatim citation of the narrator's four-fold formula.
9

וַיַּ֧עַן הַשָּׂטָ֛ן אֶת יְהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַֽחִנָּ֔ם יָרֵ֥א אִיּ֖וֹב אֱלֹהִֽים

And the satan answered YHWH and said, 'Is it for nothing that Job fears God?'

Dialogue — the satan's counter-challenge, the book's central questionוַ
The satan does not deny Job's piety but questions its motive — 'is it for nothing?' (חִנָּם). This single rhetorical question sets the book's central theme: whether righteousness can exist disinterestedly, without reward as its incentive. Everything that follows tests this question empirically.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּ֧עַןand answeredconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָנָה (H6030)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the satan's rebuttal→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer'; the satan responds directly to YHWH's boast with a pointed counter-question.
הַשָּׂטָ֛ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Subjectשָׂטָן (H7854) with article.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת/אֶת (H853), marking יְהוָה as object of עָנָה; untranslated in English.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיַּעַןיְהוָה (H3068).
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol, resumptive, introducing the satan's challenge→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559), paired with עָנָה as in v. 7.
הַֽחִנָּ֔םis it for nothinginterrog הֲ + adverb · חִנָּם (H2600)Interrogative adverb, fronted for emphasis — the crux of the satan's challengeחִנָּם (H2600) 'for nothing, gratuitously, without cause', from חֵן 'favor'; with interrogative הֲ, 'is it for nothing that...?' — the satan reframes the entire question of the book: is piety ever disinterested, or always transactional? This is the book's central question.
יָרֵ֥אdoes ... fearQal perf 3ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb of the interrogative clause→ Perfective (gnomic sense in question): describes Job's characteristic, ongoing reverence, its motive now questioned rather than its realityיָרֵא (H3372) Qal perfect (a genuine finite verb here, distinct from the participial/adjectival form used in vv. 1, 8); the satan does not dispute THAT Job fears God — he disputes WHY.
אִיּ֖וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subject of יָרֵאאִיּוֹב (H347).
אֱלֹהִֽיםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of יָרֵאאֱלֹהִים (H430); the satan does not deny Job's God-fearing — he questions its purity of motive, launching the book's central test.
10

הֲלֹֽא את אַ֠תָּה שַׂ֣כְתָּ בַעֲד֧וֹ וּבְעַד בֵּית֛וֹ וּבְעַ֥ד כָּל אֲשֶׁר ל֖וֹ מִסָּבִ֑יב מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יָדָיו֙ בֵּרַ֔כְתָּ וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּ פָּרַ֥ץ בָּאָֽרֶץ

Have you not put a hedge around him and around his house and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have spread out in the land.

Dialogue — the satan's accusation of divine favoritismasyndeton
The satan reframes YHWH's boast as the product of protective favoritism rather than genuine character: a triple hedge (person, household, possessions) and unbroken blessing on Job's enterprise have, he argues, manufactured Job's piety rather than proven it.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
הֲלֹֽאhave ... notinterrog הֲ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Interrogative negative particle, opening the rhetorical questionלֹא (H3808) 'not', with interrogative הֲ; הֲלֹא introduces a rhetorical question expecting 'yes' — 'have you not...?' = 'surely you have...'.
את[ketiv, unvocalized]independent pron 2ms (ketiv, defective spelling) · אַתָּה (H859)Ketiv (written) form; subject, resumptive/emphaticKetiv את, a defective spelling of 'you' (H859); the Masoretes supply the fuller Qere spelling immediately following — another of the chapter's small Ketiv-Qere pairs (cf. v. 4).
אַ֠תָּהyouindependent pron 2ms (qere) · אַתָּה (H859)Qere (to-be-read) form; emphatic subject of שַׂכְתָּאַתָּה (H859) 'you' (2ms), the Qere reading; emphatic independent pronoun reinforcing the subject already in the verb — 'have YOU not hedged him in?', the satan's pointed accusation of God's own protective favoritism.
שַׂ֣כְתָּhedged inQal perf 2ms · שׂוּךְ (H7753)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Perfective: a completed, ongoing protective act — 'you have hedged him in'שׂוּךְ (H7753) Qal 'to hedge, fence in, block'; a rare verb with vivid agricultural imagery of a protective fence around a field — the satan portrays God's blessing as a defensive wall shielding Job from life's ordinary hazards.
בַעֲד֧וֹaround himprep בְּעַד + 3ms suff · בְּעַד (H1157)Prepositional phrase, first of three parallel objects of protectionבְּעַד (H1157) 'behind, around, on behalf of'; here spatial, 'around him' (Job's own person).
וּבְעַדand aroundconj וְ + prep · בְּעַד (H1157)Prepositional phrase, second of three parallel objects, coordinateבְּעַד (H1157) repeated, extending the hedge to encompass Job's household.
בֵּית֛וֹhis householdN m sg cstr + 3ms suff · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of preposition וּבְעַדבַּיִת (H1004) 'house', with 3ms suffix; 'his household' — family and dependents, the second circle of protection.
וּבְעַ֥דand aroundconj וְ + prep · בְּעַד (H1157)Prepositional phrase, third of three parallel objects, coordinateבְּעַד (H1157) repeated a third time, extending the hedge to Job's possessions — a rhetorical tricolon (person, household, possessions).
כָּלall thatN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun, head of the relative clause אֲשֶׁר לוֹכֹּל (H3605) construct 'all of'; כָּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ 'all that he has' — his possessions, completing the tricolon.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause אֲשֶׁר לוֹאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'that (which)'.
ל֖וֹhe hasprep לְ + 3ms suff · לְPredicate of the relative clause, possessive ('that [belongs] to him')לְ + 3ms suffix, possessive predicate, 'that is his, that he has'.
מִסָּבִ֑יבon every sideprep מִן + N common gender sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying שַׂכְתָּ, summarizing the encompassing protectionסָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding area, circuit', with מִן; caps the tricolon — the hedge encloses Job completely, on every side.
מַעֲשֵׂ֤הthe work ofN m sg cstr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Construct noun, object fronted for emphasis before בֵּרַכְתָּמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed, product', from עשה 'to do, make'; מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו 'the work of his hands' — Job's labor/enterprise, fronted for emphasis.
יָדָיו֙his handsN common gender dual cstr + 3ms suff · יָד (H3027)Object of construct מַעֲשֵׂהיָד (H3027) dual with 3ms suffix, 'his (two) hands'; 'the work of the hands' denotes all productive enterprise and labor.
בֵּרַ֔כְתָּyou have blessedPiel perf 2ms · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb, main clause, resuming after the fronted object מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו→ Perfective: a completed, ongoing act of favor — 'you have blessed [and continue to bless] the work of his hands'בֵּרַךְ (H1288) Piel, here in its LITERAL, non-euphemistic sense: 'you have blessed' — God's own prospering favor on Job's enterprise, contrasted with the euphemistic 'bless' (= curse) of vv. 5, 11. The satan attributes Job's success entirely to divine favoritism, not character.
וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּand his livestockconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suff · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Subject of פָּרַץמִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, possessions', with 3ms suffix — resuming the wealth catalogue of v. 3.
פָּרַ֥ץhas burst forthQal perf 3ms · פָּרַץ (H6555)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, ongoing state of prolific increase — 'his possessions have burst out/multiplied'פָּרַץ (H6555) Qal 'to break out, burst forth, spread'; a vivid image of uncontainable multiplication — Job's herds have overflowed all bounds, the natural consequence (per the satan) of divine favoritism rather than merit.
בָּאָֽרֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N common gender sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase modifying פָּרַץאֶרֶץ (H776) with article, 'the land'; Job's prosperity is visible and widespread, publicly evident to all.
11

וְאוּלָם֙ שְֽׁלַֽח נָ֣א יָֽדְךָ֔ וְגַ֖ע בְּכָל אֲשֶׁר ל֑וֹ אִם לֹ֥א עַל פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְבָרֲכֶֽךָּ

But stretch out your hand now and touch all that he has — surely he will curse you to your face!

