Job 39 15

Job 39:15 kjv

And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

Job 39:15 nkjv

She forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild beast may break them.

Job 39:15 niv

unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them.

Job 39:15 esv

forgetting that a foot may crush them and that the wild beast may trample them.

Job 39:15 nlt

She doesn't worry that a foot might crush them
or a wild animal might destroy them.

Job 39 verses

Job 39 15 Meaning

Job 39:15 describes the ostrich as seemingly abandoning its eggs to the perils of the ground, implying a lack of maternal care or foresight, stating that it "forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them." This depiction serves as part of God's discourse to Job, demonstrating His infinite wisdom and power in the natural world, particularly through creatures whose behavior defies easy human categorization or understanding, thus humbling Job and highlighting God's incomparable wisdom.

Job 39 15 Context

Job 39:15 is situated within the latter part of the book of Job (chapters 38-41), where the Lord finally speaks to Job out of the whirlwind. This divine discourse is a powerful display of God's sovereignty, omnipotence, and infinite wisdom. God poses a series of rhetorical questions to Job, challenging his limited understanding by pointing to the complexity and mystery of the natural world and the creatures within it. The description of the ostrich (vv. 13-18) is one such example, following discussions about phenomena like lightning, clouds, and various wild animals. The purpose is not to condemn the ostrich's behavior as biologically flawed, but rather to use its seemingly "unwise" conduct, from a human perspective, as a testimony to God's own unique and often unfathomable design, distinct from human logic or control. It serves to humble Job, who has been questioning divine justice, by illustrating the vast chasm between human and divine wisdom and power.

Job 39 15 Word analysis

• And forgetteth (וַתִּשְׁכַּח - vat-tish-kach): From the root שָׁכַח (shakhach), meaning "to forget," "to be oblivious of," "to neglect." This word choice suggests a perceived lack of attention, remembrance, or active care on the part of the ostrich towards its offspring or eggs. In the divine discourse, this is presented not as a deficiency in creation, but as a behavior divinely appointed, challenging human assumptions about wisdom.
• that the foot (כִּי-תְזוּרֵהּ רָגֶל֙ - ki t'zu-reh regel): Regel (רָגֶל) literally means "foot." Ki t'zu-reh means "that it may scatter" or "that it may be trampled." The construction implies vulnerability to trampling, directly connecting the "forgetting" with the danger posed by the feet of other animals or humans.
• may crush them: The act of crushing is inferred from the danger of being trodden upon by a foot (regel), which could be an animal's or human's. It speaks to the fragility and unprotected state of the eggs.
• or that the wild beast (חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה - chayyat has-sadeh): Chayyat (חַיַּת) means "living creature" or "wild animal." Has-sadeh (הַשָּׂדֶה) means "of the field" or "wild." This specific phrasing highlights another category of predator, emphasizing the comprehensive vulnerability of the eggs if not protected.
• may break them (תְּפְרוֹמֵם - t'f'ro-mem): From the root פרם (param), meaning "to tear," "to break apart," "to destroy." This word explicitly describes the violent destruction of the eggs by wild animals, intensifying the perceived neglect implied earlier.

Words-group analysis

• "And forgetteth...may crush them": This phrase emphasizes the core assertion regarding the ostrich's behavior – a lack of care that exposes its progeny to common hazards. It is framed as an active state of obliviousness leading to severe consequences. The implication is not of malice, but an inherent, God-given "unwisdom" in this specific area of maternal care, meant to underscore God's ultimate and unique wisdom.
• "or that the wild beast may break them": This expands the threat beyond mere trampling by any foot, highlighting the specific danger posed by predators. This vivid imagery deepens the contrast between the ostrich's seemingly indifferent nesting habits and the brutal realities of the wilderness, serving to heighten the rhetorical power of God's questions to Job about His intricate and often inscrutable design. The choice of two distinct threats (foot, wild beast) highlights the comprehensive nature of the vulnerability without divine oversight.

Job 39 15 Bonus section

The description of the ostrich in Job 39 may be an example of "phenomenological language," meaning it describes things as they appear to human observation rather than scientific precision. Ancient observers would note the ostrich's habit of laying eggs directly in sand, seemingly unattended, making them vulnerable. Modern ornithology provides deeper understanding, noting that male ostriches also incubate and protect nests, and that some eggs may be left outside the main nest to serve as decoys for predators. The point of the passage remains theological: God's wisdom is absolute, even in behaviors we find perplexing. This narrative serves as a metaphor to underscore God's unmatched creative authority and the limitations of human wisdom when faced with the intricacies of divine design. The focus is less on critiquing the ostrich and more on illuminating the vast difference between God's perspective and Job's.

Job 39 15 Commentary

Job 39:15 presents the ostrich not as inherently unintelligent, but as acting in a manner that, from a human perspective, appears neglectful and devoid of parental wisdom. The verse emphasizes its seeming forgetfulness that its eggs, laid exposed on the ground, are vulnerable to being trampled by feet or broken by wild beasts. This portrayal is part of God's broader argument to Job, highlighting His profound and often paradoxical wisdom in creation, a wisdom far beyond human comprehension. The ostrich's behavior, which to human eyes might seem irrational, is presented as part of God's unique design (Job 39:17 implies this divine withholding of wisdom in this specific context). This illustrates that divine design operates on principles unknown to man. The ultimate point for Job, and for us, is humility before the Creator; our understanding of wisdom and purpose is limited compared to God's all-encompassing knowledge and design. This also speaks to a truth found elsewhere in Scripture: God often uses what appears "foolish" or "weak" to man to demonstrate His greater power and wisdom (1 Cor 1:25).