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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

His substance also was seven thousand sheep,.... For which he must have a large pasturage to feed them on, as well as these would produce much wool for clothing, and flesh for food; this part of his substance or possessions is mentioned first, as being the largest, and most useful and profitable: and three thousand camels; creatures fit to carry burdens, and travel with, and were greatly valued on that account, especially in the deserts of Arabia, near to which Job lived; and that not only because they were strong for this purpose, but because they could endure much thirst and want of water for a long time; See Gill on Lev 11:4 , it seems by this that Job carried on a commerce, and traded in distant parts, whither he sent the produce of his lands and cattle, and trafficked with them: these camels might not only be he, but she camels also, according to

the Septuagint version, which might be kept for breeding, and for their milk: Aristotle observes (z), some of the inhabitants of the upper Asia used to have camels, to the number of 3000, the exact number here mentioned; and by the number of these creatures the Arabians estimated their riches and possessions (a); and so sheep are by the Greeks called as it is thought, from the Arabic word "mala", to be rich (b); the riches of other people, and of particular persons, as of Geryon, Atlas, and Polyphemus, are represented as chiefly consisting of their flocks, and also of their herds (c), as follows: and five hundred yoke of oxen; to plough his land with, of which he must have a large quantity to employ such a number in, see Kg1 19:19 and five hundred she asses; which must be chiefly for their milk; and no doubt but he had a considerable number of he asses also, though not mentioned, which, as well as the others, were used to ride on, and also to plough with, in those countries; it may be rendered only asses as by some, and so may include both: Aristaeus, Philo, and Polyhistor (d) give the same account of Job's substance in the several articles as here: and a very great household: this must be understood of his servants only, since his children are before taken notice of; and the same phrase is rendered "great store of servants", Gen 26:14 and in the margin, "husbandry" or "tillage", large fields and farms; and the sense comes to much the same, whether it is taken the one way or the other; if great store of servants, he must have large farms and many fields to employ them in; and if a large husbandry, and much ground for tillage, he must have many servants to manure and cultivate them: now these several articles are mentioned, because, in those times and countries, as has been observed, the substance of men chiefly lay in them, and according to them they were reckoned more or less rich; not but that they had gold and silver also, as Abraham had, Gen 13:1 , and so had Job, Job 31:24 , but these were the principal things: so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east; that lived in Arabia, Chaldea, and other eastern countries; that is, he was a man of the greatest wealth and riches, and of the greatest power and authority, and was had in the greatest honour and esteem: now these temporal blessings are observed, to show that grace and earthly riches are compatible, that they may, and sometimes do, meet in the same person; as also to point at the goodness of God, in bestowing such blessings on this good man, thereby fulfilling the promise made to godliness and godly men, which respects this life, and that which is to come; and they are mentioned chiefly for the sake of the loss of these things after related, whereby the greatness of his loss and of his afflictions would be the more easily perceived, and his patience in bearing them appear the more illustrious; for by how much the greater was his substance, by so much the greater were his losses and trials, and the more remarkable his patience under them. (z) Hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 50. (a) Leo African. Descript. Africae, l. 9. p. 745. (b) Hinckelman. Praefat. ad Alkoran. (c) Vid. Homer. Odyss. 14. ver. 100, &c. Virgil. Aeneid. l. 7. ver. 537. Justin e Trogo, l. 44. c. 4. Theocrit. Idyll. 11. ver. 34. Ovid. Metamorph. l. 4. Fab. 17. & l. 13. Fab. 8. (d) Apud Euseb. Evangel. Praepar. l. 9. c. 25. p. 430.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (25 words)

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H4735 מִקְנֶה
Definition:

26cattle; — absolute׳מGenesis 46:32+; constructמִקְנֵהGenesis 13:7+; suffixמִקְנֵהוּGenesis 3:18+,מִקְנֶיךָIsaiah 30:23(Ges§ 93, 88), etc.; plural suffix (but see Köii. 112 f.)מִקְנַיExodus 17:3+,מִקְ 26cattle; — absolute׳מGenesis 46:32+; constructמִקְנֵהGenesis 13:7+; suffixמִקְנֵהוּGenesis 3:18+,מִקְנֶיךָIsaiah 30:23(Ges§ 93, 88), etc.; plural suffix (but see Köii. 112 f.)מִקְנַיExodus 17:3+,מִקְ

Possible Meanings:
  • purchase (semantic_range)
  • purchase (semantic_range)
  • purchase-price (semantic_range)
  • possession (semantic_range)
H7651 שֶׁבַע
Definition:

