Job 39:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He scorneth {H7832} the multitude {H1995} of the city {H7151}, neither regardeth {H8085} he the crying {H8663} of the driver {H5065}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It scorns the noise of the city and hears no driver's shouts.

Berean Standard Bible

He scorns the tumult of the city and never hears the shouts of a driver.

American Standard Version

He scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:7, nestled within God's profound discourse to Job, vividly portrays the untamed nature of the wild ass (onager), emphasizing its complete independence from human civilization and control. This verse serves as a powerful illustration of the Creator's boundless wisdom and absolute sovereignty, demonstrating His dominion over even the most elusive and wild creatures, thereby humbling Job and underscoring the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine design.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a magnificent and humbling speech delivered by God to Job from a whirlwind, spanning [Job chapters 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job"). Following Job's lamentations and his friends' inadequate counsel, God directly addresses Job's limited perspective by presenting a series of rhetorical questions about the creation and sustenance of the natural world. The description of the wild ass in [Job 39:5-8](/job/39-5 "Job 39:5-8 - The Wild Ass") is one of several examples, alongside the wild goat, the ostrich, the horse, and the leviathan, each chosen to highlight a unique aspect of divine power and wisdom that lies beyond human comprehension or control. The immediate verses preceding Job 39:7 establish the wild ass's chosen habitat in the wilderness and salt land, free from the confines of human habitation and the "noise of the city" ([Job 39:6](/job/39-6 "Job 39:6 - Its Wilderness Dwelling")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the domestication of animals was crucial for human survival and societal development. Animals like oxen, donkeys, and horses were integral to agriculture, transport, and warfare. The wild ass, or onager (Equus hemionus), however, was notoriously difficult, if not impossible, to tame, despite its strength and speed. Its resistance to human efforts to harness or control it made it a potent symbol of untamed freedom and divine design beyond human manipulation. The "city" (qiryâ) represented human order, control, and civilization, while the "wilderness" (midbar) symbolized chaos, untamed nature, and a realm where only God's direct providence held sway. The "driver" (nogesh) refers to one who would typically control or compel an animal, such as a taskmaster or herdsman, whose authority is utterly disregarded by the wild ass. This contrast between human attempts at order and the divinely ordained wildness of creation would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the challenges and triumphs of animal husbandry.

* **Key Themes:** Job 39:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Wisdom**, illustrating God's absolute control and meticulous design even over creatures that exist beyond human taming. The wild ass's freedom is not chaotic but divinely ordained, thriving under God's watchful eye, resonating with the declaration in [Psalm 104:24](/psalm/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"), "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all." Secondly, the verse highlights **Untamed Freedom**, emphasizing the wild ass's inherent wildness and independence from human society. Its "scorn" for the city and disregard for a "driver's crying" symbolize a creature existing entirely outside human domestication and command, a freedom that is a testament to God's creative power. Finally, by contrasting human attempts to control or understand with the untamed nature of God's creation, the passage powerfully emphasizes **Human Limitations**. It serves as a profound reminder that not everything can be manipulated or comprehended by mankind, directing focus back to the omnipotent and inscrutable Creator, whose ways are far above human understanding, as articulated in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scorneth (Hebrew, _yisḥaq'_):** Derived from the root צָחַק (*tsaḥaq*), meaning "to laugh," "to mock," or "to disdain." In this context, it conveys a profound sense of contempt or disdain. The wild ass does not merely avoid the city; it actively "scorns" or "laughs at" its bustling activity, implying a deliberate rejection of human attempts at order and control. This word vividly portrays the animal's untamed spirit and its inherent opposition to human society.
* **Multitude of the city (Hebrew, _hamon qiryâ'_):** "Hamon" (הָמוֹן) refers to a "noise," "multitude," "tumult," or "bustle," while "qiryâ" (קִרְיָה) denotes a "city" or "town." Together, this phrase encapsulates the cacophony and crowdedness of urban life. The wild ass's scorn is directed at the very essence of human civilization – its noise, its activity, its attempts to impose order on nature – affirming its preference for the quiet, unbridled wilderness.
* **Crying of the driver (Hebrew, _tse'aqot nogesh'_):** "Tse'aqot" (צַעֲקוֹת) means "cries" or "shouts," and "nogesh" (נֹגֵשׂ) refers to an "oppressor," "taskmaster," or "driver." This phrase evokes the commands, threats, or entreaties of one attempting to herd, control, or compel an animal. The wild ass's disregard for these cries highlights its absolute independence; it is impervious to human authority and cannot be coerced into submission, reinforcing its status as a creature beyond human dominion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He scorneth the multitude of the city":** This clause establishes the wild ass's fundamental aversion to human-controlled environments. The creature actively disdains the noise, crowds, and structured life of the city, preferring the freedom and desolation of the wilderness. This "scorn" is not merely indifference but a deliberate, almost defiant, rejection of human society's attempts to impose its will or order. It signifies an inherent wildness that cannot be reconciled with domestication.
* **"neither regardeth he the crying of the driver":** This second clause further amplifies the wild ass's untamable nature. It not only avoids human settlements but also completely ignores any attempts by humans to control or direct it. The "crying of the driver" represents all human efforts at coercion, training, or domestication. The wild ass's refusal to "regard" or pay attention to these commands underscores its absolute independence and its existence solely under divine, not human, authority. It is a creature that cannot be bent to human will.

