King James Version
Job 39
30 verses with commentary
God Continues: Can You Control the Animals?
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
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KJV Study Commentary
God asks: 'Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?' The verb yada (יָדַע, knowest) means to know intimately or experientially. Ya'ale-sela (יַעֲלֵי־סָלַע, wild goats of the rock) refers to mountain goats. Shamar (שָׁמַר, mark) means to observe or watch over. The questions about animal reproduction highlight divine providence ov...
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3. literally, "Begin your mockings" (Job 17:2).
Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?" God questions Job's knowledge of wild goats' gestation periods. The Hebrew <em>male</em> (מָלֵא, "fulfill/complete") refers to pregnancy completing its term. This demonstrates God's intimate knowledge of creation's details—timing of births in remote wilderness. If Job doesn't know such specifics about ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. Job's difficulty was not as to man, but as to God, why He so afflicted him, as if he were the guilty hypocrite which the friends alleged him to be. Vulgate translates it, "my disputation."
**if it were--**rather, "since this is the case."
They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
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KJV Study Commentary
"They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows." God describes the birthing process—the bowing (<em>kara</em>, כָּרַע, "crouch/bow") and delivery. Even wild animals experience pain ("sorrows," <em>chebel</em>, חֶבֶל, "birth pains") but successfully bring forth offspring without human assistance. This reveals God's provision for all creatures, sustaining them t...
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**5. lay ... hand upon ... mouth--**(Pr 30:32; Jud 18:19). So the heathen god of silence was pictured with his hand on his mouth. There was enough in Job's case to awe them into silence (Job 17:8).
Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
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KJV Study Commentary
"Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them." The young mature (<em>chalats</em>, חָלַץ, "grow strong") and become independent without prolonged parental care. God designs each species with appropriate nurture periods. The young don't "return" (<em>shuv</em>, שׁוּב)—they follow their created instincts. This demonstrates God's wisdom in crea...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XXXIX.
(4) **They grow up with corn.**—Or more probably, perhaps, *in the open field, *as the word means according to some.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. remember--**Think on it. Can you wonder that I broke out into complaints, when the struggle was not with men, but with the Almighty? Reconcile, if you can, the ceaseless woes of the innocent with the divine justice! Is it not enough to make one tremble? [Umbreit].
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?" God asks who granted freedom to wild donkeys, using <em>shaphar</em> (שָׁפַר, "send out") and <em>pathach</em> (פָּתַח, "loose/open"). These animals live independently, untamed by humans. God designed some creatures for domestication, others for wildness. This demonstrates divine purpose in diversity—not all creat...
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7. The answer is Ro 2:4; 1Ti 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ec 8:11-13; Lu 2:35-end; Pr 16:4; Ro 9:22.
**old--**in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, 14).
Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. barren: Heb. salt places
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KJV Study Commentary
"Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings." God gave wild asses the desert as their habitat—the <em>aravah</em> (עֲרָבָה, "wilderness/desert") and <em>melachah</em> (מְלֵחָה, "salt land/barren ground"). What humans consider wasteland, God designed as perfect habitat for these creatures. This reveals divine purpose in every environment. Nothing is truly wasteland in...
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8. In opposition to Job 18:19; 5:4.
He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. of the driver: Heb. of the exactor
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KJV Study Commentary
"He scorneth the multitude of the city; neither regardeth he the crying of the driver." The wild ass "scorns" (<em>sachaq</em>, שָׂחַק, "laughs at/mocks") city tumult and ignores the driver's commands. God designed this creature to live free from human authority and urban chaos. Its independence isn't rebellion but fulfillment of created purpose. This teaches that God values diversity in creation—...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **The crying of the driver.**—Or, *the shoutings of the taskmaster. *The word is the same as is applied to the taskmasters of Egypt, and this suggests the question whether or not there may be a reminiscence of that bondage here.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9. Literally, "peace from fear"; with poetic force. Their house is peace itself, far removed from fear. Opposed to the friends' assertion, as to the bad (Job 15:21-24; 20:26-28), and conversely, the good (Job 5:23, 24).
