Mentioned collectively, these represent the sum total of economically valuable animals, and were therefore special objects of destruction by enemies (1 Samuel 15:3; 1 Samuel 22:19; Joshua 6:21), or of coveting and theft (Exodus 20:17; Exodus 22:4, Exodus 22:9–10 [Heb. Ex. 22:3, 8-9]. We may take it, therefore, that the reference to the destruction of these three types of animals…indicates the utter destruction of Israel’s economic base. The entire land is laid waste, and with it Israel’s means of sustenance.
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4 They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey.