John Gill's Exposition on Job 1:17

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, etc.] Another messenger from another part of Job’s possessions, where his camels were, and this before the last messenger had told his story out: and said, the Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away; these were the 3000 camels, as in (<180103>Job 1:3) and perhaps they were in three separate companies and places, 1000 in each, and therefore the Chaldeans divided themselves into three bands; or “appointed three heads” f57, as it may be rendered; there were three bodies of them under so many leaders and commanders, and this was done, that they might the more easily take them; and they “diffused or spread themselves” f58, as the word signifies, upon or about the camels; they surrounded them on all sides, or otherwise, these being swift creatures, would have run away from them: these Chaldeans or Chasdim were the descendants of Chesed, a son of Nahor, who was brother to Abraham, (<012220>Genesis 22:20,22), who settled in the east country, not far from Job: and this agrees with the character that Xenophon f59 gives of the Chaldeans, at least some of them, in later times; that they lived upon robbing and plundering others, having no knowledge of agriculture, but got their bread by force of arms; and such as these Satan could easily instigate to come and carry off Job’s camels: yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee; (See Gill on “<180115>Job 1:15”).

Read Job 1:17 →Read the full chapter →Jamieson, Fausset & Brown →Barnes' Notes →Wesley's Explanatory Notes →Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge →Keil & Delitzsch →

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