Job 38:39

KJV

Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

KJV (with Strong's)

Wilt thou hunt {H6679} the prey {H2964} for the lion {H3833}? or fill {H4390} the appetite {H2416} of the young lions {H3715},

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,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 38:39 is a profound rhetorical question posed by God from the whirlwind, serving as a powerful assertion of divine omnipotence and meticulous providence over all creation. In the midst of Job's suffering and his friends' theological misinterpretations, God does not offer an explanation for the suffering but rather challenges Job's limited human understanding by highlighting His own incomparable power and intimate involvement in sustaining even the most formidable and seemingly wild aspects of the natural world, specifically the predatory lion. This verse underscores the vast chasm between human capability and the Creator's unending care for His creatures, inviting Job—and the reader—to a posture of humility and awe before divine sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 38:39 is situated at the dramatic commencement of God's first magnificent speech to Job, beginning in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Speaks from the Whirlwind"). After thirty-seven chapters of Job's lamentations, his friends' counsel, and the theological debates, God finally breaks His silence, speaking "out of the whirlwind." This dramatic entrance shifts the narrative from human discourse to divine monologue, fundamentally altering the perspective from human suffering to divine majesty. God's speech, which extends through [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - The Leviathan"), is not an explanation or justification of Job's suffering but a demonstration of His unsearchable wisdom and power as the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. Verses [Job 38:1-38](/job/38-1-38 "Job 38:1-38 - God's Questions about Creation") establish God's foundational work in ordering the universe, from the earth's foundations to meteorological phenomena. Immediately following this, [Job 38:39-41](/job/38-39-41 "Job 38:39-41 - God's Provision for Wild Animals") transitions to God's meticulous care for wild animals, particularly fierce predators like the lion and the raven, setting the stage for further examples of creation's wonders and God's comprehensive, active providence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the lion was a potent symbol of power, royalty, and danger, frequently depicted in art and literature as a formidable predator. Its untamed nature and ferocity made it a creature that humans typically avoided or sought to control, often representing chaos or overwhelming force. However, in this cultural backdrop, God's rhetorical question in [Job 38:39](/job/38-39 "Job 38:39 - God's Provision for the Lion") subverts the typical human perspective by asserting divine mastery even over such untamable beasts. It highlights a worldview where the divine realm is not merely a distant, abstract force but an intimately involved provider for all living things, from the largest and most dangerous to the smallest. The sustenance of these creatures, a task far beyond human capacity or concern, points to a cosmic order maintained by the Creator's constant, active providence, a concept common in wisdom literature like the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 104:21](/psalms/104-21 "Psalm 104:21 - Young Lions Seek Prey from God")). This context deepens the impact of God's challenge to Job, emphasizing the vastness of divine care compared to human limitations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**, demonstrating God's absolute control and intimate involvement in sustaining all life, even the most fearsome predators. He is not merely the Creator but the constant Provider, ensuring the survival of His entire creation, as seen in [Psalm 145:15-16](/psalms/145-15-16 "Psalm 145:15-16 - God Provides for All Living Things"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Human Limitation and Humility**. By posing an impossible task to Job, God highlights the profound limitations of human power, wisdom, and understanding in comparison to His own. It's a humbling reminder that humans cannot replicate or even fully comprehend the divine order of the natural world, let alone manage its intricate balance, a recurring motif throughout God's speeches in [Job 38-41](/job/38-41 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job"). Finally, the verse speaks to **God's Unquestionable Wisdom**. The very existence and sustenance of wild, dangerous animals like lions, who survive by hunting, are part of God's intricate design. This implies a divine wisdom that orchestrates the entire ecosystem, ensuring balance and provision even in what appears to be a chaotic struggle for survival, reflecting the profound wisdom of God in creation as celebrated in [Proverbs 3:19](/proverbs/3-19 "Proverbs 3:19 - The Lord by Wisdom Founded the Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hunt (Hebrew, _tsûwd'_):** This verb (H6679, צוד) means "to lie alongside (i.e., in wait); by implication, to catch an animal." In the Hiphil stem, as used here (תָצוּד, _tatzud'_), it implies causing to hunt or providing the means for hunting. The rhetorical question "Wilt *thou* hunt?" directly challenges Job's capacity to perform this fundamental act of provision for a creature as powerful as a lion. It highlights the active, intentional effort required to secure prey, an effort that only God consistently provides on a cosmic scale, demonstrating His active involvement in the natural order.
* **Prey (Hebrew, _ṭereph'_):** The noun (H2964, טָרֶף) is derived from a root meaning "to tear," referring to "something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food." It signifies the sustenance necessary for survival, specifically that which is acquired through hunting. The pairing of "hunt" and "prey" emphasizes the complete process of acquiring food. God's question implies that Job, despite his wisdom and wealth, cannot even provide the most basic necessity for a single wild animal, let alone the countless creatures of the earth, thereby magnifying God's unparalleled and consistent provision.
* **Appetite (Hebrew, _chay'_):** While often translated as "soul," "life," or "person," here (H2416, חַי) it refers to the vital craving, hunger, or fundamental need of a living being, often translated as "appetite" in this context. It speaks to the deep, intrinsic drive for sustenance, the very "life" or "living thing" that requires nourishment. To "fill the appetite" (H4390, _mâlêʼ_) means to satisfy this profound hunger completely. The use of _chay_ here elevates the physical act of eating to a deeper, existential need, underscoring that God's provision is not merely superficial but addresses the very core of a creature's being, sustaining its very life force.
* **Young lions (Hebrew, _kᵉphîyr'_):** This term (H3715, כְּפִיר) refers specifically to a "young lion," distinct from the general term for lion (H3833, _lâbîyʼ_). Young lions are particularly dependent on their elders for sustenance and are known for their voracious hunger as they grow. The mention of "young lions" intensifies the challenge posed to Job, implying a continuous and substantial need for provision, a task even more daunting than feeding a single adult lion. It highlights the vast scale and consistency of God's provision across generations and species.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?":** This opening clause presents a direct, confrontational rhetorical question. God challenges Job to consider if he possesses the power, foresight, and capability to perform the arduous and dangerous task of hunting for a lion. The question is designed to elicit an obvious "no," thereby exposing Job's inherent limitations in contrast to God's effortless and constant provision for even the fiercest predators. It highlights the lion's complete dependence on a source of sustenance beyond its own inherent strength, pointing to God as that ultimate source of life and provision.
* **"or fill the appetite of the young lions,":** This second clause parallels and intensifies the first. "Young lions" are particularly voracious and dependent, requiring consistent and abundant nourishment. The task of "filling their appetite" implies not just a single act of provision but a continuous, sufficient supply to satisfy their deep, insatiable hunger. This further emphasizes the scale, consistency, and comprehensive nature of God's provision, a task utterly impossible for any human to undertake, let alone sustain. The parallelism reinforces the singular, divine nature of such comprehensive care, underscoring God's intimate involvement in the survival of all His creatures.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Job 38:39 is the **Rhetorical Question**. God poses questions to which the answer is self-evidently "no," not to gain information, but to make a forceful point about Job's limited understanding and God's boundless power and wisdom. This technique serves to humble Job and reorient his perspective towards divine omnipotence. Closely related is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("or fill the appetite of the young lions") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?"). This repetition reinforces the impossibility of the task for Job and the grandeur of God's consistent provision. There is also an element of **Irony** in God asking Job, a suffering human who feels his life is out of control, if he can manage the sustenance of wild beasts, when Job cannot even comprehend or control his own circumstances. This highlights the vast disparity between human and divine capacity. Furthermore, the use of **Zoomorphism** (focusing on animal characteristics) serves to illustrate universal divine truths through the specific examples of creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 38:39 profoundly illustrates God's active and comprehensive providence, not just as a distant Creator but as an immanent Sustainer of all life. It reveals that God's care extends even to creatures that seem wild, dangerous, or outside human control, demonstrating that His wisdom encompasses the entire ecosystem, including the intricate food chain. This challenges any anthropocentric view that assumes God's primary concern is solely humanity, reminding us that His dominion and care are universal, extending to every living thing. The verse also serves as a powerful theological argument against human presumption, asserting that God's ways are beyond full human comprehension and that true wisdom lies in acknowledging His absolute sovereignty and trusting in His unfailing provision for all His creation, even when His methods or purposes are inscrutable to us.

* [Psalms 104:21](/psalms/104-21 "Psalm 104:21 - Young Lions Roar for Prey from God"): "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God."
* [Psalms 147:9](/psalms/147-9 "Psalm 147:9 - God Provides for the Raven and Beasts"): "He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry."
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds of the Air"): "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 38:39 calls us to a posture of profound humility and trust before God. In a world where we often strive for control, self-sufficiency, and a complete understanding of every circumstance, this verse reminds us that ultimate provision, order, and wisdom rest solely with the Creator. It encourages us to release our need to comprehend every "why" behind life's challenges and instead lean into the divine mystery of God's sovereign care. If God meticulously provides for the wild beasts, ensuring their survival and satisfying their deepest hunger, how much more will He care for His human children, who are made in His image and are the objects of His redemptive love? This verse inspires awe at God's magnificent power and prompts us to cultivate a deeper trust in His unfailing providence, even when His ways are beyond our full grasp. It invites us to worship the God who sustains all things, acknowledging our limitations and resting in His infinite wisdom, recognizing that His care is both vast and intimately personal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's provision for wild animals, like lions, challenge my assumptions about His care for me in difficult circumstances?**
* **In what areas of my life am I striving for control or self-sufficiency that I should instead surrender to God's providence?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's wisdom, especially concerning aspects of creation that seem chaotic or dangerous?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of awe and humility before God, recognizing my limitations in the face of His infinite power and knowledge?**

### FAQ

**Why does God use rhetorical questions about animals to address Job's suffering?**

Answer: God uses rhetorical questions about animals and the natural world not to explain Job's suffering directly, but to reframe Job's perspective. Job had been questioning God's justice and wisdom from a limited human viewpoint. By highlighting His absolute control over creation, including the wild and untamable, God demonstrates His unparalleled wisdom, power, and intricate knowledge of the universe. The point is that if Job cannot even comprehend or manage the basic needs of a lion, how can he presume to understand or question the complex ways of the Almighty? It shifts the focus from Job's personal grievance to God's universal sovereignty, inviting Job to humble himself and trust in God's wisdom, even when it is inscrutable. This approach helps Job to see that God's governance extends far beyond human understanding, encompassing all of creation, as seen throughout [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech").

**Does God's care for predators like lions imply that He approves of their violence?**

Answer: God's provision for predators like lions is not an endorsement of "violence" in a human moral sense, but rather an affirmation of His design for the natural order. In the created world, the food chain is a necessary part of sustaining life. God provides for all creatures according to their nature, and for predators, this includes providing their prey. This demonstrates God's comprehensive care for the entire ecosystem, ensuring balance and the continuation of life within His established parameters. It speaks to His wisdom in orchestrating a complex world where various creatures depend on one another for survival, even in ways that might seem harsh from a human perspective. It highlights God's sovereignty over all aspects of creation, including those that reflect the realities of a fallen world, but are still sustained by His hand. This divine provision for all creatures is a recurring theme in Scripture, as in [Psalm 104:27-28](/psalms/104-27-28 "Psalm 104:27-28 - All Creatures Look to God for Food").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound truth of God's meticulous provision and sovereign wisdom, so powerfully asserted in [Job 38:39](/job/38-39 "Job 38:39 - God's Provision for the Lion"), finds its ultimate revelation and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not only the agent through whom all things were created, but also the one by whom "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). The God who feeds the young lions is the same God whose Son, Jesus, taught His disciples not to worry about food or clothing, because "your heavenly Father knows that you need them all" ([Matthew 6:32](/matthew/6-32 "Matthew 6:32 - God Knows Your Needs")). Jesus' miracles of feeding the multitudes ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand") and [Matthew 15:32-39](/matthew/15-32-39 "Matthew 15:32-39 - Feeding the Four Thousand")) are tangible demonstrations of this divine provision, echoing the Old Testament theme of God as the one who "opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing" ([Psalm 145:16](/psalms/145-16 "Psalm 145:16 - God Satisfies Every Living Thing")). Furthermore, the wisdom of God, which orchestrates the sustenance of every creature, is "Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")). In Christ, we see the very character of the God who sustains the universe, not as a distant deity, but as one intimately involved, providing for His creation and ultimately offering Himself as the Bread of Life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) to satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger and bring us into eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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].