The answer is: House fell on them

Job 1:18-19 - A great wind came and knocked the house down

In the Book of Job, one pivotal moment occurs when a messenger burst in with harrowing news that a great wind caused the house to collapse upon Job's children. This catastrophic event illustrates not only loss but also points to wider themes of suffering and divine will that permeate the entire text. Interestingly, ancient Near Eastern literature often discusses the fragility of human life, reflecting the precarious balance between prosperity and disaster, which Job’s tale exemplifies exceedingly well.

Consider this: in biblical times, homes were frequently constructed with earth and mud-brick, making them vulnerable to severe weather events. In Job's case, the great wind may serve as a literary device symbolizing chaos that can slip through the strongest human hedges of existence. It echoes the calamity brought on by natural phenomena across different narratives in the Bible; for instance, the “great winds” in the stories of Pentecost (Acts 2) where wind signifies the arrival of something extraordinary.

Moreover, Job has been hailed historically as a figure of patience and unwavering faith, posing intense questions about the existence of suffering. Job's insistence on seeking answers steeped in elaborate questions challenges us modern readers to confront our inquiries into justice and morality, one performance of faith amidst pain. Every sorrow detailed in Job resonates with those striving for understanding and hope, anchoring the text deeply in human experience through the ages.