2115t.; constructשְׁבַעGenesis 5:2647t., especially P (15 t.) and Chronicles (20 t.),וּשֲׁבַע1 Kings 14:21feminine(c.noun masculine) absoluteשִׁבְעָהGenesis 4:24100t.; constructשִׁבְעַתGenesis 7:10120 2115t.; constructשְׁבַעGenesis 5:2647t., especially P (15 t.) and Chronicles (20 t.),וּשֲׁבַע1 Kings 14:21feminine(c.noun masculine) absoluteשִׁבְעָהGenesis 4:24100t.; constructשִׁבְעַתGenesis 7:10120

Possible Meanings:
  • seven (semantic_range)
H0505 אֶלֶף
Definition:

1; noun omitted, emphaticאַלְמָּאDaniel 5:1the thousand(just mentioned); construct + plural absoluteאֶ֫לֶףאֲלָפִ֯יםDaniel 7:10a thousand thousands(< QrאַלְפִיןK§ 51, 2).Topical LexiconRange and Distri 1; noun omitted, emphaticאַלְמָּאDaniel 5:1the thousand(just mentioned); construct + plural absoluteאֶ֫לֶףאֲלָפִ֯יםDaniel 7:10a thousand thousands(< QrאַלְפִיןK§ 51, 2).Topical LexiconRange and Distri

Possible Meanings:
  • 1,000 (semantic_range)
H6629 צאֹן
Definition:

13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) -- (small) cattle, flock (+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold 13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) -- (small) cattle, flock (+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold

Possible Meanings:
  • small cattle (semantic_range)
  • sheep and goats (semantic_range)
  • flocks (semantic_range)
H7969 שָׁלוֹשׁ
Definition:

890t., also constructשְׁלשׁGenesis 18:665t. (butGenesis 38:24read perhapsשְׁלשֶׁתSamaritan, compare Di and others),שְׁלָשֿׁExodus 21:11;feminineשְׁלשָׁה(וֺשָׁה- rare, chiefly late), withnoun masculine 890t., also constructשְׁלשׁGenesis 18:665t. (butGenesis 38:24read perhapsשְׁלשֶׁתSamaritan, compare Di and others),שְׁלָשֿׁExodus 21:11;feminineשְׁלשָׁה(וֺשָׁה- rare, chiefly late), withnoun masculine

H0505 אֶלֶף
Definition:

1; noun omitted, emphaticאַלְמָּאDaniel 5:1the thousand(just mentioned); construct + plural absoluteאֶ֫לֶףאֲלָפִ֯יםDaniel 7:10a thousand thousands(< QrאַלְפִיןK§ 51, 2).Topical LexiconRange and Distri 1; noun omitted, emphaticאַלְמָּאDaniel 5:1the thousand(just mentioned); construct + plural absoluteאֶ֫לֶףאֲלָפִ֯יםDaniel 7:10a thousand thousands(< QrאַלְפִיןK§ 51, 2).Topical LexiconRange and Distri

Possible Meanings:
  • 1,000 (semantic_range)
H1581 גָּמָל
Definition:

10;Numbers 2:20;Numbers 7:54,59;Numbers 10:23, compare Mishnaגמליאל, Palmyrene VogNo. 124,ᵐ5ΓαμαλιήλActs 5:34.גָּמָלnoun masculineGenesis 24:109t.,feminine&masculineGenesis 32:16(compare below),camel( 10;Numbers 2:20;Numbers 7:54,59;Numbers 10:23, compare Mishnaגמליאל, Palmyrene VogNo. 124,ᵐ5ΓαμαλιήλActs 5:34.גָּמָלnoun masculineGenesis 24:109t.,feminine&masculineGenesis 32:16(compare below),camel(

H2568 חָמֵשׁ
Definition:

694t. +Ezekiel 40:30(strike outᵐ5BHi-Sm Co; Co strike out also inEzekiel 40:25;Ezekiel 40:29;Ezekiel 40:33;Ezekiel 40:36) +Ezekiel 45:3Kt (where readfemininewith Qr); constructחֲמֵשׁGenesis 5:1067t. + 694t. +Ezekiel 40:30(strike outᵐ5BHi-Sm Co; Co strike out also inEzekiel 40:25;Ezekiel 40:29;Ezekiel 40:33;Ezekiel 40:36) +Ezekiel 45:3Kt (where readfemininewith Qr); constructחֲמֵשׁGenesis 5:1067t. +

Possible Meanings:
  • army (semantic_range)
  • five parts (semantic_range)
  • be firm strong (semantic_range)
  • be courageous (semantic_range)
H3967 מֵאָה
Definition:

3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene 3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene

Possible Meanings:
  • hundred (semantic_range)
H6776 צֶמד
Definition:

