And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Sabeans - not those of Arabia Felix, but those of Arabia Deserta, descending from Sheba, grandson of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:3). The Bedouin Arabs of the present day resemble, in marauding habits, these Sabeans (cf. Genesis 16:12). The Sabeans of Arabia Felix were mercantile (Job 6:19), not marauding in their habits. Perhaps "Sabeans" is used for Arabians in general (cf. Isaiah 13:20; Jeremiah 3:2).
I only am escaped. Cunningly contrived by Satan. One in each case escapes (Job 1:16-17; Job 1:19), and brings the same kind of message. This was to overwhelm Job, and leave him no time to recover from the rapid succession of calamities-`misfortunes seldom come single.'