Job 39:20 - God Speaks of His Creation

Audio Bible

Context

God Speaks of His Creation
…19Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane? 20Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? 21He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle.…

Cross References

Psalm 147:10
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.Jeremiah 8:6
I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle.Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.Proverbs 21:31
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.Zechariah 10:3
“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.2 Kings 9:20
Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the charioteer is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi—he is driving like a madman!”Psalm 33:17
A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.Isaiah 30:16
“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!Nahum 3:2
The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot!Revelation 19:11-14
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...James 3:3
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. / Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. / Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. ...

Job 41:20,21
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron…

Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

terrible.

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Job 39

Do you make him leap like a locust
This phrase refers to the horse, a creature known for its strength and agility. The comparison to a locust highlights the horse's ability to leap and move swiftly. In biblical times, locusts were known for their sudden and overwhelming presence, often used as a metaphor for armies (Joel 2:4-5). The horse's leaping can be seen as a symbol of power and readiness for battle, reflecting the might and control of God over creation. Horses were integral to warfare in ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Assyrians, and their use in battle is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament (Exodus 14:9, 1 Kings 10:28-29).

striking terror with his proud snorting
The imagery of the horse's snorting conveys a sense of fearlessness and majesty. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the horse was a symbol of war and conquest, and its snorting could intimidate both enemies and onlookers. The proud snorting signifies confidence and strength, attributes that are often associated with divine power and authority. This can be connected to the broader theme of God's sovereignty and the awe-inspiring nature of His creation. The horse's role in battle, as seen in passages like Zechariah 10:3, underscores the idea of divine judgment and the execution of God's will through His creation.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job is a dialogue about the nature of suffering and God's sovereignty.

2. God
The Creator, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, questioning him to demonstrate His own wisdom and power over creation.

3. The Horse
In this passage, God describes the horse, emphasizing its strength and fearlessness, which are beyond human control or creation.

4. The Locust
Used metaphorically to describe the horse's leaping ability, highlighting the power and agility of God's creation.

5. The Whirlwind
The medium through which God speaks to Job, symbolizing His power and majesty.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The description of the horse's strength and fearlessness serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control and power over all creation. We are called to trust in His wisdom and sovereignty.

Human Limitations
The rhetorical questions posed by God highlight human limitations. We are reminded of our dependence on God and the importance of humility before Him.

The Majesty of God's Creation
The imagery of the horse leaping like a locust and its proud snorting invites us to marvel at the intricacy and majesty of God's creation, encouraging us to worship the Creator.

Trust in God's Wisdom
Just as Job is reminded of God's wisdom in creation, we are encouraged to trust in God's wisdom in our own lives, especially during times of trial and uncertainty.

Fear of the Lord
The passage indirectly points to the importance of fearing the Lord, as true strength and security come from Him, not from earthly power or might.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Job 39How do the fiery-breath descriptions in Job 41:18-21 reconcile with known biological or scientific facts about animals?In Job 39:19-25, the horse is described as fearless in battle; is this a poetic exaggeration or is there historical evidence supporting such behavior?Does the portrayal of divine retribution in Job 27:13-23 conflict with the idea of God's grace demonstrated elsewhere in the Bible?What are the main themes of the Bible's books?

(20) Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?--Rather, Hast thou made him to leap as a locust?

Verse 20. - Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? rather, Canst thou make him leap forward as a grasshopper? The bound with which a war-horse rushes to battle seems intended. The glory of his nostrils is terrible. When the war-horse snorts, men tremble (see Jeremiah 8:16, "The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones"). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Do you make him leap
הְֽ֭תַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ (hə·ṯar·‘î·šen·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7493: To undulate, through fear, to spring

like a locust,
כָּאַרְבֶּ֑ה (kā·’ar·beh)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 697: (a kind of) locust

[striking] terror
אֵימָֽה׃ (’ê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 367: Fright, an idol

with his proud
ה֖וֹד (hō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1935: Splendor, majesty, vigor

snorting?
נַחְר֣וֹ (naḥ·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5170: A snorting

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Job 39:20 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Job 39:20 Have you made him to leap as (Jb)