Job 39:27

KJV

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

KJV (with Strong's)

Doth the eagle {H5404} mount up {H1361} at thy command {H6310}, and make {H7311} her nest {H7064} on high {H7311}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Does the eagle fly up when you say so, to build its nest in the heights?

Berean Standard Bible

Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high?

American Standard Version

Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:27 is a profound rhetorical question posed by God to Job, serving as a powerful assertion of divine sovereignty over the natural world. Within God's majestic discourse from the whirlwind, this verse specifically highlights the eagle's inherent, divinely ordained ability to soar to immense heights and construct its nest in inaccessible places, attributes entirely beyond human command or comprehension. It functions as a humbling reminder of God's absolute power, unparalleled wisdom, and meticulous providential care over all creation, challenging humanity's limited understanding and perceived control in the face of divine omnipotence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of God's first direct address to Job, a magnificent theological exposition spanning from [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job") through [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - God's Power Over Leviathan"). Following Job's protracted suffering and his friends' inadequate theological frameworks, God intervenes from a tempest, not to explain the *reasons* for suffering, but to unequivocally assert His infinite power, boundless wisdom, and sovereign dominion over the cosmos. The discourse is characterized by a relentless barrage of unanswerable rhetorical questions concerning creation, meticulously crafted to expose Job's finite understanding and humble him before the Creator of all things. [Job 39](/job/39 "Job 39 - God's Wisdom in Creation") specifically delves into the unique characteristics of various wild animals—including the wild goat, wild donkey, wild ox, ostrich, and warhorse—culminating with the eagle. Each creature serves as a testament to distinct instincts and behaviors that utterly defy human control or comprehension, thereby providing irrefutable evidence of God's masterful design and ongoing, meticulous providence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, birds of prey, especially eagles and large vultures, commanded immense respect and awe due to their formidable strength, extraordinary keen eyesight, and majestic flight. They were frequently associated with divine power, often serving as symbols for deities or kings. The eagle's well-known habit of constructing its nest in high, often perilous and inaccessible cliffs, symbolized security, remoteness, and an existence far removed from human interference. The imagery of "mounting up" (soaring effortlessly) would have deeply resonated with an audience intimately familiar with the sight of these magnificent birds effortlessly riding thermal currents to dizzying altitudes. The rhetorical questions God poses to Job ingeniously draw upon common, observable phenomena in the natural world, ensuring their immediate and profound impact on Job and his contemporaries. The geographical setting of the book of Job, likely the land of Uz (potentially Edom or northern Arabia), would have been an environment where such awe-inspiring birds were a familiar and powerful presence, rendering God's examples particularly potent and relatable to the immediate audience.

