Job 39:18

KJV

What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

KJV (with Strong's)

What time {H6256} she lifteth up {H4754} herself on high {H4791}, she scorneth {H7832} the horse {H5483} and his rider {H7392}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the time comes, it flaps its wings, scorning both horse and rider.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider.

American Standard Version

What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:18, nestled within God's awe-inspiring discourse to Job from the whirlwind, marvels at the astonishing speed of the ostrich. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the Creator's boundless wisdom and omnipotence, showcasing how even a creature described as lacking wisdom possesses a divinely endowed attribute—its unparalleled swiftness—that utterly surpasses human capabilities and technology of the time, thereby humbling Job and underscoring the inscrutability of God's ways.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a climactic point in God's second major speech to Job, which begins in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God's First Challenge to Job"). God systematically challenges Job's limited understanding by parading before him the wonders of creation, from the cosmos to the intricate details of animal life. Specifically, [Job 39:13-18](/job/39-13 "Job 39:13-18 - The Ostrich's Peculiar Nature and Speed") focuses on the ostrich. The preceding verses ([Job 39:13-17](/job/39-13 "Job 39:13-17 - The Ostrich's Wings and Neglect")) describe the ostrich's seemingly peculiar and even "unwise" maternal habits, implying a divine withholding of wisdom from it. Yet, immediately following this apparent deficiency, verse 18 dramatically reveals its astonishing physical prowess, creating a striking paradox that highlights the multifaceted and often counter-intuitive nature of God's design. This juxtaposition underscores God's ultimate control and purpose, even in what appears to be flawed from a human perspective.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the horse represented the pinnacle of speed and power in transportation, warfare, and hunting. Chariots drawn by horses were the ultimate military machines, symbolizing human might and technological advancement. For the text to state that the ostrich "scorneth the horse and his rider" would have been an incredibly impactful statement to an ancient audience, directly challenging the perceived supremacy of human-controlled power. The desert environment of Job's setting would have made the ostrich, a native inhabitant, a familiar yet enigmatic creature, known for its ability to traverse vast, arid distances with incredible speed, far outstripping any human-engineered pursuit. This cultural backdrop amplifies the divine message: if humanity's fastest and most powerful creations are rendered insignificant by a single, divinely-crafted creature, how much more unfathomable is the power of the Creator Himself?
* **Key Themes:** Job 39:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Wisdom in Creation**, demonstrating that even creatures with seemingly "deprived wisdom" ([Job 39:17](/job/39-17 "Job 39:17 - God Withholds Wisdom from the Ostrich")) possess extraordinary, divinely engineered attributes that testify to God's intricate design and infinite understanding. The ostrich's speed is a marvel of biological engineering. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Omnipotence** over all creation, from the celestial bodies to the unique characteristics of animals. This serves to humble Job, reminding him that if he cannot comprehend the wonders of a single creature, he certainly cannot grasp the justice and ways of the Almighty. The passage also highlights **Human Limitations and the Call to Humility**, urging Job (and the reader) to recognize the vast chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine wisdom, a theme explored throughout God's speeches in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Challenge to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lifteth up herself on high (Hebrew, רוּם, _rum'_):** This verb often means "to be high, exalted, lifted up." In this context, it describes the ostrich's posture and action when it begins to run at full speed. It's not merely standing, but "lifting itself up" in a powerful, majestic stride, extending its neck and body to achieve maximum velocity. This conveys a sense of rising to its full potential, a display of inherent power and grace as it prepares for its astonishing burst of speed.
* **scorneth (Hebrew, שָׂחַק, _śāḥaq'_):** This word is rich in meaning, typically translated as "to laugh," "to play," or "to mock." Here, it carries the nuance of triumphant ease or playful disregard. The ostrich's speed is so overwhelmingly superior that it seems to "laugh at" or effortlessly leave behind the horse and rider. It's not an act of malicious disdain but a powerful metaphor for its absolute, divinely-given capability, rendering human attempts at pursuit utterly futile and almost comical in their inadequacy. The inherent, effortless superiority of the ostrich's speed makes human efforts seem like a jest in comparison.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What time she lifteth up herself on high":** This clause sets the scene, describing the moment the ostrich engages its full power. It refers to the bird stretching its long neck and legs, rising to its full imposing height, and initiating its powerful, ground-covering stride. This "lifting up" signifies the transition from a relaxed state to one of immense kinetic energy, preparing for its incredible burst of speed. It is a visual cue of the creature's inherent strength and design for swift movement.
* **"she scorneth the horse and his rider":** This is the dramatic climax of the verse, illustrating the ostrich's unparalleled speed. The "scorn" is metaphorical, emphasizing the vast disparity in velocity. The ostrich's natural, divinely-endowed speed is so great that it renders the fastest human-controlled creature (the horse) and its human operator completely ineffective in pursuit. It highlights a creature that, by its very nature, effortlessly outpaces the pinnacle of ancient human technology and power, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's superior design.

