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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 39:1-12

God here shows Job what little acquaintance he had with the untamed creatures that run wild in the deserts and live at large, but are the care of the divine Providence. As, I. The wild goats and the hinds. That which is taken notice of concerning them is the bringing forth and bringing up of their young ones. For, as every individual is fed, so every species of animals is preserved, by the care of the divine Providence, and, for aught we know, none extinct to this day. Observe here, 1.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 39:4

Their young ones are in good liking ,.... Plump, fat, and sleek, as fawns are: they grow up with corn ; by which they grow, or without in the field, as the word also signifies; and their growth and increase is very quick, as Aristotle observes F12 Ib. (Aristot. Hist. Animal.) l. 6. c. 29. ; they go forth, and return not unto them : they go forth into the fields, and shift and provide for themselves, and trouble their dams no more; and return not to them, nor are they known by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 39:4

In good liking - After the fawns have sucked for some time, the dam leads them to the pastures, where they feed on different kinds of herbage; but not on corn, for they are not born before harvest-time in Arabia and Palestine, and the stag does not feed on corn, but on grass, moss, and the shoots of the fir, beech, and other trees: therefore the word בר bar , here translated corn, should be translated the open field or country. See Parkhurst. Their nurslings bound away - Mr. Good. In a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 39:1-30

This chapter completes the survey of animate nature begun at Job 38:39 . The habits and instincts of the wild goat, the wild ass, and wild cattle are first noticed ( Job 38:1-12 ); then a transition is made to the most remarkable of birds, the ostrich ( Job 38:13-18 ). Next, the horse is described, and, as it were, depicted, in a passage of extraordinary fire and brilliancy ( Job 38:19-25 ). Finally, a return is made to remarkable birds, and the habits of the hawk and eagle obtain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 39:1-30

Jehovah to Job: the first answer-the examination: 6. Concerning certain wild animals. I. THE MOUNTAIN GOAT AND THE HIND . (Verses 1-4.) 1 . The creatures intended. It is generally agreed that these are the steinbock, or ibex, and the stag. The former, inhabiting exclusively the more rocky and desolate parts of the country, possesses fore legs considerably shorter than its hinder, which enable it to ascend with more facility than to descend, and lead it, when pursued, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 39:1-30

The creatures not dependent upon man. We truly know that of man it is written, "Thou hast put all things under his feet;" and "We see not yet all things put under him." The creatures over whom dominion was given to man are not wholly submissive. And man must learn his littleness in presence of the great creatures of God whom he fails to subdue. "The wild goats" and "the hinds" and "the wild ass," "the unicorn," even "the ostrich," "the horse" and the birds of the air, "the hawk" and "the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 39:4

Their young ones are in good liking ; i.e. healthy and strong (comp. Daniel 1:10 ). They grow up with corn; rather, they grow up out of doors , or in the open air . They go forth, and return not unto them. They quit their dams early, and "go forth" to provide for themselves—an indication of health and strength. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 39:4

Their young ones are in good liking - Hebrew “they are fat;” and hence, it means that they are strong and robust.They grow up with corn - Herder, Gesenius, Noyes, Umbreit, and Rosenmuller render this, “in the wilderness,” or “field.” The proper and usual meaning of the word used here (בר bâr) is corn (grain); but in Chaldee it has the sense of open fields, or country. The same idea is found in the Arabic, and this sense seems to be required by the connection. The idea is not that they are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 39:4

Job 39:4. Their young ones are in good liking Notwithstanding their great weakness caused by their hard entrance into the world. They grow up with corn As with corn; that is, as if they were fed with corn. They go forth and return not Finding sufficient provisions abroad by the care of God’s providence. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 39:1-30

Control of the animal world (38:39-39:30)The pressure on Job increases as God continues with his unanswerable questions. From the natural world in general, God moves to the animal world. He draws Job’s attention to animals that sometimes appear to have no purpose so far as human life is concerned, but are still part of God’s ordering of the world.God asks Job if he is able to order nature by providing wild animals with food (39-41), while protecting timid animals when they give birth and care... read more

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