Job 39:4 kjv
Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
Job 39:4 nkjv
Their young ones are healthy, They grow strong with grain; They depart and do not return to them.
Job 39:4 niv
Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; they leave and do not return.
Job 39:4 esv
Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open; they go out and do not return to them.
Job 39:4 nlt
Their young grow up in the open fields,
then leave home and never return.
Job 39 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Job 38:41 | Who provides for the raven its prey... | God feeds wild creatures. |
| Job 39:1-3 | Do you know when the mountain goats give birth... | Context of wild births and independence. |
| Ps 8:6-8 | You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all... | Contrast: Limits of human dominion. |
| Ps 29:9 | The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth... | God's power in nature's processes. |
| Ps 50:10-11 | For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills... | God's ownership and provision for all animals. |
| Ps 104:10-12 | He sends forth springs into the valleys...by them the birds of the heavens... | God's provision for wilderness animals. |
| Ps 104:21 | The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. | Wild creatures sustained by God. |
| Ps 104:27-28 | These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. | All creation relies on God's provision. |
| Ps 147:9 | He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. | God's direct feeding of wild animals. |
| Prov 30:24-28 | Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise... | Examples of small creatures' self-sufficiency. |
| Isa 11:6-9 | The wolf shall dwell with the lamb...a little child shall lead them... | Messianic peace with altered animal nature. |
| Isa 43:20 | The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches... | Wild creatures responding to God's provision. |
| Hos 2:18 | And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field... | Future harmony between man and nature. |
| Matt 6:26 | Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather... | God provides for birds; encourages human trust. |
| Matt 6:28-29 | Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow... | God provides for natural elements, no human toil. |
| Luke 12:24 | Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have no storehouse... | God provides for ravens, stressing human value. |
| Rom 8:20-22 | For the creation was subjected to futility...in hope that the creation itself... | Creation's groaning and hope for redemption. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... | Christ as creator and sustainer of all things. |
| Gen 1:24-25 | And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their... | God creating diverse animal life forms. |
| Jonah 4:11 | And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than... | God's concern extends to animals and creation. |
| Acts 14:17 | Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you... | God's general provision through nature. |
| Neh 9:6 | You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven...and you preserve all of them. | God's sustained preservation of all creation. |
| Rev 4:11 | "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you... | God praised as creator and sustainer. |
Job 39 verses
Job 39 4 Meaning
Job 39:4 describes the rapid development and complete independence of the young of wild animals, specifically those like the mountain goats and deer previously mentioned. It highlights that these young creatures quickly become robust and self-sufficient, able to thrive in the wild without continued parental or human intervention, symbolizing God's direct and sovereign provision for even the most untamed parts of His creation.
Job 39 4 Context
Job 39:4 is part of the Lord's extended discourse to Job from the whirlwind, found in chapters 38-41. This section is designed to humble Job by revealing the incomprehensible vastness and intricate order of God's creation, over which Job has no understanding or control. The immediate context of verses 1-4 concerns wild animals like the mountain goat or wild deer, specifically their birthing habits and subsequent rearing of their young. God highlights the mystery of their gestation periods and their independence, presenting them as creatures thriving entirely outside human dominion or assistance. Verse 4 serves to underscore the profound self-sufficiency and strength with which these wild young ones are endowed directly by God, contrasting sharply with human offspring that require prolonged care. This demonstrates God's perfect and independent providence in creation, reminding Job of his limited knowledge and control compared to the Almighty.
Job 39 4 Word analysis
- Their young ones (בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם - bənēyhem): Refers to the offspring of the wild mountain goats/deer mentioned in 39:1-3. The term highlights a generic parental connection but emphasizes the individual trajectory of the offspring.
- become strong (יַחְלְמ֣וּ - yaḥləmū): Derived from a root meaning "to be sturdy, robust, healthy, stout." This indicates an unusually rapid and complete physical development. It suggests divine endowment with resilience, allowing them to adapt quickly to harsh environments.
- they grow up (יֵצְא֖וּ - yēṣə’ū): Literally "they go out, emerge." It signifies their active movement towards independence, departing from the immediate vicinity or care of their parents.
- in the open field (בָר בַּלָּבַר - bār bālābār - lit. "in the field as a stalk," or "wild/uncultivated ground"): Denotes an untamed, spacious, and unconfined natural habitat. It signifies complete freedom and the ability to find sustenance without human intervention or domesticated care, unlike pasturelands or enclosures for domestic animals. This reinforces their inherent wildness.
- they leave (יָפ֤וּשׁוּ - yāfūšū): Meaning "to roam freely," "to wander about." It signifies unrestricted movement and complete foraging independence, highlighting their inherent nomadic lifestyle and reliance on vast, natural resources provided by God.
- and do not return to them (וְלֹֽא־יָשׁ֣וּבוּ לָ֔מוֹ - wəlō’-yāšūbū lāmō): This is a pivotal phrase. It indicates absolute and final separation from parental care and also signifies they will not be "brought back" for human domestication or subjection. It speaks to an unreturnable independence, highlighting their inherent freedom as part of God's direct sustenance without human intermediaries.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field": This phrase emphasizes an almost immediate, divinely ordained self-sufficiency. Unlike human or domesticated animal young, who need prolonged parental care and nurturing in protected environments, these wild creatures are endowed with the capacity to mature rapidly and flourish independently in harsh, expansive terrains, nourished by God's provision.
- "they leave and do not return to them": This profound statement underscores the complete and unrecoverable independence of these wild offspring. It highlights that they neither return to their biological parents for sustained care nor are they ever captured or subjected to human dominion, remaining eternally wild and solely dependent on the direct care of their Creator. This points to God's unique design and sustaining power over creatures beyond man's control.
Job 39 4 Bonus section
The complete independence described in Job 39:4 directly challenges an anthropocentric worldview, where humanity assumes dominion over and central importance to all creation. This verse, and indeed the entire Whirlwind Speech, forces Job to confront the reality that vast swathes of God's creation exist, thrive, and are perfectly sustained without any human intervention or purpose, directly reflecting God's intrinsic care for creation itself, not just its utility to mankind. It highlights the divine valuing of 'wildness' and freedom within the natural order.
Job 39 4 Commentary
Job 39:4 presents a profound testimony to God's masterful design and unwavering providence in the wild. It reveals that the offspring of untamed creatures, such as the mountain goat or deer, are engineered by their Creator for immediate self-reliance. They exhibit a remarkable rapidity in development, attaining robust strength and full foraging capabilities to thrive in the harsh "open field" of the wilderness. This verse highlights their inherent freedom: they depart from their mothers and never return to dependence, whether parental or human. This underscores God's direct sustenance of even the most formidable and unmanageable aspects of creation, showcasing His sovereignty and wisdom which extend beyond the scope of human understanding or dominion. It challenges Job, and indeed all humanity, to recognize that God’s providential care is not limited to humanity or domesticated life, but encompasses the entirety of His vast and wild creation. This perspective reminds us to humble ourselves before God's boundless wisdom, acknowledging His independent care for all living things according to His perfect plan.