Job 39 19

Job 39:19 kjv

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Job 39:19 nkjv

"Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder?

Job 39:19 niv

"Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?

Job 39:19 esv

"Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane?

Job 39:19 nlt

"Have you given the horse its strength
or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?

Job 39 verses

Job 39 19 Meaning

Job 39:19 is part of God's majestic discourse to Job, where He challenges Job's understanding and wisdom by highlighting His absolute control over the created world. Specifically, this verse focuses on the warhorse, affirming that it is God alone who bestows upon it its immense physical might and equips it with its awe-inspiring appearance, which is depicted metaphorically as "clothing its neck with a thunder" or "a quivering mane." The rhetorical questions imply a definitive "no," powerfully underscoring human inadequacy and God's unrivalled sovereignty and creative power.

Job 39 19 Context

This verse is found within chapters 38-41 of Job, which contain God's direct speech to Job from a whirlwind. God, in His sovereign majesty, silences Job's complaints by posing a series of rhetorical questions that highlight Job's profound ignorance and limited power in contrast to divine omnipotence and omnipresence. These chapters methodically detail God's masterful creation and continuous sustenance of the natural world, from meteorological phenomena to various wild animals. The description of the horse in Job 39:19-25 is a particularly vivid example of God's power. It describes an animal renowned for its might, speed, and suitability for warfare – a creature that, in human perception, embodies ultimate physical power and control. Yet, God powerfully asserts that even this magnificent creature's fundamental attributes are entirely of His own divine granting and equipping, not by any human intervention or a result of blind chance. The historical context reflects a period when horses were vital for military strength and royal display, often representing the zenith of earthly power. By questioning Job's ability to give strength to a horse or endow it with its majestic neck, God confronts any potential human pride or misconception that human efforts could compare with divine creation or sovereignty.

Job 39 19 Word analysis

• Have you given (הֲתַתָּה - ha·tat·tah): A direct interrogative particle attached to the verb "you have given" (from נָתַן - natan, meaning to give, grant, place). This rhetorical question is a powerful challenge, forcing Job to acknowledge his inability and highlighting that the act of giving power is exclusively divine. It underscores God's role as the sole bestower of life's fundamental characteristics.
• the horse (לַסּוּס - las·sūs): Refers to a horse (סוּס - sus). In ancient cultures, horses were symbols of immense strength, speed, and especially in warfare, human prowess and might. By focusing on the horse, God chose an animal that humans highly valued for its power and usefulness, emphasizing that even this epitome of natural strength is utterly dependent on its Creator.
• strength (גְּבוּרָה - gĕvurah): This Hebrew term signifies power, might, valor, or inherent force. It often describes divine power (e.g., God's "strong arm"). Here, it points to the horse's intrinsic physical might and spirit, asserting that this vital force is a direct impartation from God.
• Have you clothed (תִּלְבַּשׁ - tilbash): From the verb לָבַשׁ (lavash), "to clothe," "put on." This is a strong metaphor, indicating that God actively invests or endows the horse with its majestic attributes as if He were dressing it in its very essence. It's not a superficial addition but an intrinsic part of its divinely designed nature.
• his neck (צַוָּארוֹ - tzavaro): The neck (צַוָּאר - tzavar) is a pivotal part of the horse, crucial for its power, carrying a rider or burden, and its majestic appearance, particularly when its mane is agitated. It signifies the point where strength, control, and display converge.
• with a thunder? (רַעְמָה - ra'mah): This word is the subject of scholarly debate regarding its exact meaning in this context.
  • One interpretation links it to רַעַם (ra'am), "to thunder" or "roar." This would metaphorically describe the horse's neck (and by extension, its powerful presence) as emitting a powerful, awe-inspiring rumble or sound, akin to thunder. This emphasizes the sheer, overwhelming power associated with its movement or presence, often connected to war.
  • Another strong interpretation, supported by many modern translations (e.g., NASB, NIV), relates it to "quivering" or "shaking," specifically referring to a thick, flowing mane (especially around the neck) that "trembles" or "shakes" due to the horse's power or vigorous movement. This portrays a visual manifestation of power – a mane that quivers with strength and energy, appearing almost alive and formidable. The root can imply both sound (thunder) and physical trembling. Both interpretations convey immense power, majesty, and an overwhelming sense of presence that is ultimately God-given. The polemic is evident here: no human can give such attributes or cause such awe in an animal.
• Word Group: "Have you given the horse strength?": This phrase directly challenges human capacity. It exposes the utter inability of humanity to create, empower, or even understand the source of the raw, inherent might of such a magnificent creature as a horse. It contrasts human weakness with divine omnipotence in creation.
• Word Group: "Have you clothed his neck with a thunder?": This highlights God's intricate and artistic design. Beyond brute strength, God endows the horse with a fearsome and glorious appearance and presence. The imagery of "clothing" implies deliberate intention and artistry in bestowing attributes, while "thunder" (or "quivering mane") captures the intimidating and magnificent aspect of its power, whether aurally or visually, which truly stems from its divine Creator.

Job 39 19 Bonus section

The description of the horse in Job 39 (specifically verses 19-25) is unique in ancient literature for its focus on the animal's intrinsic characteristics rather than its utility for humans. This aligns with God's broader aim in the book of Job: to showcase His glory independent of human perspective or benefit. While humans later domesticated and harnessed horses for war and agriculture, Job 39 describes the horse's God-given wild spirit and power. The passage directly challenges the pagan worldview common in the ANE where horses might be associated with deities of war or chariots as manifestations of divine power (e.g., Storm Gods). Here, God asserts that He is the source of the horse's power, not any lesser god or human skill. This emphasizes monotheistic dependence on the one true God for all power and existence. The meticulous detail shows divine delight and intentionality in creation, even down to the aesthetic and awe-inspiring qualities of an animal's neck.

Job 39 19 Commentary

Job 39:19 serves as a potent reminder of God's unparalleled sovereignty and wisdom displayed in creation. Through a rhetorical question concerning the mighty horse, God confronts Job's anthropocentric view by exposing the vast chasm between human capabilities and divine omnipotence. Humanity neither imbues the horse with its intrinsic power (gevurah) nor equips its majestic, fearsome presence (ra'mah). These qualities are inherent, divinely bestowed gifts. This verse subtly rebukes any human pride in mastery over nature or reliance on military might, reinforcing that even the most powerful creatures are utterly dependent on their Creator for their very essence and characteristics. It fosters humility in Job and the reader, magnifying God as the source of all power, design, and sustained existence. It encourages looking to God, not to created things or human efforts, for true strength and security. For instance, in our lives, we often take for granted abilities or resources that seem "natural," like human intellect or physical health; this verse reminds us that these, too, are divine endowments, not something we generate independently.