Dialogue — the satan's proposed test (wager)וְ
The satan issues a direct imperative challenge to God, framed as a suppressed oath formula (אִם לֹא, 'if not ... surely'): if Job's possessions are struck, he predicts open blasphemy 'to his face' — the second occurrence of the chapter's euphemistic בֵּרַךְ ('bless' = curse), escalated from private fear (v. 5) to a confident public wager.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאוּלָם֙butconj וְ + adverb · אוּלָם (H199)Adversative conjunction, introducing the satan's counter-proposalאוּלָם (H199) 'but, however'; a strong adversative marking the pivot from description to challenge — the satan proposes a test.
שְֽׁלַֽחstretch outQal impv 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, imperative, main clause of the satan's challenge→ Volitional (imperative): a direct challenge/dare addressed to Godשָׁלַח (H7971) Qal imperative 'send, stretch out'; the satan issues a direct command to God — audacious for a member of the court to address the sovereign this way, underscoring his role as provocateur.
נָ֣אnowparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty/urgency, attached to the imperativeנָא (H4994), a particle of entreaty attached to imperatives, 'please' or 'just, now'; here it intensifies the challenge, almost mockingly polite.
יָֽדְךָ֔your handN common gender sg cstr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct object of שְׁלַחיָד (H3027) with 2ms suffix, 'your hand' — the organ of active power; 'stretch out your hand' is the idiom for direct divine intervention.
וְגַ֖עand touchconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · נָגַע (H5060)Predicate verb, imperative, coordinate with שְׁלַח→ Volitional (imperative): the second half of the satan's dareנָגַע (H5060) Qal imperative 'touch, strike'; a euphemistic understatement — 'touch' here means to strike with harm, a typical Hebrew litotes for violent affliction (cf. Gen 32:26, 33).
בְּכָלall thatprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, object of וְגַעכֹּל (H3605) construct with prep בְּ, 'in/against all'; governs the relative clause אֲשֶׁר לוֹ.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing אֲשֶׁר לוֹאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'that (which) he has'.
ל֑וֹhe hasprep לְ + 3ms suff · לְPredicate of the relative clause, possessiveלְ + 3ms suffix, possessive predicate; the satan's challenge targets all Job's possessions — not yet his person, which is proposed only in ch. 2.
אִםifconj (oath formula) · אִם (H518)Conditional/oath-formula particle introducing the (suppressed) apodosisאִם (H518), here part of a Hebrew negative-oath idiom (אִם לֹא), in which the actual curse ('may such happen to me') is suppressed, leaving only the condition — 'if he does not... [may I be cursed]' functions as an emphatic 'surely he will.'
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle within the oath formula אִם לֹאלֹא (H3808), completing the oath idiom אִם לֹא, which functions as an emphatic positive assertion: 'surely he will curse you to your face.'
עַלtoprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing פָּנֶיךָעַל (H5921) 'upon, to'; עַל פָּנֶיךָ 'to your face' — openly, without concealment.
פָּנֶ֖יךָyour faceN common gender pl cstr + 2ms suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plural in form), with 2ms suffix; 'to your face' — the satan predicts open, direct blasphemy, not mere private grumbling.
יְבָרֲכֶֽךָּhe will curse you [written 'bless']Piel impf 3ms + 2ms suff · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb of the (suppressed) oath apodosis→ Yiqtol: future/modal — the predicted outcome of the test, the satan's confident wagerבֵּרַךְ (H1288) Piel yiqtol, literally 'he will bless you'; again the euphemism for 'curse' (as in v. 5). The satan wagers that, stripped of possessions, Job will curse God openly 'to your face,' escalating the private, feared cursing 'in their hearts' of v. 5 into a confident prediction of public defiance.
12

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל הַשָּׂטָ֗ן הִנֵּ֤ה כָל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ רַ֣ק אֵלָ֔יו אַל תִּשְׁלַ֖ח יָדֶ֑ךָ וַיֵּצֵא֙ הַשָּׂטָ֔ן מֵעִ֖ם פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

And YHWH said to the satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your hand; only against him do not stretch out your hand.' And the satan went out from the presence of YHWH.

Dialogue resolution and scene-closing — terms of the test setוַ
YHWH grants the satan authority over Job's possessions while explicitly forbidding harm to Job's own person — the precise legal boundary of the first trial. The satan's departure closes the heavenly council scene and pivots the narrative back to earth, where the four blows fall in vv. 13-19.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing YHWH's response→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); YHWH grants the satan's request, moving the plot from debate to action.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing הַשָּׂטָןאֶל (H413).
הַשָּׂטָ֗ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Object of prepositionשָׂטָן (H7854) with article.
הִנֵּ֤הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle, introducing YHWH's grant of permissionהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, here is'; draws attention to the terms of the permission that follows, 'behold, all that he has is in your hand.'
כָלall thatN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun, subject of the nominal clause, head of the relative אֲשֶׁר לוֹכֹּל (H3605) construct 'all of'.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing אֲשֶׁר לוֹאֲשֶׁר (H834).
לוֹ֙he hasprep לְ + 3ms suff · לְPredicate of the relative clause, possessiveלְ + 3ms suffix, possessive predicate.
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָin your handprep בְּ + N common gender sg cstr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Predicate of the nominal clause ('all that he has [is] in your hand')יָד (H3027) with prep בְּ and 2ms suffix, 'in your hand'; God grants authority over Job's possessions, deliberately echoing and reversing the satan's own words in v. 11 ('stretch out YOUR hand').
רַ֣קonlyadverb of restriction · רַק (H7535)Adverb of restriction, introducing the sharp limitation on the grantרַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; introduces the crucial restriction — the permission is not unlimited.
אֵלָ֔יוagainst himprep אֶל + 3ms suff · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, fronted for emphasis, complement of תִּשְׁלַחאֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix, 'to/against him' (Job's own person); fronted before the negated verb for emphasis — the one boundary God sets.
אַלdo notnegative particle (prohibitive) · אַל (H408)Negative particle of prohibition, governing the jussive תִּשְׁלַחאַל (H408), used with jussive/imperfect for direct prohibition (distinct from absolute לֹא) — a specific, personal command to the satan.
תִּשְׁלַ֖חstretch outQal jussive 2ms (negated) · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, jussive/prohibitive, governed by אַל→ Jussive (negated): a direct prohibition — the one line the satan may not crossשָׁלַח (H7971), echoing the satan's own imperative in v. 11, now forbidden — God grants power over possessions but explicitly protects Job's person, fixing the exact terms of the coming trial.
יָדֶ֑ךָyour handN common gender sg cstr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct object of תִּשְׁלַחיָד (H3027) with 2ms suffix, 'your hand' — repeating v. 11's phrase, now placed under divine restriction.
וַיֵּצֵא֙and went outconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, concluding the heavenly scene→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the satan's departure closes the heavenly council scene and initiates the earthly catastropheיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the satan departs from the divine presence to carry out the permitted test — the hinge verse between the heaven scene and the earth scene that follows.
הַשָּׂטָ֔ןthe satanart + N m sg abs · שָׂטָן (H7854)Subjectשָׂטָן (H7854) with article.
מֵעִ֖םfrom beforeprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Compound prepositional phrase governing פְּנֵי יְהוָהמִן + עִם (H5973), compound preposition 'from with, from the presence of'.
פְּנֵ֥יthe presence ofN common gender pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct noun, object of compound preposition מֵעִםפָּנִים (H6440) construct plural 'face of'; פְּנֵי יְהוָה 'the presence of YHWH', an idiom for the divine court/throne room.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of construct פְּנֵייְהוָה (H3068), closing the scene as it opened — with the divine name, framing the heavenly council.
13

