Job 39:17

KJV

Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because God {H433} hath deprived {H5382} her of wisdom {H2451}, neither hath he imparted {H2505} to her understanding {H998}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because God has deprived it of wisdom and given it no share in understanding.

Berean Standard Bible

For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding.

American Standard Version

Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:17 presents a profound divine declaration regarding the ostrich, explaining its seemingly peculiar behavior—specifically, its apparent lack of foresight in nesting and maternal care—as a direct outcome of God's intentional design. This verse is embedded within a larger discourse where God challenges Job's finite understanding of creation and divine providence. By highlighting the intricate, and at times perplexing, ways of various animals, God underscores His own unsearchable wisdom and sovereign control over all things, ultimately serving to humble Job and call him to trust in God's perfect, though often mysterious, plan for the cosmos.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 39:17 is situated within God's second major speech to Job, which commences in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job") and extends through [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - God's Description of Leviathan"). Following Job's persistent questioning of divine justice and his lamentations over his suffering, God responds not with a direct explanation for Job's plight, but with a series of rhetorical questions and vivid descriptions of the natural world. This specific section, particularly [Job 39:1-30](/job/39 "Job 39 - God's Description of Wild Animals"), focuses on various wild animals—ranging from the mountain goat and wild donkey to the wild ox, horse, hawk, and eagle—culminating in a detailed portrayal of the ostrich in [Job 39:13-18](/job/39/13-18 "Job 39:13-18 - The Ostrich"). God meticulously highlights the peculiar characteristics and instincts of these creatures, often contrasting them with human understanding or capabilities, to powerfully demonstrate His unparalleled wisdom and absolute sovereignty over all creation. Verse 17 specifically addresses the ostrich's nesting habits, which, to human observers, might appear careless or imprudent, but are here revealed as a specific, divinely ordained characteristic, serving to further humble Job's limited, finite perspective.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a region generally believed to be east of ancient Israel, possibly encompassing parts of Edom or northern Arabia. The vivid descriptions of animals found in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches") accurately reflect the diverse fauna common to the ancient Near East. The ostrich (Hebrew: _ya'anah_) was well-known in this region for its imposing size, remarkable speed, and, notably, its peculiar nesting habits. Ancient observers, including those within the biblical world, would have noted that ostriches typically lay their eggs directly on the ground or in shallow depressions, often appearing to leave them exposed to the elements or vulnerable to predators, unlike many other birds that meticulously construct nests and diligently incubate their young. This behavior, from a human standpoint, could easily be interpreted as imprudent or indicative of a lack of maternal care. The cultural understanding of "wisdom" (_ḥokmâ_) and "understanding" (_bînâ_) in the ancient Near East often encompassed practical knowledge, foresight, prudence, and skillful action, particularly in matters of survival, family preservation, and societal well-being. Thus, God's statement in [Job 39:17](/job/39/17 "Job 39:17 - God's Design for the Ostrich") directly addresses this perceived deficiency in the ostrich's behavior, framing it not as a flaw or a defect, but as a specific, divinely ordained characteristic that deliberately defies conventional human expectations of "wisdom."
* **Key Themes:** Job 39:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes that are central to the book of Job and fundamental to broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Divine Sovereignty in Creation**, demonstrating God's absolute authority, meticulous design, and purposeful control over every creature, even those whose behaviors seem illogical or counter-intuitive from a human perspective. This theme resonates deeply with passages like [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"), which exalts God's vast and intricate wisdom evident in all His works. Secondly, the verse highlights **The Mystery of God's Ways**, emphasizing that much of God's creation and His overall governance operate on principles that profoundly transcend human comprehension. The ostrich's behavior, while seemingly lacking conventional "wisdom," is nonetheless perfectly purposeful within God's grand design, echoing the profound truth expressed in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher"), where God explicitly declares that His thoughts and ways are far above human thoughts and ways. Finally, this passage serves to cultivate **Humility Before God**. By presenting these natural wonders and their divine explanations, God challenges Job's presumption to fully understand or question divine justice. The implication is clear: if Job struggles to comprehend the divinely established instincts of an animal, how much less can he possibly grasp the profound complexities of God's moral governance of the universe? This humbling experience is central to Job's eventual repentance and renewed faith, as powerfully articulated in [Job 42:2-6](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2-6 - Job's Confession and Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôwahh'_):** This term refers to a deity or the Deity, specifically God. In this context, it emphasizes the singular, supreme Creator who is the ultimate source of all design and purpose in creation. The use of this specific divine name here underscores God's personal and active involvement in shaping the very nature and instincts of His creatures, including the ostrich, asserting His absolute sovereignty over every aspect of existence.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From the root _ḥākam_, this term denotes practical skill, insight, prudence, and the ability to live successfully and righteously. In a human context, it implies discernment, foresight, and the capacity for intelligent decision-making. When God states He "deprived her of wisdom," it does not imply a defect or moral failing in the ostrich. Instead, it signifies that the ostrich's instincts are not guided by what humans would perceive as intelligent foresight, particularly concerning the vulnerability of its offspring. Its behavior is not "wise" in the human sense of calculated protection, but it is perfectly adequate for its survival and role within God's ecosystem, highlighting a divinely ordained characteristic that operates outside human expectations.