Job 1:3

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

His substance {H4735} also was seven {H7651} thousand {H505} sheep {H6629}, and three {H7969} thousand {H505} camels {H1581}, and five {H2568} hundred {H3967} yoke {H6776} of oxen {H1241}, and five {H2568} hundred {H3967} she asses {H860}, and a very {H3966} great {H7227} household {H5657}; so that this man {H376} was the greatest {H1419} of all the men {H1121} of the east {H6924}.

He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen and 500 female donkeys, as well as a great number of servants; so that he was the wealthiest man in the east.

and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.

Job 1:3 provides a detailed inventory of Job's immense material wealth, establishing his status as an exceptionally prosperous and influential figure in the ancient Near East. This verse is crucial as it sets the stage for the dramatic trials and losses Job experiences later in the book, highlighting the magnitude of what he had to endure.

Context

This verse immediately follows the introduction of Job as a righteous and upright man who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1) and the mention of his large family, including seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:2). The description of his vast possessions—seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses—paints a picture of unparalleled affluence. His "very great household" further signifies his standing, implying numerous servants and dependents. Together, these details underscore the declaration that "this man was the greatest of all the men of the east," marking him as a regional patriarch of immense power and prestige.

Key Themes

  • Immense Prosperity: The verse quantifies Job's wealth, emphasizing his extraordinary material blessings. In ancient cultures, such abundance was often seen as a sign of divine favor.
  • Regional Prominence: Job's designation as the "greatest of all the men of the east" highlights his unparalleled status and influence among the peoples of his time and region.
  • Foundation for Testing: By detailing his vast possessions, the text sets up the profound contrast with his subsequent losses, making the narrative of his suffering and faithfulness all the more impactful.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "substance" is miqneh (מִקְנֶה), which specifically refers to acquired property, typically livestock. This emphasizes that Job's wealth was not merely inherited but actively accumulated through his endeavors. The phrase "very great household" translates from abuddah (עֲבֻדָּה), which implies a large retinue of servants and workers, further indicating his economic power and social standing. The term "men of the east" refers to the nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes inhabiting the regions east of Canaan, renowned for their wealth in livestock.

Related Scriptures

Job's initial prosperity is a stark contrast to the swift and devastating losses he experiences, as detailed in Job 1:14-17. The concept of wealth as a blessing is echoed in other biblical texts, such as Proverbs 10:22, which states, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." However, the book of Job ultimately challenges the simplistic view that wealth is always a direct indicator of righteousness or that suffering implies sin, a theme explored throughout the book. For a broader perspective on material possessions, consider Matthew 6:19-21, which advises against laying up treasures on earth.

Practical Application

Job 1:3 reminds us that material prosperity, while a blessing, is not the ultimate measure of a person's worth or God's favor. Job's story challenges us to consider what truly defines "greatness." While wealth can provide comfort and influence, it is ultimately transient and cannot secure one against life's trials. The true enduring value lies in one's character, faith, and relationship with God, themes that are profoundly explored as Job navigates his suffering and loss.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 29:25

    I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one [that] comforteth the mourners.

  • Job 42:12

    So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

  • Judges 6:3

    And [so] it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

  • Numbers 23:7

    And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, [saying], Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

  • 1 Kings 4:30

    And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

  • Genesis 12:16

    And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

  • Proverbs 10:22

    ¶ The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

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