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 for days, and sustain life on a very few thistles or thorns.
Household - (Genesis 26:14, margin) The other rendering, which the Hebrew admits, husbandry, is not so probable.
Men of the east - denoting in Scripture those living east of Palestine; as the people of North Arabia Deserta (Judges 6:3; Ezekiel 25:4).