The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
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KJV Study Commentary
"The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing." God describes the wild ass's habitat—mountain ranges where it seeks (<em>darash</em>, דָּרַשׁ, "search/seek") vegetation. The verb suggests active searching, not passive grazing. God designed this creature with instincts and abilities perfectly suited to its harsh environment. This demonstrates divine care in ma...
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10. Rather, "their cattle conceive." The first clause of the verse describes an easy conception, the second, a happy birth [Umbreit].
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
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KJV Study Commentary
God questions: 'Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?' This wild ox (not mythical unicorn) cannot be domesticated for human service. God's point is that He governs creatures humans cannot control.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The unicorn.**—It is a mistake to identify this animal with the rhinoceros, as was formerly done; it is more probably the same with the buffalo, or wild ox. The most glaring form of the mistake is in Psalm 22:22 : “Thou hast heard me also from among the *horns *of the *unicorns” *The way in which the animal is here spoken of, as in analogous contrast to the domestic ox, suggests that it is n...
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**11. send forth--**namely, out of doors, to their happy sports under the skies, like a joyful flock sent to the pastures.
**little ones--**like lambkins.
**children--**somewhat older than the former.
**dance--**not formal dances; but skip, like lambs, in joyous and healthful play.
Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?" The "unicorn" (<em>reem</em>, רְאֵם, likely wild ox/aurochs) cannot be domesticated for plowing. The Hebrew emphasizes impossibility—no <em>avot</em> (rope) can bind it to furrows. God designed this powerful creature to remain wild despite its potential agricultural utility. This demonstrates that ...
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**12. take--**rather, "lift up the voice" (sing) to the note of [Umbreit].
**timbrel--**rather, "tambourine."
**organ--**not the modern "organ," but the "pipe" (Ge 4:21). The first clause refers to stringed, the latter, to wind instruments; thus, with "the voice" all kinds of music are enumerated.
Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?" The wild ox's great strength makes it seem perfect for labor, yet it remains unreliable for human purposes. The verb <em>batach</em> (בָּטַח, "trust") highlights the issue—power without controllability isn't useful. This teaches that strength apart from submission to proper authority becomes dangerous or us...
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**13. wealth--**Old English Version for "prosperity."
**in a moment--**not by a lingering disease. Great blessings! Lengthened life with prosperity, and a sudden painless death (Psa 73:4).
Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?" The wild ox cannot be trusted (<em>aman</em>, אָמַן, "believe/have confidence") for harvest work. Domestication requires not just physical capability but reliable behavior. God designed some creatures for partnership with humans, others for independence. This demonstrates divine wisdom in creation diversity. Th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Wilt thou believe him?**—*i.e.*, *trust him, *as in the former verse “Wilt thou [trust” was, rather, *Wilt thou feel confidence in him?*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. Therefore--**rather, "And yet they are such as say," &c., that is, say, not in so many words, but virtually, by their conduct (so the Gergesenes, Mt 8:34). How differently the godly (Is 2:3).
**ways--**The course of action, which God points out; as in Psa 50:23, Margin.
Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? wings and: or, the feathers of the stork and ostrich
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KJV Study Commentary
God describes the ostrich: 'Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?' This introduces the ostrich's strange characteristics - wings that don't enable flight, apparent foolishness, yet divinely designed.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks?**—Rather, *The wing of the ostrich is superb, but are her pinions and her feathers like the stork’s? *Ostrich feathers are said to be worth from £8 to £15 a pound; but, beautiful and valuable as they are, they are hardly like the plumage of a bird, and are not so used for flight; on the contrary, the ostrich runs like a quadruped, it is stated...
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15. (Compare Jr 2:20; Pr 30:9, Margin, Ex 5:2).
**what profit--**(Job 35:3; Mal 3:14; Psa 73:13). Sinners ask, not what is right, but what is for the profit of self. They forget, "If religion cost self something, the want of it will cost self infinitely more."
