King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Can you hunt prey for a lioness or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
Berean Standard Bible:
Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions
American Standard Version:
Canst thou hunt the prey for the lioness, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Wilt thou hunt{H6679} the prey{H2964} for the lion{H3833}? or fill{H4390} the appetite{H2416} of the young lions{H3715},
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 104:21
- The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
Psalms 145:15
- The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Psalms 145:16
- Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Job 4:10
- The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
Job 4:11
- The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
Psalms 34:10
- The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 38:39
Job 38:39 is a part of the poetic dialogue found in the Book of Job, which is one of the Wisdom Books in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Job addresses the problem of theodicy, or why a good God permits the suffering of the innocent. The verse is situated within a larger speech given by God to Job, where God challenges Job's understanding of the created world and his right to question divine justice.
In Job 38:39, God is asking Job if he has the ability to hunt prey for lions or satisfy the hunger of their cubs. This rhetorical question is part of a series of inquiries that highlight the vastness of God's knowledge and power in contrast to human limitations. The verse underscores the theme that humans, including Job, do not possess the wisdom or capability to comprehend or manage the complexities of nature, which God governs with ease.
The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with estimates of its composition ranging from the 7th to the 4th century BCE. It reflects a time when the ancient Israelites were grappling with questions of divine justice and the nature of human suffering. The book's wisdom literature genre suggests that it was used for reflection on life's deepest questions and as a teaching tool to encourage patience, faith, and humility in the face of unjust suffering.
In summary, Job 38:39 is a verse that emphasizes the limitations of human power and wisdom in relation to the divine. It is a part of God's response to Job, which serves to illustrate the complexity and majesty of creation and to remind Job—and by extension, the reader—of the proper place of humanity in the grand scheme of the universe. The verse reinforces the book's exploration of theodicy and the appropriate human response to suffering and divine inscrutability.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6679
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צוּד
Transliteration: tsûwd
Pronunciation: tsood
Description: a primitive root; also denominative from צַיִד; to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men); to victual (for a journey); chase, hunt, sore, take (provision). - Strong's Number: H2964
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טֶרֶף
Transliteration: ṭereph
Pronunciation: teh'-ref
Description: from טָרַף; something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh leaf, prey, food; leaf, meat, prey, spoil. - Strong's Number: H3833
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָבִיא
Transliteration: lâbîyʼ
Pronunciation: law-bee'
Description: or (Ezekiel 19:2) לְבִיָּא; irregular masculine plural לְבָאִים; irregular feminine plural לְבָאוֹת; from an unused root meaning; compare אֲרִי; to roar; a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;)); (great, old, stout) lion, lioness, young (lion). - Strong's Number: H4390
There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָלֵא
Transliteration: mâlêʼ
Pronunciation: maw-lay'
Description: or מָלָא; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively); accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H3715
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּפִיר
Transliteration: kᵉphîyr
Pronunciation: kef-eer'
Description: from כָּפַר; a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane); (young) lion, village. Compare כָּפָר.