Iyov 39:5

5 Who hath sent out the pere (wild donkey) free, or who hath untied the ropes of the arod (wild donkey, onager),

Iyov 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.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 44.

Iyov 39:5 In-Context

3 They crouch down, they bring forth their yeledim, their chavalim (birth pains) are cast off in riddance.
4 Their banim gain strength, they grow up in the bar (open, wild); they go forth, and return not unto them.
5 Who hath sent out the pere (wild donkey) free, or who hath untied the ropes of the arod (wild donkey, onager),
6 Whose bais I have made the aravah, and the barren land his mishkenot (dwellings)?
7 He laughs at the tumult of the kiryah (city), neither regardeth he the shouts of the driver.
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