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _bîynâh'_):** Derived from the root _bîn_, this term is often paired with _chokmâh_ and denotes discernment, insight, and the ability to distinguish between things, to comprehend, or to perceive clearly. It speaks to an intellectual grasp or comprehension. The phrase "neither hath he imparted to her understanding" reinforces the idea that the ostrich's actions are not based on rational thought or a conscious assessment of risk, but rather on an instinctual programming that God Himself has established. This emphasizes the Creator's unique and sovereign design, where certain creatures function according to principles that defy human logic, yet perfectly fulfill God's purpose for them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because God hath deprived her of wisdom":** This clause directly attributes the ostrich's peculiar behavior—specifically, the apparent lack of foresight in its nesting habits as described in the preceding verses (Job 39:13-16)—to a deliberate act of God. It is not that the ostrich is inherently flawed or unintelligent, but rather that its instincts operate on a different principle than human "wisdom." God has chosen not to imbue it with the kind of discerning foresight that would lead it to meticulously protect its eggs or young in a humanly understandable way. This highlights God's sovereign control over the very nature and instincts of His creatures, demonstrating that His design is not bound by human expectations of what is "wise."
* **"neither hath he imparted to her understanding":** This parallel clause reinforces the first, using a synonymous term to emphasize the same point. The ostrich's actions are not guided by rational comprehension or a deep insight into consequences. Its behavior is not a result of a lack of capacity that it should possess, but rather a divinely ordained absence of a particular kind of discernment. This underscores the idea that God's design for creation is multifaceted and often defies human expectations, operating on principles that are entirely His own. The ostrich is precisely as God intended it to be, fulfilling its role without needing human-defined "wisdom" or "understanding," thereby serving as a powerful testament to God's incomprehensible wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Job 39:17, within the broader context of God's speech, employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Anthropomorphism** is subtly present in the application of human intellectual terms like "wisdom" and "understanding" to an animal, allowing for a relatable discussion of its behavior, even while God immediately redefines these terms in a divine context. The passage also makes extensive use of **Rhetorical Questioning** throughout God's discourse (e.g., [Job 38:4](/job/38-4 "Job 38:4 - God's Challenge to Job")), setting up the descriptions of animals like the ostrich as answers that humble Job's limited knowledge and capacity for comprehension. **Contrast** is a key device, as God contrasts the ostrich's seemingly "unwise" behavior with the expected prudence of other creatures or human understanding, thereby highlighting His unique and often counter-intuitive design in creation. Finally, the entire section functions as an **Argument from Design**, where the intricate and diverse characteristics of creation, even those that appear puzzling or illogical to human reason, serve as irrefutable evidence of God's omnipotence, omniscience, and sovereign control, ultimately challenging Job's capacity to comprehend divine justice and inviting him to a posture of humble trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:17 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of God's sovereignty and the profound limits of human understanding. It asserts that God's design in creation is absolute, intentional, and perfectly suited for its purpose, even when it defies human logic or appears to lack conventional "wisdom." The ostrich's divinely ordained instincts, though seemingly imprudent from a human perspective, are perfectly suited for its purpose within God's grand ecosystem. This teaches us that God's ways are not always comprehensible to our finite minds, and His wisdom operates on a plane far beyond our own. It calls us to a posture of profound humility and unwavering trust, acknowledging that God's plan, though mysterious at times, is always perfect, purposeful, and ultimately good.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "God's Understanding is Unsearchable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:17 invites us to profound reflection on our own understanding of God and His intricate world. In an age where we often seek to rationalize, explain, and control every aspect of our environment, this verse stands as a stark reminder that God's wisdom profoundly transcends our comprehension. Just as the ostrich's behavior, which appears "unwise" to us, is perfectly orchestrated by God for its unique purpose, so too are many circumstances in our lives and the broader world that seem perplexing, unjust, or without clear reason. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God's sovereign design, even when we cannot fully trace His hand or grasp His ultimate purposes. It calls us to radical humility, recognizing the inherent limits of our finite minds in the face of an infinite, omniscient God. Our response to the inexplicable should not be doubt, despair, or questioning of God's goodness, but rather a humble surrender to His perfect wisdom, knowing with unwavering faith that He is working all things together according to His good pleasure, even when His methods diverge dramatically from our expectations or desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or in the world do you struggle to trust God's wisdom because His ways seem counter-intuitive or "unwise" from your perspective?**
* **How does the concept of God's sovereign design, even in seemingly strange natural behaviors, challenge your innate human need to understand everything before you can fully trust?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of humility and surrender to God's unsearchable wisdom in your daily walk with Him?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 39:17 imply that God made the ostrich defective or less intelligent than other animals?**

