Job 1:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 1:3 meticulously details the extensive material wealth of Job, enumerating his vast livestock and numerous household staff. This comprehensive inventory firmly establishes Job's unparalleled prosperity and social standing, culminating in the declaration that he was the most prominent and influential figure among all the people of the East. This verse is pivotal, not only in showcasing the magnitude of God's initial blessings upon Job but also in setting a dramatic stage for the profound trials and devastating losses that will subsequently test his faith and challenge conventional wisdom about divine justice and human suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 1:3 immediately follows the opening verses that introduce Job's character and family. [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Introduction of Job's Righteousness") establishes him as "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." This moral rectitude is then complemented by [Job 1:2](/job/1-2 "Job 1:2 - Job's Family Blessings"), which describes his large family of seven sons and three daughters. Thus, Job 1:3 completes the initial portrait of Job, presenting him as not only morally exemplary and blessed with a large family, but also extraordinarily wealthy. This comprehensive introduction ensures that the reader fully grasps the extent of Job's blessed state before the narrative dramatically shifts to the challenges he faces, thereby maximizing the impact of his subsequent suffering. The detailed enumeration of his possessions serves as a baseline against which his future losses will be measured.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of the book of Job is likely the land of Uz, a region generally associated with Edom or northern Arabia, east of Canaan. In the ancient Near East, wealth was primarily measured in livestock, land, and the size of one's household, which included servants and dependents. Such abundance was often interpreted as a direct sign of divine favor and blessing, reflecting a common theological understanding of retribution where righteousness led to prosperity and wickedness to suffering. Job's designation as "the greatest of all the men of the east" signifies his status as a powerful tribal patriarch, a leader with immense influence and resources, akin to figures like Abraham or Isaac in the patriarchal narratives. This cultural understanding of wealth as a mark of God's blessing is crucial for appreciating the theological dilemma posed by Job's subsequent suffering, as it directly challenges the prevailing wisdom of his time.

* **Key Themes:** Job 1:3 powerfully introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Immense Prosperity and Divine Blessing**. Job's vast wealth is presented as a tangible manifestation of God's favor, aligning with the Deuteronomic understanding of blessings for obedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings for Obedience")). Secondly, the verse underscores **Regional Prominence and Social Standing**. Job's status as "the greatest of all the men of the east" establishes him as a figure of immense authority and respect, setting the stage for the public nature of his eventual downfall and the societal implications of his suffering. Finally, and most significantly, this detailed inventory serves as a crucial **Foundation for Testing and Suffering**. By meticulously cataloging Job's blessings, the narrative amplifies the shock and magnitude of his impending losses (as detailed in [Job 1:14-17](/job/1-14 "Job 1:14-17 - Job's Initial Losses")), making his endurance and unwavering faith all the more remarkable and the theological questions raised by his suffering all the more profound. The verse thus establishes the "before" picture, against which the "after" picture of profound loss will be starkly contrasted.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Substance (Hebrew, _miqneh'_):** This word (מִקְנֶה) literally refers to "acquired property" or "possessions," but it specifically and predominantly denotes "livestock" or "cattle." Its root, קָנָה (_qanah_), means "to acquire" or "to buy." Thus, Job's "substance" emphasizes that his wealth was not merely inherited but actively accumulated, signifying his diligence, skill, and God's blessing upon his endeavors. It highlights the primary form of wealth in that agrarian, pastoral society.
* **Household (Hebrew, _ʿăbuddâ'_):** The term (עֲבֻדָּה) translates to "service," "labor," or "work," but in this context, it refers to a "retinue" or "household staff" – the large number of servants and workers under Job's authority. This word signifies not just domestic servants but also those who managed his vast agricultural and pastoral enterprises. A "very great household" underscores Job's immense economic power, his need for extensive labor to manage his vast possessions, and his social standing as a patriarch who provided for many.
* **Greatest (Hebrew, _gādôl'_):** This adjective (גָּדוֹל) means "great," "large," "mighty," or "important." When applied to a person, it conveys high status, power, and influence. In Job 1:3, it is used superlatively ("greatest of all the men of the east"), indicating Job's preeminent position among the tribal leaders and wealthy individuals of his region. It speaks to his reputation, his material prosperity, and his social and political authority, solidifying his standing as a figure of unparalleled significance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses":** This clause provides a meticulous inventory of Job's primary assets. The specific numbers – 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 she-asses – are not merely arbitrary figures but convey an almost unimaginable level of wealth for the ancient world. Sheep provided wool, meat, and milk; camels were vital for transport and trade across arid regions; oxen were essential for plowing and heavy labor; and she-asses were valuable for transport, milk, and breeding. The sheer quantity of these animals underscores Job's immense prosperity, indicating a highly successful and divinely blessed pastoral enterprise.
* **"and a very great household":** This phrase complements the livestock inventory by detailing Job's human resources. A "very great household" implies a large number of servants, laborers, and dependents who managed his vast estates and flocks. In ancient societies, the size of one's household was a direct indicator of wealth, power, and social prestige. This aspect of his "substance" signifies not just his personal comfort but also his capacity to manage and expand his economic empire, providing employment and sustenance for many.
* **"so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.":** This concluding statement serves as the interpretive summary of the preceding inventory. The extensive list of possessions and the large household lead to the inescapable conclusion that Job was unparalleled in his prosperity and influence within his geographical and cultural sphere. "The men of the east" refers to the peoples living in the regions east of Canaan, often associated with nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes known for their wealth in livestock. Job's designation as "greatest" among them solidifies his status as a preeminent patriarch, a figure of immense power, respect, and perhaps even envy, setting the stage for the divine and satanic challenge to his integrity.

