Job 39:23-30

23 Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear, and the javelin.

24 With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at ¹the sound of the trumpet.

25 When the trumpet sounds, he says 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26 "Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?

27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his ²nest on high?

28 On the rock he dwells and makes his home, on ³the rocky crag and stronghold.

29 From there he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it from far away.

30 His young ones suck up blood, and ⁴where the slain are, there is he."

Job 39:23-30 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.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 4:19; Amos 3:6
• 2. [Numbers 24:21; Jeremiah 49:16; Obadiah 4; Habakkuk 2:9]
• 3. 1 Samuel 14:5
• 4. Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37