* **Key Themes:** Job 39:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty** over all creation. The eagle's independent and powerful nature is presented as being entirely under God's command, not Job's, reinforcing the foundational truth that God alone orchestrates and governs the natural world, a truth echoed in [Psalm 115:3](/psalm/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases"). Secondly, it highlights **Human Limitation and Humility**. By posing a question that Job cannot affirmatively answer, God dramatically exposes the vast, unbridgeable chasm between finite human capability and infinite divine power. This theme of humanity's inherent inability to fully comprehend or control the universe is central to God's discourse, aiming to humble Job and lead him to repentance for presuming to question divine justice, a sentiment profoundly articulated in [Romans 9:20](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20 - Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?"). Finally, the verse speaks profoundly to **Divine Wisdom in Creation**. The eagle's innate ability to soar to majestic heights and construct its nest in secure, elevated places is not a random occurrence but a meticulous testament to God's intricate design and foresight. It demonstrates His perfect wisdom in sustaining even the wildest, most untamed aspects of His world, a wisdom celebrated throughout scripture, such as in [Psalm 104:24](/psalm/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eagle (Hebrew, _nesher'_):** The Hebrew term נֶשֶׁר (_nesher_, H5404) refers to a large bird of prey, commonly translated as "eagle" but often encompassing large vultures, particularly the griffon vulture, which is common in the Middle East and renowned for its high-soaring flight and cliff-nesting habits. Regardless of the precise species, the term evokes imagery of immense power, keen vision, swiftness, and a majestic, untamed, and unapproachable nature. In biblical symbolism, the eagle frequently represents strength, renewal, and divine protection. Here, its untamed, self-sufficient nature emphatically underscores its independence from human command.
* **Mount up (Hebrew, _gâbahh'_):** This verb (from the root גָּבַהּ, _gâbahh_, H1361) signifies to soar, to be lofty, or to ascend. It vividly captures the effortless, majestic flight of a large bird of prey as it gains altitude, often riding thermal currents. The choice of this word emphasizes the eagle's inherent ability to reach great heights, symbolizing freedom, power, and a perspective far removed from the earthly concerns of humanity. It highlights an action that is spontaneous, instinctual, and entirely independent of external human direction.
* **Command (Hebrew, _peh'_):** The Hebrew word פֶּה (_peh_, H6310), literally "mouth," is used here idiomatically to mean "at your command" or "by your word." The rhetorical question "Doth the eagle mount up at thy command...?" directly challenges Job's capacity to issue such a directive. It underscores the profound difference between finite human authority, which is limited and often ineffective even over simple matters, and infinite divine authority, which effortlessly governs the most powerful and independent creatures of the wild.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doth the eagle mount up at thy command,"**: This initial clause presents a pointed rhetorical question, directly challenging Job's perceived authority and control. God asks if Job possesses the power to dictate the eagle's majestic ascent into the heavens. The implied answer is a resounding "No," immediately highlighting Job's utter lack of control over the natural world. The eagle, a powerful symbol of untamed freedom and strength, soars not by human decree but by divine design and inherent instinct. This question instantly establishes the vast, unbridgeable disparity between Job's limited human power and God's boundless, sovereign authority.
* **"and make her nest on high?"**: This second clause extends the challenge, probing Job's ability to influence the eagle's most fundamental and instinctual behaviors—its nesting habits. Eagles and large vultures are renowned for building their nests in inaccessible, lofty places, typically on high cliffs or peaks, far removed from human reach or interference. This behavior is not taught by humans, nor is it subject to human command; rather, it is an innate, divinely programmed instinct crucial for safety and survival. The question further emphasizes that even the most basic, yet profoundly intricate, aspects of creation are entirely beyond human manipulation, firmly under God's exclusive dominion and providential care.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is profoundly shaped by **Rhetorical Question**, which is the dominant literary device throughout God's discourse in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job")-[Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - God's Power Over Leviathan"). God poses these questions not to elicit information, but to powerfully make a point, forcing Job to confront his own ignorance, limited perspective, and inherent powerlessness. The questions concerning the eagle's innate ability to fly and nest are unanswerable by Job, serving to humble him and magnify God's omnipotence. There is also potent **Symbolism** at play, with the eagle representing untamed strength, freedom, keen perception, and divine majesty. Its soaring flight symbolizes a perspective and power far beyond human grasp or comprehension. The phrase "at thy command" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like command and speech to God, thereby emphasizing His personal, direct, and authoritative involvement in the governance of all creation. The focus on the eagle's natural, instinctual behaviors also exemplifies **Zoomorphism**, using the characteristics and actions of an animal to illustrate a profound theological truth about God's creative wisdom and sovereign, meticulous control over His world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:27 powerfully articulates the foundational theological truth of God's absolute and unchallenged sovereignty over all creation. It reveals that even the most independent, majestic, and seemingly untamed creatures operate entirely according to divine decree, not human will or intervention. This profound principle extends far beyond the animal kingdom, encompassing all aspects of existence, reminding us that God's wisdom, power, and authority are infinitely superior to our own. The verse calls humanity to a posture of deep humility and reverent awe before a Creator who not only brought all things into being but actively sustains and governs them with meticulous detail and effortless authority. It challenges any notion of human autonomy, self-sufficiency, or control over the fundamental forces of life, directing our gaze upward to the One who truly holds all things in His sovereign hand.