וַיְהִ֖י הַיּ֑וֹם וּבָנָ֨יו וּבְנֹתָ֤יו אֹֽכְלִים֙ וְשֹׁתִ֣ים יַ֔יִן בְּבֵ֖ית אֲחִיהֶ֥ם הַבְּכֽוֹר

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother the firstborn.

Scene transition — earth (catastrophe begins)וַ
The formula 'now there was a day,' identical to v. 6's heavenly-scene opener, signals that the earthly catastrophe begins in the very moment sealed by the heavenly wager. The participial description (eating, drinking) freezes the family in blissful normalcy — dramatic irony, since the reader alone knows what is about to befall them.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיְהִ֖יand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol, formulaic scene-transition ('now there was a day')→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, marking the shift back to earth and the start of the catastropheהָיָה (H1961); the identical formula from v. 6 recurs, now on earth — the parallel construction signals that the trial begins precisely where the wager was sealed.
הַיּ֑וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal subject-complement of וַיְהִייוֹם (H3117) with article, 'a certain day' — the day the four blows fall, deliberately echoing v. 6's introduction of the heavenly scene.
וּבָנָ֨יוand his sonsconj וְ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Subject, first of compound subject with וּבְנֹתָיובֵּן (H1121) plural with 3ms suffix, 'his sons', resuming the family circle of vv. 2, 4.
וּבְנֹתָ֤יוand his daughtersconj וְ + N f pl cstr + 3ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Subject, second of compound subjectבַּת (H1323) plural with 3ms suffix, 'his daughters', completing the pair with וּבָנָיו.
אֹֽכְלִים֙eatingQal ptc m pl abs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate participle, describing the ongoing scene at the moment of catastrophe→ Participial: a scene caught mid-action — vivid present-tense description of the feast in progress the instant disaster strikesאָכַל (H398) Qal participle 'eating'; the participle (not a finite verb) freezes the scene in progress — the reader watches the family feasting in blissful ignorance even as the messengers of disaster are already converging.
וְשֹׁתִ֣יםand drinkingconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl abs · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate participle, coordinate with אֹכְלִים→ Participial: coordinate ongoing action, part of the same frozen sceneשָׁתָה (H8354) Qal participle 'drinking'; paired with אֹכְלִים, the standard idiom for festive dining, resuming the custom described in v. 4.
יַ֔יִןwineN m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Direct object of וְשֹׁתִיםיַיִן (H3196) 'wine'; specifies the drink of celebration, a note of festive normalcy just before catastrophe strikes.
בְּבֵ֖יתin the house ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) construct with prep בְּ, 'in the house of' — the rotation pattern of v. 4 continues; this time it is the eldest's turn.
אֲחִיהֶ֥םtheir brotherN m sg cstr + 3mp suff · אָח (H251)Construct noun governed by בְּבֵיתאָח (H251) with 3mp suffix, 'their brother' — the host on this particular day.
הַבְּכֽוֹרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Apposition/attributive to אֲחִיהֶם, specifying which brotherבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn', with article; identifies the day as the eldest son's turn — a detail that sharpens the pathos, since all ten children are struck on this final, most significant day of the rotation.
14

וּמַלְאָ֛ךְ בָּ֥א אֶל אִיּ֖וֹב וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַבָּקָר֙ הָי֣וּ חֹֽרְשׁ֔וֹת וְהָאֲתֹנ֖וֹת רֹע֥וֹת עַל יְדֵיהֶֽם

And a messenger came to Job and said, 'The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing beside them,

Narrative sequence — first messenger report (blow 1: Sabeans; oxen and donkeys)וְ
The first of four messenger reports, each opening with an abrupt arrival and closing with the fixed formula 'and I alone have escaped to tell you' (v. 15). Each report begins with the animals caught peacefully at their ordinary work, heightening the shock of the violence about to be described.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּמַלְאָ֛ךְand a messengerconj וְ + N m sg abs · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subjectמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel', from a root meaning 'to send'; here a human courier bringing news, not a supernatural being — the same word later denotes divine messengers, but context (a survivor reporting a raid) makes the human sense clear.
בָּ֥אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, punctiliar arrival — the sudden intrusion that shatters the feast sceneבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the messenger's arrival breaks abruptly into the idyllic feast scene of v. 13.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing אִיּוֹבאֶל (H413).
אִיּ֖וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Object of prepositionאִיּוֹב (H347); the messenger comes to Job, not to the feasting children — Job alone receives all four reports.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the messenger's report→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces the first of four nearly identical report formulas structuring vv. 14-19.
הַבָּקָר֙the oxenart + N common gender sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Subject of the messenger's reportבָּקָר (H1241) with article, resuming the '500 yoke of oxen' catalogued in v. 3 — the first item of wealth to fall.
הָי֣וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Copula/auxiliary verb with the following participle (periphrastic construction)→ Perfective (periphrastic with participle): describes an activity in progress at the moment of attack — 'were plowing'הָיָה (H1961) + participle, a periphrastic construction for durative past action, 'were plowing' — like v. 13's participles, capturing the animals caught mid-task.
חֹֽרְשׁ֔וֹתplowingQal ptc f pl abs · חָרַשׁ (H2790)Predicate participle completing the periphrastic construction with הָיוּ→ Participial (periphrastic): ongoing action interrupted — the everyday labor of the farm violently disruptedחָרַשׁ (H2790) Qal participle f pl 'plowing'; the cattle at their normal agricultural work, an image of settled productivity about to be violently disrupted.
וְהָאֲתֹנ֖וֹתand the female donkeysconj וְ + art + N f pl abs · אָתוֹן (H860)Subject, coordinate with הַבָּקָראָתוֹן (H860) with article, resuming the '500 female donkeys' of v. 3.
רֹע֥וֹתgrazingQal ptc f pl abs · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate participle, coordinate with חֹרְשׁוֹת (הָיוּ gapped from the first clause)→ Participial (periphrastic, verb gapped): ongoing action, coordinate with the oxen's plowingרָעָה (H7462) Qal participle f pl 'grazing, feeding'; the donkeys grazing nearby, completing the peaceful pastoral scene.
עַלbesideprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying רֹעוֹת (locative)עַל (H5921) 'upon, beside'; here spatial, 'beside/near their hands', i.e. under the plowmen's supervision.
יְדֵיהֶֽםtheir handsN common gender dual cstr + 3mp suff · יָד (H3027)Object of preposition עַליָד (H3027) dual with 3mp suffix; the idiom עַל יְדֵי means 'beside, under the charge of' — the donkeys grazed under the care of the same workers plowing with the oxen, all struck together in a single raid.
15

