Job 39:1

KJV

¶ Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? [or] canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

KJV (with Strong's)

Knowest {H3045} thou the time {H6256} when the wild goats {H3277} of the rock {H5553} bring forth {H3205}? or canst thou mark {H8104} when the hinds {H355} do calve {H2342}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you seen deer in labor?

Berean Standard Bible

“Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you watched the doe bear her fawn?

American Standard Version

Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:1 presents a profound rhetorical challenge from God to Job, serving as a powerful demonstration of divine omniscience and sovereignty over the most hidden and instinctual aspects of the natural world. Within God's majestic discourse from the whirlwind, this verse specifically highlights the secretive birthing processes of wild animals, realms entirely beyond human observation, prediction, or control. It confronts Job's limited understanding and underscores the vast chasm between finite human knowledge and the infinite, meticulous wisdom of the Creator, compelling Job to acknowledge God's unsearchable ways.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 39:1 is situated within God's second major speech to Job, which begins in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Speaks from the Whirlwind"). This divine discourse follows Job's persistent lamentations and challenges to God's justice in the face of his immense suffering. God's speeches are a direct response to Job's desire for a divine hearing, but instead of providing an explanation for his suffering, God overwhelms Job with a series of rhetorical questions showcasing His unparalleled power, wisdom, and intricate control over creation. Chapters 38 and 39 focus on the untamed aspects of the natural world—the weather, celestial bodies, and wild animals—areas where human understanding and control are utterly absent. This particular verse continues the theme of God's intimate knowledge of creation's most elusive and instinctual phenomena, reinforcing the argument that if Job cannot comprehend or manage these basic elements of the physical world, how can he presume to understand or question the divine governance of the universe? The passage sets the stage for Job's ultimate humbling and repentance, culminating in Job's confession of his inability to contend with God in [Job 40:3-5](/job/40-3-5 "Job 40:3-5 - Job's Humbled Response").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the wilderness was often perceived as a realm beyond human dominion, a place of mystery and untamed forces. Unlike domesticated animals, which were central to human survival and economy, wild animals represented the untamed power and unpredictability of nature. The ability to control or even comprehend the cycles of wild creatures, especially their most vulnerable moments like birth, would have been seen as a mark of supreme divine authority. The "wild goats of the rock" (likely the ibex) and "hinds" (female deer) were known for inhabiting rugged, inaccessible terrain and for their solitary, secretive birthing habits, making their reproductive cycles particularly opaque to human observation. By referencing these specific animals, God emphasizes His knowledge of the most remote and hidden aspects of creation, contrasting it with humanity's limited scope. This context highlights that God's sovereignty extends not just to the ordered human world, but also to the chaotic and mysterious wilderness, affirming His comprehensive reign over all existence.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and biblical theology. Firstly, it profoundly underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Omniscience**. God's intimate knowledge of the precise timing and circumstances of every birth in the wilderness, even for creatures humans cannot observe, testifies to His meticulous oversight and absolute control over all creation. This theme is pervasive throughout God's speeches, demonstrating His unsearchable wisdom as highlighted in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech"). Secondly, it highlights **Human Limitation and Humility**. The rhetorical questions "Knowest thou...?" and "canst thou mark...?" expose the inherent boundaries of human understanding and power. Job, despite his wisdom, cannot predict or influence these natural cycles, emphasizing the necessity of humility before the Creator. This theme resonates throughout the divine speeches, culminating in Job's confession of his inability to contend with God in [Job 40:2](/job/40-2 "Job 40:2 - Job's Inability to Contend"). Thirdly, the verse celebrates **The Wonders of Creation** as a testament to God's wisdom and intricate design. The precise timing and instinctual behaviors of wild animals in birthing are presented as evidence of God's intricate design and wisdom. The natural world, even in its most inaccessible corners, silently declares God's glory, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knowest (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ_):** This verb signifies not merely intellectual knowledge, but a deep, intimate, experiential knowing, implying personal acquaintance and understanding. As defined, it encompasses ascertaining by seeing, observation, care, recognition, and even instruction. By asking Job if he "knows" the time of birth for these wild animals, God is challenging Job's claim to comprehensive understanding and control. The rhetorical question highlights that such intimate, precise knowledge belongs solely to the Creator, who is personally involved in the intricate details of His creation, far beyond human capacity to "discern" or "comprehend."

* **Wild goats (Hebrew, _yâʻêl_):** This term refers to the ibex, an agile species of wild goat known for its ability to climb and inhabit extremely rugged, rocky, and inaccessible mountainous terrain. As an "ibex (as climbing)," the word itself points to its characteristic habitat. The mention of their habitat ("of the rock," _çelaʻ_) further emphasizes the remote and hidden nature of their birthing process, making it virtually impossible for humans to observe or predict. This choice of animal underscores God's knowledge extending to the most elusive and untamed corners of the natural world.

* **Hinds (Hebrew, _ʼayâlâh_):** This term refers to a doe or female deer, known for their timidity, grace, and the solitary, often hidden, nature of their calving. Like the ibex, their birthing process is instinctual and takes place away from human eyes. The pairing of the "wild goats" and "hinds" creates a comprehensive picture of wild, untamed nature, reinforcing the idea that God's meticulous knowledge and oversight extend to all creatures, even those that intentionally conceal their most vulnerable moments from human view.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth?":** This is the first of two parallel rhetorical questions, directly challenging Job's presumed knowledge and control. The phrase "the time" points to the precise, divinely ordained moment of birth, which for wild animals, particularly those inhabiting inaccessible terrain like the ibex, is entirely beyond human prediction or even awareness. This highlights God's perfect timing and intimate involvement in the natural cycles of life, contrasting sharply with human ignorance and inability to intervene or even observe.

