Job 39:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He mocketh {H7832} at fear {H6343}, and is not affrighted {H2865}; neither turneth he back {H7725} from {H6440} the sword {H2719}.

Complete Jewish Bible

mocking at fear, unafraid, it does not shy away from the sword.

Berean Standard Bible

He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:22 vividly portrays the warhorse, a magnificent creature endowed by God with an extraordinary, almost defiant, courage. This verse, part of the Lord's sweeping discourse to Job, highlights the horse's utter disdain for danger and its unwavering resolve in the face of battle. It serves as a powerful testament to God's boundless wisdom, sovereign power, and intricate design evident throughout His creation, challenging Job's limited human perspective on divine governance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within God's second major speech to Job, spanning [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job"). Following Job's lament and implicit challenge to God's justice, the Lord responds not with direct answers to Job's suffering, but with a series of rhetorical questions and majestic descriptions of His creation, demonstrating His incomprehensible wisdom and power. The specific section on the warhorse ([Job 39:19-25](/job/39-19-25 "Job 39:19-25 - The Warhorse's Might")) is a pinnacle of this divine display, showcasing a creature uniquely equipped for the chaos of battle. [Job 39:22](/job/39-22 "Job 39:22 - The Warhorse's Fearlessness") focuses on the horse's remarkable fearlessness, illustrating how God has instilled in this animal an instinctual bravery that far surpasses human courage, thereby underscoring His absolute sovereignty over all living things. The preceding verses set the stage by describing the horse's strength and eagerness for battle, making its subsequent indifference to danger even more striking.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the warhorse was a prized and formidable asset, central to military might and often symbolizing power and prestige. These horses were meticulously bred and trained for the rigors of battle, yet their innate courage, as described in Job, was considered a divine endowment. Unlike human warriors who might be driven by duty or fear of shame, the warhorse's fearlessness was presented as an intrinsic quality, a direct gift from its Creator. This passage would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the terror and chaos of ancient warfare, making the horse's "mocking at fear" an even more striking and awe-inspiring attribute. The setting of the book of Job, likely in the patriarchal era and possibly in the land of Uz (a region known for its strong, wild animals), further enhances the naturalistic descriptions of God's creation, emphasizing His dominion over all aspects of the natural world.

* **Key Themes:** The description of the warhorse in [Job 39](/job/39 "Job 39 - God Continues His Discourse on Creation") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, as the horse's incredible attributes are presented as direct evidence of God's creative might and His absolute control over the natural world. God alone is the source of such strength and courage, even in the animal kingdom, serving to humble Job and remind him of the Creator's incomprehensible ways. Another key theme is **The Majesty of Creation**, where God uses His diverse and awe-inspiring creatures—from the wild ass to the ostrich and the warhorse—to demonstrate His wisdom and the intricate beauty of His design. The warhorse, with its noble spirit and indifference to danger, stands as a prime example of how God displays His glory throughout the world, emphasizing that His wisdom extends far beyond human comprehension or questioning, as seen throughout [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mocketh (Hebrew, _sâchaq'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׂחַק (_sâchaq_) means "to laugh (in pleasure or detraction)," "to play," or "to deride." In this context, it conveys more than just an absence of fear; it suggests an active, almost contemptuous dismissal of fear. The warhorse doesn't merely lack fear; it treats fear as something insignificant, something to be scoffed at or trifled with, highlighting an extraordinary, almost defiant, courage.
* **Affrighted (Hebrew, _châthath'_):** The Hebrew verb חָתַת (_châthath_) means "to prostrate," "to break down," or "to be (make) afraid," "to dismay," or "to terrify." Its negation, "is not affrighted," strongly reinforces the preceding phrase. It emphasizes the horse's complete immunity to terror, even when faced with the most alarming and life-threatening stimuli. This is not mere bravery but an intrinsic, profound lack of panic or dread, indicating an unshakeable composure.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** The Hebrew noun חֶרֶב (_chereb_) refers to a cutting instrument like a knife, dagger, or sword, often from its destructive effect. Here it stands as a metonym for the instruments and ultimate dangers of battle, representing the direct means of death in ancient warfare. The horse's refusal to "turn back from the sword" signifies its unwavering resolve and its willingness to charge directly into the most perilous situations without hesitation or retreat.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He mocketh at fear":** This clause introduces the warhorse's extraordinary characteristic: an inherent, almost playful, disdain for fear itself. It's not just a lack of fear, but an active rejection or scoffing at the very concept of dread, indicating a profound, divinely endowed courage that sets it apart from other creatures and even human reactions.
* **"and is not affrighted":** This phrase serves as a powerful parallel and reinforcement to the first, emphasizing the horse's complete immunity to terror or dismay. Even in the most chaotic and terrifying circumstances of battle, the warhorse remains utterly unperturbed, demonstrating a steadfastness and composure that is truly remarkable and divinely instilled.
* **"neither turneth he back from the sword":** This final clause provides the ultimate demonstration of the warhorse's courage. The "sword" represents the direct and imminent threat of death in warfare. The horse's refusal to retreat or turn away signifies its unwavering resolve, its direct engagement with danger, and its forward charge into the heart of conflict, embodying absolute fearlessness and an unyielding spirit in the face of mortal peril.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the warhorse's exceptional nature. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "He mocketh at fear," attributing a human-like capacity for scorn or defiance to an animal, thereby elevating its courage beyond mere instinct. This personification imbues the horse with a conscious, almost intellectual, rejection of dread. **Hyperbole** is also at play, as the description of a creature utterly devoid of fear in the face of a sword exaggerates its bravery to emphasize its extraordinary, divinely-imparted quality. The vivid **Imagery** of a warhorse charging into battle, unyielding and unconcerned by the instruments of death, paints a powerful picture in the reader's mind, making the creature a compelling symbol of God's mighty creative power and His ability to imbue His creation with unique attributes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The warhorse's divinely instilled fearlessness in Job 39:22 serves as a profound theological statement about God's power and wisdom. It illustrates that courage, even in its most instinctual forms, originates from the Creator. This animal, designed for war, embodies a resolve that far surpasses human capacity, highlighting the vastness of God's design and His ability to equip His creation with attributes beyond our comprehension. For humanity, often plagued by fear and anxiety, the warhorse stands as a testament to a divine source of strength. It implicitly challenges Job's limited understanding of God's governance, demonstrating that the same God who endows an animal with such unwavering bravery is fully capable of sustaining and empowering His human servants through any trial. This passage underscores that true courage is ultimately a gift from God, flowing from His sovereign will and power, and that His ways are beyond human questioning.

