Job 39:23

23 The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.

Job 39:23 Meaning and Commentary

Job 39:23

The quiver rattleth against him
The quiver is what arrows are put into and carried in, and seems here to be put for arrows, which being shot by the enemy come whizzing about him, but do not intimidate him; unless this is to be understood of arrows rattling in the quiver when carried by the rider "upon him", so some render the last word; and thus Homer F23 and Virgil F24 speak of the rattling quiver and sounding arrows in it, as carried on the back or shoulder; but the first sense seems best, in which another poet uses it F25;

the glittering spear and the shield;
the lance or javelin, as Mr. Broughton renders it, and others; that is, he does not turn back from these, nor is he frightened at them when they are pointed to him or flung at him; so Aelianus F26 speaks of the Persians training their horses and getting them used to noises, that in battle they might not be frightened at the clashing of arms, of swords and shields against each other; in like manner as our war horses are trained, not to start at the firing of a gun, or the explosion of a cannon.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Iliad. 1. v. 4.
F24 "Pharetramqne sonantem". Aeneid. 9. v. 666.
F25 "----audito sonitu per inane pharetrae". Ovid. Metamorph. l. 6. v. 230.
F26 De Animal. l. 16. c. 25.

Job 39:23 In-Context

21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.
25 As oft as the trumpet [soundeth] he saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.