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
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KJV Study Commentary
"Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust." The ostrich's unusual nesting behavior—leaving eggs on ground in sandy soil—seems negligent by human standards. Yet God designed this system perfectly for ostriches. Desert sand's heat incubates eggs; the parent returns periodically. What appears as parental failure is actually divine design suited to specific environment. This teach...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Which leaveth her eggs.**—The ostrich only sits upon her eggs at night, when the cold would chill and destroy them; by day the heat of the sand continues the process of hatching.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. not in their hand--**but in the hand of God. This is Job's difficulty, that God who has sinners prosperity (good) in His hand should allow them to have it.
**is--**rather, "may the counsel of the wicked be far from me!" [Umbreit]. This naturally follows the sentiment of the first clause: Let me not hereby be thought to regard with aught but horror the ways of the wicked, however prosperous...
Read full commentary →And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
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KJV Study Commentary
"And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them." The ostrich's ground nesting exposes eggs to danger—crushing or predation. Yet the species survives and thrives. God's design includes accepting risk within His sovereign protection. Not all divine wisdom seeks to eliminate danger; sometimes it equips creatures to thrive despite it. This challenges risk-averse th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17. Job in this whole passage down to Job 21:21 quotes the assertion of the friends, as to the short continuance of the sinner's prosperity, not his own sentiments. In Job 21:22 he proceeds to refute them. "How oft is the candle" (lamp), &c., quoting Bildad's sentiment (Job 18:5, 6), in order to question its truth (compare Mt 25:8).
**how oft--**"God distributeth," &c. (alluding to Job 2...
Read full commentary →She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
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KJV Study Commentary
"She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear." The ostrich appears callous toward offspring—the Hebrew <em>hiqshah</em> (הִקְשָׁה, "hardened/cruel") suggests harshness. Yet this perceived cruelty is actually God-given instinct serving the species' survival. The ostrich doesn't fear its "labour" being "in vain" (<em>reyq</em>, רֵיק, "empt...
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18. Job alludes to a like sentiment of Bildad (Job 18:18), using his own previous words (Job 13:25).
Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
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KJV Study Commentary
"Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding." God explicitly states He withheld wisdom from the ostrich—the Hebrew <em>hishah</em> (הִשָּׁהּ, "made her forget") indicates intentional deprivation. Yet the ostrich functions perfectly within its design. This teaches that God distributes gifts differently to each creature; lacking certain abilities doesn't i...
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19. Equally questionable is the friends' assertion that if the godless himself is not punished, the children are (Job 18:19; 20:10); and that God rewardeth him here for his iniquity, and that he shall know it to his cost. So "know" (Ho 9:7).
What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
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KJV Study Commentary
"What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider." When the ostrich runs, it "scorns" (<em>sachaq</em>, שָׂחַק, "laughs at/mocks") even horses and riders—it's the fastest bird on land. Though lacking wisdom, God gave it speed and strength. This demonstrates that God compensates for certain deficiencies with other extraordinary abilities. No creature has everything, b...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **She lifteth up herself.**—That is, either from the nest when she comes to maturity, or when she sets out to run. The ostrich has a habit of running in a curve, which alone enables horsemen to overtake and kill or capture her. As in Job 39:13 a comparison seems to be drawn between the ostrich and the stork, so here, probably, the subject spoken of is the stork. Swift and powerful as the ostr...
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20. Another questionable assertion of the friends, that the sinner sees his own and his children's destruction in his lifetime.
**drink--**(Psa 11:6; Is 51:17; La 4:21).
Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
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KJV Study Commentary
God asks: 'Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?' The verb natan (נָתַן, given) means to give or bestow. Gevurah (גְּבוּרָה, strength) denotes might or power. The phrase 'clothed his neck with thunder' (halvish tsavaro ra'mah, הֲלָבִישׁ צַוָּארוֹ רַעְמָה) poetically describes the horse's mane as thunderous—perhaps referring to sound of galloping or appearance...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Thunder**—*i.e., *with *terror, *such as thunder causes. Some refer it to the moving or shaking of the mane.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. The argument of the friends, in proof of Job 21:20, What pleasure can he have from his house (children) when he is dead--**("after him," Ec 3:22).
