Job 1:18
New International Version
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,

New Living Translation
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.

English Standard Version
While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

Berean Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

King James Bible
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

New King James Version
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

New American Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

NASB 1995
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

NASB 1977
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

Legacy Standard Bible
While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn,

Amplified Bible
While he was still speaking, another [messenger] also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

Christian Standard Bible
He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house.

American Standard Version
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;

Contemporary English Version
That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son,

English Revised Version
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While he was still speaking, another [messenger] came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother's home

Good News Translation
Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son,

International Standard Version
While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "Your children were celebrating in their oldest brother's house

Majority Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

NET Bible
While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,

New Heart English Bible
While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,

Webster's Bible Translation
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

World English Bible
While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
While this [one] is speaking another has also come and says, “Your sons and your daughters are eating, and drinking wine, in the house of their brother, the firstborn.

Young's Literal Translation
While this one is speaking another also hath come and saith, 'Thy sons and thy daughters are eating, and drinking wine, in the house of their brother, the first-born.

Smith's Literal Translation
This yet speaking, and this came, and he will say, Thy sons and thy daughters Were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the first-born:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He was yet speaking, and behold another came in, and said: Thy sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their elder brother:

Catholic Public Domain Version
He was still speaking, and behold, another entered, and he said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine in the house of their first-born brother,

New American Bible
He was still speaking when another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,

New Revised Standard Version
While he was still speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said to him, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And while he was speaking, another came and said to him: “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking in their eldest brother’s house
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said: 'Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
While he is yet speaking, another messenger comes, saying to Job, While thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking with their elder brother,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Loses His Children and Possessions
17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”…

Cross References
Job 42:10
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions.

Job 42:12-13
So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. / And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Psalm 91:10
no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.

Proverbs 3:25-26
Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, / for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Lamentations 3:32-33
Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

Daniel 3:25
“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!”

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Matthew 5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 7:25
The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Luke 21:16-18
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. / And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. / Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”


Treasury of Scripture

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house:

there came.

Job 6:2,3
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! …

Job 16:14
He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

Job 19:9,10
He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head…

Thy sons.

Job 1:4,13
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them…

Job 8:4
If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

Job 27:14
If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

eating.

2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

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Brother's Daughters Drinking Eating Eldest Feasting Firstborn First-Born House Messenger Oldest Speaking Talking Together Wine
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Job 1
1. The holiness, riches, and reverent care of Job for his children.
6. Satan, appearing before God, obtains leave to afflict Job.
13. Understanding of the loss of his children and goods, in his mourning Job blesses God.














While he was still speaking
This phrase indicates the rapid succession of calamities that befall Job, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of his trials. The Hebrew word for "still" (עוֹד, 'od) suggests continuity and persistence, underscoring the relentless nature of Job's suffering. In the context of the narrative, it highlights the immediacy and intensity of the trials, as one messenger barely finishes before another arrives. This serves to illustrate the depth of Job's testing and the sovereignty of God in allowing such events to unfold in quick succession.

another messenger came and reported
The arrival of "another messenger" signifies the continuation of bad news, each bringing a fresh wave of despair. The Hebrew term for "messenger" (מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh) can also mean "angel," though in this context, it refers to a human bearer of news. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of using messengers to convey important information swiftly. The repeated arrival of messengers in Job's account serves to build tension and highlight the severity of his trials, as well as the comprehensive nature of his losses.

“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine
This phrase paints a picture of Job's children engaged in a celebration, a scene of joy and familial unity. The Hebrew word for "feasting" (אָכַל, 'akal) implies a festive meal, often associated with special occasions. The mention of "drinking wine" (שָׁתָה, shatah) suggests a time of merriment and abundance. In the broader scriptural context, such feasting can symbolize blessing and prosperity, which starkly contrasts with the impending disaster. This juxtaposition serves to heighten the tragedy of the events that follow, as moments of happiness are abruptly shattered.

at the oldest brother’s house
The reference to the "oldest brother's house" indicates a gathering place for the family, likely chosen due to the eldest's position of honor and responsibility. In ancient cultures, the firstborn often held a place of prominence, and their home would be a natural setting for family gatherings. This detail underscores the close-knit nature of Job's family and the communal aspect of their lives. The destruction that occurs here is not just a personal loss for Job but a communal one, affecting the entire family structure and dynamic.

(18) Thy sons and thy daughters.--See Job 1:13. The marvellous accumulation of disasters points us to the conclusion that it was the distinct work of Satan, according to the permission given him (Job 1:12), and consequently supernatural.

Verse 18. - While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said (see the comment on ver. 16), Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house (comp. ver. 13). It is a common proverb that "misfortunes never come singly." Shakespeare says they "come not single foes, but in battalions." Still, so overwhelming a series of calamities falling upon a single individual all in one day could not but strike those who heard of them as abnormal, and almost certainly supernatural. So Job's friends concluded (Job 5:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
While
עַ֚ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

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

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

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

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

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

“Your sons
בָּנֶ֨יךָ (bā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and daughters
וּבְנוֹתֶ֤יךָ (ū·ḇə·nō·w·ṯe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

were eating
אֹֽכְלִים֙ (’ō·ḵə·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

and drinking
וְשֹׁתִ֣ים (wə·šō·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

wine
יַ֔יִן (ya·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

in their oldest
הַבְּכֽוֹר׃ (hab·bə·ḵō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

brother’s
אֲחִיהֶ֥ם (’ă·ḥî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

house,
בְּבֵ֖ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Poetry: Job 1:18 While he was still speaking there came (Jb)
Job 1:17
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