King James Version

What Does Job 1:3 Mean?

Job 1:3 in the King James Version says “His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred ... — study this verse from Job chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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: or, cattle household: or, husbandry men: Heb. sons

Job 1:3 · KJV


Context

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.

2

And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

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. substance: or, cattle household: or, husbandry men: Heb. sons

4

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. continually: Heb. all the days


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The specific enumeration of Job's wealth (7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys) demonstrates that blessing in the patriarchal era was tangible and measurable. The phrase 'greatest of all the men of the east' establishes Job's international reputation, making his subsequent suffering a public spectacle that demands theological explanation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, livestock wealth determined social status and economic power. The 'east' likely refers to the region of Uz, possibly in Edom or Northern Arabia, where patriarchal society flourished before Israel's formation.

Reflection Questions

  1. Does God still measure blessing in material terms, or has the gospel redefined prosperity?
  2. How should Christians view wealth in light of Job's story?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִ֠קְנֵהוּ2 of 25

His substance

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת3 of 25

also was seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אַלְפֵ֣י4 of 25

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

צֹ֜אן5 of 25

sheep

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת6 of 25

and three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

אַלְפֵ֣י7 of 25

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

גְמַלִּ֗ים8 of 25

camels

H1581

a camel

וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ9 of 25

and five

H2568

five

מֵא֣וֹת10 of 25

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

צֶֽמֶד11 of 25

yoke

H6776

a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)

בָּקָר֙12 of 25

of oxen

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ13 of 25

and five

H2568

five

מֵא֣וֹת14 of 25

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֲתוֹנ֔וֹת15 of 25

she asses

H860

a female donkey (from its docility)

וַֽעֲבֻדָּ֖ה16 of 25

household

H5657

something wrought, i.e., (concretely) service

רַבָּ֣ה17 of 25

great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מְאֹ֑ד18 of 25

and a very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַֽיְהִי֙19 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָאִ֣ישׁ20 of 25

so that this man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַה֔וּא21 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

גָּד֖וֹל22 of 25

was the greatest

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מִכָּל23 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנֵי24 of 25

of all the men

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קֶֽדֶם׃25 of 25

of the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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