Job 1:3

Authorized King James 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 men of the east.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִ֠קְנֵהוּ
H4735
His substance
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
#3
שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת
H7651
also was seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#4
אַלְפֵ֣י
H505
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#5
צֹ֜אן
H6629
sheep
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#6
וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת
H7969
and three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#7
אַלְפֵ֣י
H505
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#8
גְמַלִּ֗ים
H1581
camels
a camel
#9
וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ
H2568
and five
five
#10
מֵא֣וֹת
H3967
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#11
צֶֽמֶד
H6776
yoke
a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)
#12
בָּקָר֙
H1241
of oxen
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
#13
וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ
H2568
and five
five
#14
מֵא֣וֹת
H3967
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#15
אֲתוֹנ֔וֹת
H860
she asses
a female donkey (from its docility)
#16
וַֽעֲבֻדָּ֖ה
H5657
household
something wrought, i.e., (concretely) service
#17
רַבָּ֣ה
H7227
great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#18
מְאֹ֑ד
H3966
and a very
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#19
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#20
הָאִ֣ישׁ
H376
so that this man
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)
#21
הַה֔וּא
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
#22
גָּד֖וֹל
H1419
was the greatest
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#23
מִכָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#24
בְּנֵי
H1121
of all the men
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#25
קֶֽדֶם׃
H6924
of the east
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Job, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Job's theological argument.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection