Job 39:29 kjv
From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
Job 39:29 nkjv
From there it spies out the prey; Its eyes observe from afar.
Job 39:29 niv
From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar.
Job 39:29 esv
From there he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it from far away.
Job 39:29 nlt
From there it hunts its prey,
keeping watch with piercing eyes.
Job 39 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:21 | God created the great sea monsters and every living creature... | God as Creator of all living things, including birds. |
| Gen 1:30 | And to every beast of the earth... every moving thing... have I given every green herb for food. | Divine provision of food for all creatures. |
| Psa 104:21 | The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. | God as the ultimate provider of food for animals. |
| Psa 145:15 | The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. | God's universal provision and care for all creatures. |
| Psa 147:9 | He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. | God feeds the wild animals, including birds. |
| Matt 6:26 | Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. | God's unfailing care and provision for creatures. |
| Luke 12:24 | Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap... and yet God feeds them. | Emphasizes God's sovereign care over nature. |
| Psa 33:13 | The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man. | God's far-reaching vision, analogous to the eagle's. |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | God's pervasive omniscience and observation. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | God's absolute knowledge and detailed perception. |
| Psa 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. | Creation testifying to God's wisdom and power. |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived... | Creation reveals God's nature and power. |
| Job 38:2-3 | "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?... gird up your loins like a man..." | God challenges Job's understanding and wisdom. |
| Job 39:27-28 | "Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?... from there he spies out the prey..." | Immediate context about the eagle/hawk's design and hunting. |
| Job 40:2 | "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God had better answer it." | God's challenge to Job to understand His power. |
| Job 42:2-3 | "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted... I have uttered what I did not understand." | Job's submission to God's incomparable wisdom. |
| Deut 32:11 | Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings... | Metaphor for God's protective care, showing intimate knowledge of eagle. |
| Isa 40:31 | But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles... | Eagle as a metaphor for renewed strength. |
| Psa 103:5 | who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. | Eagle as a metaphor for renewal and vitality. |
| Hab 1:8 | their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. | Swiftness/predatory nature compared to animals (God using them as instruments). |
| Ezek 17:3 | "Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions..." | Eagle used metaphorically in a vision for power. |
| Prov 30:19 | the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock... | Mysteries of the natural world, God's hidden wisdom. |
Job 39 verses
Job 39 29 Meaning
Job 39:29 describes the innate ability of the eagle to diligently seek its sustenance from its lofty vantage point, utilizing its extraordinarily keen eyesight to spot prey from great distances. It highlights a divinely bestowed natural instinct and superior sensory perception crucial for the bird's survival, functioning perfectly according to God's design.
Job 39 29 Context
Job 39:29 is part of the Lord's second discourse to Job (chapters 38-41) from the whirlwind. Following chapters 38, which cover cosmological and meteorological wonders, Job 39 shifts focus to various wild animals. God systematically describes animals beyond human control—the wild goat, the wild donkey, the wild ox, the ostrich, and the powerful horse—each showcasing unique God-given instincts and attributes. This verse specifically concludes God's description of the hawk or eagle (beginning in verse 26), emphasizing its remarkable, God-endowed vision and predatory skill. The broader purpose is to humble Job, demonstrating the vastness of divine knowledge and wisdom in maintaining the natural world, contrasting it with humanity's limited understanding and control. The detailed questions about these creatures underscore God's sovereignty over creation and challenge Job's presumption to question divine justice or counsel.
Job 39 29 Word analysis
- From thence (מִשָּׁם - mishshām): This adverb indicates the point of origin, referring back to the eagle's high nesting place on the crag or inaccessible cliff mentioned in the preceding verse (v. 28). It signifies a strategic, elevated position that only God could have assigned, perfect for the eagle's hunting.
- she searcheth (תְּבַקֵּשׁ - tĕḇaqqēš): From the Hebrew root biqqēsh, meaning "to seek," "to search diligently," or "to strive for." It implies an active, deliberate, and purposeful quest for food, not random or accidental discovery. This inherent drive is a God-implanted instinct.
- the prey (אֹכֶל - ’ōḵel): Literally means "food," or "what is eaten." This straightforward term highlights the essential survival aspect. It shows God's provision even for predators, enabling them to fulfill their role in the ecosystem.
- and her eyes (וְעֵינֶיהָ - wə‘êyneihā): The conjunction "and" links this with the previous action, but the explicit mention of "her eyes" emphasizes the primary sensory organ responsible for this seeking. It underscores the extraordinary visual acuity of the eagle.
- behold (יַבִּיטּוּ - yaḇḇīṭṭū): From the Hebrew root nābaṭ, meaning "to look," "to gaze," "to regard." This verb often carries the nuance of intense, careful, or focused observation, not just a casual glance. In this context, it speaks to the eagle's penetrating and precise vision.
- afar off (לְמֵרָחֹוק - ləmēraḥōwq): This adverb means "from afar," "at a distance," or "far away." Combined with "behold," it directly points to the incredible long-range capabilities of the eagle's sight. This is a specific physiological detail that highlights divine craftsmanship.
- "From thence she searcheth the prey": This phrase details the method of hunting—the eagle's elevated perspective gives it an advantage, and its inherent drive leads it to actively seek food. This reveals a designed, purposeful existence where creatures, through God's provision, acquire their sustenance. It demonstrates the perfection of God's design in equipping each creature for survival without human intervention or instruction.
- "and her eyes behold afar off": This phrase specifically pinpoints the extraordinary visual prowess that enables the strategic searching. It highlights a biological marvel, a testament to the meticulous detail in God's creation, emphasizing sensory perfection designed for its specific ecological niche. This capability is beyond human instruction or improvement, entirely a gift of the Creator.
Job 39 29 Bonus section
The description of the eagle in Job 39:26-30 is a powerful reminder that God not only brings creatures into existence but actively maintains and sustains them by embedding specific behaviors and physical attributes vital for their survival. The eagle's majestic soaring and keen vision speak to God's providential care that extends even to those parts of creation least understood or influenced by humans. This section challenges any notion of self-sufficiency in the natural world, reinforcing that all life and its unique capabilities are utterly dependent on and perfected by the Creator. The eagle, an emblem of power and vision in many cultures, is here shown not as a deity but as a testament to the divine, reminding us of the limits of human knowledge and the boundlessness of God's wisdom and power.
Job 39 29 Commentary
Job 39:29 vividly illustrates God's intricate and perfect design within His creation, particularly manifested in the eagle. This verse serves as a climactic detail in God's argument to Job, demonstrating His comprehensive wisdom that governs the most minute aspects of the natural world. The eagle's unparalleled ability to spot distant prey from its lofty vantage point is not learned or acquired through human training; it is an inherent, divinely implanted instinct and physical faculty. This profound capability is solely God's doing, underscoring His sovereignty over the animal kingdom and the complex ecosystems. The precision and purposefulness in the eagle's hunting reflect the wisdom and forethought of a Creator who sustains every creature, even predators, and ensures their means of survival. It contrasts sharply with humanity's limited understanding and inability to impart such wisdom or design, compelling Job to recognize the infinite gulf between human wisdom and divine knowledge. It shows that even the sustenance of wild creatures depends entirely on the Almighty's ongoing provision.