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalm/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.")
* [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.")
* [Matthew 10:29](/matthew/10-29 "Matthew 10:29 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:27 serves as a profound spiritual anchor in a world that often prizes human control, knowledge, and self-sufficiency above all else. It beckons us to cultivate a deep and abiding humility before the Creator of the universe. When we observe the effortless majesty of an eagle soaring high above, riding invisible thermal currents, or consider the intricate, divinely programmed instincts that guide its choice of an inaccessible nesting site, we are invited to acknowledge that these phenomena are not random occurrences but are sustained by the very same divine hand that orchestrates the most minute details of our own lives. This verse profoundly encourages us to release our grip on the illusion of control and embrace a posture of complete trust in God's perfect wisdom and unfailing providence. In moments of anxiety, uncertainty, or when we feel overwhelmed by life's complexities, the truth that the God who effortlessly commands the eagle's flight also cares for us with infinite tenderness can bring immense, soul-settling peace. It calls us to worship Him not just for His immense power, but for His meticulous care and sovereign oversight of all things, seen and unseen, leading to a deeper reverence and a more profound surrender to His benevolent will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I tend to operate as if I am in command, rather than acknowledging God's ultimate and pervasive sovereignty?**
* **How does reflecting on God's effortless control over the natural world, as exemplified by the eagle, challenge my understanding of His meticulous care for my personal circumstances and anxieties?**
* **What specific anxieties, desires for control, or perceived burdens can I surrender to the God who effortlessly commands all creation, knowing He holds all things in His hand?**
* **How can the powerful imagery of the eagle "mounting up with wings" inspire me to trust God for renewed strength, a higher perspective, or divine enablement in the face of my own challenges and limitations?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use animals like the eagle to challenge Job?**

Answer: God uses animals like the eagle to challenge Job not to belittle him, but to dramatically illustrate the vast, unbridgeable chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine wisdom and power. By pointing to creatures that operate by innate instinct and inhabit realms utterly beyond human reach or command, God highlights His own meticulous design, providential care, and absolute sovereignty over all creation. The eagle, with its majestic, uncommanded flight and its inaccessible nest, serves as a tangible, undeniable example of a creature whose very existence, behaviors, and environment are entirely dependent on and directed by God, not by any human will or intervention. This serves to profoundly humble Job, demonstrating that if he cannot even command a wild bird to ascend or build its nest, how much less can he comprehend or challenge the intricate workings of divine justice and cosmic order. It is a powerful call to awe, humility, and trust, emphasizing that God's ways are indeed higher than our ways, as [Isaiah 55:9](/isaiah/55-9 "Isaiah 55:9 - For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts") so eloquently proclaims.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:27 speaks directly of God the Father's sovereign command over creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest redemptive meaning are profoundly found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very Word through whom all things were made, and in whom all things hold together, as beautifully articulated in [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - For by him all things were created... and in him all things hold together"). The divine wisdom that instilled the eagle's soaring instinct and its innate nesting habits is perfectly embodied in Christ, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). Jesus Himself demonstrated this same sovereign authority over creation during His earthly ministry, calming raging storms with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and teaching that God's meticulous providential care extends even to the smallest sparrows ([Matthew 10:29](/matthew/10-29 "Matthew 10:29 - God's Care for Sparrows")), implicitly including the mighty eagle. Furthermore, the imagery of the eagle "mounting up" can powerfully foreshadow Christ's glorious ascension into heaven ([Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus' Ascension into Heaven")), where He now reigns in ultimate authority at the right hand of the Father, having triumphantly completed His redemptive work. Through Christ, believers are invited to experience a spiritual reality akin to "mounting up with wings like eagles" ([Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Renewing Strength Like Eagles")), finding renewed strength, a heavenly perspective, and an enduring hope by waiting on the Lord, who is Himself the ultimate and perfect expression of God's wisdom, power, and sovereign, loving care.

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

Jeremiah 49:16

Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, [and] the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

Obadiah 1:4

Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

Exodus 19:4

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

Hosea 8:1

¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

Proverbs 23:5

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Leviticus 11:13

And these [are they which] ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they [are] an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.