Answer: No, Job 39:17 does not imply that God made the ostrich defective or less intelligent. Instead, it highlights God's sovereign design and the incredible diversity of His creation. The phrases "deprived her of wisdom" and "imparted to her understanding" refer to the ostrich's specific, divinely ordained instincts, which simply differ from human expectations of foresight or maternal care. God is asserting that the ostrich's behavior, while appearing "unwise" from a human perspective (e.g., laying eggs in open ground, seemingly abandoning them to the elements), is precisely as He intended it to be. This unique characteristic is part of its specific role within the ecosystem and serves to demonstrate God's ability to design creatures that thrive on principles beyond our full comprehension. It's not a flaw or a deficiency, but rather a distinct feature of God's intricate and diverse creative wisdom, designed to humble Job and showcase God's unparalleled control over all things, as seen throughout [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:17 directly addresses God's sovereign design in creation, its ultimate fulfillment points profoundly to Christ as the very embodiment of God's perfect wisdom and the ultimate revelation of His often mysterious ways. The "wisdom" that God withholds from the ostrich, a wisdom that seems foolish to human eyes, finds its ultimate and paradoxical expression in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. For the world, the message of the cross was a scandal and utter foolishness, as [1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified, a Stumbling Block and Foolishness") declares, yet for those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ crucified is revealed as the very power of God and the wisdom of God ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). Just as the ostrich's seemingly "unwise" behavior perfectly serves God's purpose within creation, so too did God's "foolish" plan of salvation through a crucified Messiah accomplish His greatest purpose—the redemption of humanity and the reconciliation of all things to Himself. In Christ, the hidden wisdom of God, "which God ordained before the ages for our glory," is now fully revealed ([1 Corinthians 2:7](/1_corinthians/2-7 "1 Corinthians 2:7 - God's Wisdom in a Mystery")). He is the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). Thus, the mystery of the ostrich's divinely ordained design in [Job 39:17](/job/39/17 "Job 39:17 - God's Design for the Ostrich") ultimately foreshadows the profound and often counter-intuitive wisdom of God made manifest in Jesus, inviting us to trust in a divine plan that far surpasses our limited human understanding and leads to 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

Job 35:11

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

Isaiah 19:11

Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Isaiah 19:14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2 Chronicles 32:31

Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was [done] in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all [that was] in his heart.

Isaiah 57:17

¶ For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

Job 17:4

For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].