**when the number, &c.--**Or, rather, "What hath he to do with his children?" &c. (so the Hebrew in Ec 3:1; 8:6). It is therefore necessary that "his eyes should see his and their destruction" (see Job 14:21).
**cut off--**rather, when...
Read full commentary →Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. terrible: Heb. terror
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KJV Study Commentary
"Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible." The war-horse's nostril-flaring and aggressive spirit inspire terror. The Hebrew <em>nechir apo</em> (נַחַר אַפּוֹ, "snorting of his nostrils") suggests fearsome power. God designed some creatures for battle—not peaceful purposes. This demonstrates that strength, aggression, and even capacity for violence have le...
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(20) **Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?**—Rather, *Hast thou made him to leap as a locust?*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
22. Reply of Job, "In all these assertions you try to teach God how He ought to deal with men, rather than prove that He does in fact so deal with them. Experience is against you. God gives prosperity and adversity as it pleases Him, not as man's wisdom would have it, on principles inscrutable to us" (Is 40:13; Ro 11:34).
**those ... high--**the high ones, not only angels, but men (Is 2:12-17).
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He paweth: or, His feet dig the armed: Heb. the armour
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KJV Study Commentary
"He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men." The war-horse <em>yachperu</em> (יַחְפְּרוּ, "paws/digs") eagerly, rejoicing (<em>yasis</em>, יָשִׂישׂ) in strength, charging toward armed enemies. God designed this creature to delight in what would terrify others. This teaches that God creates diverse temperaments and callings—some for peace, others for ...
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(21) **He paweth . . . he rejoiceth.**—The first verb is plural, and the second singular. “They paw” (literally, *dig*)*, *and “he rejoiceth.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23. Literally, "in the bone of his perfection," that is, the full strength of unimpaired prosperity [Umbreit].
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
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KJV Study Commentary
"He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword." The war-horse "mocks" (<em>sachaq</em>, שָׂחַק) fear itself and doesn't turn back (<em>shuv</em>, שׁוּב) from weapons. God designed courage into this creature's nature. This demonstrates that fearlessness serving righteous purposes is divine gift, not mere recklessness. The horse doesn't need to manufacture courag...
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**24. breasts--**rather, "skins," or "vessels" for fluids [Lee]. But [Umbreit] "stations or resting-places of his herds near water"; in opposition to Zophar (Job 20:17); the first clause refers to his abundant substance, the second to his vigorous health.
**moistened--**comparing man's body to a well-watered field (Pr 3:8; Is 58:11).
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
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KJV Study Commentary
"The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield." Weapons and armor rattle as the horse charges—sounds that would frighten normal animals. The war-horse ignores these, focused on its purpose. God designed selective sensitivity—attuned to rider's commands but indifferent to battle's chaos. This teaches that divine calling includes grace to ignore certain distractions and fears...
Read full commentary →He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
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KJV Study Commentary
"He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet." The horse devours distance with fierce intensity—<em>yegamme</em> (יְגַמֶּא, "swallows") suggests consuming ground eagerly. It can hardly "believe" (<em>aman</em>, אָמַן) the trumpet sounds because of intense focus and eagerness. This demonstrates passionate engagement in divine calling—w...
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(24) **Neither believeth he**—*i.e.*, he disregardeth the summons of the trumpet, as though he did not believe that it gave the call to war.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
26. (Ec 9:2).
He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
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KJV Study Commentary
God's description of the war horse reaches its climax with this vivid portrayal of battle eagerness. 'He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha' (be-dei shopar hach, בְּדֵי שׁוֹפָר הֶאָח) captures the horse's excited response to the battle trumpet—almost laughing or snorting with anticipation. 'Smelleth the battle afar off' (reyach milchamah, רֵיחַ מִלְחָמָה) means literally to perceive by scent, sugges...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **He saith among the trumpets**—Literally, *when there are plenty of trumpets: 1 e., *as often as the trumpet soundeth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
27. Their wrongful thoughts against Job are stated by him in Job 21:28. They do not honestly name Job, but insinuate his guilt.
