Commentary for Job 1:3

seven thousand sheep He counted the largest number first.

greater than all the children of the East Than the generation of the division, as it is written (Gen. 11:2): “And it came to pass as they migrated from the east.” But concerning Abraham, it is not so, for concerning Abraham, it is written הגדול, the greatest, as it is stated (Josh. 14:15): “And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-Arba; he was the greatest man among the “Anakim.” It should have said אדם גדול, a great man. Why did he write האדם הגדול, the greatest man? By this, Scripture hinted that he was a great man who passed ten tests. Therefore, his title is written with two “heys”, the numerical value of which is ten. Job, however, described by the word גדול, greater, passed only one [test], as it is stated: sincere and upright, etc., that out of that entire generation, he was not apprehended for that iniquity.

4. If a man is humiliated and disgraced in the eyes of the public he may break down; crushed in the gate, with none to save him (Job 5:4). But Job was a famous and respected man, the greatest man in all the East.

5. A man can be destroyed by family dissension, as when brothers bear malice towards one another and fabricate hatred (Proverbs 12:20) in his house. This is what the enmity between Joseph and his brothers did to the patriarch Jacob. But Job's family lived in harmony and affection: [His sons held regular feasts etc.]