Job 39:1-11

1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? dost thou mark the calving of the hinds?
2 Dost thou number the months that they fulfil? and knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they give birth to their young ones, they cast out their pains;
4 Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field, they go forth, and return not unto them.
5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? and who hath loosed the bands of the onager,
6 Whose house I made the wilderness, and the salt plain his dwellings?
7 He laugheth at the tumult of the city, and heareth not the shouts of the driver;
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the buffalo be willing to serve thee, or will he lodge by thy crib?
10 Canst thou bind the buffalo with his cord in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11 Wilt thou put confidence in him, because his strength is great? and wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

Job 39:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 39

This chapter treats of various creatures, beasts and birds, which Job had little knowledge of, had no concern in the making of them, and scarcely any power over them; as of the goats and hinds, Job 39:1-4; of the wild ass, Job 39:5-8; of the unicorn, Job 39:9-12; of the peacock and ostrich, Job 39:13-18; of the horse, Job 39:19-25; and of the hawk and eagle, Job 39:26-30.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Heb. Arabah: see Josh. 3.16.
  • [b]. Or 'great gazelle.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.