Job 39 25

Job 39:25 kjv

He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Job 39:25 nkjv

At the blast of the trumpet he says, 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, The thunder of captains and shouting.

Job 39:25 niv

At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, 'Aha!' It catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

Job 39:25 esv

When the trumpet sounds, he says 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Job 39:25 nlt

It snorts at the sound of the horn.
It senses the battle in the distance.
It quivers at the captain's commands and the noise of battle.

Job 39 verses

Job 39 25 Meaning

Job 39:25 powerfully depicts the warhorse’s inherent design and fervent readiness for battle, a creature divinely endowed with acute senses and an uncontrollable eagerness for conflict. It is shown as perfectly attuned to the sights, sounds, and smells of war, expressing triumph at the trumpet's call and restless anticipation before the charge. This portrays a majestic animal whose very being is purposed for the intensity of warfare, highlighting God's meticulous and powerful craftsmanship in creation.

Job 39 25 Context

Job 39:25 is part of God’s magnificent discourse to Job, found in chapters 38-41, where God speaks "out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1). This divine speech does not directly answer Job’s suffering or the theological debate about divine justice; instead, it silences Job by highlighting God’s unsearchable wisdom, immense power, and absolute sovereignty over all creation.

Specifically, Job 39 describes God's direct creation and sovereign care for various wild animals, asking Job if he can control or comprehend them. After speaking of wild goats, donkeys, the wild ox, and the ostrich, God turns His attention to the warhorse (Job 39:19-25). This creature, embodying raw power and instinctual eagerness for battle, serves as a prime example of God's perfect design. The description emphasizes the horse's untamable spirit, its strength, its response to the trumpet, and its sensing of battle. The cultural context underscores the importance of warhorses in ancient Near Eastern warfare, making the horse an ideal creature to showcase divine power that equips an animal perfectly for its role, far beyond human ability to do so. The implicit polemic is against any notion that human ingenuity or strength is paramount, or that the characteristics of these animals are due to other deities; instead, they are solely a testament to the unparalleled might and wisdom of the Lord.

Job 39 25 Word analysis

• He snorts: The Hebrew term for "snorts" here, נַחְרוֹ (nachro), derives from נָחַר (nachar), meaning to snort, specifically referring to the powerful, audible exhalation from the nostrils, often associated with a strong animal like a horse. It conveys an image of vigor and intense emotion.
• defiantly / cannot stand still: The phrase "cannot stand still" (לֹא יַאֲמִין) literally translates to "does not believe" or "is not firm." In context, it conveys that the horse cannot stand firm or still due to its intense anticipation and eagerness. Its inherent nature makes it restless, eager for action, and uncontainable, reflecting a powerful spirit divinely ingrained. It suggests a steadfast unwillingness to remain passive.
• when the trumpet sounds: לְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר (l'kol shofar) refers to "the sound of the שׁוֹפָר (shofar)." The shofar, a ram's horn, was used in ancient Israel for signaling military advances, assemblies, and sacred announcements. For a warhorse, its distinctive sound was the unequivocal signal for battle, eliciting an immediate and powerful response.
• he says, 'Aha!': The interjection הֵיאָח (hei-ach) expresses triumph, excitement, and eagerness. Attributing this "human-like" exclamation to the horse emphasizes its acute and instinctual understanding of the trumpet's call and its joyous, powerful response to the imminence of conflict. It reflects deep, inherent anticipation.
• He smells the battle from afar: מֵרָחוֹק יָרִיחַ (merachok yarīach) – "from afar he smells." This highlights the horse’s extraordinarily keen sense of smell, suggesting it can perceive the subtle, intangible precursors of conflict – perhaps the scent of fear, dust, or an advancing host – long before visible signs appear. It is a powerful instinct divinely given.
• the thunder of the captains: וְרַעַם שָׂרִים (v'ra'am sarim) refers to "the thunder/roar of princes/commanders." This is not literal thunder but rather the deep, commanding voices, shouts, and stomping presence of military leaders and their forces, producing a rumbling, formidable sound that contributes to the overwhelming sensory experience of battle.
• and the war cries: וּתְרוּעָה (ut'ru'ah) denotes a shout, battle cry, or alarm blast. This encapsulates the clamor of the fighting itself, the raw shouts of combatants that accompany the trumpet and captain's commands, further stimulating the horse's battle-ready instincts.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He snorts defiantly and cannot stand still": This phrase describes the horse's immediate and vigorous physical response to the unseen anticipation of conflict. Its restlessness and spirited defiance show an intrinsic yearning for action, reflecting a divinely programmed drive. This is not fear, but a magnificent display of potent energy.
• "when the trumpet sounds, he says, 'Aha!'": This depicts the specific trigger for the horse's excitement – the unmistakable sound of the shofar. The "Aha!" is an almost human expression of exultation, highlighting the horse’s profound, instinctive recognition and joyous embrace of the impending battle, as if personally welcoming the fight.
• "He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the war cries.": This tripartite phrase comprehensively describes the horse’s acute sensory perception and the elements of the battlefield it instinctively processes. Its sense of smell detects the coming conflict; its hearing processes the deep authoritative sounds of leaders and the tumultuous shouts of combat. These sensory inputs converge to paint a complete picture of battle in its mind, fueling its ultimate readiness.

Job 39 25 Bonus section

The description of the warhorse in Job 39:19-25 is a rhetorical masterstroke within God's speech. It shifts the focus from human suffering and perceived injustice to the incomprehensible vastness and meticulousness of divine creation. The horse is presented not as a creature broken and tamed by humans, but as an epitome of wild strength and intrinsic purpose given by God. Its unyielding spirit and precise response to the trumpet highlight that even seemingly wild and untamed aspects of creation serve a divine design and fulfill a divine purpose, all according to the will of the Creator. This animal, mighty in battle, owes its very being and spirited character not to man's training but to God's hand.

Job 39 25 Commentary

Job 39:25 portrays the warhorse as a spectacular example of God's intricate and purposeful creation. Through the horse's profound physical attributes and instinctive responses, God underscores His absolute control over life and purpose, even in the wildest and most powerful creatures. The verse reveals that God sovereignly imbues creatures with traits suited to their designated roles, in this case, a fervent eagerness and remarkable sensitivity to the signs of battle. The horse is not trained into defiance but created with an intrinsic readiness. This demonstrates God's unsearchable wisdom and power, asserting His ultimate authority over a realm Job cannot begin to comprehend, thereby humbling Job into acknowledging God's superior majesty and omnipotence.