* **"or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?":** This second rhetorical question parallels the first, broadening the scope to another wild, elusive animal—the female deer. The verb "mark" (שָׁמַר, _shâmar_) implies observing, watching over, or guarding, meaning "to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to." The question asks if Job possesses the ability to monitor, protect, or even be aware of the secretive and instinctual calving process of hinds. Together, these two clauses emphasize humanity's profound lack of oversight, control, or even basic awareness over the most fundamental and vulnerable processes of life in the untamed wilderness, thereby magnifying God's unparalleled wisdom and sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which serves not to elicit an answer from Job, but to underscore his profound ignorance and limited understanding compared to God's infinite knowledge. The questions are designed to humble Job by exposing the vast chasm between human and divine wisdom. **Parallelism** is evident in the structure of the verse, with the two clauses ("Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth?" and "or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?") mirroring each other in form and theme, reinforcing the central idea of human inability to comprehend the hidden aspects of creation. **Imagery** of wild, elusive animals like the "wild goats of the rock" and "hinds" evokes a sense of untamed nature and inaccessible wilderness, further emphasizing the scope of God's dominion beyond human reach. Finally, there's a subtle **Anthropomorphism** in God's direct address to Job, speaking to him as if he might possess such knowledge, only to highlight the absurdity of the premise and the depth of Job's limitations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:1 serves as a profound theological statement on God's meticulous care and comprehensive knowledge extending to every corner of His creation, even the most remote and untamed. It challenges humanity's tendency to assume control or understanding over life's intricate processes, reminding us that true wisdom begins with acknowledging God's infinite wisdom and sovereignty. The verse invites us to trust in a God who not only orchestrates grand cosmic events but also intimately knows the precise moment a wild goat gives birth in a hidden crevice. This divine knowledge of the hidden and seemingly insignificant aspects of creation assures us that no detail of our lives, no matter how small or unseen, escapes His attention or care.
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Cares for the Birds")
* [Psalm 104:27-28](/psalm/104-27-28 "Psalm 104:27-28 - God Provides for All Creatures")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Understanding is Unsearchable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse calls us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and humility before the Creator. In a world that often prizes human control, knowledge, and mastery, Job 39:1 reminds us of our inherent limitations. We are not the architects or overseers of creation, but creatures dependent on a God whose wisdom far surpasses our own. When we face uncertainties, unpredictable circumstances, or moments of deep mystery in our own lives—our "wild places" where we feel a lack of control—this verse encourages us to release our anxieties and trust in the God who knows the precise "time" for everything. It fosters a posture of worship, recognizing that the same God who intricately manages the birthing of wild animals also holds the details of our lives in His sovereign hand. This understanding can bring profound peace, allowing us to rest in His perfect plan even when it remains hidden from our view.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most struggle with a lack of control or understanding?**
* **How does the idea of God's intimate knowledge of even the most hidden aspects of creation (like the birthing of wild animals) bring you comfort or challenge you?**
* **What specific "wild places" or unpredictable elements in your life can you intentionally surrender to God's sovereign knowledge and care today?**

### FAQ
**Why does God choose these specific animals—wild goats and hinds—to make His point?**

Answer: God chooses the "wild goats of the rock" (ibex) and "hinds" (female deer) precisely because they represent aspects of creation that are untamed, elusive, and largely inaccessible to human observation and control. The ibex inhabits rugged, mountainous terrain, making its birthing process hidden from human eyes. Hinds are known for their timidity and solitary calving in secluded areas. By referencing these animals, God emphasizes that His knowledge and sovereignty extend not only to the domesticated world that humans manage but also to the most remote, wild, and instinctual corners of creation. It highlights that God's meticulous care and understanding are so comprehensive that they encompass even the most hidden and unpredictable natural cycles, far beyond what any human could "know" or "mark." This reinforces the theme of God's unparalleled omniscience and His ability to provide for all creatures, even in the wilderness, as seen in [Job 38:26-27](/job/38-26-27 "Job 38:26-27 - Rain in the Wilderness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 39:1, with its emphasis on God's intimate knowledge of creation's hidden processes, finds its ultimate fulfillment and embodiment in Jesus Christ. As the eternal Word through whom "all things were made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")), Jesus is the very wisdom and power of God revealed. The Creator who knows "the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth" is the same Christ who declares, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered" ([Matthew 10:29-30](/matthew/10-29-30 "Matthew 10:29-30 - God Cares for Sparrows and Hairs")). His parables often drew from the natural world, demonstrating His intimate understanding of its workings, from the lilies of the field ([Matthew 6:28-29](/matthew/6-28-29 "Matthew 6:28-29 - Lilies of the Field")) to the birds of the air. The divine omniscience and sovereignty showcased in Job 39:1 are perfectly mirrored in the person of Jesus, who knows the hearts of men ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")), discerns the "times and seasons" ([Acts 1:7](/acts/1-7 "Acts 1:7 - Times and Seasons")), and holds all creation together by the word of His power ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). Thus, the God who challenged Job's limited understanding is fully revealed in Christ, inviting us not merely to acknowledge divine wisdom, but to trust in the One who is Himself "the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Wisdom of God")).

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

1 Samuel 24:2

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

Psalms 104:18

The high hills [are] a refuge for the wild goats; [and] the rocks for the conies.

Psalms 29:9

The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.

Deuteronomy 14:5

The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.

Jeremiah 14:5

Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it], because there was no grass.