Job 1:3 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.

◄ Job 1:3 ►

New International Version
and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

New Living Translation
He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

English Standard Version
He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of 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.

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.

New King James Version
Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

New American Standard Bible
His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

NASB 1995
His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

NASB 1977
His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Legacy Standard Bible
His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the sons of the east.

Amplified Bible
He also possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke (pairs) of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great number of servants, so that this man was the greatest [and wealthiest and most respected] of all the men of the east (northern Arabia).

Christian Standard Bible
His estate included seven thousand sheep and goats, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His estate included 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 among 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.

Contemporary English Version
He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pair of oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He owned 7,000 sheep and goats, 3,000 camels, 1,000 oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the most influential person in the Middle East.

Good News Translation
and owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, one thousand head of cattle, and five hundred donkeys. He also had a large number of servants and was the richest man in the East.

International Standard Version
His livestock included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and many servants. Indeed, the man's stature greatly exceeded that of many people who lived in the East.

Majority 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.

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.

New Heart English Bible
His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and his substance is seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very abundant service; and that man is greater than any of the sons of the east.

Young's Literal Translation
and his substance is seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a service very abundant; and that man is greater than any of the sons of the east.

Smith's Literal Translation
And his possession will be seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred pair of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and service exceedingly much; and that man shall be great above all the sons of the east.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And his possession was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a family exceeding great: and this man was great among all the people of the east.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his possession was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, along with five hundred pairs of oxen and five hundred she-donkeys, and also a very large family. And this man was great among all the people of the east.

New American Bible
and he had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-donkeys, and a very large household, so that he was greater than anyone in the East.

New Revised Standard Version
He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and very many servants; so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
His substance 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his possessions were seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels, five hundred yokes of oxen, five hundred she donkeys and a very great and valuable estate, and the man was the greatest of all the sons of the East.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
His possessions also were 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his cattle consisted of seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-asses in the pastures, and a very great household, and he had a great husbandry on the earth; and that man was most noble of the men of the east.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Job's Character and Wealth
…2He had seven sons and three daughters, 3and 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. 4Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 13:2
And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.

1 Kings 10:23-25
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

2 Chronicles 9:22-24
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

Genesis 26:12-14
Now Isaac sowed seed in the land, and that very year he reaped a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him, / and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy. / He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.

Genesis 30:43
Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.

1 Chronicles 29:28
He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.

Psalm 112:3
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Ecclesiastes 2:7-9
I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me, / and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines. / So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

Genesis 24:35
“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.

2 Chronicles 32:27-29
Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles. / He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks. / He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:23-25
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” / And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! / It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 18:24-25
Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! / Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

James 1:10-11
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

substance.

Genesis 12:5
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Genesis 13:6
And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

Genesis 34:23
Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.

seven.

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.

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.

Numbers 31:32-34
And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep, …

household.

2 Chronicles 26:10
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

greatest.

Job 29:9,10,25
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth…

men.

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;

Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

Judges 8:10
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

of the east.

Genesis 25:6
But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

Genesis 29:1
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

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.

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Asses Camels Children Donkeys East Female Five Great Greatest Household Hundred Oxen Possessions Seven She-Asses Sheep Substance Thousand Three Yoke

Job 1

1. The holiness, riches, and reverent care of Job for his children.
6. Satan, appearing before God, obtains leave to afflict Job.
13. Understanding of the loss of his children and goods, in his mourning Job blesses God.

Berean Study Bible

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.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) The men of the east.--This term is indefinite with regard to the three districts above mentioned, and might include them all. The Arabs still call the Hauran, or the district east of Jordan, the land of Job. It is said to be a lovely and fertile region, fulfilling the conditions of the poem.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - His substance also; literally, his acquisition (from קָנָה, acquirere), but used of wealth generally. Seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses. Note, first of all, the absence of horses or mules from this list - an indication of high antiquity. Horses were not known in Egypt till the time of the shepherd-kings (about B.C. 1900-1650), who introduced them from Asia. None are given to Abraham by the Pharaoh contemporary with him (Genesis 12:16). We hear of none as possessed by the patriarchs in Palestine; and, on the whole, it is not probable that they had been known in Western Asia very long before their introduction into Egypt. They are natives of Central Asia, where they are still found wild, and passed gradually by exportation to the more southern regions, Armenia, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, Arabia. Note, secondly, that the items of Job's wealth accord with those of Abraham's (Genesis 12:16). Thirdly, note that Job's wealth in cattle is not beyond credibility. An Egyptian lord of the time of the fourth dynasty relates that he possessed above 1000 oxen and cows, 974 sheep, 2,235 goals, and 760 asses (Rawlinson's 'Egypt,' vol. 2. p. 88). Further, the proportion of the camels is noticeable, and implies a residence on the borders of the desert (see the comment on ver. 1). and a very great household; literally, and a very great service, or retinue of servants. Oriental emirs and sheikhs consider it necessary for their dignity to maintain a number of attendants and retainers (except, perhaps, in feudal times) quite unknown to the West. Abraham had three hundred and eighteen trained servants, born in his house (Genesis 14:14). Egyptian households were "full of domestics," comprising attendants of all kinds - grooms, artisans, clerks, musicians, messengers, and the like. A sheikh, situated as Job was, would also require a certain number of guards, while for his cattle he would need a large body of shepherds, ox-herds, and the like (see Birch's 'Egypt from the Earliest Times,' p. 44). So that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. The Beney Kedem, or "men of the east," literally, sons of the east, seems to include the entire population between Palestine and the Euphrates (Genesis 29:1; Judges 6:3; Judges 7:12; Judges 8:10; Isaiah 11:14; Jeremiah 49:28, etc.). Many tribes of Arabs are similarly designated at the present day, e.g. the Beni Harb, the Beni Suhr, the Bani Naim, the Bani Lain, etc. It would seem that the Phoenicians must have called themselves Beni Kedem when they settled in Greece, since the Greeks knew them as "Cadmeisns," and made them descendants of a mythic "Cadreus' (Herod., 5:57-59). The name "Saracens" is to some extent analogous, since it means "Men of the morning."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and he owned
מִ֠קְנֵהוּ (miq·nê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

7,000
שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

sheep,
צֹ֜אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

3,000
וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת (ū·šə·lō·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

camels,
גְמַלִּ֗ים (ḡə·mal·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1581: A camel

500
וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ (wa·ḥă·mêš)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

yoke
צֶֽמֶד־ (ṣe·meḏ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6776: A couple, pair

of oxen,
בָּקָר֙ (bā·qār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

500
וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ (wa·ḥă·mêš)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

female donkeys,
אֲתוֹנ֔וֹת (’ă·ṯō·w·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 860: A female donkey

and a very
מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

large number of
רַבָּ֣ה (rab·bāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

servants.
וַעֲבֻדָּ֖ה (wa·‘ă·ḇud·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5657: Something wrought, service

Job was
וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the
הַה֔וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

greatest
גָּד֖וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

man
הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of the east.
קֶֽדֶם׃ (qe·ḏem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

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OT Poetry: Job 1:3 His possessions also were seven thousand sheep (Jb)