Job 1

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early…” Naming Job keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD , and Satan came also among them.” Naming Satan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD , and said, From going to and fro in…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then Satan answered the LORD , and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” The line’s distinctive content terms include curse, face, hand. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So…” Naming Satan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:” The line’s distinctive content terms include brother’s, daughters, drinking. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:” Naming Job keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and…” Naming Sabeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned…” Naming While keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine…” Naming Thy and While keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,” Naming Job keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.