וַתִּפֹּ֤ל שְׁבָא֙ וַתִּקָּחֵ֔ם וְאֶת הַנְּעָרִ֖ים הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי חָ֑רֶב וָֽאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ

and Sheba fell upon them and took them, and struck the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.'

Narrative sequence — first messenger report concludes; refrain formulaוַ
The report's violent core (raid, plunder, slaughter of the herdsmen) closes with the fixed formula 'and I alone have escaped to tell you' — repeated verbatim after each of the four blows (vv. 16, 17, 19), a refrain that mechanizes the escalating catastrophe: only the messenger, never any of Job's household or possessions, survives each strike.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַתִּפֹּ֤לand fell uponconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, main verb of the raid narrative→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the sudden violent attackנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; here idiomatic 'fell upon' = attacked suddenly, a standard raid verb (cf. Judg 9:33; 1 Sam 30:1).
שְׁבָא֙Shebaproper noun (gentilic) · שְׁבָא (H7614)Subjectשְׁבָא (H7614) 'Sheba'; a people of the Arabian peninsula (cf. 1 Kgs 10, the Queen of Sheba), known in the ancient world as caravan traders — here acting as raiders, seizing Job's oxen and donkeys.
וַתִּקָּחֵ֔םand took themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs + 3mp suff · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with וַתִּפֹּל→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, seize'; the raiders carry off the oxen and donkeys as plunder.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, introducing the second object of הִכּוּוְ joins the second clause; אֵת marks הַנְּעָרִים as the definite direct object of הִכּוּ.
הַנְּעָרִ֖יםthe servantsart + N m pl abs · נַעַר (H5288)Direct object of הִכּוּנַעַר (H5288) 'youth, young man, servant'; here the herdsmen/farmhands tending the oxen and donkeys — the human cost of the raid, killed alongside the loss of livestock.
הִכּ֣וּthey struck downHiphil perf 3cp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, violent act — the killing of the herdsmenנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; here euphemistic/technical for killing in battle — the servants were slain along with the theft of livestock.
לְפִיby the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg cstr · פֶּה (H6310)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying הִכּוּפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, edge', construct with לְ; לְפִי חֶרֶב 'by the mouth/edge of the sword' is the standard Hebrew idiom for death by the sword — slaughter.
חָ֑רֶבswordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Object of construct לְפִיחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the idiom for violent slaughter.
וָֽאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧הand I escapedconj וָ + Niphal wayyiqtol 1cs (cohortative-form) · מָלַט (H4422)Wayyiqtol, main verb of the closing formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the messenger's own survival, transitioning to the fixed closing refrainמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape, be delivered'; opens the recurring formula 'and I alone have escaped to tell you' that closes each of the four reports (vv. 15-19) — its verbatim repetition underscores that only the bearer of bad news survives each blow.
רַקonlyadverb of restriction · רַק (H7535)Adverb of restriction, part of the fixed closing formulaרַק (H7535) 'only'; emphasizes the sole survivor.
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject pronoun, resumptive with the verb's own 1cs endingאֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic, reinforcing 'I ALONE' — the sole messenger set against the totality of the loss.
לְבַדִּ֖יaloneprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 1cs suff · בַּד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase reinforcing אֲנִיבַּד (H905) 'separation, alone', construct with לְ and 1cs suffix, idiom 'alone, by myself'; doubles the emphasis on sole survival (רַק אֲנִי לְבַדִּי, 'only I, alone').
לְהַגִּ֥ידto tellprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָגַד (H5046)Infinitive construct expressing purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — the reason for the messenger's survival, framed almost as fated ('spared only in order to report')נָגַד (H5046) Hiphil 'to declare, tell, report'; the survivor's sole purpose was to bring the news — heightening the sense of relentless, total catastrophe.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suff · לְPrepositional phrase, indirect object of לְהַגִּיד, addressed to Jobלְ + 2fs suffix — the suffix is grammatically FEMININE ('to you' as if addressing a woman) though Job is male; a well-known anomaly of the MT here (repeated in vv. 16, 17, 19), likely an archaic or dialectal form of the 2ms ending rather than a real change of addressee.
16

ע֣וֹד זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֗ר וְזֶה֮ בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַר֒ אֵ֣שׁ אֱלֹהִ֗ים נָֽפְלָה֙ מִן הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתִּבְעַ֥ר בַּצֹּ֛אן וּבַנְּעָרִ֖ים וַתֹּאכְלֵ֑ם וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ

While this one was still speaking, another came and said, 'The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.'

Narrative sequence — interruption formula and second messenger report (blow 2: fire of God, sheep)asyndeton
The interruption formula 'while this one was still speaking, another came' (repeated at vv. 17, 18) overlaps the reports in time, denying Job and the reader any pause between blows. The messenger's own words attribute the fire to 'God' — a poignant irony, since the reader knows it is the satan's doing, permitted within God's set boundary.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ע֣וֹדstilladverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb, opening the interruption formulaעוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, yet'; opens the recurring interruption formula 'while this one was still speaking, another came,' which links the four disaster reports into one breathless sequence — Job has no time to absorb one loss before the next messenger arrives.
זֶ֣הthis onedemonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of מְדַבֵּרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; refers to the first messenger, still finishing his report.
מְדַבֵּ֗רwas speakingPiel ptc m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate participle, ongoing action ('while this one was still speaking')→ Participial: action in progress, interrupted by the arrival of the next messenger — the overlapping timing intensifies the sense of relentless catastropheדָּבַר (H1696) Piel participle 'speaking'; the participle marks simultaneity — the second disaster's news arrives before the first has even finished being reported.
וְזֶה֮and this oneconj וְ + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of בָּא, coordinate with the preceding זֶהזֶה (H2088), referring to the second messenger, now arriving.
בָּ֣אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, punctiliar arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the second messenger's arrival, overlapping the first's still-unfinished report.
וַיֹּאמַר֒and saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the second report→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces the second messenger's report.
אֵ֣שׁfire ofN common gender sg cstr · אֵשׁ (H784)Construct noun, subject of נָפְלָהאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire', construct before אֱלֹהִים; אֵשׁ אֱלֹהִים likely denotes lightning — a devastating conflagration described from the messenger's perspective as originating from heaven.
אֱלֹהִ֗יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of construct אֵשׁ ('fire of God')אֱלֹהִים (H430); the construct phrase 'fire of God' is a superlative/intensive use of the divine name (cf. 'cedars of God' = mighty cedars), denoting an extraordinary fire — likely lightning, named in the messenger's own theological vocabulary. Ironic: he attributes the disaster to God, unaware it is the satan's doing, permitted within God's boundary — the narrative's dramatic irony deepens.
נָֽפְלָה֙fellQal perf 3fs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a sudden, completed catastrophic eventנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; here literal — fire falling from the sky, i.e. lightning.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase governing הַשָּׁמַיִםמִן (H4480) 'from'.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of preposition מִןשָׁמַיִם (H8064) with article, 'the heavens/sky' — the fire's celestial origin, reinforcing the messenger's impression of direct divine action.
וַתִּבְעַ֥רand burnedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · בָּעַר (H1197)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with נָפְלָה→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn'; the fire consumes the flock.
בַּצֹּ֛אןamong the sheepprep בְּ + art + N common gender sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Locative prepositional phrase, object affected by וַתִּבְעַרצֹאן (H6629) with article, resuming the '7,000 sheep' of v. 3 — the second item of wealth destroyed.
וּבַנְּעָרִ֖יםand among the servantsconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · נַעַר (H5288)Locative prepositional phrase, coordinate with בַּצֹּאןנַעַר (H5288) with article, the shepherds tending the flock — again, human casualties alongside livestock loss.
וַתֹּאכְלֵ֑םand consumed themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs + 3mp suff · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with וַתִּבְעַר→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; here metaphorical of fire, 'consumed/devoured' — completing the destruction.
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧הand I escapedconj וָ + Niphal wayyiqtol 1cs (cohortative-form) · מָלַט (H4422)Wayyiqtol, main verb of the closing formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the second refrain of the fixed closing formulaמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape'; the refrain 'and I alone have escaped to tell you' recurs verbatim from v. 15.
רַקonlyadverb of restriction · רַק (H7535)Adverb of restriction, part of the fixed closing formulaרַק (H7535) 'only', repeated verbatim from the refrain in v. 15.
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject pronoun, resumptive with the verb's own 1cs endingאֲנִי (H589) 'I', part of the recurring refrain.
לְבַדִּ֖יaloneprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 1cs suff · בַּד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase reinforcing אֲנִיבַּד (H905) 'separation, alone', part of the recurring refrain.
לְהַגִּ֥ידto tellprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָגַד (H5046)Infinitive construct expressing purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — the reason for the messenger's survivalנָגַד (H5046) Hiphil 'to declare, tell, report', part of the recurring refrain.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suff · לְPrepositional phrase, indirect object of לְהַגִּידלְ + 2fs suffix, the same grammatically feminine anomaly noted at v. 15 (repeated across all four refrains).
17

ע֣וֹד זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֗ר וְזֶה֮ בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַר֒ כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים שָׂ֣מוּ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה רָאשִׁ֗ים וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ עַל הַגְּמַלִּים֙ וַיִּקָּח֔וּם וְאֶת הַנְּעָרִ֖ים הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי חָ֑רֶב וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ

While this one was still speaking, another came and said, 'The Chaldeans formed three companies and made a raid on the camels and took them, and struck the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.'

Narrative sequence — interruption formula and third messenger report (blow 3: Chaldeans, camels)asyndeton
The Chaldeans' tactical three-pronged raid (שְׁלֹשָׁה רָאשִׁים) echoes the chapter's threes-and-sevens numerical patterning even in catastrophe. The report otherwise repeats the first messenger's formula nearly verbatim, reinforcing the mechanized, escalating rhythm of loss.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ע֣וֹדstilladverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb, opening the interruption formulaעוֹד (H5750), the interruption formula recurring a third time — 'while this one was still speaking, another came.'
זֶ֣הthis onedemonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of מְדַבֵּרזֶה (H2088), referring to the second messenger, still finishing his report.
מְדַבֵּ֗רwas speakingPiel ptc m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate participle, ongoing action→ Participial: action in progress, interrupted by the next arrivalדָּבַר (H1696) Piel participle 'speaking', repeated from the formula at v. 16.
וְזֶה֮and this oneconj וְ + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of בָּא, coordinate with the preceding זֶהזֶה (H2088), referring to the third messenger, now arriving.
בָּ֣אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, punctiliar arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the third messenger's arrival.
וַיֹּאמַר֒and saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the third report→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces the third messenger's report.
כַּשְׂדִּ֞יםChaldeansproper noun (gentilic pl) · כַּשְׂדִּים (H3778)Subject of שָׂמוּכַּשְׂדִּים (H3778) 'Chaldeans'; a people of southern Mesopotamia (later Neo-Babylonian rulers), here a raiding band — the geographic breadth of the four attacks (Sabeans from the south/east, Chaldeans from the north/east) casts Job's calamity as coming from all directions.
שָׂ֣מוּformedQal perf 3cp · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, deliberate tactical actשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; here 'formed (three companies)' — a military term for organizing raiding parties.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣הthreecardinal num m sg abs · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Numeral modifying רָאשִׁיםשְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'; another appearance of the chapter's threes-and-sevens numerical patterning, now in a military/predatory context.
רָאשִׁ֗יםcompaniesN m pl abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object of שָׂמוּרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head', idiomatic plural 'companies, raiding bands' (lit. 'heads' = divisions) — a three-pronged tactical raid, echoing Gideon's stratagem in Judg 7:16, likely a recognized raiding technique.
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּand raidedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּשַׁט (H6584)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, main verb of the attack→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the raid itselfפָּשַׁט (H6584) Qal 'to strip off, spread out, raid'; a technical term for a marauding raid or foray (cf. 1 Sam 30:1; 1 Chr 14:9).
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing הַגְּמַלִּיםעַל (H5921), marking the object of the raid.
הַגְּמַלִּים֙the camelsart + N m pl abs · גָּמָל (H1581)Object of preposition עַלגָּמָל (H1581) with article, resuming the '3,000 camels' of v. 3 — the third item of wealth seized.
וַיִּקָּח֔וּםand took themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp + 3mp suff · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with וַיִּפְשְׁטוּ→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, seize'; the camels carried off as plunder.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, second object of הִכּוּוְ + אֵת marking הַנְּעָרִים as the definite direct object.
הַנְּעָרִ֖יםthe servantsart + N m pl abs · נַעַר (H5288)Direct object of הִכּוּנַעַר (H5288), the camel-drivers, again killed alongside the theft.
הִכּ֣וּstruck downHiphil perf 3cp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, violent actנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil, repeated verbatim from v. 15 — the same lethal pattern in each raid.
לְפִיby the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg cstr · פֶּה (H6310)Instrumental prepositional phraseפֶּה (H6310) construct, the idiom repeated verbatim from v. 15.
חָ֑רֶבswordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Object of construct לְפִיחֶרֶב (H2719), completing the slaughter idiom, repeated verbatim from v. 15.
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧הand I escapedconj וָ + Niphal wayyiqtol 1cs (cohortative-form) · מָלַט (H4422)Wayyiqtol, main verb of the closing formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the third refrain of the fixed closing formulaמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape'; the refrain recurs verbatim a third time.
רַקonlyadverb of restriction · רַק (H7535)Adverb of restriction, part of the fixed closing formulaרַק (H7535), part of the recurring refrain.
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject pronoun, resumptive with the verb's own 1cs endingאֲנִי (H589), part of the recurring refrain.
לְבַדִּ֖יaloneprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 1cs suff · בַּד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase reinforcing אֲנִיבַּד (H905), part of the recurring refrain.
לְהַגִּ֥ידto tellprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָגַד (H5046)Infinitive construct expressing purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — the reason for the messenger's survivalנָגַד (H5046), part of the recurring refrain.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suff · לְPrepositional phrase, indirect object of לְהַגִּידלְ + 2fs suffix, the same grammatically feminine anomaly noted at v. 15.
18

