Job 39:5

5 Who hath let go the wild ass free, and who hath loosed the bonds of him? (Who hath let the wild donkey go free, and who hath loosened his bonds?)

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 They be bowed down to [the] calf, and so calve; and they send out then roarings (and then they send out their roarings).

4 Their calves be separated from them, and go forth to pasture; they go out, and they turn not again to their mothers.

5 Who hath let go the wild ass free, and who hath loosed the bonds of him? (Who hath let the wild donkey go free, and who hath loosened his bonds?)

6 To whom I have given an house in (the) wilderness, and the tabernacles of him in the land of saltness. (To whom I have given a home in the desert, and his dwelling places in the salty land.)

7 He despiseth the multitude of the city; he heareth not the cry of the asker.