Monday, January 13, 2025

Job 1:3



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.
 
King James Bible
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.
 
NET Bible
His possessions included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household. Thus he was the greatest of all the people in the east.
 
Hebrew Text:
ויהי מקנהו שבעת אלפי־צאן ושלשת אלפי גמלים וחמש מאות צמד־בקר וחמש מאות אתונות ועבדה רבה מאד ויהי האיש ההוא גדול מכל־בני־קדם׃
 
Transliteration:
Vay'hi mik'neihu shiv'at alfei-tzon v'shalosh't alfei gamalim v'chamesh me'ot tsemed-bakar v'chamesh me'ot atonot va'av'dah raba me'od vay'hi ha'ish hahu gadol mikol-b'nei-kedem.
 
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Bible Study:
 
He owned 7,000 sheep
The Hebrew word for "sheep" is "צֹאן" (tso'n), which often signifies wealth and prosperity in ancient times. Sheep were essential for their wool, milk, and meat, and owning a large number indicated significant economic power. Job's possession of 7,000 sheep underscores his immense wealth and the blessings he received from God, reflecting his status as a man of great means and influence.
 
3,000 camels
Camels, or "גָּמָל" (gamal) in Hebrew, were valuable for trade and transportation, especially in the arid regions of the Near East. Owning 3,000 camels suggests Job's involvement in extensive trade networks, highlighting his role as a prominent and influential figure in commerce. This detail emphasizes the breadth of Job's wealth and his ability to engage in long-distance trade, further establishing his status as a leading figure in his society.
 
500 yoke of oxen
The term "yoke" refers to a pair of oxen used for plowing and heavy labor. In Hebrew, "אֶלֶף" (eleph) can mean "thousand" or "yoke," depending on the context. Oxen were crucial for agriculture, and owning 500 yoke indicates a vast agricultural enterprise. This detail underscores Job's prosperity and the productivity of his land, reflecting God's blessing on his endeavors.
 
500 female donkeys
Female donkeys, or "אֲתוֹנוֹת" (athonot) in Hebrew, were prized for their ability to bear offspring and their use in transportation and agriculture. The mention of 500 female donkeys highlights Job's wealth and the sustainability of his resources, as female donkeys would ensure the continuation and growth of his livestock.
 
a very large number of servants
The Hebrew word for "servants" is "עֲבָדִים" (avadim), indicating a workforce that managed Job's extensive holdings. The phrase "a very large number" emphasizes the scale of Job's household and operations, reflecting his status as a patriarch with significant responsibilities and influence. This detail illustrates the magnitude of Job's wealth and the respect he commanded in his community.
 
Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East
The term "greatest" in Hebrew is "גָּדוֹל" (gadol), signifying not only wealth but also honor, wisdom, and influence. "The people of the East" refers to the regions east of Israel, known for their wisdom and wealth. Job's designation as the greatest man among them highlights his exceptional status, integrity, and the divine favor he enjoyed. This phrase sets the stage for the narrative of Job, emphasizing his righteousness and the profound nature of his eventual trials.
 
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Commentary:
 
Wealth and Possessions: Job 1:3 recounts that Job owned:
 
Seven thousand sheep
Three thousand camels
Five hundred yoke of oxen
Five hundred female donkeys
 
Additionally, it mentions that Job had "a very great household," which likely refers to a large number of servants and an extensive estate. This wealth in livestock and labor force was a significant indicator of prosperity in the ancient Near Eastern context, where wealth was often measured by one's assets in livestock, land, and servants.
 
Status: The verse concludes by stating, "so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east." Here, "the east" likely refers to the region east of the Jordan River, encompassing what would be known as the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Mesopotamia. This description establishes Job as not only wealthy but also as a figure of considerable influence and respect among his peers.
 
Contextual Insights:
 
Wealth in Livestock: In biblical times, owning such large numbers of animals was a sign of immense wealth. Sheep provided wool and meat, camels were vital for trade and transport across deserts, oxen were used for labor in fields, and donkeys were essential for local transport and work.
 
Household: The mention of a "very great household" implies that Job managed a vast family enterprise, including both family members and numerous servants, which was key to managing his estates and businesses.
 
Cultural Significance: Being the "greatest" among men in that region would have meant not just economic power but also social and perhaps political influence. His reputation for righteousness, as noted in Job 1:1, would have added to his standing.
 

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