עַ֚ד זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֔ר וְזֶ֖ה בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַ֑ר בָּנֶ֨יךָ וּבְנוֹתֶ֤יךָ אֹֽכְלִים֙ וְשֹׁתִ֣ים יַ֔יִן בְּבֵ֖ית אֲחִיהֶ֥ם הַבְּכֽוֹר

While this one was still speaking, another came and said, 'Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother the firstborn,

Narrative sequence — interruption formula and fourth report begins (scene-setting, echoing v. 13)asyndeton
The fourth interruption uses עַד instead of עוֹד, a minor stylistic variation. The report's opening verbatim repeats v. 13's scene of the children feasting — but this time the messenger addresses Job directly ('your sons and daughters'), heightening the personal horror of the blow described in v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
עַ֚דwhileprep (adverbial use) · עַד (H5704)Adverb-like preposition, opening the interruption formula (variant of עוֹד)עַד (H5704), here functioning adverbially like עוֹד ('still, while') rather than its ordinary sense 'until' — a small lexical variation in the fourth iteration of the interruption formula (the first three used עוֹד), perhaps for stylistic variety.
זֶ֣הthis onedemonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of מְדַבֵּרזֶה (H2088), referring to the third messenger, still finishing his report.
מְדַבֵּ֔רwas speakingPiel ptc m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate participle, ongoing action→ Participial: action in progress, interrupted by the next arrivalדָּבַר (H1696) Piel participle 'speaking', the interruption formula's fourth and final occurrence.
וְזֶ֖הand this oneconj וְ + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of בָּא, coordinate with the preceding זֶהזֶה (H2088), referring to the fourth and final messenger, now arriving.
בָּ֣אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, punctiliar arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the fourth and final messenger's arrival.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing the fourth and final report→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces the fourth messenger's report, the most devastating of all.
בָּנֶ֨יךָyour sonsN m pl cstr + 2ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Subject, first of compound subject with וּבְנוֹתֶיךָבֵּן (H1121) plural with 2ms suffix, 'your sons' — the messenger addresses Job directly ('your'), a shift from the narrator's 3ms 'his sons' in v. 13 that heightens the personal impact of this final report.
וּבְנוֹתֶ֤יךָand your daughtersconj וְ + N f pl cstr + 2ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Subject, second of compound subjectבַּת (H1323) plural with 2ms suffix, 'your daughters', completing the pair, again addressed directly to Job.
אֹֽכְלִים֙eatingQal ptc m pl abs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate participle, describing the scene at the moment of catastrophe→ Participial: a scene caught mid-action, echoing v. 13אָכַל (H398) Qal participle, repeated verbatim from v. 13 — the identical festive scene, now about to be destroyed entirely.
וְשֹׁתִ֣יםand drinkingconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl abs · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate participle, coordinate with אֹכְלִים→ Participial: coordinate ongoing actionשָׁתָה (H8354) Qal participle, repeated verbatim from v. 13.
יַ֔יִןwineN m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Direct object of וְשֹׁתִיםיַיִן (H3196), repeated verbatim from v. 13.
בְּבֵ֖יתin the house ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) construct, repeated verbatim from v. 13.
אֲחִיהֶ֥םtheir brotherN m sg cstr + 3mp suff · אָח (H251)Construct noun governed by בְּבֵיתאָח (H251) with 3mp suffix, repeated verbatim from v. 13; note the shift back to third person ('their brother') even though the children were just addressed as 'your' — the messenger's speech blends direct address to Job with third-person narration of the children's situation.
הַבְּכֽוֹרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Apposition to אֲחִיהֶםבְּכוֹר (H1060), repeated verbatim from v. 13 — the identical setting is repeated to set up the final, most devastating blow, which falls in v. 19 on this very house.
19

וְהִנֵּה֩ ר֨וּחַ גְּדוֹלָ֜ה בָּ֣אָה מֵעֵ֣בֶר הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר וַיִּגַּע֙ בְּאַרְבַּע֙ פִּנּ֣וֹת הַבַּ֔יִת וַיִּפֹּ֥ל עַל הַנְּעָרִ֖ים וַיָּמ֑וּתוּ וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ

and a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they died; and I alone have escaped to tell you.'

