Job 39:19-29

19 "Are you the one who gave the horse his prowess and adorned him with a shimmering mane?
20 Did you create him to prance proudly and strike terror with his royal snorts?
21 He paws the ground fiercely, eager and spirited, then charges into the fray.
22 He laughs at danger, fearless, doesn't shy away from the sword.
23 The banging and clanging of quiver and lance don't faze him.
24 He quivers with excitement, and at the trumpet blast races off at a gallop.
25 At the sound of the trumpet he neighs mightily, smelling the excitement of battle from a long way off, catching the rolling thunder of the war cries.
26 "Was it through your know how that the hawk learned to fly, soaring effortlessly on thermal updrafts?
27 Did you command the eagle's flight, and teach her to build her nest in the heights,
28 Perfectly at home on the high cliff-face, invulnerable on pinnacle and crag?
29 From her perch she searches for prey, spies it at a great distance.

Job 39:19-29 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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.