Job 39:13-30

Listen to Job 39:13-30
13 The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions [a] and feathers of the stork.
14 For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand.
15 She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them.
16 She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain.
17 For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding.
18 Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider.
19 Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?
20 Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?
21 He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle.
22 He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.
23 A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance. [b]
24 Trembling with excitement, he devours the distance; he cannot stand still when the ram’s horn sounds.
25 At the blast of the horn, he snorts with fervor. [c] He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shouts of captains and the cry of war.
26 Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south?
27 Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high?
28 He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag.
29 From there he spies out food; his eyes see it from afar.
30 His young ones feast on blood; and where the slain are, there he is.”

Job 39:13-30 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.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Footnotes 3

  • [a] Pinions are the outer parts of a bird’s wings, including the flight feathers.
  • [b] Or javelin
  • [c] Or he snorts, ‘Aha!’
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially placed into the public domain