Narrative sequence — fourth messenger report concludes (blow 4: the great wind, the children's deaths); climax of the four-blow sequenceוְ
The most devastating of the four reports: a natural force from the wilderness collapses the house on all ten of Job's children at once. The verb 'struck' (נָגַע) pointedly echoes the satan's own words in v. 11 ('touch all that he has'), quietly confirming that this blow, like the others, falls within — and exactly fulfills — the terms of the wager sealed in heaven.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהִנֵּה֩and beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Conjunction + presentative particle, dramatically introducing the windהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold', with conjunction; heightens the drama — unlike the first three blows (human/natural agents named directly: Sheba, fire, Chaldeans), this final one is introduced with a vivid 'and behold', as if the messenger himself is still astonished.
ר֨וּחַa windN common gender sg abs · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of בָּאָהרוּחַ (H7307) 'wind, spirit, breath'; a violent windstorm — the fourth blow, after human raiders and fire, is a purely elemental force, completing a set spanning human violence, celestial fire, and wind.
גְּדוֹלָ֜הgreatadj f sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying רוּחַגָּדוֹל (H1419) f sg, 'great'; intensifies the wind's destructive scale, matching the escalating severity of each successive blow.
בָּ֣אָהcameQal perf 3fs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a sudden, completed arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the wind's arrival echoes the verb used of each messenger's own coming (vv. 14, 16-18).
מֵעֵ֣בֶרfrom acrossprep מִן + N m sg cstr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phrase, source of the windעֵבֶר (H5676) 'side, region beyond', construct with מִן; 'from across the wilderness' — the storm's origin in the uninhabited desert underscores its untamed, elemental character.
הַמִּדְבָּ֗רthe wildernessart + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Object of construct מֵעֵבֶרמִדְבָּר (H4057) with article, 'the wilderness/desert' — the empty expanse from which the storm sweeps in, a fittingly desolate origin for total devastation.
וַיִּגַּע֙and struckconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַע (H5060)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, main verb of the attack→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the storm's impactנָגַע (H5060) Qal 'to touch, strike'; the same verb the satan used in his challenge to God (v. 11, 'touch all that he has') — a chilling verbal echo linking the satan's dare directly to this catastrophic strike.
בְּאַרְבַּע֙the fourprep בְּ + cardinal num f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Prepositional phrase governing פִּנּוֹת, object of וַיִּגַּעאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four', with prep בְּ; the four corners of the house completing the destruction — no side left unstruck.
פִּנּ֣וֹתthe corners ofN f pl cstr · פִּנָּה (H6438)Construct noun, object of preposition בְּ, governing הַבַּיִתפִּנָּה (H6438) 'corner'; construct plural, 'the four corners of the house' — the storm strikes the entire structure at once, collapsing it completely.
הַבַּ֔יִתthe houseart + N m sg abs · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of construct פִּנּוֹתבַּיִת (H1004) with article, the same house named in vv. 13, 18 — the eldest son's house, where all ten children have now gathered.
וַיִּפֹּ֥לand it fellconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate with וַיִּגַּע→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the house's collapseנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; the house collapses under the storm's force — the same verb used of the fire falling in v. 16, linking the second and fourth blows.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing הַנְּעָרִיםעַל (H5921), marking those crushed by the collapse.
הַנְּעָרִ֖יםthe young peopleart + N m pl abs · נַעַר (H5288)Object of preposition עַלנַעַר (H5288) with article; here, uniquely among the four reports, this word refers not to servants but to Job's own ten children gathered at the feast — the term's flexible range (youth, servant, child) is exploited to devastating effect, since the earlier reports used the identical word for hired hands.
וַיָּמ֑וּתוּand they diedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, concluding the disaster narrative→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the terminal, irreversible outcome of the four blowsמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the blunt, final verb — all ten of Job's children perish together, the climactic and most devastating item in the fourfold catastrophe.
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧הand I escapedconj וָ + Niphal wayyiqtol 1cs (cohortative-form) · מָלַט (H4422)Wayyiqtol, main verb of the closing formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the fourth and final refrainמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape'; the refrain recurs verbatim a fourth and final time, now following the loss of Job's children themselves.
רַקonlyadverb of restriction · רַק (H7535)Adverb of restriction, part of the fixed closing formulaרַק (H7535), part of the recurring refrain.
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject pronoun, resumptive with the verb's own 1cs endingאֲנִי (H589), part of the recurring refrain.
לְבַדִּ֖יaloneprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 1cs suff · בַּד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase reinforcing אֲנִיבַּד (H905), part of the recurring refrain.
לְהַגִּ֥ידto tellprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָגַד (H5046)Infinitive construct expressing purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — the reason for the messenger's survivalנָגַד (H5046), part of the recurring refrain, closing the fourth and final report.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suff · לְPrepositional phrase, indirect object of לְהַגִּידלְ + 2fs suffix, the same grammatically feminine anomaly noted at v. 15, closing the fourth report.
20

וַיָּ֤קָם אִיּוֹב֙ וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת מְעִל֔וֹ וַיָּ֖גָז אֶת רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and fell to the ground and worshiped.

Narrative sequence — Job's response: mourning rites culminating in worshipוַ
A rapid chain of five wayyiqtol verbs (rose, tore, shaved, fell, worshiped) enacts the full traditional grief ritual — but the sequence's climax is not lament but worship, directly refuting the satan's prediction that Job would curse God 'to his face' (v. 11).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיָּ֤קָםand aroseconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, opening Job's response→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the first of a rapid sequence of mourning actionsקוּם (H6965) 'to arise, stand up'; Job's first reaction — rising, presumably from a seated position, to perform the traditional rites of mourning.
אִיּוֹב֙Jobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subjectאִיּוֹב (H347), named for the first time since the disaster reports began, marking the narrative's return to Job himself.
וַיִּקְרַ֣עand toreconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרַע (H7167)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, second mourning action→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַע (H7167) 'to tear, rend'; the standard mourning gesture (cf. Gen 37:29, 34; 2 Sam 1:11), enacted here spontaneously by a non-Israelite — the customs of grief transcend ethnic/covenantal boundaries.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, marking מְעִלוֹאֵת/אֶת (H853), marking the robe as definite direct object.
מְעִל֔וֹhis robeN m sg cstr + 3ms suff · מְעִיל (H4598)Direct object of וַיִּקְרַעמְעִיל (H4598) 'robe, mantle'; an outer garment, its tearing a visible, public sign of catastrophic grief.
וַיָּ֖גָזand shavedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · גָּזַז (H1494)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, third mourning action→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּזַז (H1494) 'to shear, cut off'; of hair — shaving the head as a further mourning rite (cf. Isa 22:12; Jer 7:29; Mic 1:16), completing the traditional pair of gestures (torn garment + shaved head).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, marking רֹאשׁוֹאֵת/אֶת (H853), marking the head as definite direct object.
רֹאשׁ֑וֹhis headN m sg cstr + 3ms suff · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object of וַיָּגָזרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head', with 3ms suffix — the hair of the head shaved, the second mourning act.
וַיִּפֹּ֥לand fellconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, fourth mourning action→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; Job prostrates himself to the ground — the same verb repeatedly used of catastrophe falling on his possessions (vv. 15-16, 19), now describing Job's own posture of worship.
אַ֖רְצָהto the groundN common gender sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial accusative of direction modifying וַיִּפֹּלאֶרֶץ (H776) with directional ה suffix, 'to the ground/earth' — Job falls prostrate, the posture of worship and total submission.
וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּand worshipedconj וַ + Hishtaphel wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, climactic final action of Job's response→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the theological climax: not despair alone but active worshipשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel (a distinctive seventh stem, traditionally parsed this way though historically related to a root חוה) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself in worship'; the pivotal verb of the entire scene — after every gesture of grief, Job's final act is not cursing (as the satan predicted, v. 11) but worship. This single verb answers the whole wager of vv. 9-11.
21

וַיֹּאמֶר֩ עָרֹ֨ם יצתי יָצָ֜אתִי מִבֶּ֣טֶן אִמִּ֗י וְעָרֹם֙ אָשׁ֣וּב שָׁ֔מָה יְהוָ֣ה נָתַ֔ן וַיהוָ֖ה לָקָ֑ח יְהִ֛י שֵׁ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה מְבֹרָֽךְ

and said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. YHWH gave, and YHWH has taken away; may the name of YHWH be blessed.'

