Job 39 30

Job 39:30 kjv

Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

Job 39:30 nkjv

Its young ones suck up blood; And where the slain are, there it is."

Job 39:30 niv

Its young ones feast on blood, and where the slain are, there it is."

Job 39:30 esv

His young ones suck up blood, and where the slain are, there is he."

Job 39:30 nlt

Its young gulp down blood.
Where there's a carcass, there you'll find it."

Job 39 verses

Job 39 30 Meaning

Job 39:30 describes the intrinsic nature and habitat of the great bird of prey, typically identified as the vulture or eagle (Hebrew: nesher). It states that its young ones are sustained by feeding on blood, and the adult bird is instinctively drawn to places where dead bodies, or the "slain," are found. This verse showcases God's intricate knowledge and provision for all creation, including the predatory and scavenging animals, affirming His comprehensive sovereignty over even the untamed and seemingly grim aspects of the natural world.

Job 39 30 Context

Job 39:30 is part of the Lord's second discourse to Job (Job 38:1-41:34), where God directly addresses Job from the whirlwind, challenging his limited understanding and humbling him by displaying His infinite wisdom and power as Creator and Sustainer of the universe. In this section, God details various untamed and magnificent wild creatures – from the wild goats and wild donkey (39:1-8) to the wild ox (39:9-12), the ostrich (39:13-18), the horse (39:19-25), the hawk (39:26), and finally, the eagle (39:27-30).

The mention of the eagle (often nesher referring to griffon vulture or various large eagles, known for keen eyesight and carrion-eating in the ancient Near East) concludes this segment of divine revelation about nature. God highlights the bird's intrinsic nature—its unparalleled vision, its high dwelling, and its dietary habits of feeding on carrion. By drawing Job's attention to such a creature, God demonstrates that His order extends even to animals that might be viewed with disgust or fear by humans. He controls their every instinct, guiding them to their necessary food source and establishing their unique roles within the ecosystem. The divine questions posed throughout (e.g., "Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars...") emphasize God's unparalleled wisdom and Job's complete lack of ability to direct or even fully comprehend such creations, much less the intricate ways of divine justice.

Job 39 30 Word analysis

• Her young ones: The Hebrew is אֶפְרֹחֶיהָ (ephrochêhā). This term specifically refers to "young birds" or "fledglings," reinforcing the idea that this instinctive, macabre feeding behavior is present from birth, designed by God into the very nature of these creatures. It underscores the complete reliance of these birds on divine provision for their survival.
• also suck up: The Hebrew is יִינְק֪וּ (yînqû). While often meaning "to suck" (as a baby nurses), in this context of a bird feeding on carrion, it means to consume, drink, or ravenously devour. It vividly portrays their method of taking sustenance, directly drawing the "blood" or vital essence from the dead, which is their sustenance in God's designed order.
• blood: The Hebrew is דָם֙ (dām). Biblically, blood is often presented as the life principle (Lev 17:11). Here, it signifies the raw essence that sustains the vulture. For the human observer, consuming blood might appear grim, but in God's created order for this scavenger, it is a perfect means of nourishment from dead carcasses, a function God has established.
• where the slain are: The Hebrew is חֲלָלִים֮ (ḥălālîm), which literally means "the pierced ones" or "the dead/slain," often referring to corpses, particularly those of humans killed in battle or by judgment. This phrase emphasizes the precise and unfailing instinct of the nesher to locate its food source, no matter how far. This points to divine guidance in its sensory abilities.
• there is she: The Hebrew is וְהִ֥יא (wəhîʾ). This is an emphatic declaration, indicating the certain and inevitable presence of the bird where its sustenance is found. It's not a matter of chance; the creature is purposefully, instinctually drawn to its intended place of nourishment. It showcases God's intricate design that perfectly matches the needs of the creature with its environment.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Her young ones also suck up blood": This phrase highlights the complete and inherited nature of the vulture's diet. It is not just the adult, but even the young, who are sustained by this seemingly grim diet. This emphasizes the integral role these birds play in the ecosystem, consuming decay, and how God provides for their propagation through this unique sustenance. It reflects God's wisdom in creating creatures with specific dietary needs that are perfectly met by the natural order He designed.
• "and where the slain are, there is she": This pairing describes the unerring instinct and natural habitat of the nesher. Its sharp eyesight and keen sense are divinely calibrated to find carrion, often the result of conflict or natural death. This signifies not just the bird's ability, but also its critical role in clearing deceased organisms, contributing to ecological balance, all within God's providence. It directly ties into the imagery found in other scriptures about judgment where dead bodies are left (e.g., Mt 24:28), implying God's foreknowledge and use of even these creatures in the outworking of His plans.

Job 39 30 Bonus section

The Hebrew term nesher (נֶשֶׁר), translated as "eagle" in many English versions, in a significant number of biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, often refers to large birds of prey that scavenge, such as the Griffon Vulture, which is common in the region. These birds possess exceptional eyesight, capable of spotting carcasses from very high altitudes, fulfilling the description in Job 39:27-30. This unparalleled vision is frequently mentioned in ancient texts and is alluded to in scriptures like Prov 30:19 ("the way of an eagle in the sky"). The imagery of the eagle/vulture throughout scripture is complex, representing not only swift judgment and desolation but also divine care and protection (as seen in Deut 32:11 where God carries His people "on eagles' wings"), strength (Isa 40:31), and renewal (Psa 103:5). In Job 39, its primary function is to highlight God's all-encompassing dominion and wisdom over every facet of His created order, even the natural cycles of death and consumption that might seem dark from a human perspective.

Job 39 30 Commentary

Job 39:30 presents the magnificent nesher (eagle or vulture) as a creature perfectly designed and provided for by God. It functions as a powerful illustration of divine omniscience and meticulous provision. The verse vividly portrays its distinctive feeding habit – the young consuming blood/carrion and the adults unerringly locating the deceased. This seemingly gruesome detail underscores God's wisdom in creating animals precisely suited for their environmental roles, demonstrating His care even for creatures perceived by humans as "unclean" or linked to decay. Far from chaotic, this behavior reveals an orderly design within God's vast creation. It reminds Job, and us, that God's ways are beyond human comprehension, governing not only the sublime but also the essential, though perhaps less aesthetically pleasing, aspects of His natural world. This points to God's full sovereignty, extending over life, death, and the very sustenance of His creation.