#### Literary Devices
Job 39:7 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. **Personification** is evident in the description of the wild ass as "scorn[ing]" the city and "not regard[ing]" the driver's cries, attributing human-like emotions and willful disregard to an animal. This imbues the creature with a sense of agency and defiant independence. **Contrast** is central to the verse, juxtaposing the wild, untamed nature of the ass with the ordered, controlled environment of the "city" and the authority of the "driver." This stark opposition highlights the vast difference between human dominion and God's uncontainable creation. Furthermore, the wild ass functions as a powerful **symbolism**. It symbolizes ultimate freedom, divine sovereignty, and the limits of human power. By presenting a creature that defies human control, God uses it as a metaphor to humble Job, demonstrating that if humans cannot even fully control a wild animal, how much less can they comprehend or challenge the Creator of the entire cosmos.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:7 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and the inherent limitations of human understanding. By showcasing a creature that defies human domestication, God illustrates that His wisdom and power extend far beyond human grasp or control. The wild ass, in its untamed freedom, is not chaotic but perfectly aligned with God's design, thriving in its divinely appointed habitat. This passage reminds us that not all of God's creation is meant to serve human purposes or fit into human systems; much exists simply as a testament to His magnificent and diverse creative genius. It calls us to a posture of humility and awe before a God whose ways are inscrutable and whose dominion encompasses every facet of existence, from the smallest creature to the grandest cosmic order.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalm/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation")
* [Psalm 147:9](/psalm/147-9 "Psalm 147:9 - God Feeds the Young Ravens")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:7, within the broader context of God's discourse to Job, invites us to cultivate a profound sense of humility and awe before the Creator. In a world where humanity often strives for control and mastery over its environment, this verse reminds us that there are aspects of creation, and indeed of life itself, that remain stubbornly beyond our grasp. The wild ass, untamed and free, serves as a powerful metaphor for God's uncontainable power and wisdom. When we encounter circumstances beyond our control—whether personal trials, global events, or the sheer mystery of existence—this passage urges us to release our need for complete understanding and instead trust in God's sovereign wisdom. It encourages us to find peace in the knowledge that even what appears wild or inexplicable to us is under His meticulous care and purpose. Just as God provides for the wild ass in its desolate habitat, He provides for His people, demonstrating His boundless provision and oversight, echoing the themes of God's care found in [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Cares for Birds"). Our response should be one of worship, acknowledging that true wisdom begins with recognizing God's incomprehensible greatness and our own finite nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What aspects of your life or the world around you do you try to control, and how might Job 39:7 challenge that impulse?**
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty over the "untamed" parts of creation impact your trust in Him during times of uncertainty?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a greater sense of awe and humility before God, as encouraged by this passage?**

### FAQ

**What is the "wild ass" mentioned in Job 39:7, and why is it significant?**

Answer: The "wild ass" refers to the onager (Equus hemionus), a swift and notoriously untamable equid native to the arid regions of the Near East. It is significant because, unlike domesticated donkeys or horses, the onager resisted all ancient attempts at taming. In God's discourse to Job, the wild ass serves as a prime example of a creature that exists entirely outside human control and manipulation, thriving solely by God's design and provision. Its untamed nature highlights God's sovereignty over creation and the limits of human power and understanding.

**Why does God use examples from the natural world, like the wild ass, to speak to Job?**

Answer: God uses examples from the natural world, including the wild ass, to illustrate His unparalleled wisdom, power, and sovereignty in creation. Job had questioned God's justice and governance, seeking to understand the reasons for his suffering. By presenting the intricate, vast, and often uncontrollable wonders of the natural world, God demonstrates that His ways are far beyond human comprehension. If Job cannot even understand or control the creatures of the earth, how can he presume to understand or question the Creator of the universe? This approach serves to humble Job and reorient his perspective towards divine majesty, as seen throughout [Job chapters 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job").

**Does this verse imply human weakness or insignificance?**

Answer: While the verse certainly highlights human limitations in controlling certain aspects of creation, its primary purpose is not to diminish humanity but to exalt God. It underscores the vast gulf between finite human wisdom and infinite divine wisdom. By demonstrating that even the most untamable creatures operate by His design, God reminds Job (and us) that His dominion is absolute and His purposes are inscrutable. This realization should lead not to despair, but to a profound sense of awe and trust in a God who is infinitely wise and powerful, caring for all His creation, from the wild ass to humanity itself, as suggested by [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Cares for Birds").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 39:7, in its depiction of the wild ass's untamed freedom and disregard for human control, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal sense of being "untamed" by God, but in the spiritual and redemptive freedom Christ embodies and offers. While the wild ass is free from human dominion, Christ is free from the dominion of sin and death, perfectly untainted by the corrupting influence of the fallen world. He "scorned" the "multitude of the city" in the sense that He was not swayed by popular opinion, worldly power, or the empty traditions of men, consistently challenging the religious and political systems of His day that sought to control and define truth ([Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). He "neither regarded the crying of the driver" in that He was never compelled by any earthly authority or human will to deviate from His Father's mission, even when facing the ultimate sacrifice ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - No One Takes My Life From Me")). Christ, as the Lord of all creation ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")), perfectly embodies the divine sovereignty that Job 39:7 points to. His freedom is not a wild, chaotic independence, but a perfect, Spirit-empowered obedience that liberates humanity from the ultimate "driver" of sin and death, offering true freedom to all who believe ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")). Thus, the untamed nature of God's creation in Job foreshadows the uncontainable, sovereign, and liberating power of God made manifest in Jesus Christ.

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 3:18

[There] the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

Exodus 5:18

Go therefore now, [and] work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

Isaiah 58:3

¶ Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Job 39:18

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

Isaiah 31:4

For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, [he] will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

Exodus 5:13

And the taskmasters hasted [them], saying, Fulfil your works, [your] daily tasks, as when there was straw.

Exodus 5:16

There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants [are] beaten; but the fault [is] in thine own people.