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
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KJV Study Commentary
God asks Job: 'Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?' This attributes bird migration to divine instinct rather than human teaching. Natural behaviors that seem instinctive are actually divinely programmed.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **Doth the hawk fly?**—The more symmetrical order of these descriptions would be for the ostrich to have come *after *the war-horse and before the hawk; in that case there would have been a gradual transition from the fleetest of quadrupeds to the fleetest of birds by means of the ostrich, which, though winged like a bird, cannot use its wings as birds do, but only run on the ground like a qu...
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**28. ye say--**referring to Zophar (Job 20:7).
**the house--**referring to the fall of the house of Job's oldest son (Job 1:19) and the destruction of his family.
**prince--**The parallel "wicked" in the second clause requires this to be taken in a bad sense, tyrant, oppressor (Is 13:2), the same Hebrew, "nobles"--oppressors.
**dwelling-places--**rather, "pavilions," a tent containing many ...
Read full commentary →Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? at: Heb. by thy mouth
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KJV Study Commentary
God continues: 'Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?' This questions whether Job controls eagle behavior - their soaring, nesting habits, predatory skill. Divine governance extends to every creature's characteristic behavior.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
29. Job, seeing that the friends will not admit him as an impartial judge, as they consider his calamities prove his guilt, begs them to ask the opinion of travellers (La 1:12), who have the experience drawn from observation, and who are no way connected with him. Job opposes this to Bildad (Job 8:8) and Zophar (Job 20:4).
**tokens--**rather, "intimations" (for example, inscriptions, proverbs, s...
Read full commentary →She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
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KJV Study Commentary
God shifts to the eagle, describing its habitat selection. 'Dwelleth and abideth on the rock' (shakan yitlonan sela, שָׁכַן יִתְלֹנָן סֶלַע) emphasizes permanent residence in harsh, inaccessible locations. 'Crag of the rock and the strong place' (shen-sela, שֶׁן־סֶלַע) uses vocabulary suggesting tooth-like projections—sharp, dangerous cliff faces that provide security. The threefold emphasis (rock...
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30. Their testimony (referring perhaps to those who had visited the region where Abraham who enjoyed a revelation then lived) is that "the wicked is (now) spared (reserved) against the day of destruction (hereafter)." The Hebrew does not so well agree with [Umbreit] "in the day of destruction." Job does not deny sinners' future punishment, but their punishment in this life. They have their "good t...
Read full commentary →From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
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KJV Study Commentary
From the eagle's secure dwelling, God describes its hunting prowess. 'From thence she seeketh the prey' (chaqar okel, חָקַר אֹכֶל) emphasizes searching or investigating for food from that elevated position. 'Her eyes behold afar off' (merchaq nabat, מֶרְחָק נָבַט) describes the eagle's extraordinary visual acuity—ability to spot small prey from great heights. This verse connects security (previous...
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31. That is, who dares to charge him openly with his bad ways? namely, in this present life. He shall, I grant (Job 21:30), be "repaid" hereafter.
Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.
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KJV Study Commentary
God concludes the eagle section with a stark image of predatory success. 'Her young ones also suck up blood' (aph-ephroach ya'au dam, אַף־אֶפְרֹחַיו יְעַעוּ־דָם) describes eaglets consuming bloody prey brought by parents—a vivid picture of nature's harsh realities. 'Where the slain are, there is she' (ba-asher chalalim, בַּאֲשֶׁר חֲלָלִים) points to eagles gathering at battlefields and places of d...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **Where the slain are, there is she.**—Comp. Matthew 24:28, and Luke 17:37.
**Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**32. Yet--**rather, "and."
**brought--**with solemn pomp (Psa 45:15).
**grave--**literally, "graves"; that is, the place where the graves are.
**remain in--**rather, watch on the tomb, or sepulchral mound. Even after death he seems still to live and watch (that is, have his "remembrance" preserved) by means of the monument over the grave. In opposition to Bildad (Job 18:17).