Job 38:39

39 And wilt thou hunt a prey for the lions? and satisfy the desires of the serpents?

Job 38:39 Meaning and Commentary

Job 38:39

Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?
&c.] From meteors the Lord passes to animals, beasts, and birds, wherefore some here begin the thirty ninth chapter, which only treats of such; and he begins with the lion, the strongest among beasts, and most fierce; cruel, and voracious; and asks, who hunts his prey for him? Not man, who cannot; and if he could, durst not: but the Lord does; and, according to some writers ^F24, he has provided a small creature, between a fox and a wolf, called a jackal; which goes before the lion, and hunts the prey for him. And could this be understood particularly of the old lion, as Cocceius and others, naturalists ^F25 observe, that young lions hunt for the old ones, when they are not able to go in search of prey; and when they have got it, either bring it to them, or call them to partake of it with them;

or fill the appetite of the young lions,
whose appetite is sharp and keen, and requires a great deal to fill it, and especially to satisfy a great many of them; herds of them, as Mr. Broughton renders the word, and which signifies a company; see ( Psalms 68:30 ) . Men cannot feed them, but God can and does; there being some ends in Providence to be answered thereby, see ( Psalms 104:21 ) ; see also ( Psalms 34:8-10 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Thevenot's Travels, part 2. c. 13.
F25 Aelian. de Animal. l. 9. c. 1.

Job 38:39 In-Context

37 And who is he that numbers the clouds in wisdom, and has bowed the heaven to the earth?

38 For it is spread out as dusty earth, and I have cemented it as one hewn stone to another.

39 And wilt thou hunt a prey for the lions? and satisfy the desires of the serpents?

40 For they fear in their lairs, and lying in wait couch in the woods.

41 And who has prepared food for the raven? for its young ones wander and cry to the Lord, in search of food.