#### Literary Devices
Job 39:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "she scorneth," attributing a human emotion (scorn or laughter) to the ostrich. This isn't literal, but it powerfully conveys the bird's effortless superiority over the horse and rider, making the human pursuit seem futile and even laughable. **Hyperbole** is also at play, as the "scorn" emphasizes an extreme disparity in speed, magnifying the ostrich's swiftness beyond mere description. This exaggeration serves to underscore the profound gap between divine design and human capabilities. Furthermore, there's a subtle **Irony** at work when considering the preceding verses (Job 39:13-17), where the ostrich is depicted as lacking wisdom. Yet, this "unwise" creature possesses an attribute—speed—that is a marvel of divine wisdom, creating a powerful **Contrast** that highlights the multifaceted and often paradoxical nature of God's creation, challenging Job's simplistic understanding of wisdom and purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:18 profoundly reinforces the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty and the unfathomable depth of His wisdom, particularly as revealed in creation. The ostrich, a creature seemingly flawed in human eyes (as described in its lack of maternal care and wisdom), is paradoxically endowed with a physical attribute so extraordinary that it surpasses humanity's greatest achievements in speed. This paradox serves to humble Job, demonstrating that if he cannot comprehend the intricate and often counter-intuitive design of a single animal, he certainly cannot grasp the justice, wisdom, and ways of the Almighty. It calls humanity to a posture of awe and humility before the Creator, acknowledging that His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than our own, and that His purposes are fulfilled even through means that appear unconventional or beyond our comprehension. The verse reminds us that God's power is not limited by human understanding or capability, and His creation continually testifies to His glory.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation")
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Attributes Seen in Creation")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:18 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of humility and awe in the face of God's creation. It challenges our anthropocentric tendencies, reminding us that the world is not solely designed for human utility or comprehension, but as a grand display of divine wisdom and power. Just as Job was called to recognize the limits of his understanding, we too are encouraged to marvel at the diversity and unique abilities of all creatures, seeing them as direct evidences of God's creative genius, even in what might appear unconventional or imperfect to our finite eyes. This verse fosters a deeper trust in God's sovereignty; if He meticulously crafts and sustains even the ostrich with such remarkable, paradoxical attributes, then His care and plans for humanity are surely beyond our full grasp and worthy of our complete faith, even when circumstances seem inexplicable. It calls us to relinquish our need to fully comprehend God's every action and instead rest in the assurance of His infinite wisdom and unwavering control over all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the example of the ostrich challenge my assumptions about what constitutes "wisdom" or "perfection" in God's creation?**
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle to trust God's wisdom when His ways seem counter-intuitive or beyond my understanding?**
* **How can contemplating the wonders of creation, like the ostrich's speed, deepen my sense of humility and worship before God?**
* **What "horses and riders" (symbols of human strength, technology, or wisdom) do I rely on, and how might God be showing me their limitations in comparison to His own power?**

### FAQ
**Why does God highlight the ostrich, given its "lack of wisdom" mentioned in the preceding verses?**

Answer: God highlights the ostrich precisely because of this paradox. In [Job 39:17](/job/39-17 "Job 39:17 - God Withholds Wisdom from the Ostrich"), God states He has "deprived her of wisdom." Yet, in the very next verse, He showcases its astonishing speed, which is a marvel of divine engineering. This juxtaposition serves to underscore God's multifaceted wisdom, which operates beyond human comprehension. It shows that even a creature deemed "unwise" by human standards can possess an extraordinary, divinely-given attribute that testifies to God's ultimate power and design, humbling Job by demonstrating that God's ways are not limited by human logic or perception.

**Is "scorneth" to be understood literally as the ostrich having a malicious attitude?**

Answer: No, "scorneth" (Hebrew: _śāḥaq_) is not meant to imply a literal malicious or disdainful attitude from the ostrich. Instead, it is a powerful metaphor. The word itself can mean "to laugh," "to play," or "to mock." In this context, it conveys the idea of the ostrich's speed being so effortlessly superior that it "laughs at" or playfully leaves behind the horse and rider. It highlights the absolute nature of its divinely-given velocity, making human attempts at pursuit seem futile and almost comical in their inadequacy. It emphasizes the vast disparity in speed, not the bird's emotional state.

**What is the main point God is making to Job through the example of the ostrich?**

Answer: The main point God is making to Job through the ostrich, and indeed through all the examples in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Challenge to Job"), is to humble him and reveal the limits of human understanding in comparison to divine wisdom and power. By showcasing a creature that is both seemingly "unwise" and yet possesses unparalleled speed that surpasses humanity's greatest efforts, God demonstrates that His creation is complex, paradoxical, and ultimately beyond Job's full comprehension. The message is a call for Job to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty, trust in His inscrutable ways, and submit to His wisdom rather than questioning His justice from a limited human perspective.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:18 speaks of God's wisdom and power displayed in creation, it ultimately points to the One through whom all things were made and in whom all wisdom resides: Jesus Christ. The astonishing attributes of the ostrich, a testament to God's intricate design, foreshadow the ultimate embodiment of divine wisdom and power in Christ. Just as the ostrich's speed "scorned" human limitations, so Christ's life, death, and resurrection utterly transcend all human wisdom and power, demonstrating God's ultimate plan of salvation. He is the very "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")) and the One "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, the Treasure of Wisdom")). The paradox of the "unwise" ostrich possessing incredible power finds its ultimate resolution in Christ, who, though taking on the humble form of a servant and enduring the ignominy of the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")), displayed the greatest act of divine power and love, conquering sin and death. All creation, including the swift ostrich, was made "by him, and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ")), and it is through Him that God's glory and wisdom are most perfectly revealed, inviting us to a trust far deeper than Job could initially conceive.

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

2 Kings 19:21

This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

Job 39:22

He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

Job 5:22

At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Job 39:7

He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

Job 41:29

Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.