* [Psalm 18:32](/psalms/18-32 "Psalm 18:32 - God Equips with Strength")
* [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - Do Not Fear Them")
* [Psalm 147:10-11](/psalms/147-10-11 "Psalm 147:10-11 - God Delights Not in Strength but in Those Who Fear Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the warhorse is not a moral agent, its divinely endowed fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a powerful metaphor and inspiration for believers. This passage calls us to consider the source of true courage and how God's incredible power, evident in His creation, can be manifested in our own lives. Just as God instills such unwavering resolve in a horse, He is also able to grant His people a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, enabling them to face their own "swords"—the challenges, fears, and adversities of life—without being "affrighted." We are reminded that our strength does not come from within ourselves, but from the sovereign God who equips us for every battle. The warhorse's refusal to turn back from danger encourages us to stand firm in faith, trusting in the One who is sovereign over all circumstances, knowing that through Christ, we can face anything. Our call is to "mock at fear" by placing our confidence entirely in God's unfailing might and presence, recognizing that He has overcome the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's power in equipping the warhorse impact your view of His power to equip you for life's challenges?**
* **What "swords" or fears are you currently facing, and how can you, by faith, "mock" them rather than being "affrighted"?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to "turn back" from difficulty, and how can the warhorse's unwavering resolve inspire you to press forward in faith?**
* **How does the concept of divinely-imparted courage reshape your understanding of bravery in the Christian walk?**

### FAQ
**Is the warhorse in Job 39:22 a symbol for something else, or is it a literal animal?**

Answer: While the warhorse's attributes are certainly symbolic of God's power and design, the primary intent of the passage in [Job 39](/job/39 "Job 39 - God's Discourse on Creation") is to describe a literal animal. God is using concrete examples from His creation to illustrate His vast, incomprehensible wisdom and sovereign control. The warhorse, along with other creatures like the wild ass and the ostrich, serves as a powerful, tangible demonstration of God's creative genius, intended to humble Job and expand his understanding of divine governance beyond his limited human perspective. It's a real creature displaying divinely-endowed, extraordinary qualities.

**How does the warhorse's fearlessness relate to human courage or faith?**

Answer: The warhorse's fearlessness, as a divinely-endowed instinct, highlights that God is the ultimate source of all courage. While humans experience fear and must choose to act in faith despite it, the warhorse's intrinsic bravery points to a Creator who can instill such qualities. For believers, this implies that the same God who equips a horse with such resolve can also empower us with spiritual courage to face life's challenges. [2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Sound Mind") speaks of God giving us "a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." This connection suggests that our ability to overcome fear is not merely a human trait but a divine enablement, allowing us to stand firm, just as the warhorse does not turn back from the sword, through the strength of Christ as mentioned in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All Things Through Christ").

**Why does God use examples from the animal kingdom to respond to Job's questions?**

Answer: God uses examples from the animal kingdom, including the warhorse, to demonstrate His vast, unsearchable wisdom and power that far transcend human understanding. Job had questioned God's justice and governance from a limited human viewpoint. By showcasing His intricate design and sovereign control over creatures like the warhorse, which possess attributes beyond human capacity or comprehension, God humbles Job. It's a rhetorical strategy to show that if Job cannot even comprehend the complexities of the natural world, how can he presume to understand or challenge the Creator's moral governance of the universe? This approach redirects Job's focus from his suffering to God's unparalleled majesty and sovereignty, as seen throughout [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:22 directly describes the warhorse, its underlying theological truth—that God is the source of all extraordinary power and fearlessness—finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The warhorse "mocketh at fear" and "is not affrighted," charging directly into the "sword." This foreshadows Christ, who, though fully human, faced the ultimate "sword" of sin, death, and the wrath of God with unwavering resolve. Jesus did not "turn back" from the cross, but willingly embraced His mission, demonstrating a divine courage that transcends mere bravery ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He faced the spiritual forces of darkness and the physical agony of crucifixion without fear, ultimately triumphing over them ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). In Christ, believers find the true source of courage to face life's battles; He has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World")), and through Him, we are "more than conquerors" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")). The warhorse's divinely-imparted courage points to the perfect, resolute, and ultimately victorious courage of the Lamb of God, who laid down His life and took it up again, conquering fear and death for all who believe, offering His own unwavering steadfastness as our ultimate example and strength.

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 39:18

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

Job 41:33

Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

Job 39:16

She is hardened against her young ones, as though [they were] not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;