Job 39:5

5 And who is he that sent forth the wild ass free? and who loosed his bands?

Job 39:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 39:5

Who hath sent out the wild ass free?
&c.] Into the wide waste, where it is, ranges at pleasure, and is not under the restraint of any; a creature which, as it is naturally wild, is naturally averse to servitude, is desirous of liberty and maintains it: not but that it may be tamed, as Pliny ^F13 speaks of such as are; but it chooses to be free, and, agreeably to its nature, it is sent out into the wilderness as such: not that it is set free from bondage, for in that it never was until it is tamed; but its nature and inclination, and course it pursues, is to be free. And now the question is, who gave this creature such a nature, and desire after liberty? and such power to maintain it? and directs it to take such methods to secure it, and keep clear of bondage? It is of God;

or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
not that it has any naturally upon it, and is loosed from them; but because it is as clear of them as such creatures are, which have been in bands and are freed from them: therefore this mode of expression is used, and which signifies the same as before.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 44.

Job 39:5 In-Context

3 and hast reared their young without fear; and wilt thou loosen their pangs?

4 Their young will break forth; they will be multiplied with offspring: will go forth, and will not return to them.

5 And who is he that sent forth the wild ass free? and who loosed his bands?

6 whereas I made his habitation the wilderness, and the salt land his coverts.

7 He laughs to scorn the multitude of the city, and hears not the chiding of the tax-gatherer.