Job 39:19

¶ Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Hast thou given {H5414} the horse {H5483} strength {H1369}? hast thou clothed {H3847} his neck {H6677} with thunder {H7483}?

"Did you give the horse its strength? Did you clothe its neck with a mane?

Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?

Hast thou given the horsehismight? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?

Job 39:19 is a profound rhetorical question posed by God to Job from the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of divine power and wisdom. This verse, part of a larger discourse in the book of Job (chapters 38-41), highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation, using the majestic horse as a prime example of His unparalleled design and might.

Context

Following Job's extended period of suffering and his debates with his friends, God directly addresses Job in a series of powerful questions, beginning in Job chapter 38. God systematically reveals His omnipotence and omniscience by detailing His role in creating and sustaining the universe, from cosmic phenomena to the intricate behaviors of animals. This particular verse focuses on the horse, an animal highly valued for its strength and utility in ancient cultures, serving as a testament to God's exclusive creative power that far surpasses human capability.

Key Themes

  • God's Incomparable Power and Sovereignty: The fundamental message is that only God possesses the ability to bestow such immense strength and formidable presence upon a creature like the horse. This underscores His supreme authority and control over all creation.
  • The Majesty and Wonder of Creation: The vivid description of the horse not only speaks to its physical attributes but also to its awe-inspiring nature, a testament to God's magnificent design. The horse is portrayed as a creature of divine strength and fierce beauty.
  • Human Limitations vs. Divine Omnipotence: By asking "Hast thou given...?", God implicitly reminds Job—and us—of humanity's finite knowledge, limited power, and inability to replicate or even fully comprehend the wonders of the natural world, contrasting sharply with His own infinite power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "strength" here is gevurah (גְּבוּרָה), often associated with might, power, and valor, emphasizing the divinely endowed vigor of the horse. The striking phrase "clothed his neck with thunder" uses the Hebrew word ra'amah (רַעְמָה), which literally means "thunder." This is a powerful metaphor, likely referring to the horse's booming snort, its mighty neigh, or the ground-shaking sound of its hooves, particularly in battle. It evokes a sense of overwhelming power, majesty, and perhaps even intimidation, signifying the horse's formidable presence.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse is part of God's broader questioning of Job's understanding of creation, which continues with other animals like the hawk and eagle in Job 39:26-30.
  • God's ultimate challenge to Job's own power and ability to govern the world is found in Job 40:9-14, further emphasizing human limitations.
  • For a general statement on God's creative power, see Psalm 33:9, which states, "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast."

Practical Application

Job 39:19 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of humility before God. It challenges any human pride or self-sufficiency, reminding us that our capabilities are minuscule compared to His. Understanding God's immense power and wisdom, even in creating an animal like the horse, should lead us to greater trust in Him, particularly when faced with difficult circumstances or questions about His ways, much like Job's. This verse encourages us to marvel at the intricate and powerful aspects of God's creation, recognizing His fingerprints everywhere, and to rest in the wisdom of His sovereign plan for our lives.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 147:10

    He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

  • Mark 3:17

    And James the [son] of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

  • Psalms 104:1

    ¶ Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

  • Psalms 93:1

    ¶ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

  • Job 39:25

    He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

  • Exodus 15:1

    ¶ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back