And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Suddenly, a powerful windstorm came from the desert and struck all four corners of the house, causing it to collapse on the young people inside. They are all dead, and I am the only one who escaped to bring you this news.
This verse describes the tragic moment when Job's children were killed in a sudden disaster, delivered by the lone survivor who brings Job the devastating news.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the series of catastrophic messages delivered to Job by surviving servants on the same day. In ancient times, houses often had flat roofs and could be vulnerable to severe weather, and desert windstorms were particularly dangerous and unpredictable. The messenger's phrase 'I only am escaped alone to tell thee' follows a literary pattern repeated throughout Job chapter 1, emphasizing the completeness of each disaster.
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