Direct speech — Job's confession, the chapter's theological climaxוַ
A tightly patterned, poem-like confession (naked/naked framing, an antithetical gave/took couplet, and a closing benediction) in which Job attributes both his prosperity and his loss entirely to YHWH's sovereignty, and — decisively — uses בֵּרַךְ in its true sense of blessing, precisely where the satan predicted cursing (v. 11). The verse is the chapter's thematic answer to the wager of vv. 9-11.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩and saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing Job's confession→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces Job's own words — his first direct speech in the book, a poem-like confession answering the satan's prediction.
עָרֹ֨םnakedadj m sg abs · עָרֹם (H6174)Predicate adjective, fronted for emphasis in Job's opening lineעָרֹם (H6174) 'naked'; fronted before the verb for poetic emphasis — the opening word of Job's confession, framing existence itself as bare, possessing nothing inherently.
יצתי[ketiv, unvocalized]Qal perf 1cs (ketiv, defective spelling) · יָצָא (H3318)Ketiv (written) form; predicate, main clause→ Perfective (ketiv form): a completed, past actKetiv יצתי, a defective spelling of 'I came out' (H3318); the Masoretes supply the fuller Qere spelling immediately following — a third Ketiv-Qere pair in this chapter (cf. vv. 4, 10).
יָצָ֜אתִיI came outQal perf 1cs (qere) · יָצָא (H3318)Qere (to-be-read) form; predicate, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, past act — 'naked I came from my mother's womb'יָצָא (H3318) Qal perfect 1cs, the Qere reading; the same root used earlier of the satan's roaming (v. 7) — now describing the most fundamental human transition, birth.
מִבֶּ֣טֶןfrom the womb ofprep מִן + N f sg cstr · בֶּטֶן (H990)Locative prepositional phrase modifying יָצָאתִיבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb', construct with prep מִן; the source of birth.
אִמִּ֗יmy motherN f sg cstr + 1cs suff · אֵם (H517)Object of construct מִבֶּטֶןאֵם (H517) 'mother', with 1cs suffix; completes 'from my mother's womb' — the universal human origin, stripped of all possessions and status.
וְעָרֹם֙and nakedconj וְ + adj m sg abs · עָרֹם (H6174)Predicate adjective, fronted for emphasis, parallel to the opening עָרֹםעָרֹם (H6174), repeated, forming a parallel with the confession's opening word — naked at birth, naked at death, framing all of life's possessions as ultimately borrowed.
אָשׁ֣וּבI shall returnQal impf 1cs · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb, main clause, parallel to יָצָאתִי→ Yiqtol: future/modal — the anticipated, certain return to the earth in deathשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Job anticipates his own death as a return to the earth, matching birth with death in poetic parallel.
שָׁ֔מָהthereadverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of אָשׁוּב, resumptive of the birth-imageryשָׁם (H8033) with directional ה, 'there(to)'; refers back to the womb/earth of origin — Job envisions death as a return to the same undifferentiated state as before birth.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068); Job, though a non-Israelite character, uses the covenant name of Israel's God — the narrator lets Job speak with full theological insight, matching God's own usage in the frame narrative.
נָתַ֔ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, main clause, first half of the confession's central couplet→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of divine generosity — the giving of everything Job hadנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; God is credited as the giver of all Job possessed (life, family, wealth) — acknowledging divine ownership even in loss.
וַיהוָ֖הand YHWHconj וְ + proper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of לָקָח, coordinate with the preceding clauseיְהוָה (H3068), repeated for the antithetical parallel — the same God who gave is the one who has taken.
לָקָ֑חhas takenQal perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, main clause, second half of the couplet→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — divine sovereignty over both gift and loss, without qualification or blameלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the same verb used of the raiders taking Job's oxen/donkeys/camels (vv. 15, 17) — Job traces even the human and natural agents of his loss ultimately to God's sovereign hand, without cursing or accusation.
יְהִ֛יmay it beQal jussive 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, jussive, opening the final benediction→ Jussive: a volitional wish/blessing — 'may the name of YHWH be blessed'הָיָה (H1961) Qal jussive 'let it be'; opens Job's closing benediction, a formal blessing-formula.
שֵׁ֥םthe name ofN m sg cstr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of the jussive clause, construct before יְהוָהשֵׁם (H8034) construct, 'the name of'; blessing the divine 'name' is a standard formula (cf. Ps 113:2) for praising God's revealed character and reputation.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of construct שֵׁםיְהוָה (H3068), the third occurrence of the divine name in this single verse — Job's confession is saturated with the covenant name, his piety fully articulate even in the depth of loss.
מְבֹרָֽךְblessedPual/passive ptc m sg abs · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate passive participle, completing the jussive clause יְהִי ... מְבֹרָךְ→ Passive participle: a state of praise declared — here בֵּרַךְ in its TRUE, non-euphemistic senseבֵּרַךְ (H1288) passive participle 'blessed'; here — pointedly — the word is used in its genuine sense of praise, not as the chapter's earlier euphemism for cursing (vv. 5, 11). The narrator lets Job himself pronounce the real, positive blessing where the satan predicted only cursing — the climactic resolution of the chapter's central wordplay.
22

בְּכָל זֹ֖את לֹא חָטָ֣א אִיּ֑וֹב וְלֹא נָתַ֥ן תִּפְלָ֖ה לֵאלֹהִֽים

In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrongdoing.

Narrator's summary verdict — chapter's closing evaluationasyndeton
The narrator's concluding verdict deliberately echoes v. 5's vocabulary (חָטָא) — the sin Job feared for his children, he himself has now been proven not to have committed. The carefully qualified second clause ('did not charge God with wrongdoing,' rather than simply repeating 'did not sin') leaves room for the more anguished, even accusatory language Job will use in the poetic dialogues, without contradicting this initial verdict of innocence.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, circumstantial, governing זֹאתכֹּל (H3605) construct with prep בְּ, 'in all (this)' — introducing the narrator's summary verdict.
זֹ֖אתthisdemonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Object of construct בְּכָלזֹאת (H2063) f sg demonstrative, 'this'; refers back to the entire catastrophe just narrated (vv. 13-21).
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing חָטָאלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
חָטָ֣אsinnedQal perf 3ms · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb, main clause, the narrator's verdict→ Perfective: a completed, comprehensive assessment — Job's conduct throughout the entire ordeal, summarized and declared sinlessחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; repeats the verb from Job's own feared hypothetical in v. 5 ('perhaps my children have sinned') — the narrator now pronounces Job himself innocent, an inclusio in which the fear that opened the chapter is answered by the verdict that closes it.
אִיּ֑וֹבJobproper noun · אִיּוֹב (H347)Subject of חָטָאאִיּוֹב (H347), subject of the narrator's concluding verdict.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing נָתַן, coordinate with the first clauseלֹא (H3808), repeated, coordinating a second, more nuanced clause.
נָתַ֥ןgave, attributedQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, main clause, second half of the narrator's verdict→ Perfective: a completed, comprehensive assessment, coordinate with חָטָאנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatic here, 'gave (unseemliness) to God' = 'attributed/charged God with wrong' — a nuanced clause addressing whether Job's inner attitude toward God, not just his outward conduct, remained blameless.
תִּפְלָ֖הunseemlinessN f sg abs · תִּפְלָה (H8604)Direct object of נָתַןתִּפְלָה (H8604) 'unseemliness, folly, that which is improper'; a rare word (elsewhere only Jer 23:13), denoting an accusation of impropriety against God — Job did not charge God with acting wrongly, a carefully qualified verdict that leaves room for the more anguished protests of the poetic dialogues to come without contradicting this initial assessment.
לֵאלֹהִֽיםto Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Indirect object of נָתַןאֱלֹהִים (H430) with prep לְ; the recipient of the (un-given) charge of wrongdoing — Job's restraint extends not just to speech (he did not curse) but to inner attribution of blame.