Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
Surely the mountains {H2022} bring him forth {H5375} food {H944}, where all the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704} play {H7832}.
The mountains produce food for him there, where all the wild animals play.
The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play.
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.
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Psalms 104:14
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; -
Psalms 104:26
There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein. -
Job 40:15
¶ Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. -
Psalms 147:8
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. -
Psalms 147:9
He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry.
Commentary on Job 40:20 (KJV)
Job 40:20 is part of God's profound discourse to Job from the whirlwind, where the Creator highlights the immense power and untamed nature of Behemoth, one of His most magnificent creations. This verse specifically describes Behemoth's sustenance and habitat, painting a picture of a creature thriving in its natural environment under divine provision.
Context
In the book of Job, after Job's long lament and his friends' theological debates, God finally speaks to Job directly in chapters 38-41. God challenges Job's limited understanding by presenting the vastness and complexity of His creation, asking rhetorical questions that underscore His own infinite wisdom and power. This section, beginning in Job 40:15, focuses on two colossal creatures, Behemoth and later Leviathan, to demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over even the most powerful and wild aspects of the natural world. Verse 20 assures Job that even this mighty beast is fully sustained by God's design.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "play" here (שׂחק - sachaq) can denote various forms of joyful activity, including sporting, laughing, or making merry. In this context, it vividly portrays the carefree nature of the wild animals in their natural habitat, underscoring the peace and order established by the Creator, even in the untamed wilderness.
Practical Application
Job 40:20 offers a powerful lesson in trusting God's provision. If God meticulously provides for a creature as immense and wild as Behemoth, ensuring its food from the mountains and its habitat where other beasts can "play," how much more will He provide for humanity, whom He created in His own image and loves deeply? This verse encourages believers to place their trust in God's perfect plan and unfailing care, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, much like Job's own trials. It reminds us that God's wisdom and power are far beyond our comprehension, and His management of the universe is flawless, ensuring that all needs are met in His time and way, as further emphasized in Matthew 6:26 regarding God's care for birds and, by extension, for people.