Job 1:17 - Exposition

While he was yet speaking, there came also another (see the comment on Job 1:16 ). The exact repetition of a clause, without the alteration of a word or a letter, is very archaic (comp. Genesis 1:4 , Genesis 1:8 , Genesis 1:13 , Genesis 1:19 , Genesis 1:23 , Genesis 1:31 ; and for another repetition, Genesis 1:10 , Genesis 1:12 , Genesis 1:18 , Genesis 1:21 , Genesis 1:25 ). And said, The Chaldeans ; literally, the Casdim ( כַשְׂדִים ), which is the word uniformly used in the Hebrew where the Authorized Version has "Chaldeans" or "Chaldees." The native name seems to have been Kaldi or Kaldai, whence the Greek χαλδαῖοι , and the Latin Chaldaei. It is very difficult to account for the Hebrews having substituted a sibilant for the liquid; but it was certainly done from the earliest period of their literature ( Genesis 11:31 ) to the latest (see Targums, passim ). Some derive the Hebrew Casdim from " Chesed ," one of the sons of Nahor ( Genesis 22:22 ); but Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees before Chesed was born ( Genesis 22:20 ). And there is no evidence of any connection between Chesed, who was born at Haran, and the Babylonian Chaldeans. The Chaldeans were probably early settlers in Babylonia; by degrees they were pressed to the south, and gave the name of Chaldea to Lower Babylonia, or the tract nearest to the Persian Gulf (Strab; 16.1, § 66; Ptolemy, 'Geographia,' 5.20). From a remote date they were a settled and civilized people; but no doubt originally they had the same predatory instincts as their neighbours . Made out three bands . Professor Lee translates, "appointed three captains," which is a possible meaning of the words; but the weight of authority supports the rendering of the Authorized Version. And fell upon the camels . Perhaps the most valuable part of Job's possessions. Three thousand camels would be regarded as a splendid capture by any body of Oriental marauders. And have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants (literally, the young men, as in verse 16) with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee (compare the comment on verse 15).