Job 39 23

Job 39:23 kjv

The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

Job 39:23 nkjv

The quiver rattles against him, The glittering spear and javelin.

Job 39:23 niv

The quiver rattles against its side, along with the flashing spear and lance.

Job 39:23 esv

Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear, and the javelin.

Job 39:23 nlt

The arrows rattle against it,
and the spear and javelin flash.

Job 39 verses

Job 39 23 Meaning

Job 39:23 vividly depicts the warhorse’s utter fearlessness and exhilaration in the face of combat. It describes the sensory environment of battle from the horse's perspective: the sound of a quiver full of arrows rattling against a warrior, and the sight of flashing spears and javelins being hurled. These are not causes for retreat, but rather stimuli that ignite the horse’s immense strength and eagerness for the fray, demonstrating God's sovereign design in imparting such an unstoppable spirit to this creature of war.

Job 39 23 Context

Job chapter 39 is part of God's extended speech to Job, challenging Job’s limited understanding by displaying His omnipotent wisdom and power as the Creator. God recounts various untamable and wild animals—the mountain goat, the wild donkeys, the wild ox, and here, the warhorse. Through these examples, God demonstrates His sovereign control over even the most powerful and uncontrollable elements of creation. The description of the warhorse (Job 39:19-25) is particularly detailed, emphasizing its magnificent strength, courage, and innate desire for battle. This section underscores that God not only created these animals but also endowed them with their specific characteristics, including the warhorse's contempt for danger and its passionate response to the instruments of conflict. It serves to humble Job by illustrating the vastness of divine knowledge and authority that transcends human comprehension and wisdom. Historically, horses were crucial in ancient warfare, prized for their strength and speed. This vivid portrayal highlights how such an awe-inspiring creature is fully known and directed by its Maker.

Job 39 23 Word analysis

• The quiver (אשפה - 'ashpah):

  • Meaning: A case for carrying arrows, typically made of leather or wood.
  • Significance: Represents a vital piece of archery equipment. Its mention here signifies the imminence of archery fire, a primary form of attack in ancient warfare.
  • Implication: Not merely the quiver itself, but the arrows within, suggesting readiness for immediate deadly action.

• rattles (תרן - tāran):

  • Meaning: To vibrate, to rattle, to give a piercing cry (though 'rattle' is more common here for the sound of quiver/weapons).
  • Significance: This is an auditory detail, highlighting the chaotic, clattering sound of arrows within the quiver as the archer moves or prepares to draw. It evokes the noisy, tense atmosphere of the battlefield.
  • Nuance: The sound indicates the enemy’s close proximity and active engagement, a stimulus for the horse's heightened senses.

• against him, (עליו - 'ālāyw):

  • Meaning: Upon him, against him. Refers directly to the warhorse being described.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the horse's direct encounter with the instruments of war. The rattling quiver is upon or directed towards the rider and by extension, the horse itself, bringing the sounds of danger very close.

• The flashing spear (חנית רשף - chănîṯ rešep):

  • חנית (chănîṯ): Spear. A long, pointed weapon for thrusting or throwing.
  • רשף (rešep): Blazing, flashing, lightning, spark, flame.
  • Significance: This refers to the visual aspect of the battlefield. "Flashing" captures the glint of sunlight on sharpened metal, indicating rapid movement and aggressive intent. It conveys the danger and visual spectacle of thrusting or thrown spears.
  • Metaphorical connection: Often connected with judgment or swiftness, here emphasizing the sudden and lethal action of weaponry.

• and javelin. (כידון - kîḏôn):

  • Meaning: A javelin, dart, or small spear, typically designed to be thrown.
  • Significance: Adds another layer of weaponry, distinct from the heavier, thrusting spear. The javelin represents projectile weapons often thrown from a distance, or in close combat for rapid use. Its inclusion rounds out the description of the close-quarter battlefield weapons that the warhorse encounters.

Words-group Analysis

• "The quiver rattles against him": This phrase captures an auditory element of immediate, proximate danger. The sound of weapons prepares the horse, triggering its inherent fighting spirit. It signifies that the warhorse does not flee the approaching battle but is aroused by its very sounds, indicating an active enemy force.
• "The flashing spear and javelin": This describes the visual environment of battle, showcasing dynamic and lethal movements. The glinting of metal underscores the speed and destructive potential of these weapons. Together, the quiver and these thrown weapons paint a complete picture of the warhorse fully immersed and fearless within the chaotic reality of warfare, further highlighting God’s intentional design for its role in combat.

Job 39 23 Bonus section

The Hebrew term "Rešep" (רשף) translated "flashing" can also mean "flame" or "lightning." This choice of word may carry a deeper nuance, suggesting the intense heat of battle or the swift, fiery speed of a warrior’s attack, almost like lightning striking. This adds to the imagery of danger and dynamic movement on the battlefield. The fact that the horse finds such elements exhilarating, rather than terrifying, underscores the sheer force of God's design within creation. It is a subtle but powerful testimony to God's attribute of giving strength and specific roles, whether to animals in the wild or to His people facing spiritual battles. While the physical warhorse trusts in its natural, God-given might, the believer is called to a spiritual courage sourced directly from the omnipotent God Himself.

Job 39 23 Commentary

Job 39:23 forms part of a magnificent divine soliloquy that elevates the grandeur and incomprehensibility of God's wisdom and power as Creator. Through the detailed description of the warhorse, God illustrates that His oversight extends to the deepest instincts and purposes of even the fiercest creatures. The verse zeroes in on the horse's remarkable disposition to engage fearlessly in conflict. The rattling quiver is not merely background noise; it is a direct sonic stimulant, signaling the impending release of deadly projectiles. Similarly, the sight of flashing spears and javelins, which would instill terror in a less magnificent creature, further ignites the warhorse's fervent desire for battle. This response is portrayed not as a trained behavior, but as an inherent characteristic, divinely woven into its being. The horse "laughs at fear" (v. 22) and eagerly rushes into the fray (v. 25) precisely because God endowed it with this unique spirit. Theologically, this passage teaches that God’s design is intricate and purpose-driven, even for animals that humans leverage for destruction. It serves as a profound lesson for Job, highlighting the depth of divine sovereignty that spans creation from the smallest detail to the grandest instinct, urging Job to humble himself before such immeasurable wisdom.