19couple, pair; —׳צconstructJudges 19:3+; suffixצִמְדּוֺJeremiah 51:23; pluralצְמָדִים1 Kings 19:19;2 Kings 9:25(but see below); constructצִמְדֵּיIsaiah 5:10(Ges§ 93m); —1couple, pair, usually of anim 19couple, pair; —׳צconstructJudges 19:3+; suffixצִמְדּוֺJeremiah 51:23; pluralצְמָדִים1 Kings 19:19;2 Kings 9:25(but see below); constructצִמְדֵּיIsaiah 5:10(Ges§ 93m); —1couple, pair, usually of anim

Possible Meanings:
  • acre (semantic_range)
H1241 בָּקָר
Definition:

3+ (feminineGenesis 33:16;Job 1:14compareDeuteronomy 32:142 Samuel 17:29)cattle, herd, ox(Arabic, Aramaicבַּקְרָא,בַּקְרְתָא,(compare also HomNS 222 ff.); name fromploughing, so Thes LagBN 51and other 3+ (feminineGenesis 33:16;Job 1:14compareDeuteronomy 32:142 Samuel 17:29)cattle, herd, ox(Arabic, Aramaicבַּקְרָא,בַּקְרְתָא,(compare also HomNS 222 ff.); name fromploughing, so Thes LagBN 51and other

Possible Meanings:
  • inquire (semantic_range)
  • seek (semantic_range)
  • let search be made (semantic_range)
H2568 חָמֵשׁ
Definition:

694t. +Ezekiel 40:30(strike outᵐ5BHi-Sm Co; Co strike out also inEzekiel 40:25;Ezekiel 40:29;Ezekiel 40:33;Ezekiel 40:36) +Ezekiel 45:3Kt (where readfemininewith Qr); constructחֲמֵשׁGenesis 5:1067t. + 694t. +Ezekiel 40:30(strike outᵐ5BHi-Sm Co; Co strike out also inEzekiel 40:25;Ezekiel 40:29;Ezekiel 40:33;Ezekiel 40:36) +Ezekiel 45:3Kt (where readfemininewith Qr); constructחֲמֵשׁGenesis 5:1067t. +

Possible Meanings:
  • army (semantic_range)
  • five parts (semantic_range)
  • be firm strong (semantic_range)
  • be courageous (semantic_range)
H3967 מֵאָה
Definition:

3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene 3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene

Possible Meanings:
  • hundred (semantic_range)
H0860 אָתוֹן
Definition:

23she-ass(Arabic, Aramaicאַתָּנָא,, Assyrianatânu) —אָתוֺןNumbers 22:2310t.;אֲתֹנְךָNumbers 22:30,32;אֲתֹנוֺGenesis 49:112t.; plural absoluteאֲתֹנֹתGenesis 12:162t.;אֲתֹנוֺתJudges 5:1012t.;אֲתוֺנוֺתJo 23she-ass(Arabic, Aramaicאַתָּנָא,, Assyrianatânu) —אָתוֺןNumbers 22:2310t.;אֲתֹנְךָNumbers 22:30,32;אֲתֹנוֺGenesis 49:112t.; plural absoluteאֲתֹנֹתGenesis 12:162t.;אֲתֹנוֺתJudges 5:1012t.;אֲתוֺנוֺתJo

Possible Meanings:
  • furnace (semantic_range)
H5657 עֲבֻדָּה
Definition:

14(J)Job 1:3.Topical LexiconOverviewעֲבֻדָּה (ʿǎvuddah) denotes rendered service or labor—often that of household servants whose work sustains and enlarges the prosperity of a family or estate. Though 14(J)Job 1:3.Topical LexiconOverviewעֲבֻדָּה (ʿǎvuddah) denotes rendered service or labor—often that of household servants whose work sustains and enlarges the prosperity of a family or estate. Though

H7227 רַב
Definition:

By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon

H3966 מְאֹד
Definition:

—1force, might,Deuteronomy 6:5וּבְכָלמְֿאֹדֶ֑ךָand with all thymight; hence2 Kings 23:25.2in different idioms(298 t.) to express the idea ofexceedingly, greatly, very(whether of magnitude or degree):a —1force, might,Deuteronomy 6:5וּבְכָלמְֿאֹדֶ֑ךָand with all thymight; hence2 Kings 23:25.2in different idioms(298 t.) to express the idea ofexceedingly, greatly, very(whether of magnitude or degree):a

Possible Meanings:
  • muchness (semantic_range)
  • abundance (semantic_range)
H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H0376 אִישׁ
Definition:

23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ 23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ

Possible Meanings:
  • man (semantic_range)
H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

H1419 גָּדוֹל
Definition:

13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t. 13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t.

Possible Meanings:
  • great (semantic_range)
  • loud (semantic_range)
  • do great things (semantic_range)
  • greatness (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H6924 קֶדֶם
Definition:

Or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; fromqadam; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward) -- aforetime, ancient ( Or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; fromqadam; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward) -- aforetime, ancient (

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 1 All Chapters