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._ She-asses - prized on account of their milk, and for riding (Judges 5:10). Houses and lands are not mentioned among the emir's wealth, as nomadic tribes dwell in moveable tents, and live chiefly by pasture, the right to the soil not being appropriated by individuals. The "five hundred yoke of oxen" imply, however, that Job tilled the soil. He seems also to have had a dwelling in a town (Job 29:7), in which respect he differed from the patriachs. Camels are well called ships of the desert, especially valuable for caravans, as being able to lay in a store of water that satisfies them

1-5 Job was prosperous, and yet pious. Though it is hard and rare, it is not impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. By God's grace the temptations of worldly wealth may be overcome. The account of Job's piety and prosperity comes before the history of his great afflictions, showing that neither will secure from troubles. While Job beheld the harmony and comforts of his sons with satisfaction, his knowledge of the human heart made him fearful for them. He sent and sanctified them, reminding them to examine themselves, to confess their sins, to seek forgiveness; and as one who hoped for acceptance with God through the promised Saviour, he offered a burnt-offering for each. We perceive his care for their souls, his knowledge of the sinful state of man, his entire dependence on God's mercy in the way he had appointed....

Verse Job 1:3. _HIS SUBSTANCE ALSO WAS SEVEN THOUSAND SHEEP_] _A_ _thousand_, says the Chaldee, _for each of his sons_. _Three thousand_ _camels: a thousand for each of his daughters_. _Five hundred yoke of_ _oxen for himself_. _And five hundred she-asses_ for his _wife_. Thus the _Targum_ divides the substance of this eminent man. _A VERY GREAT HOUSEHOLD_] עבדה רבה מאד _abuddah rabbah meod_, "a very great estate.' The word עבדה _abuddah_ refers chiefly to husbandry, including _all manner of labour_ in the _field_, with _cattle_, and every description of _servants_. _THE GREATEST OF ALL THE MEN OF THE EAST._] He was more eminent than any other person in that region in wisdom, wealth, and piety. He was the chief _emir_ of that district....

HIS SUBSTANCE - Margin, or “cattle.” The word used here מקנה _mı̂qneh_ is derived from קנה _qânâh_, to gain or acquire, to buy or purchase, and properly means anything acquired or purchased - property, possessions, riches. The wealth of nomadic tribes, however, consisted mostly in flocks and herds, and hence the word in the Scripture signifies, almost exclusively, property in cattle. The word, says Gesenius, is used “strictly” to denote sheep, goats, and neat cattle, excluding beasts of burden (compare Greek κτῆνος _ktēnos_, herd, used here by the Septuagint), though sometimes the word includes asses and camels, as in this place. SEVEN THOUSAND SHEEP - In this verse we have a description of the wealth of an Arab ruler or chief, similar to that of those who are at this day c

EXPOSITION The "Historical Introduction" to Job extends to two chapters. In the first we are given an account, firstly, of his outward circumstances—his abode, wealth, family, etc; and of his character (Job 1:1); secondly, of the circumstances under which God allowed him to be tried by afflictions (Job 1:6); thirdly, of the earlier afflictions themselves (Job 1:13); and, fourthly, of his behaviour under them (Job 1:20-18). The second chapter gives, firstly, the ground of his further trial (Job 2:1); secondly, the nature of it, and his behaviour under it ...

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; Leviticus 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, w

Job 1:1. _There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil._ That was Job's character before the trial which made him famous; perhaps, if it had not been for that trial, we should never have heard of him; now, as the apostle James wrote, «Ye have heard of the patience of Job.» God, by great; afflictions, gave to his servant that usefulness for which he had possibly prayed, without knowing how it would come to him. A long-continued life, of prosperity may not so truly glorify God as a life that is chequered by adversity; and God, who intended to put honour upon his servant, did as kings do when they confer the honour of knighthood, they strike with the, back or flat of the sword, so God smote the patriarch Job that he might raise him above his fellow men. The Lord intended to make him Job the patient,...

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE INTRODUCTION Job 1:1. We are at once introduced to the leading person of this book. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil.” As already stated in the introduction, the land of Uz was east of Palestine and probably a part of Idumea, or in close proximity to the land of Edom. This seems to be confirmed by Lamentations 4:21: “Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz.” Uz is also mentioned in Jeremiah 25:20. It must have been on the borderland of Edom, if it was not a part of it. In...

JOB 1:1 describes Job, his piety and good fortune. The literal translation of the opening words would be Once upon a time there was a man. The use of the perfect denotes that we are dealing not with history but saga. Its purpose is to call attention, not to the exact time of events, but to the individual typical case. It is uncertain what land is meant by Uz. Syria and Edom have been suggested; on the whole, Edom is perhaps the most likely. Job's name is introduced without the addition of his descent, as is usual in the case of a thoroughly historical personage (1 Samuel 1:1). The meaning of the name is not known it formed part of the original tradition. When it is said that Job was perfect and upright, this is from the point of view of civil morality it is not meant in a theological sense. Job's fear of God in the stor

AND. Note the Figure of speech _Polysyndeton._ App-6. MEN. sons....