Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1878 — The Wealth of Job. [ARTICLE]

The Wealth of Job.

This man was greatest of all the men of the East. —Job i. 2. At this distance of time, supposed to be 3,000 years since he existed, it is difficult to estimate Job’s wealth; but as some items are given it may be attempt ■ ed, although the relative value of money at the extremes of the 3,000 years leaves us at a loss to calculate the precise amount. 1. The extent of land he owned may be found from the support his stock needed; 7,000 sheep would require a range of as many acres, 3,000 camels would need five acres each, 1,000 yoke of oxen an equal range of five acres with the camels; 500 asses about two acres each; and his household, which was “ very great,” 2,000; in all, 30,000 acres. The value of this amount, at $5 per acre, $150,000. 2. The cost of Job’s cattle sheep at $2 each; 3,000 camels at probably SSO; 1,000 oxen at $lO each, and 500 asses at the same price. This would equaj about $175,000. 3. To tend such vast herds, according to the custom of the East, the number of laborers must have been large. Abraham, cotemporary with Job, could muster in his own family retinue 318 trained man at arms. As many more must have remained at home to attend to his flocks, etc., when the patriarch went in pursuit of the invaders of Lot’s territory. Job may have had 300; their pay and support, $20,000. 4. The necessary houses for living and shelter and the folds could not be less than $25,000. The whole value of the above would be $370,000. All this wealth seems incredible, were .it not declared so by the voice of inspiration. At the close of the book we are told that even this amount was duplicated, or $740,000. When we compare this with the relative present value of money and that of Job’s day his wealth was enormous.— Episcopalian.