#### Literary Devices
The description of Job's wealth in Job 1:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Enumeration** or **Cataloging**, where the specific types and quantities of Job's possessions are meticulously listed. This detailed inventory serves to concretize his immense wealth, making it tangible and impressive to the reader. The use of large, round numbers (thousands and hundreds) might also suggest **Hyperbole**, not necessarily to imply falsehood, but to emphasize the extraordinary, almost unbelievable, scale of his prosperity. This exaggeration underscores his preeminent status. Furthermore, the verse builds to a **Climax**, moving from the specific details of his livestock and household to the grand, summarizing declaration that he was "the greatest of all the men of the east." This climactic statement accentuates his unparalleled social and economic standing. Finally, the entire verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting a high baseline of blessing and prosperity that will be dramatically contrasted with the profound losses Job is about to experience. This initial depiction of abundance makes the subsequent narrative of suffering all the more impactful and underscores the magnitude of what Job is asked to endure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 1:3 establishes a foundational understanding of Job's initial state, one of immense material blessing, which was commonly interpreted in the ancient Near East as a direct sign of divine favor. This verse immediately sets up a central theological tension that the entire book of Job will explore: the relationship between righteousness and prosperity, and the nature of suffering in the lives of the righteous. While the Deuteronomic covenant often links obedience with material blessings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), Job's story profoundly challenges the simplistic application of this principle, demonstrating that suffering can befall the righteous, and prosperity is not always a direct indicator of spiritual standing or God's approval. The verse thus serves as the "before" picture, against which the "after" picture of Job's devastating losses will be starkly contrasted, forcing the reader to grapple with deeper questions about God's justice, sovereignty, and the true nature of faith that endures beyond circumstances.

* [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "Deuteronomy 8:18 - God Gives Power to Get Wealth")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the LORD Makes Rich")
* [Psalm 112:1-3](/psalm/112-1 "Psalm 112:1-3 - Blessings of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 1:3 presents us with a portrait of extreme earthly success and blessing, challenging us to consider what true "greatness" entails and how we perceive material prosperity in our own lives. While Job's wealth was a gift from God, the narrative quickly reveals its transient nature, demonstrating that external circumstances, no matter how favorable, are not the ultimate measure of a person's worth or God's favor. This verse invites us to reflect on our own understanding of blessing and prosperity: do we equate wealth with righteousness, or do we recognize that God's blessings can take many forms, including character development through adversity? Job's story ultimately pivots from his material abundance to his spiritual resilience, reminding us that while earthly possessions can provide comfort and influence, they cannot secure us against life's inevitable trials. The enduring value lies not in what we possess, but in who we are in Christ and the depth of our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's initial prosperity challenge or affirm your own assumptions about wealth and divine blessing?**
* **In what ways might a focus on material "greatness" distract from true spiritual richness?**
* **If all your earthly possessions were stripped away, what would remain as the true "substance" of your life and faith?**
* **How can the story of Job's wealth and subsequent loss inform our prayers and perspectives on financial stewardship today?**

### FAQ
**Was Job's wealth a sign that he was perfect and upright, or was there another reason for his prosperity?**

Answer: Job 1:3 certainly presents Job's immense wealth as a clear indicator of his blessed status, immediately following the declaration of his righteousness in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Character"). In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, and even within certain biblical perspectives (like parts of Proverbs or Deuteronomy), material prosperity was often seen as a direct reward for piety and obedience to God. So, on the surface, yes, his wealth was a perceived sign of his uprightness. However, the entire book of Job serves to challenge this simplistic "retribution theology." The narrative reveals that Job's wealth was indeed a gift from God, but it was not the *sole* reason for his righteousness, nor was his subsequent suffering an indication of sin. Instead, God permitted Job's prosperity (and later, his suffering) for deeper purposes, including demonstrating Job's genuine faith and integrity, which was not contingent on his material blessings. The book ultimately teaches that God's ways are beyond human comprehension and that true faith endures even when the perceived link between righteousness and prosperity is broken.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 1:3 celebrates earthly abundance and human greatness measured by possessions, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound contrast and redefinition of true wealth and greatness found in Jesus Christ. Job's immense "substance" and "great household" foreshadow, by way of antithesis, the radical poverty and self-emptying of Christ, who, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Self-Emptying")). Jesus, the true "greatest of all," did not come with thousands of sheep or camels, but as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. His "household" was not a retinue of servants, but a family of disciples called to spiritual riches and eternal life, a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Job's story of losing everything yet retaining his integrity points to the truth that ultimate security and blessing are not found in transient earthly treasures, but in the enduring, spiritual inheritance secured by Christ. He teaches us to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")), where true, imperishable wealth resides, a wealth far surpassing Job's earthly millions, found in knowing God and experiencing His eternal grace and redemption.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.